Active Living: The Retirement Years

Active Living

A supplement to the Anacortes American and the Skagit Valley Herald

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Active Living

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Improve your retirement with supplemental income

File photo

Resources, screenings and informational booths are all a part of the fair.

Learn to Navigate the Future at annual senior resource fair The 2018 “Navigating the Future: Senior Resource Fair” is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, in Anacortes.

Various exhibitors will be on hand to offer information about regional resources useful to area senior citizens.

Subjects of interest range from options to help hearing or vision loss to connecting with social activities and exercise or even social services. The event is free.

Coffee and refreshments provided.

The fair is sponsored by the Anacortes American with help from nearly two-dozen exhibitors and will be held at the Anacortes First Baptist Church, 2717 J Avenue.

Call Colette Weeks at 360-293-3122 ext. 1040 for details.

Whether you receive retirement benefits already or you are still working, there are ways to improve your financial future.

About one-third of households in Skagit County already receive r e t i r e m e n t i n c o m e, according to the Census Bureau.

With 19 percent of the county’s population over the age of 65, some of this income may be due to Social Security retirement benefits.

Other income may be due to employer-backed retirement plans such as pensions, 401(k)s and 403(b)s, or individual plans such as IRAs, stock and real estate investments.

Only about two-thirds of workers in America are confident they can retire comfortably, according to a survey released in August conducted by the Transam-

erica Center for Retirement studies.

Th e r e a r e l e s s e rknown ways to support retirement income that senior Skagitonians may want to check into, such as annuities and reverse mortgages.

Annuities, which are contracts with insurance companies requiring the company to make payments to you, can help supplement retirement income, provide death benefits and tax-deferred investment gains, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Fixed annuities grow at a fixed interest rate of periodic payments, while variable annuities allow you to direct your funds to different investments, like mutual funds.

Indexed annuities combine the features of securities and insurance products, crediting you with a percent return

based on a stock market index, according to the commission.

Reverse mortgages can help seniors age 62 and older liquidate the equity in their homes, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Only reverse mortages called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) are insured by the federal government and are available through FHA-approved lenders, according to the department.

These mortgages can help seniors to age in their homes and remain financially independent, however it is important to realize it is a loan that must be repaid, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Find out more about various retirement plans at www.irs.gov/retirement-plans.

Editor: Colette Weeks Content: Jacqueline Allison, Briana Alzola and Sarah Doyle Layout: Briana Alzola Advertising Director: Duby Petit Cover photo: Shutterstock

SKAGIT PUBLISHING File photo

More than 24 exhibitors will be able to provide information and answer questions.

© Skagit Publishing 2018 All rights reserved

Active Living

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Seniors have multiple transportation options Seniors who want to boost their driving skills and update their knowledge have options here in Skagit County.

There are also options to get around for those who do not drive.

Wednesdays, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Register at the senior center reception desk or call 360-2937473.

Fi n d m o r e i n f o rm a t i o n a t a a r p. o r g.

Driver retraining By 2030, the number of drivers over age 85 will be four times what it is today, according to the National Caregivers Library.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) hosts Smart Driver courses periodically throughout Skagit County to help drivers sharpen their skills for more safe and

Services, public transportation

Skagit Transit

Skagit Transit routes stretch across Skagit County. For specific schedules, visit http://www.skagittransit.org. confident driving.

In October, two ses-

sions will be offered at the Anacortes Senior

Activity Center from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• S k a g i t Tr a n s i t offers fixed route and paratransit with fully accessible buses, and curb-to-curb service by application.

Reduced fares are available to those 65 and older.

Free travel training is available for all ages.

360-757-4433 or skagit-

transit.org.

• Some private caregivers provide transportation for seniors and others with mobility issues.

• Th e N o r t h w e s t Regional Council at 800-860-6812 provides Medicaid patients with transportation services.

Veterans’ transportation services to Veterans Affairs medical facilities can be found at dav.org/veterans/ineed-a-ride/ • Community Action of Skagit County also offers transportation and other services to l o w - i n c o m e s e n i o r s.

Call 360-416-7585 or visit communityactionskagit.org.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Active Living

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Learn to prevent falling, which can lead to serious injury As people age, they can find themselves a little less steady on their feet.

L a c k o f b a l a n c e, weakening muscles and frailty increases risks of falls, which can cause serious injury and even death.

According to the Cen-

ter for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults older than 65 fall each year. In fact, every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall in the United States.

Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury (and can cause broken bones

and other injuries), but there are ways to help prevent them.

Th e C D C r e c o m mends everyone who is concerned about falling to talk to their doctors.

Healthcare providers can evaluate risk of falling.

Knowing if medications can cause drowsiness or

dizziness is also a great step.

There are also strength and balance exercises that can lessen the likelihood of falling. Several are offered at area senior centers, including classes three days a week at the Anacortes Senior Activity

Center.

Checking hearing and vision also helps, as does making sure the home is as safe as possible.

Removing obstacles that may cause tripping or that need to be stepped over or around can help.

Adding a grab bar in the shower and near

the toilet can help in the bathroom, as can railings on the sides of stairs and steps.

The CDC offers many resources and tips thorugh its Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) Initiative. Learn more at www.cdc.gov/steadi.

Unhealthy habits, like poor eating and a lack of exercise, can mean chronic disease Taking care of your health can help you age gracefully in Skagit County, whether you live on the coast or inland.

The county has three hospitals: Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Island Hospital in Anacortes and United General Hospital in

Sedro-Woolley. There are at least 24 retirement, assisted living, nursing and memory care facilities in Skagit County, according to the Northwest Regional Council.

Learn more at the county’s website.

Island Hospital’s 2016 Community Health

Needs Assessment report found that despite relatively low incidences of most chronic conditions, Skagit County exceeds the state average in premature deaths before age 50 and 65.

Some of the top causes of death in the county are due to pre-

ventable and treatable diseases.

Cancer is responsible for 20 percent of senior deaths, and heart disease accounts for 10 percent, according to the state Department of Health Chronic Disease profile.

Other chronic diseases experienced by Skagit

County seniors include arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, stroke and kidney disease.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic diseases are among the most common, expensive

and preventable of all health problems.

Seniors can reduce their risk of developing such diseases by eating a healthy diet, maintaining moderate physical activity 30 minutes a day and avoiding smoking and alcohol, according to the Department of Health.

Active Living

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Hospice, palliative care aim to help ease patients’ suffering Hospice care can help patients and their caregivers make the journey to the end of life easier.

According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, hospice care helps manage patient’s pain and symptoms; assists patients with emotional psycho-social and spiritual aspects of dying; provides necessary drugs medical supplies and equipment; teaches families how best to care for their family member in hospice; delivers special services; and provides bereavement care and counseling to family and friends.

Most hospice care is

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Hospice care is generally done in a person’s home toward the end of their life. Palliative care is meant to ease pain and suffering.

provided in-home and not in a facility or a hospital.

The majority of people on hospice are dealing with cancer (about 28 percent), cardiac and circulatory problems (19 percent) or dementia (17 percent), according to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Hospice of the Northwest is one of the organizations offering hospice and palliative care in this area.

According to its website, it is aimed at bringing hope to those facing life-limiting illnesses.

Hospice of the Northwest is based in Mount Vernon but provides

care across Skagit, San Juan, Island and Snohomish counties.

Palliative care is medical care for those with serious illnesses.

It focuses on providing relief from symptoms while patients are battling diseases. It is different from hospice, which is generally focused on those who are in their final stages of life.

Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon has a palliative care team that includes physicians, social workers and chaplains.

Island Hospital in Anacortes is also exploring the idea of providing palliative care.

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Active Living

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Learn to spot the warning signs of a failing memory Growing older can mean becoming more forgetful, but the problem runs much deeper for some.

Alzheimer’s Disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

An estimated 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to almost 14 million.

The best way to fight it is to catch the disease early, according to the association.

The association created a list of 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

They are:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life • Challenges in planning or solving problems • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure • Confusion with time or place • Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships • New problems with words in speaking or writing • Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps • Decreased or poor judgment • Withdrawal from work or social activities • Changes in mood and personality For seniors who are among the one in three that develop

dementia, there are plenty of resources in Skagit County to help caregivers.

Skagit Adult Day Program, which has facilities in Anacortes and Burlington, offers day-to-day programs that allow caregivers to drop off those dealing with memory issues during the day.

The organization offers Lunch & Learn programs from noon to 2 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month in Burlington and 12:30 to 2 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in Anacortes. The events feature area experts sharing knowledge and insights over a homecooked meal. There is no cost.

For those in need, there are also memory care assisted living facilities in Burlington, Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon and La Conner.

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An estimated 5.7 million people are living with Alzheimer’s in the United States.

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10 AM - 2 PM

File photos

Meals on Wheels volunteers bring lunches to homebound seniors every weekday, with extra food for weekends.

Meals on Wheels, area centers provide safe way for seniors to eat Cooking can become an especially difficult chore as seniors age, but there are programs in place to make sure seniors have affordable, easy meals when they want it.

Meals on Wheels is a national program that takes volunteer drivers and uses them to deliver lunch each day to those seniors who may have a difficult time leaving their homes. Seniors who are 60 years old or older can sign up for the program.

I n S k a g i t C o u n t y, meals are prepared each weekday at the county’s central kitchen and then distributed through the area’s senior centers.

Each Meals on Wheels meal has a suggested donation of $3.50, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. Fundraisers throughout the year

help the program continue.

The various senior centers also offer an incenter lunch each day for those seniors who are able to get out of their homes and would like to eat in a social setting.

Those lunches, also prepared at the central kitchen and then finished in each city, are $4 a meal (suggested donation).

Locations in Skagit

County are the Anacortes Senior Activity Center, Burlington Senior Center, Mount Vernon Senior Center, Sedro-Woolley Senior Center and the Community Covenant Church of Clear Lake.

For information on volunteering or signing up for the Skagit County Nutrition Program (including Meals on Wheels), call 360-4161500.

B U F F E T

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Active Living

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Area centers offer classes for fitness, balance, dance From yoga and Zumba to strength and balance training, there are a variety of opportunities for seniors to stay active and healthy while having fun.

Anacortes Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes.

• Indoor walking: 8 to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday.

• Silver Foxes exercise class: 10 to 11 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This free class features a 20-minu t e n o n - s t r e s s, l o w impact aerobic exercise and low-impact weight training.

• Beginning line dancing: 8:15 to 9 a.m. every Friday (no partners).

Cost is $5 per class.

• Strength & balance: Two class sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. $3 per class or $25 for 10. Free for those qualifying for Silver Sneakers.

• Gentle yoga: 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays. Cos for each five-week session is $50. $12 per session for drop-ins.

• T’ai Chi Chih to relieve stress: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursdays. Cost for three-week series is $50.

• Seated wellness: 2 to 3:15 p.m. each Tuesday. Focuses on range of movement, stretching and stress reduction. $2 per class.

Information: 360-2937473 or anacorteswa.gov Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave., Mount Vernon.

• Low-impact exercise: 10 a.m. every Mon-

File photo

Gentle yoga classes, like this one at the Anacortes Senior Activity Center, allow those who may not move easily the chance to work while seated. day and Friday.

• Flowing-motion exercise (Qigong): 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

• Tai Chi for strength and balance: 9 a.m.

Thursdays.

• North Cascade Tai Chi: 2 p.m. Mondays, 9:50 a.m. Wednesdays, 4 p.m.

Thursdays.

Information: 360-4161585 or skagitcounty.net Burlington Senior Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave., Burlington.

• Silver Sneakers: 9 and 10 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, and 11 a.m.

Wednesdays. Focuses on improving flexibility, balance and range of motion through lowimpact exercises.

• Tai Chi: Wednesdays at 9 a.m. $3 for drop-in.

• Zumba Gold: 10 a . m . We d n e s d a y s. $ 3 drop-in fee or $25 punch card. Free for Silver

Sneakers.

• Yoga for all skill levels: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Tuesdays, 9:30 to 10:30 Thursdays. $5 suggested donation.

Information: 360-4161511 or skagitcounty.net Sedro-Woolley Senior Center, 715 Pacific St, Sedro-Woolley.

• Group exercise: 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Free.

• Yoga: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays beginning in October. $5 suggested donation.

Information: 360-8551531 or skagitcounty.net The La Conner Senior Center, 104 Commercial St., La Conner, also offers yoga, Zumba, strength & balance and guided meditation courses.

Call 360-855-5440 for details.

Jacqueline Allison / Skagit Publishing

Skagit County offers plenty of places to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Find new ways to get outside Spending time outdoors has mental and physical health benefits, and Skagit County offers a variety of places to go.

• The Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands offers free, guided hikes in the forest for people of all ages and skills levels this fall.

All-ages hikes are open to families and people of all ages. They start at 10 a.m. on Saturdays.

Senior-Adult hikes are for adults who want to learn more about the forest through easy hikes. These hikes are at 10 a.m. Fri-

days. Extra-gentle hikes are each a mile or less on gentle trails and last about an hour.

Information: 360-2933725, friendsoftheacfl.org or info@friendsoftheacfl. org.

• Skagit Guided Adventures offers small group day hikes, nature, birding, farm, flower and sightseeing tours around San Juan Islands, Anacortes, Skagit Valley, Mount Baker and the North Cascades National Park.

Information: 360-4747479, skagitguidedad-

ventures.com or steph@ skagitguidedadventures. com • Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation offers travel opportunities for ages 8 and older. Trips depart from and return to Hillcrest Park, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon.

Information: 360-336-6215 • Recreation Without Borders offers recreational trips, tours and adventures throughout the Northwest and British Columbia.

Information: 360-7667109 or visit recreationwithoutborders.com.