Good Living | April 2010

Good Living

Spring 2010

The Retirement Years

MAKING A DIFFERENCE INSIDE: Senior volunteers vital to community Retire with flexibility, independence

A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American

Spring 2010

Good Living

The Retirement Years

Senior Resources................2

COVER STORY

Senior Volunteers................4 Volunteer Opportunities.......6 Transitional Living............10 Senior Events...................12

5

For Your Health................14 Editor: Colette Weeks, cweeks@skagitpublishing.com Display Advertising Manager: Deb Bundy, dbundy@skagitpublishing.com Design: Ashley Crerar Production: Ashley Crerar, Jody Hendrix, Christina Poisal, Patricia Stowell

Advertising Representatives: Stephanie Fussell, sfussell@skagitpublishing.com Leah Hines, lhines@skagitpublishing.com Marc McCoy, mmccoy@skagitpublishing.com Kathy Schulrz, kschultz@skagitpublishing.com Kim Streit, kstreit@skagitpublishing.com Paul Tinnon, ptinnon@skagitpublishing.com

14 EDITORIAL 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 P: 360.416-2146 F: 360.428.0400 ADVERTISING 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 P: 360.424.3251 F: 360.424.5300

Photographer: Scott Terrell

SENIOR RESOURCES NUMBERS: ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL

CALLING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Community Action Agency, Mount Vernon 360-416-7585

Health Watch 360-336-9693 or 800-624-2714 Lifeline 360-293-7563 or 800-543-3546 Response Link 360-303-2292

Community Health Resource Center, Anacortes 360-299-1397, Mount Vernon 360-428-2371 Department of Social and Health Services, Mount Vernon 360-416-7444 or 800-487-0416 Physicians Referral Line, Skagit County 360-848-5555 Senior Information and Assistance, Burlington 360-428-1301 Whatcom-Island Counties Medical Society, Burlington 360-676-7630

FINANCIAL AND LEGAL SERVICES City utility discounts for low-income seniors: Anacortes 360-293-1900 Burlington (refuse pick-up only) 360-755-0531 Mount Vernon 360-336-6218 Sedro-Woolley (refuse pick-up only) 360-855-0929

April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

HOME HEALTH CARE Island Hospital Home Health Services, Anacortes 360-299-1301 OptionCare, Mount Vernon 360-854-9604 or 800-755-0484 Visiting Nurse Personal Services, Mount Vernon 360-336-9693 or 800-624-2714

SENIOR CENTERS Anacortes Senior Center 360-293-7473 Burlington Senior Center 360-755-0102 Concrete Senior Center 360-853-8400 Marblemount Community Center 360-873-4432 Mount Vernon Senior Center 360-336-5757 Sedro-Woolley Senior Center 360-855-1531

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TRANSITIONAL LIVING

Seniors find ways to retire while keeping independence.

See full story on page 10

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April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

Community relies on senior volunteers

By AARON BURKHALTER

Staff Writer

Every weekday, Skagit Senior Services feeds hundreds of people at various centers across the county and by delivery through the Meals on Wheels program.

And who prepares, packages and delivers the meals to the county’s elderly? Seniors, for the most part.

Kristl Torset, who manages the Mount Vernon Senior Center on Cleveland Avenue, said the vast majority of her 75 volunteers are seniors.

“I have two or three drivers over 80 who are still going out one day a week delivering meals,” Torset said.

The volunteers say they do it for a variety of reasons, most commonly because it gives them a warm feeling to help and gets them out of the house and into the community.

“I volunteer because I live alone, and I never leave the house,” said Julie Sprouse, 63, of Mount Vernon. “I get out one day a week and socialize. I’m a normal, functioning person now.”

Across the county — at schools, food banks, community gardens and social clubs — retired people make up a significant chunk of the volunteer force. Many senior citizens simply can’t sit still in retirement.

Jan Ryberg, who manages the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program for Skagit County, said she has almost 1,000 volunteers on file who are ready to help various nonprofits and public organizations. In 2009, the group reported 139,367 hours of service for 87 agencies.

Thomas Wake, 69, of Bow, said he fills his time helping different organizations, all volunteer.

He spends every Thursday morning organizing other volunteers at the Washington State University Extension Center orchard. He said the bulk of his crew — between 18 and 20 every week — are retired, but keep busy pruning, weeding and fertilizing apple trees and blueberry bushes.

Every other day, he splits his time between his church, the Blanchard Community Club, the Blanchard-Edison Water Association and the Chuckanut Conservancy.

“Sometimes it gets a little overwhelming,” Wake said.

But he said the tight, rural community has kept him going. He even sacrificed his original retirement plan to travel.

“I don’t need to do that,” Wake said. “When you go to the valley, why would you go anywhere else?”

Nonprofit organizations say they rely on senior volunteers to manage all the work they do.

Quinn Slayton, from the Skagit County Community Action Agency, said many seniors help the agency through its Volunteer Chore Program,

April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

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Casey Calissendorff treats a tree for anthracnose at the Washington State University Research Station.

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which assists home-bound seniors with they regularly receive large donations installing ramps and hand bars in their of bread from Franz Bakery. homes.

The Lyman couple took about five She said Community Action is even years off when they started their retirenaming its new volunteer center after Bill McIlraith, who helped with the Volunteer Chore Program until his death last year. She said he inspired other volunteers because he never quit working.

“He was 20 years older than most of the people he served who were in wheelchairs,” Slayton said.

But most volunteers still do the work because it just feels good to help.

Lynn and Jim Jonasson volunteer as “scavengers” for Community Action’s Food Bank Distribution Center in Sedro-Woolley. The Lyman couple spends their time calling farmers, bakeries and other food distributors to collect donaNancy Gordon helps tions for various food banks. prepare Meals on Wheels Last year, the pair collected 18,000 dinners at the Mount Vernon pounds of potatoes for food banks, and

Senior Center.

ment, but the desire to give back to the community pulled them into service.

Lynn Jonasson said she does it for the chance to interact with children.

She said she once distributed 400 bags of bread to food banks across the county. While at one food bank, she decided to hand one child a bag of bread sticks.

“What’s one little sack of breadsticks going to do?” Jonasson said. “But her eyes lit up like Christmas light bulbs.

That’s what we look forward to.”

Nonprofit organizers say they couldn’t manage their work without this kind of help.

Val Stafford, president of the Concrete Chamber of Commerce, said seniors handle the bulk of the work done for festivals and events upriver. But she never thought much about the fact that they were senior citizens.

“I don’t think of them in terms of seniors,” Stafford said. “They’re just older people who help me.”

‘‘To Be Seventy Years Young Is Sometimes Far More Enjoyable And Hopeful Than To Be Forty Years Old.’’ – Oliver Wendell HOlmes, Jr.

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April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

&

Retired Senior volunteer program opportunities Lend your energy, expertise to Skagit groups EARTH DAY: Help spruce up the site of the eighth annual Swinomish Earth Enhancement Celebration before Saturday, April 24, at the Swinomish Community Center, 17275 Reservation Road, La Conner. Pick up beach debris, remove ivy and blackberry vines, untangle fishing nets and clean up elder home yards. Perks and transportation provided. RSVP to Tiffany Hoyopatubbi, 360-466-3374 or thoyopatubbi@swinomish.nsn.us.

ADOPT A ROOM: Friendship House seeks individuals or organizations to do spring cleaning and updating — new paint, bedding, mattresses, etc. — during April and May in its women’s or men’s houses on Third Avenue in Mount Vernon. To “Adopta-Room,” contact kimberly@geariety. com or 360-336-5245.

BLACK CAT SERVICES: Volunteers and auction goods and services are needed for the Humane Society of Skagit Valley’s 15th annual Black Cat Auction on Saturday, May 1, at the Burlington Community Center, 1011 Greenleaf Ave. 360-757-0445 or www. skagithumane.com.

POETRY FESTIVAL: Host fundraisers, house poets, provide airport shuttle service, publicize and monitor venues during the Skagit River Poetry Project and Festival, May 20-22 in La Conner. joaninbhutan@yahoo.com.

OCEANS DAY: Educate and encourage people to make a change for cleaner, healthier oceans during “Camocean: World Oceans Day Festival,” to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Cama Beach and Camano Island State Park. Donations of advertising and other services are also needed. 360-629-0697, 425-212-7625 or clongdon@verizon.net.

RELAY FOR LIFE: Help organize the annual June 5-6 Relay for Life at Burlington-Edison High School to benefit cancer research. Team meetings will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, May 12 and 26, at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Ave. A wrap-up meeting is scheduled for 6:30 Wednesday, June 9, at the Hampton Inn, 1860 S. Burlington Blvd. 360-630-9774.

RUN/WALK VOLUNTEERS: The Have a Heart 10k Run and 2-Mile Run/Walk is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 22, at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon. Organizers need help for a variety of tasks before and during the Skagit County Community Action benefit. Sign up at www.1-800-volunteer. org/1800Vol/skagit/vcindex.do. 360416-7585, ext. 1167, or www.skagitcap. org/post/Have-a-Heart-Run.aspx.

THRIFT SHOP: Assist customers, display merchandise or hang clothes at the Humane Society Thrift Shop, 525-D E. College Way, Mount Vernon (north of Value Village). 360-424-5991.

April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CELEBRATE SCOUTING: Boy Scout troops in the Skagit District seek adult volunteers to serve as a unit leader, to organize events or fundraisers, or to help recruit kids into scouting.

360-421-1610 or JSummers@mount bakerbsa.org.

INSURANCE HELPLINE: The SHIBA HelpLine, a free counseling service, seeks volunteers to help consumers young and old understand their rights and options for insurance, prescriptions and health programs. 360856-7272.

FOOD SORTERS: The Skagit Food Bank Distribution Center in SedroWoolley needs helpers to sort pallets of food at 6 a.m. Mondays for about four hours. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

360-416-7585, ext. 1189.

CRISIS INTERVENTION: Skagit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services seeks compassionate individuals to be trained for crisis intervention and operation of its 24-hour hotline. To inquire or sign up: 360-336-9591.

HELP KIDS AFTER SCHOOL: Help elementary school students with homework, reading, playtime and enrichment activities for an hour or more weekday afternoons through the Children of the Valley after-school program

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at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 HELP S.P.O.T.: Saving Pets One At 18th St., Mount Vernon. 360-466-2369, A Time has many nonfostering volunjacquechase@verizon.net, 360-424-9399 teer tasks: fundraising, staffing events or flora@bethanycovenant.net. and adoptions, program coordinating and data entry. www.SavingPetsOneAt DISASTER RESPONSE: The aTime.org.

American Red Cross Mt. Baker Chapter seeks health care and mental health DRIVERS NEEDED: The Stanprofessionals and other volunteers for wood Community and Senior Center its disaster response teams. Ongoing for its wellness transportation program training will be provided. For informa- to take residents to medical appointtion, contact volunteer services director ments, wellness activities and support Linda Giles at 360-733-3290, ext. 1015 groups. 360-629-7403. www.stanwoodseor e-mail lindadg@mtbredcross.org. niorcenter.org.

SEARCH AND RESCUE: Learn wilderness navigation, emergency medical care, survival, radio communications and search techniques to help locate missing hikers and hunters, and locate evidence at crime scenes. Skagit County Explorer Search and Rescue seeks volunteers age 14 and older. 360757-0841, info@skagitsar.com or visit www.skagitsar.com.

THERAPY DOGS: Anacortesbased Dogs On Call seeks volunteers with people-loving dogs to provide canine-assisted support to children and others in need. If you want more information or to see if your dog is suitable or if you have a certified therapy dog, contact dogsoncall@gmail.com or 360-293-4675.

HEALTH CLINICS: The Skagit County Public Health Department seeks volunteers to assist with immunization clinics, to take care of registrations, triage and traffic control. For more information, call 360-336-9380.

HELP AT LIBRARY: Inquire at the library in Stanwood, 9701 271st St. NW. 360-629-3132 or jlien@sno-isle.org.

STUDENT PROJECTS: Several student learning projects are in the works at Burlington-Edison High School. One involves retired volunteers helping in one-on-one tutoring in math, English, physics, chemistry, and biology. 360-757-4074.

SKAGIT COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION: A variety of tasks and programs need volunteers. To help: 360416-7585, www.skagitvolunteercenter. org or susanr@skagitcap.org.

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April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH SUMMIT ASSISTANCE DOGS: RSVP Volunteer foster homes and trainers are needed for dogs Summit receives from shelters or rescue programs.

TASKS FOR SENIORS: The Commitment can be short or long term. Retired Senior Volunteer Program at 360-293-5609 or info@summitdogs.org. 309 S. Third St., Mount Vernon, seeks residents ages 55 and older to help with THRIFT SHOP: Help at Vintage La assorted programs. Mileage reimburseConner Thrift Shop. Three-hour shifts ment is available.

Tuesdays through Sundays. 360-466For more information on any of the 4017. following volunteer opportunities, call Jan Ryberg, RSVP Coordinator, at 360MEMORY AWARENESS: A vol419-3447 or e-mail jankr@skagit.wa.us, unteer screening counselor is needed or visit www.1-800-volunteer.org. at Island Hospital for two hours every other month to advise or refer existing SKAGIT COUNTY LAW patients to health care providers. 360LIBRARY: The staff needs a few 299-1371 or jmkube@islandhospital.org volunteers to man the library — past library or legal experience would be LIBRARY HELP: The Mount Ver- helpful, and a training day would be non Public Library has service opportu- provided by law library staff. nities, such as installing shelving, setting up displays and preparing materials.

SKAGIT COUNTY CORONER: The library also can use bookkeeping Clerical assistance is needed in his help and participation with the annual office one-half day per week, or for book sale. 360-336-6209. several hours two days per week.

HISTORIC LINCOLN THEATRE: A volunteer is needed to work at the ticket office desk one day per week for 5 hours.

RSVP OFFICE: Help with clerical work once a week. This would involve around two hours of using an adding machine to tally up volunteer hours.

Lincoln Elementary seeks a classroom tutor for 30 minutes per week between noon and 3 p.m. Washington Elementary also needs math tutors once or more weekly.

VISITOR’S CENTER: The Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce needs volunteers to answer phones and greet the public on weekends. Have fun meeting people from all over the world.

CHECKERS/CUSTOMER SERVICE: Volunteers are needed at Habitat for Humanity’s construction supply store in Mount Vernon.

FINANCIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS: A new program through Skagit County Community Action Agency needs teachers to instruct students in budgeting, the banking system, credit/debit and consumerism issues.

FOSTER HOMES FOR DOGS: needed for Summit Assistance Dogs, headquartered in Anacortes, and the dogs it receives from shelters or rescue programs. This can be a short- or longterm commitment.

MOUNT VERNON POLICE: Volunteers for the Vacation Home Check program — a great opportunity for a husband-and-wife team or friends.

Drive decommissioned police vehicles and help keep area neighborhoods safer and homes secure. Schedules are flexible.

FOOD BANK: Help at the Shepherds Heart Care Center in Lyman by picking up food on Mondays in SedroWoolley. Also needed are volunteers to MUSEUM DOCENTS: The Skagit assist at the food bank distribution site County Historical Museum seeks Thursdays, distribution day. volunteers to lead students through the museum. Volunteer benefits include CONCRETE OASIS: Teen Outcoffee time, field trips, and educational reach Center needs student volunteers. sessions.

They desire a time commitment of two afternoons per week if possible, for OPERA GUILD: Help is needed ages 13-18.

by Skagit Opera for everything from manning the Guild Booth at Opera TUTORS COUNTYWIDE: Provide productions to assisting with benefits in private homes. They also welcome new one-on-one help for struggling readers at elementary schools countywide.

Guild members.

April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

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HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS: Skagit occasional basis. www.psbc.org/volunValley Hospital seeks help for a variety teers/index.htm of duties. Call Steve Schultz, 360-4282142, for more information.

HUMANE SOCIETY: The Society’s thrift store needs sorters and pricers.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY MUSEUM: needs volunteers to greet visitors and VOCATIONAL SERVICES: Volhandle sales in the gift shop. unteers who have basic office work experience are needed to answer phones, AMERICAN LEGION: The Veter- file and schedule appointments at ans Affairs office needs volunteers to Washington Vocational Services. Hours help with various tasks in the Sedroof service can be very flexible.

Woolley office.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY POLICE: ADULT DAY CARE: Skagit Adult Volunteers for the Home Security Day Care in Burlington seeks visitors Watch Program can drive unmarked for participants, and musicians are patrol cars, while helping to make sure needed to provide entertainment, on homes are secure while owners are Tuesdays, Thursdays,and Fridays. The out-of-town. recently opened facility in Anacortes also needs volunteer help.

KITCHEN HELPERS: The Mount Vernon Senior Center and all five PUGET SOUND BLOOD county senior centers need Meals on CENTER: The Mount Vernon diviWheels drivers, either once a week or sion seeks volunteers to serve as donor as substitute drivers. registrars and donor monitors on an

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OFFICE VOLUNTEERS: The Anacortes/San Juan Island American Red Cross office seeks helpers with office and/or computer experience.

VOLUNTEER CHORE SERVICES: Help keep elderly and disabled adults independent and in their own homes by helping with household tasks in Mount Vernon. 360-416-7585.

BIRCHVIEW MEMORY CARE: Entertain, visit or read to residents suffering from dementia at the SedroWoolley facility.

SKAGIT SYMPHONY: Join the symphony league and help with events.

NAMI OF SKAGIT COUNTY: (National Alliance on Mental Illness) needs volunteers to recruit and encourage volunteers, and coordinators for various programs. NAMI classes and meetings take place both in Mount Vernon and Anacortes.

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April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

Retirement Communities offer flexibility, independence Kay Ballou likes to garden in a small plot in front of her Creekside Community cottage.

By AARON BURKHALTER

Staff Writer

Kay Ballou loves gardening.

She keeps at it, even though her pumpkins never bore any fruit last year. But she’s scattered pansies across her garden and has grown corn before.

She’s getting ready for more vegetables this spring.

Ballou is 88 and living at Creekside Retirement Community in Burlington.

But she is one of a growing number of seniors who don’t want to give up every aspect of independent living as they leave their family homes. Ballou found a good compromise in Burlington, where she has a small cottage with garden space. But she gets help cleaning her house and maintaining her yard, plus three meals a day. But if she wants to cook at home, she’s got the kitchen to do it.

“This comes as close to being home as you have when you give up your real home,” Ballou said. “You have room, you have your garden, you come and go as you please.”

Retirement communities across

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Skagit County offer housing to people like Ballou — people who want to make their retirement a slow transition.

Rather than leave their family homes and jump into a small room at a nursing home, some seniors are looking for an apartment with a little help that allows their independence.

Nancy Laeha, executive director of Cap Sante Court in Anacortes, said residents there are looking for an “intermediary step” when they move into a retirement community.

She said retirement homes are adapting by getting rid of the stigma and stereotype of the white-walled, linoleumfloored nursing homes of the past.

“We are gradually getting away from that as people find there are other options,” Laeha said.

Martin Taylor, marketing director for Mountain Glen Retirement Center in Mount Vernon, said residents today want flexibility. One person might need ongoing assistance while the next is looking for more independent living without the hassle of cooking.

“People live much as they do in their

April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

own home — minus the responsibilities of upkeep,” Martin said.

Three retirement communities in the area are offering even more independence through “cottages.” These are houses adjacent to retirement communities that allow seniors to live in their own home and take advantage of the assistance.

In addition to Creekside, La Conner Retirement Inn in La Conner has seven cottages, and Warm Beach Senior Community in Stanwood has 55.

“They want to be independent, but they don’t want to take care of a yard or maintenance,” said Wilma Jo Flaherty at La Conner Inn. “If they can have an independent cottage, those things are taken care of for them.”

La Conner Inn resident Virginia Dunthorne, 81, said she moved into the cottage because she was done with maintaining a house but not ready for full assistance.

“It gives me time to do my reading, time to let me sleep in if I want to and an amazing sense of freedom,” Dunthorne said.

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Amy Aslett, marketing director at Creekside, said the cottages are more appealing for seniors moving out of their family home. She said most people are leaving a house where they invested their lives.

“When you come to a community like this, most people, they’re coming from their family home,” Aslett said.

It’s less jarring when seniors are able to transition into a small home that has the same amenities.

For Ballou, she gets her garden and some extra sunlight. She proudly showed off the ceiling-mounted windows her husband never wanted in their family home. And outside she pointed out all her plans for this year’s veggies.

“I love to watch things grow,” Ballou said. “I think most elderly people do.”

• Kate Martin contributed to this report.

RETIREMENT FACILITIES OFFERING VARIABLE LEVELS OF ASSISTED LIVING ANACORTES • Cap Sante Court 1111 32nd St. • 360-293-8088 www.capsantecourt.com • Chandler’s Square 1300 O Ave. • 360-293-1300 www.chandlersquare.com BURLINGTON • Creekside Retirement Community 400 Gilkey Road • 360-755-5550 www.creeksideretirement.com • Where the Heart Is 410 Norris St. • 360-755-8007 www.frontiermgmt.com/ communities/heart/index.html LA CONNER • LaConner Retirement Inn 204 N. First St. • 360-466-5700 www.laconnerretirementinn.com

MOUNT VERNON • Alpine Ridge 401 N. 17th St. • 360-424-9622 •Heather Village 925 Heather Circle • 360-336-5863 • Logan Creek 2311 E. Division St. • 360-428-0222 www.logancreek.com • Mountain Glen Retirement Center 1810 E. Division St. • 360-424-7900 www.mtnglen.com SEDRO-WOOLLEY • Country Meadow Village 1501 Collins Road • 360-856-0404 www.villageconcepts.com STANWOOD • Merrill Gardens at Stanwood 7212 265th St. N.W. • 360-629-3445 www.merrillgardens.com • Warm Beach Senior Community 20420 Marine Dr. • 360-652-7585 www.warmbeach.org We serve Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island & Snohomish Counties

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Visit our website at www.VisitingAngelsWA.com April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

11

EVENTS

BURLINGTON SENIOR CENTER 360-755-0102

Games held at the Burlington Senior Center include Mexican train dominoes the first Tuesday of the month; Rummikub the second Tuesday; Skip Bo at 1 p.m. the third Tuesday; Trominos the fourth Tuesday; cribbage at 9:30 a.m.

Wednesdays; pinochle at 12:45 p.m.

ANACORTES SENIOR CENTER Wednesdays, cost $1.50; hand and 360-293-7473 foot card games at 12:30 p.m. ThursExercise opportunities include days; bridge at 12:30 p.m. Fridays, Silver Foxes exercise, Tai Chi, yoga, reserve a spot at 360-755-0102; and table tennis, indoor walking, begin- beginning pinochle at 12:45 p.m. ning line dancing, and mind and Fridays. body wellness.

The Old Time Fiddlers perform “Wellness Day” speakers and at 11 a.m. the third Monday of each screenings offered from 10 a.m. month. to noon the last Tuesday of each month; blood pressure checks from Tai Chi offered at 9 a.m. Wednes10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the last Tuesday; days. $3 per session. hearing aid checks from 10 a.m. to noon the last Tuesday; and chair Free blood pressure clinics held massage by appointment from 9:30at 10:30 a.m. the third Wednesday 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. of each month.

SENIOR CENTERS OF SKAGIT COUNTY

Recreational music making classes are offered. For information, contact Sally Kirk at 360-856-4938.

The Low Vision Support Group meets at 1 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month. Each meeting offers a speaker and a program.

A weight loss group gathers at 9:30 a.m. Mondays. The goal for members is to lose a pound a week.

The group shares information on weight loss.

CONCRETE SENIOR CENTER 360-853-8400

Foot care is offered by Visiting Nurses April 8, May 20, July 1, Aug. 12, Sept. 23, Nov. 4 and Dec. 16.

Foot care is $17, fingernails $5. Appointments are required by calling 360-853-8400. Please bring a towel.

The Gray Ladies Sewing Circle gathers to hoop quilt, and teach others, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mondays.

MOUNT VERNON SENIOR CENTER • 360-336-5757

Classes available at the Anacortes Senior Center include computer, wood carving, basket weaving, oil painting, watercolors, bead weaving, quilting, and art appreciation

Foot and fingernail care clinics are offered Tuesdays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Foot care is $17, fingernails $5.

The service is provided by Visiting Nurse Home Care. Appointment required.

The Hearing Loss Association meets at 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Anacortes Senior Center.

The Old Time Fiddlers perform Spanish classes are conducted at at 7 p.m. the second and fourth 12:30 p.m. Thursdays. The cost is $10 Fridays of the month. per session, payable monthly.

Games include duplicate bridge at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, party bridge at 1 p.m. Wednesdays and pinochle at 12:45 p.m. Fridays.

Line-dance Tuesdays at the Mount Vernon Senior Center. Novices meet at 8:30 a.m., beginners at 10 a.m., and intermediate dancers at 1 p.m.; new students are welcome the first Tuesday of each month.

Information: Kathy, 360-540-2378.

Free low-impact exercise classes are held at 10 a.m. Mondays and Fridays, and 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays at the Mount Vernon Senior Center.

Tai Chi exercise classes are offered at 11 a.m. Mondays and Fridays.

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April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

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TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets at 7:30 a.m. Fridays, and 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays.

The Retired Senior Vocational Council meets at 2 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Internet classes are offered near the beginning of each month, or whenever six students sign up. The cost of the two-week session is $35, plus $5 for the text. The center also offers computer classes on the Windows system, and for beginners, starting near the beginning of each month, or whenever six students sign up.

The Skagit Council on Aging meets at 1 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.

Arts and crafts classes include ceramics at 9 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, new and inexperienced students always welcome; knitting and crocheting at 10 a.m.

Tuesdays, new and inexperienced crafters welcome and instruction available; the 4th Corner Crocheters the third Friday of each month; and the watercolor painting group welcomes artists of all mediums at 1 p.m. Wednesdays.

The Mature Women’s Discussion group Crone meets at 9:30 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesday.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY SENIOR CENTER • 360-855-1531

EVENTS

SENIOR CENTERS OF SKAGIT COUNTY Recreational music making classes are offered. For information, contact Sally Kirk at 360-856-4938.

Daytime activities include quilting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays, ceramics at 8 a.m. Tuesdays, Bible study at Winnie presents painting classes 10 a.m. Tuesdays, craft corner at 9 for all skill levels 1 p.m. Mondays. If a.m. Wednesdays and pinochle at 1 you’ve never painted before, come to 2:45 p.m. Mondays. talk to Winnie about the materials you’ll need to get started.

Fit for Life exercise classes are offered at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Participants can join at any time; free for YMCA members. Nonmembers can purchase an eight-class punch card for $40.

Recreational music making Tai Chi exercise classes are ofclasses are offered. For information, fered at 9 a.m. Wednesdays. contact Sally Kirk at 360-856-4938.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds SensiSpanish classes are offered for bly) meets at 8:30 a.m. Fridays and beginners at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, 6 p.m. Mondays. and intermediate and continuing students at 5 p.m. Thursdays.

The Old Time Fiddlers perform at 12:30 p.m. the first Thursday of Evening gatherings include: the month.

Sweet Adelines at 7 p.m. Mondays, Skagit Squares at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Highland Dancers at 3 p.m.

Wednesdays, Round Dancing at 7 p.m. Thursdays, hula dance lessons Easy Cottage Thursdays, the Old Time Fiddlers at 7 p.m. the second and fourth FriLiving days of the month, Skagit Remote Call now to get details on Control Club the second Wednesour limited time day of the month, the Dahlia “Flex Special” Society the fourth Wednesdays, the Retired Foresters the fourth Thursdays, the Skagit Writers League the fourth Thursday, the Mount Vernon Plant Society at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday, faceting the third Saturday, ballroom dancing 6:30-8 p.m. first and third Fridays. www.goskagit.com

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April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

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FOR YOUR HEALTH MALL WALK: 7 to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays at Cascade Mall, Burlington. United General Hospital offers the Inside Track Mall Walk for people of all ages. Registered walkers receive a free T-shirt and can earn prizes for miles walked. Free blood pressure checks are offered Monday mornings at the mall’s east entrance.

360-856-7245.

ARTERIAL DISEASE: Tuesday mornings. Cardiovascular and peripheral arterial disease and stroke risk assessment. $29 for 40-minute test and risk review. Appointments required: 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481. www. skagitheart.org for discount.

ACUPUNCTURE/STRESS REDUCTION: 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday at Middle Way Acupuncture InstiBLOOD PRESSURE: Free checks tute, Mount Vernon. No appointment are available from 9 a.m. to noon evrequired. Free sitting offered from 6:15 ery Wednesday at the Island Hospital to 7 p.m. every Monday. 360-421-1796.

• “Look Good, Feel Better”: the third Monday of each month in the Guemes room. Free; registration required, 299-4200.

• Pulmonary function screening: 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 5, in the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Education Room. Free. 360-299-1367.

• Urinary leakage: 4 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 5, in the IHRC Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3. $10. 360-2994204.

• Advanced Healthcare Directives: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, in the IHRC Conference Room 3. Free; registration required. 360-299-4204.

• Bone density screening: 9 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 11, in the Island Health Resource Center. $5; appointments required. 360-299-1367.

• Memory awareness screening: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, in the Island Health Resource Center. Free; appointments required. 360-299-1367.

Skagit Valley Hospital, 1415 E. Kincaid St., Mount Vernon, offers the following programs: • Diabetes education: 360-814-2699.

• Lebed Method — Moving Toward Better Health: Two Thursdays each month. 360-814-8255.

• Look Good, Feel Better: 800-ACS2345.

• Joint Replacement Preparation: Wednesday afternoons. 360-814-2424.

Health Resource Center in Anacortes.

DRIVER SAFETY: AARP is offering the two-day driver safety program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 6-7, at United General Hospital, Sedro-Woolley. $12 AARP member, $14 nonmembers. Register at 360-856-7245.

FITNESS CLASSES: Cardio and strength training and yoga-inspired stretching classes each Tuesday evening and Saturday morning at the Concrete Theatre, Concrete. Possibility of a new classes coming soon. For more information, please send an email to: encorefitness@concrete-theatre.com.

STROKE, ANEURYSM: Screenings at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at Skagit Valley Ultrasound Associates, Mount Island Hospital, 1211 24th St., AnaVernon. Combined carotid and aorta cortes, offers the following programs: screening by ultrasound, $59. Appoint• Blood pressure checks: 9 a.m. to ment required: 360-428-8208. noon each Wednesday in the Island Health Resource Center. Free.

HEALTH HELP AT AREA HOSPITALS

14

April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

United General Hospital, 2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley, offers the following programs: • Blood Tests: 8 a.m. to noon every Friday. Cholesterol, diabetes, Vitamin D. $15-$35. 360-856-7245.

• Diabetes Education: 360-856-7268.

• Medicare and health insurance counseling: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays. 360-856-7298.

• Healthy Steps — Moving Toward Health with the Lebed Method: 3 p.m.

Tuesdays. 360-856-7524.

• Look Good Feel Better: 1 p.m. the first Monday every month. 800-ACS2345.

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• Fitness Program: By appointment from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 360-856-7245.

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: 360856-7211.

SUPPORT GROUPS Alzheimer’s/Dementia support: • Alzheimer’s Teleconference Support: 7:30 to 9 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, Contact Linda Whiteside at the Alzheimer’s Association, 800848-7097 or linda.whiteside@alz.org to participate.

• Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, at Fidalgo Care Center, Anacortes. 360-299-9569.

• Alzheimer’s Association caregivers support: 1 to 3 p.m. on the third Monday of the month, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Anacortes. 360299-9569.

• Ashley Gardens dementia support: 2 p.m. on the third Monday of

the month, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon. 360-419-9422.

• Alzheimer’s Society of Washington: 3 to 5 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, at United General Hospital, Sedro-Woolley. 360-856-7245.

Cancer support • Family Cancer Support: noon every Monday in the Island Hospital Medical Office lower level, 2511 M Ave., Anacortes. 360-299-9247.

• Anacortes UsToo Prostate Cancer: 11 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, Island Hospital Meeting Room 3, Anacortes. 360-299-3892.

• Men’s Cancer Club: 6 to 8 p.m. the second Thursday of the month, United General Hospital Room 503, SedroWoolley. 360-856-7245.

•Couples with Cancer: 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, in Skagit Valley Hospital, 1415 E. Kincaid St., Mount Vernon. 360-428-8236.

• Cancer Survivors/Post-Treat-

ment Support: 5 to 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday, Skagit Valley Hospital Shuksan Room, Mount Vernon. 360428-8236.

• Women’s Cancer Support: 5 to 6:30 p.m. second Wednesday of the month, Skagit Valley Hospital Shuksan Room, Mount Vernon. 360-814-8255.

Other groups in the area • Hearing Loss Association: 1 p.m.

2nd Tuesday, Anacortes Senior Center, 360-299-3848.

• Ostomy Support: 6:30 to 8 p.m. 2nd Tuesday, Skagit Valley Hospital Sauk Room, Mount Vernon. 360-424-2600.

• “Out of Sight” Support for the Visually Impaired: 1 to 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month (except July and August), Burlington Senior Center, 360-336-5436.

• Stroke Support: 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, Island Hospital Conference Room 3, Anacortes. 360-299-1328.

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April 2010 GOOD LIVING: The Retirement Years

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