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February 27, 2010 [7]

www.federalwaymirror.com

...SENIOR LIFESTYLES Julie’s goal is to be the link between the community and the research and educational opportunities that are available for families through the Memory Wellness Program.

Julie is committed to connecting people to services and our community to its elders.

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JoinJulieMoorer,RNanddirectorofrecruitmentfortheUniversity of Washington and the VA Puget Sound Health Care System’s Memory Wellness Program, as she provides vital information about Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. This free seminar will be held at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence March 11, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Julie will educate guests about memory loss, the differences between short-term and longterm memory and what is normal memory loss and what is not.

She will also address the importance of prevention and lifestyle choice to promote brain health.

If you feel a loved one may be experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, consult your physician. Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence is able to provide treatment options for those suffering from the disease, including specialized rehabilitation services in a safe and comfortable home-like environment.

Attend this vital seminar with your loved ones, and enjoy complimentary appetizers and dessert. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you are taking every precaution to protect your mind and the precious memories made with those you love.

Contact Debi Bourbanis at 253.661.2226 for more information.

The seminar will be held at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, 491 S. 338th St. in Federal Way.

Julie Moorer has practiced as a Registered Nurse in Washington State for over 23 years.

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Aging and Memory Loss: What’s Normal, What’s Not?

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www.woodmark-al.com • 253.941.5859 31200 23rd Avenue South • Federal Way, WA 98003

Your Health Care Professionals We can help, or we can put you in touch with someone who can.

The seminar will cover:

✤Memory loss ✤Differences between short and long term memory ✤What type of memory loss is normal in the aging process and what is not ✤Importance of prevention ✤Lifestyle choices for brain health Light appetizers and dessert will be served

To R.S.V.P. please call 253.661.2226 of Federal Way 491 South 338th Street Federal Way, WA 98003

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Each Home Instead Senior Care® franchise office is independently owned and operated. © 2009 Home Instead, Inc.

[8] February 27, 2010

www.federalwaymirror.com

...SENIOR LIFESTYLES

Musings of a daughter…

Mom and dad were ‘Snowbirds’. For years they drove from Minnesota to Arizona to enjoy the winter sunshine. Having grown up on a farm and driving trucks, pulling a travel trailer with his Suburban was a natural for dad. They loved their little house on wheels and they loved the desert. We enjoyed occasional visits to see them in Peoria, escaping the gray winter that is western Washington.

Being comfortable going with the flow, it did not occur to me that, since my parents were now in their 80’s, I should watch out for them a little more. After all, dad had operated his farm and related businesses, and always seemed to have things under control.

Then he fell and broke his hip. Not the usual ‘fragile bones and collapsed to the floor’, oh, no, dad was carrying two bags of groceries and decided the easiest way to shut the car door was with his foot. He landed on the cement and knew he wasn’t able to get up.

I took the first available flight from Seattle and flew into a whole new world. One that I knew existed, I suppose, but it was not related to my life. Surgery was successful, and we were discussing ‘rehab.’ I learned that meant long-term strengthening and therapies: physical therapy and occupational therapy. My sister and I made temporary living arrangements for mom in an apartment where dad could later join her as he continued healing.

While preparing for the move, we discovered stacks of mail, all opened and neatly replaced in the envelopes. Some envelopes had notations in dad’s distinctive print, due dates, dates paid and others had no notes.

We quickly discovered that some critical bills had not been paid in months! What was going on?

At the same time, my sister and I were beginning to have concerns about mom. She seemed unable to assist in making the necessary decisions during this time of crisis or even to comprehend what dad’s mobility limitations were likely to be for the next few

months. We also noticed that things were not clean according to mom’s long time standards of clean.

Mom had fallen several times herself in recent years. Sometimes she tripped, but more often it was like a wave of dizziness or a black out. She really could not remember what happened. Looking back we could see indicators or warning signs, had we known what to look out for. Always a wonderful cook, mom now had trouble putting a recipe together. There was old food in the fridge, with very tangy orange juice, as I recall.

Oh, and then there was the car! She was driving in Peoria and admitted to having gotten lost on occasion. Her doctor was a wonderful resource for us at this point, and told her she could no longer drive. She was not happy, but allowed us to sell the car.

Cherie Raak is the Outreach Coordinator at the Woodmark at Steel Lake in Federal Way. She can be reached at 253-941-5859 or email at cherier@woodmarksteellake.com.

LIfE At VILLAgE gREEn EARnS

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REVIEWS!

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“Road to the Oscars”

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March 1st to March 5th, 2:00 to 4:00 g the urin feat s A historical look at film’s 100 year and Era io Stud birth of film, silent cinema, the . ired requ tion modern day technology. Registra

Winners usually possess a quality that makes them unique and stand out in the crowd. At Village Green Retirement Campus, we are proud of our winning team of staff members who strive to make your life at Village Green as enjoyable and worry free as possible.

Join us for one of our events this month to learn more about how our services and amenities can provide you with a winning senior lifestyle.

We have options in both independent and assisted living with your choice of apartment or cottage homes.

Schedule a tour today and let us roll out the red carpet for you.

Lunch & Learn

Wednesday March 10th, 11:30 a.m.

Learn about Assisted Living care services available to you at Village Green.

It’s Great to Go Green at Village Green

Thursday, March 11th, 1:00 p.m.

Discover how easy it is to “go green.”

The Natural Choice for Senior Living

St. Patrick’s Day

Wednesday, March 17th, 2:00 p.m.

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Enjoy traditional Irish music and great fun

Reservations required Call 253-838-3700 for details

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www.VillageGreenRetirement.com

253-838-3700

35419 First Ave. South Federal Way, WA 98003 2/22/10 3:44:39 PM

February 27, 2010 [9]

www.federalwaymirror.com

...SENIOR LIFESTYLES Senior Care is a Family Issue It takes a family working together to choose the most appropriate option for a loved one’s senior care—and to provide a loved one the best care possible.

Why? For starters, seniors are at a vulnerable stage of life. They often face multiple health concerns and loss of physical and cognitive function. More than ever, seniors need the support and love of family members.

Following are some suggestions of important areas of family and senior consideration. Working together, the family can create a great foundation for senior support.

Seniors often have difficulty expressing their needs, desires and preferences, so they need someone to advocate for them. Who is more qualified for that than the people who know them better and longer than anyone else in the world?

Even if your family chooses to involve outside help in providing your loved one’s care with an in-home care agency, an assisted living community, or a nursing home you need to be involved.

You can communicate to the professional caregivers your loved one’s likes and dislikes, habits, routines, concerns and all the other things that make them the individual they are. Without your help and involvement, their care may fall short of what they deserve.

Today, approximately 80 percent of older Americans prefer to stay at home as they age. This means families are more directly in-

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volved in their loved ones’ care and it is more important than ever for families to be involved in the planning stage together. No single individual can adequately handle the responsibilities of care giving alone, as they already have responsibilities at work and with their own families and community involvement.

In most families, there is usually one sibling who by desire or default based on proximity to the aging parent, becomes the chief caregiver. Deciding who that person will be is a good topic for the first conversation with aging parents. Parents, of course, need to be involved in every step of the decision process so they can maintain as much control of their lives as possible.

But no matter who is the chief caregiver, all siblings need to share in the responsibility in some way. This could involve home maintenance, managing bill paying and finances, or taking care of insurance and medical claim issues.

Do not forget the importance of frequent visits. Keeping seniors mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially engaged helps them to enjoy a higher quality of life.

Kim Sanchez is owner of Comfort Keepers in Federal Way. She can be reached at 253-945-1400.

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M a k e e v e ry m o m e n t c o u n t.

Whether it was raising our family, pursuing careers or giving back to the community, we’ve done our best to make every moment of our lives count. The same is true now. That’s why we chose a Brookdale community for our retirement.

Our days begin and end in a spacious apartment home. But in between there are endless opportunities to do the things that matter most to us, like travel, fitness, hobbies and enjoying the company of friends and family.

Come see how our community can help you make the most of your life.

It’ll only take a moment • 24-hour nursing staff available • Full service dining • Transportation services• 24-hour concierge • Spacious apartments and cottages • Activities and themed events • Gated community Why not start the New Year in your new home!

Call us today about our Holiday Move In Specials.

Independent Living Personalized Assisted Living Exceptional Experiences Every DaySM 32290 1st Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98003

(253) 838-8823 www.brookdaleliving.com Exceptional Experiences Every Day and Respect for Individual Preferences are Service Marks of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Nashville, TN, USA.

FOUNDATION HOUSE SALUTES THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY. CALL TODAY TO LEARN ABOUT REDUCED RATES FOR VETERANS (253) 838-8823.

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