Issuu

Learn about programs that help unpaid caregivers Page 2

How you can get involved with Homage as a volunteer

www.homage.org

VOL. 45 NO. 10 | NOVEMBER 2018

Page 2

A Foster Grandparent talks about the benefits of community service Page 3

How to manage your stress during the Christmas season Page 4

Four ways to make a difference as an RSVP volunteer Page 5

Perspectives on the Past: Celebrating our American Melting Pot Page 6

Which treatments really work for women with hair loss? Page 8

If you can’t do these three movements, you’re in trouble Page 9 Learn about programs and services available to seniors by visiting www.homage.org

Daisy Christopherson (left) and family caregiver specialist Cynthia Andrews chat about Christopherson’s grandson during a visit to her home in Everett. A caregiver helps Daisy with her husband Mark, who suffers from various health problems. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Caring for caregivers Homage program offers support services for people who look after their loved ones By Megan Brown Through sickness and in health is not just a vow. For many, it’s a way of life. When Daisy and Mark Christopherson wed in 1996, the Everett couple were excited about their future together. In 2003, their lives changed unexpectedly after Mark underwent major surgery. Daisy, 69, became the sole provider while Mark, 71, did housework and had dinner on the table when she came home. When Mark’s health began to deteriorate in 2016, Daisy retired from her accounting job to become his full-time caregiver. Daisy found the transition difficult. “It’s a 24/7 job,” she said. “It’s not how I expected our lives would turn out.” Fortunately, Daisy discovered Homage Senior Services Family Caregiver Support Program, which offers counseling and other services to unpaid caregivers. She completed their assessment survey, which includes questions pertaining to

caregivers’ levels of stress, fatigue and fulfillment. Her answers were reviewed by Cynthia Andrews, a caregiver support specialist at Homage. Andrews creates tailored solutions to alleviate the stress of a caregiver’s job. She introduces them to counseling and respite services, while helping them reflect on their own health and well-being. “I help care for them, so they can care for others,” Andrews said. Her most common prescription for caregiver fatigue is outsourcing in-home care. For no cost, caregivers who qualify are granted an in-home helper for up to five hours a week. Though this might not sound like much, it can make a world of difference. “It gives me time to go see a doctor or go do something fun,” Daisy said. “I get to have lunch with a friend and that really helps energize me again. He’s in good hands.” Their helper also assists with chores around the house. “She’s very considerate of me,” her husband Mark said of their helper. “I

wish I could have her here five days a week. My wife wishes we could have her seven.” Andrews said it’s common for spouses to feel too guilty to admit to the stress caused by becoming their partner’s primary caregiver. Despite a pledge to care for the other through every stage of life, the reality of dependency is less romantic. “The spouse feels more obligated because they said for better or for worse. Oftentimes they never thought that it would worse,” said Andrews. “Most of the time they need services and they just don’t recognize it, or don’t feel like they deserve it.” The Family Caregiver Support Program was established in 2009 to assist a growing number of unpaid in-home caregivers. The program is available to any community member who serves as an unpaid caregiver, a role that sometimes might be filled by a neighbor or close friend. Michelle Barnes oversees the program as the Social Services CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID SOUND PUBLISHING 98204

Quality Senior Living Community

• Studio and one bedroom apartments Homage Senior Services 5026 196th St. SW Lynnwood, WA 98036

• Close to shopping • Affordable rent includes utilities • On Metro bus route • Restaurant on-site – open to the public • Must be 62 or older; income limits apply

Call today for information and application

206-364-2440 747 N 135th St. • Seattle, WA

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

Homage

Programs support unpaid caregivers in county By Aime Fink Long Term Care and Aging Supervisor, Snohomish County Human Services As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, many reflect upon and express gratitude for kindness received and given. Nationally, the month of November is slated to give thanks for the very important work of unpaid caregivers by celebrating Family Caregiver Month. Here in Snohomish County, there is much to be grateful for, as an estimated 93,000 unpaid caregivers are making essential contributions to our communities. This is a time for Snohomish County to celebrate the contribution of these volunteer friends and family members who support a loved one with their health or managing a disability. We’re thankful for their contributions to our communities and committed to finding better ways to support their essential roles. The role of the unpaid caregiver takes many forms. Friends,

COMMENTARY neighbors and family provide care for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities that prevent them from handling daily activities such as bathing, preparing meals, yard work, laundry, grocery shopping, or managing medications. Every day, many in Snohomish County help our family members and friends who are older, sick, or living with disabilities. Those providing this help often don’t think of themselves as caregivers. Providing this help can feel rewarding, but if the demands are heavy, over time, exhaustion and stress can set in. There are programs to support unpaid caregivers here in Snohomish County. Through these programs, unpaid caregivers can access support and services while enabling the individual they are helping to stay in their homes and communities. A call to Homage Senior Services can

connect unpaid caregivers to these services and support opportunities. Snohomish County has a network of support for unpaid caregivers through a strong partnership with Stillaguamish Senior Center, Alzheimers Association, Homage Senior Services, Home and Community Services, and Snohomish County Long Term Care and Aging. November is National Family Caregivers Month — a time to celebrate the contributions of those volunteer friends and family members in Snohomish County who support a loved one with their health or managing a disability. To highlight the importance of supporting unpaid caregivers from a fiduciary perspective: if just one-fifth of unpaid caregivers stopped providing care, the Department of Social and Health Services estimates that it would double the cost of long term service and support across Washington State. Snohomish County values the contributions that unpaid caregivers make to our community. National

Family Caregiver Month provides a platform for celebration to express gratitude for the very important work of these volunteer friends and family members who support a loved one. To quote Rosalynn Carter on the universal experience of caregiving: “There are four people in the world: (1) Those who have been caregivers; (2) Those who are currently caregivers; (3) Those who will be caregivers; and (4) Those who need caregivers.” Snohomish County is thankful for the contributions of unpaid caregivers to our communities and is committed to finding better ways to support their essential roles. If you are an unpaid caregiver or know an unpaid caregiver, please call Homage Senior Services and speak to our Aging and Disability Resource Specialist to explore how our Snohomish County programs can support this very important work. Call the Homage Senior Services Aging and Disability Resource Helpline at 425-513-1900, or visit Snocare. org

Volunteer Engagement at Homage Senior Services By Michelle Frye Volunteer manager Homage Senior Services Homage’s most critical need is for a volunteer driver for our Meals on Wheels Program in north Marysville. The volunteer driver will provide weekly deliveries of meals on Tuesday mornings to homebound adults. Homage also has needs in the following areas: Student Intern or Volunteer to help with Health Homes: Help provide administrative support to

a new program that partners with clients who face challenges related to chronic and complicated health problems so they can be less overwhelmed and receive more effective care. Foster Grandparent Program: Older adults provide children with special and/or exceptional needs one-on-one support at community locations such as schools and daycares. Volunteers must be 55 +. Small stipend for those who meet income guidelines. Friendly Visitors: Volunteers help

by providing weekly friendly visits to lonely and isolated older adults in need of interaction and assist with grocery shopping and other errands. Grassroots Advocacy: Attend and promote town hall meetings; call and email legislators; email other volunteers when important funding for services are threatened; attend advocacy committee meetings; and help with outreach efforts by encouraging voter registration at health fairs and senior fairs. Home Helper: Need cleanliness-minded volunteers who would like to work with seniors living in South Snohomish County. Help seniors and persons with disabilities, often living without local help, living alone, widowed and who have physical limitations with vacuuming,

dishes and laundry. Outreach and Administrative Support: Help with reception, clerical, and data entry as needed in several of our social service programs. Senior Companion Program in Snohomish and King counties: Helps seniors stay in their homes by providing socialization, transportation, light meal prep and organization support through weekly visits. Must be 55+ and meet income limits. Volunteer drivers: Help drive older adults to grocery shopping, errands, and medical appointments. If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities or want to know about corporate volunteer possibilities, please call Michelle Frye at 425-740-3787 or email at mfrye@ homage.org.

“Wow! First time in two years I could eat an apple right off the tree. And now for corn on the cob. Thanks for everything, Dr. Hughes.” -Pete

Call Today!

Distribution: Over 12,000 papers are mailed to households and senior-friendly businesses;1,900 papers are distributed at drop-off locations including senior centers, retirement communities, libraries, etc. Published by Homage Senior Services www.homage.org 5026 196th St. SW, Lynnwood, 98036 11627 Airport Rd. Suite B, Everett,WA WA 98204 425-513-1900 Published monthly with a readership of 100,000+, the Homage Senior Services educates and entertains readers (seniors, family caregivers, service providers and other interested persons) with news and information that reflects the diverse interests and needs of the senior community. Signed articles are the opinon of the writer and not the opinion of Homage Senior Services. 1948397

Free Consultation and $500 toward Your New Smile!

Also distributed monthly in The Daily Herald. Contact Josh O’Connor at 425.339.3007 or at joconnor@soundpublishing.com. Advertising: The existence of advertising (including political advertisements) in this publication is not meant as an endorsement of the individual, product or service by anyone except the advertiser. For more information, contact Jacqueray Smith, Multimedia Consultant, at 425.339.3023 or at jsmith@soundpublishing.com

425-337-6885 www.HughesDentalGroup.com Dr. Robert Hughes

Homage

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

Foster Grandparent talks about the benefits of service By Kate Gavigan Outreach Specialist, Homage Senior Services When Foster Grandparent, Sam Gilliam, saw how the young Ethiopian student improved on her math homework after working with him on it, he felt very pleased and thought, “THIS is why I do this.” The Foster Grandparent program is a federal program funded through the Senior Corps program at the Corporation for National and Community Service. It’s run locally through Homage Senior Services. The program enlists interested individuals age 55 or older who live in King and Snohomish counties who are interested in mentoring, nurturing and

Foster Grandparent Sam Gilliam

supporting children at community locations. Volunteers who are low-income receive a small hourly tax free stipend for their work. Foster Grandparents are highly regarded by the community organizations in which they serve and provide an invaluable service to kids in need of extra help. Prior to his time with the Foster Grandparent Program, Sam’s background included

serving in the military and working with the Seattle City Directory service, from which he retired in 2012. After he retired, he was looking around for what else he might do to stay busy and active. He found an answer one night when watching Brian Williams on NBC News reporting on the Foster Grandparent program in Chicago. Sam said “I was watching this story about this retired mailman who talked about how much he enjoyed working with the kids, and I thought, ‘Well maybe I could do that too.’” Sam looked up the local Foster Grandparent Program and soon

after became a Foster Grandparent. In his role as a Foster Grandparent, Sam has worked at a number of local schools, including BF Day, Thurgood Marshall and Bailey Gatzert. He helps the students with their reading and math skills and occasionally helps supervise students on field trips. Sam shared, “It’s been so great to see the changes in the children as a result of our working together.” He said that he reflects on and pulls from his own personal experience as a child in school and with his own struggles with paying attention. He enjoys being able

Retired Public Employees Council

to gently help kids re-focus their attention when they get distracted or frustrated at school. “Sometimes kids just need a little extra support and understanding and it feels good to help with that.” Reflecting on his many years in the Foster Grandparent Program, Sam noted, laughing, “I feel guilty sometimes because I think that I might be getting more out of being a Foster Grandparent than the kids are getting out of me being one. I really think it extends your life. It gives you a reason to get out of bed in the

morning and it feels great to be needed and to share your knowledge with others. If someone were considering becoming a Foster Grandparent, I’d say, ‘Do it … especially if you want to live to a ripe old age.’” (See the NBC story from 2012 that inspired Sam: www.youtube. com/watch?v=DZabULKS_CU) If you’re interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent and live in either King or Snohomish counties, contact Adelheid Arbogast at Homage Senior Services: aarbogast@homage.org or 425-514-3188.

helping you you helping live well well live your way way your Providing quality in-home / live-in care thatquality supports comfort Providing in-home / live-in Providing quality in-home / live-in and independence. care that supports comfort care that supports comfort and independence. and independence.

“RPEC fights for retirees” financial security, including: pension preservation, affordable health care, and other retiree issues. DRS pensioners join us in our efforts to preserve your retirement benefits. Help save your earned pension Join RPEC For information contact Mark Somers @425-335-1442 or visit www.rpecwa.org

familyresourcehomecare.com 800.775.6380

familyresourcehomecare.com 800.775.6380 familyresourcehomecare.com 800.775.6380

C A S I N O

R E S O R T

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

Homage

How to manage stress during the holiday season By Nancy Brosemer, M.S. Mental Health Specialist, Homage Senior Services Holidays are special times where family and friends gather together and celebrate the season. As the years go by, the way we celebrate the holidays change and these changes can be a cause for concern and stress for some. Family members and friends may live in faraway states and not have the funds to visit their loved ones during the holidays. Still others may be hospitalized or in nursing or rehabilitation centers. As we grow older, it’s important to remember those whose lives may have drastically changed due to the death of a spouse, a child, siblings or friends. Changes can be challenging for many people. Selling a home, moving into an apartment, moving in with family or moving

into assisted living or nursing facilities can also be a source for increased stress. Financial pressure can also cause added stress during the holidays. Grieving, loneliness, depression and anxiety can all intensify during the holiday season. All of these things can be overwhelming for many individuals. We all think about our holiday celebrations of the past and how special those times were and how they have become an integral part of how we celebrate today. During the holiday season, take time to connect with your loved ones and friends. Some ways to do this may include: ■ Giving of your time. Spend time helping others make inexpensive, homemade holiday cards or gifts or assist with other crafts such as scrapbooking. ■ Celebrate the season by talking

about traditions, helping to prepare a favorite holiday meal or looking through photo albums. Let them know you’re listening and that you care about them. ■ Go caroling with your loved ones or make a CD of their favorite songs. ■ Take time to honor those who have passed. Allow others to share memories of those who are no longer with them. ■ Take a loved one or friend somewhere they enjoyed visiting in the past such as the ballet, the theater, a museum, or take them for a ride in your car to get some fresh air or to visit a friend. This can be a welcome change from their current surroundings. ■ Gather together and watch family movies or a favorite classic movie or comedy. Laughter reduces stress and helps us to bond with others. ■ Take your loved ones or friends to

church. ■ Make new holiday memories and traditions. ■ Use technology to assist those who are unable to get out during the holidays. Make a family video, set up video chat or Skype or watch an online church service together. Stress affects our bodies both physically and mentally. It’s important to surround yourself with genuine, positive and even humorous people. It is also very important to seek out support during these difficult times and to not be afraid to do so. We all need to take care of ourselves. Homage Senior Services is offering Stress & the Holiday Season workshops. To learn more about these workshops or get assistance connecting to emotional support resources please contact Homage Senior Services at 425-290-1260.

Silver View Senior Apartments Subsidized 62+ Community

Features & Amenities:    

  Silver View Senior Apartments 11109 16th Ave. S.E., Everett 98208

For information and application, call 425.339.1031

  

Social Service Coordinator One bedroom apartments Laundry facilities on site Community room with kitchen and outdoor patio for recreation and entertainment Access-controlled building and emergency alert system All units are wheelchair accessible Close to shopping and services Income restrictions apply Pets welcome

Custom made dentures are done ON-SITE or in our lab

Custom Dentures starting at

Warranty on ALL Dentures

698ea.

SAME DAY Repairs & Relines

Senior DISCOUNTS Ask us about affordable dentures over implants

Call for a Free Consultation

for patients who have poor retention or sore gums.

1111 Pacific Ave., Suite A Everett, WA 98201 For more information visit:

everett.eurodenture.com

A Reverse Mortgage Could Give You Freedom and Peace of Mind

Insurance and Payment plans accepted Accepting Medicaid

425-374-8470

Mark Your Calendars!

If you’re 62 or older, tap into your home equity while remaining in your home. Use the funds to pay off existing mortgage and debt* or even purchase a new home. Don’t be afraid of doing a reverse mortgage purchase if you currently have a reverse mortgage. I just did one and we closed one day early. It was super easy and I am now in my new home! I had our first reverse mortgage for 10 years and was able to do a lot of things without that monthly payment and I couldn’t have if we didn’t do the reverse so it was a no brainier to do it again with my purchase. Karen, my loan officer was there every step of the way and she is so knowledgeable and helpful! - Renee P. My husband and I were looking at pursuing a reverse mortgage and we started that process with someone not referred to us and with no customer service at all- what a nightmare! Then we found Karen Stubrud at Evergreen Home Loans and she spent a lot of time with us explaining everything so we could really understand the whole process. But what we love even more is that she is still here to answer our questions after the reverse is completed and that is so helpful. We feel really lucky that we found her and if you are looking for information about a reverse mortgage - Karen @ Evergreen Home Loans is the way to go!!! - Jim & Nina R.

I am here locally to guide you in person every step of the way. Karen Stubrud Loan Officer

NMLS: 71806 Call me directly 425-350-5600

kstubrud@evergreenhomeloans.com

1702 3rd Street | Marysville, WA 98270

Evergreen Home Loans is not the creditor for reverse mortgage loans. This information is accurate as of 2018 and is subject to change without notice. Some restrictions may apply. * Please consult your financial advisor on the consolidation of short term debt into long term debt. All rights reserved financed under: Washington Consumer Loan Company Service CL-3182. Additional terms and restrictions apply. Ask for details. This is a negative amortization loan. ©2018 Evergreen Home Loans is a registered trade name of Evergreen Money Source Mortgage Company. NMLS ID 3182. Trade/Services makes are the property of Evergreen Home Loans.

November 27th Join us for the world’s biggest day of online giving and make a life-changing difference for older adults and people with disabilities this holiday season. www.homage.org follow us!

Homage

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

Four ways to make a difference as an RSVP volunteer By John McAlpine RSVP Program Recruiter Sponsored by Catholic Community Services, RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for persons over 55 and the only program where the collective contribution of the senior volunteer is recorded. RSVP exists to help volunteers 55 and older find fulfillment in their volunteer work. Volunteer opportunities exist all over Snohomish County.

Food Bank Friends Food banks need all the friends they can get. As we approach the holidays the need food banks fill is amplified. We know

people are hungry year round and as the end of 2018 nears the problem grows larger. Can you help? Food bank volunteers are always needed. RSVP works with food banks all over the county, so no matter where you live we can find a place to help. Jobs are varied too, working with clients, picking up food from donors and so on.

Classroom Mentor This is not identified as a tutor job because tutoring/teaching experience is not needed. Being there for a young student, for even an hour or two a week, can make a huge difference in their life. If you believe education is important,

Life is BETTER

this is an opportunity to help. Make a difference in someone’s life (including your own) by volunteering.

sheets on a bed? Wash a window? This is not a complicated volunteer job. When you help your neighbors like this, you allow them to stay in their homes and maintain their independence. You and the client decide how often

Volunteer Drivers If you have an insured vehicle with working lights, brakes and horn, an up to date license and a willingness to help, you are perfect for this job! Getting around the county using the bus system is not very efficient or convenient. There are many people on the waiting list for rides. Most trips are for medical appointments. You choose when and how often you drive. Clients enter and exit the vehicle themselves.

help is needed. If you have any questions about RSVP, volunteering or any of the agencies you see listed here please contact RSVP at 425-374-6374 or email me at johnm@ ccsww.org.

Imagine...

A dental ofﬁce with good ol’ fashioned service — and the latest technology.

Household Tasks Can you run a vacuum? Load a dishwasher? Change the

Ask for your FREE •Patient Exam & •Full Mouth X-Ray

Serving the Greater Puget Sound Area for Over 45 Years

when everyone feels connected, engaged, and appreciated.

Dementia Care & 24 hour specialist

• Free in-home consultation • Live person on-call 24/7 • Specialized training for caregivers • Bathing/Dressing • Transportation • Housekeeping

Start home care today! hwcg.com/western-wa

425.778.1288

Brian D. Lueth, MD

Thomas W. Jones, Jr., MD

Thomas W. Jones III, MD

We take Medicare, Med-Advantage plans, Soundpath Health, Humana Gold Choice, United Healthcare, Regence, Premera and most other insurance plans.

• NO “DOUBLE BOOKING”

We perform Cataract, Lasik and Eyelid surgery in our Medicare approved surgery center.

• YOU SEE THE ACTUAL DENTIST

We provide Comprehensive, Routine, and Medical Eye Health Exams for Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Diabetes.

• NEW CROWNS IN ONLY 2.5 HOURS

• WE DON’T RUSH YOUR APPOINTMENT

• FREE “LAUGHING GAS”

www.19thAveDental.com

10217 19th Ave. SE, Suite 203 Everett • 425.385.8130

Dr. Shuichi Yamaguchi, DDS, PS

3930 Hoyt Ave., Everett | 425.259.2020 | www.lasikdrs.com

Specializing in Implants, Restoration, General Dentistry & BIG Challenges

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

Homage

PERSPECTIVES ON THE PAST

Thankful for our American melting pot By Louise Lindgren perspectivepast@gmail.com As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve thought a lot about the meaning of this truly American holiday. It’s a day when so many people embrace family as well as friends of diverse backgrounds around a traditional meal. Others view it as a day of service to those in need — the homeless, people in hospitals and nursing homes, and often through churches, mosques and synagogues — recent immigrants. Happy memories always include the food — my grandmother’s sage dressing wafting tempting aroma from the belly of a roasted turkey, pumpkin pie and mincemeat, too. I don’t think, even as a child, that we had real mincemeat pie — not the sort that was baked by the mother of my old friend, Enid Nordlund. Her parents were emigrants from Germany and her mother made the real stuff. Enid recalled the experience in an interview by Phyllis Royce. “Making mincemeat was a two CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Food is a large part of most family and community celebrations, as in this one at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Everett, in 1939. (The J.A. Juleen Collection, Everett Public Library, Northwest Room)

Your Hometown Health and Rehab Center

People caring about people.

• Companionship & Homemaking • Physical Assistance & Hygiene • Wellness & Peace of Mind

Highly skilled professionals providing physical, occupational, Highly skilled professionals providing physical, occupational, and speech therapies. and speech therapies. 24 hour compassionate nursing care.

24 hour compassionate nursing care.

Dedicated to our community.

425.290.1714

Family owned and operated since 1986.

IHS.FS.60142704

909 SE Everett Mall Way C319 Everett, WA 98202 www.rightathome.net/Snohomish-county

Dedicated to our community.

311 N.E. 3rd St., Coupeville • 360.678.2273 • 360-321-6660 Family owned and operated • www.careageofwhidbey.com frontoffice@careageofwhidbey.com

you, With you,With every step of the way since 1986.

With You,

311 NE 3rd St • Coupeville • 360-678-2273 360-321-6660 frontoffice@careageofwhidbey.com • www.careageofwhidbey.com

every step of the way. Return to the activities you love. Return to the activities you love. every step • Regain Life Skills and Independence Physical, Occupational, Speech With •you, of the way. and Swallowing Therapy

We are thankful

• Regain Life Skills and Independence • Physical, Occupational, Speech and Swallowing Therapy • Post-Surgical and Post-Hospital Care Comprehensive care with the trusted • Post-Surgical and Post-Hospital Care team at the Josephine Caring Community. Return to the activities you love.

every step of the way.

FROM OUR FAMILY AT VINTAGE MILL CREEK

(360) 629-2126

Comprehensive care with the trusted

Join the Waitlist!!

• Regain Life Skills and Independence at theSpeech Josephine Caring Community. • Physical,team Occupational, www.josephinecc.com and Swallowing Therapy • Post-Surgical and Post-Hospital Care 9901-272nd PL NW Comprehensive care with the trusted Stanwood, WA 98292 team at the Josephine Caring Community.

(360) 629-2126

www.josephinecc.com (360) 629-2126 www.josephinecc.com

4111 133rd St. SE • Mill Creek, WA 98012

425-374-1768

www.vintageatmillcreek.com

call for details.

Mill Creek Senior Center now OPEN on site!

U N G I S FOR

! 9 1 0 2

ENJOY SEVEN GAMES FOR ONLY $20! SILVER SLUGGERS CLUB - FOR FANS 55+ RECEIVE: • RESERVED UPPER BOX TICKET FOR SEVEN GAMES • EXCLUSIVE SILVER SLUGGERS ITEM (while supplies last) • OPPORTUNITY TO THROW OUT A VIP FIRST PITCH • BASEBALL BINGO EVERY WEDNESDAY • MEMBERSHIP CARD FOR 10% OFF IN THE FROG SHOP ALL SEASON LONG

AQUASOX.COM (425) 258-3673

YOU CALL IT “helping my husband when he can’t ﬁnd his way.”

WE CALL IT caregiving.

1-855-567-0252 | www.waclc.org Call your local office at 425-513-1900.

Homage

Perspectives CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

day job. In the fall she’d cook the meat: boil a tongue and a rump roast. The next day you cut them up in chunks and put them through the food grinder so they came out kinda coarse. We’d get up early and boy, of all the preparation you had to make: had to peel some apples, measure out the raisins, the currants, candied fruit, pineapple, orange peel and grapefruit peel. “Mother had all the molasses and spices lined up. … That was an all day job by the time you washed all your quart jars and lids: the old ball Mason jars, and then cooked it all up in a great big kettle on the wood stove. Man, it smelled good. Nothing is as delicious as hot mince pie — mincemeat pie’s got to have meat in it. This old raisin stuff they have now days tastes kinda good but not like the mincemeat mother used to make. We had that for Thanksgiving, Christmas and our birthdays in the wintertime.” Every family has its practices passed down to it from previous generations, and many in our society today embrace the traditions

Helping

of other cultures as well. I think fondly of the baklava made for every holiday party by Seta Sakkal from Syria, when she was a member of the Snohomish County Historical Commission. (Somehow aromas stick in the brain better than facts.) I miss Seta now that I’m retired from staffing that group and think often about her kindness. It occurred to me that unless one is of Native American heritage, one is either an immigrant or descended from one, so I thought it would be interesting to look up names of county residents in an old Polk’s city and Snohomish County directory of 1916. (The Everett Public Library’s Northwest Room has a full collection for reference and a trained librarian, Lisa Labovitch, who can help in any search you may have for details of Pacific Northwest history.) I found that in 1916 there were many of Scandinavian heritage — Norwegians, Danes, Swedes — also Germans, Greeks, Bohemians, Italians,

DEBBIES’ HAIR DESIGN OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

NEW CLIENT

SPECIAL

$5.00 off a Permanent First time Customers

Haircut & Blowdry ................... $25 Shampoo & Set ........................ $15 Permanent (includes everything) ....... $55 CALL FOR APPT.

425.347.8766

8920 Evergreen Way  Everett

home!” Elof Norman, in his book “The Coffee Chased Us Up,” told of a similar experience when he was an 8-year-old fresh from Denmark, exploring his new surroundings at Monte Cristo, a mining town east of Granite Falls where his father had settled the family in June 1902. Elof wrote of the trip: “Twelve days on the steamship Oscar II, cooped up in the steerage compartment, sleeping in wooden bunks three tiers high, crowding in line to get a dish of ill-prepared food. … Then Ellis Island, to be pushed and shoved to different places, and questioned. Waiting and sleeping on benches in depots was the usual thing. Food was a problem too, although our mother had some black coarse rye bread in a bundle she carried.” On the second day of his new life at Monte Cristo Elof ventured out to see the town. He wrote, “… I saw a group of boys approaching from across the tracks. I walked toward them, when suddenly they threw some rocks at me. I ran quickly back to the roundhouse. They continued to throw more rocks and yelled, ‘Swede

 Over 20 years experience in the health care industry  24 hour awake, fully certified staff  Full-time experienced activities director and restorative aide services.  Fresh, healthy home-cooked meals

Holistic

Adult FAmily Homes

foreigner, Swede foreigner!’ I told my father about the rock throwing when he came home. He just laughed and said, ‘That is just the boys’ way of getting acquainted. They were testing you. When you threw rocks back at them they knew you would stand up for yourself. … They think all Scandinavians are Swedes.” Elof went on to describe his mother’s reaction to another immigrant at Monte Cristo, a poor Russian woman who appeared to others that she just did not fit in: “Mama understood the loneliness of a stranger in a new land, so at the first opportunity she went over to visit. They could not understand each other very well, but Mrs. Kosmoski understood that Mama was a sympathetic neighbor even though not the nearest one. The kids in town, however, were not as kind or thoughtful. Whenever she appeared they would run after her shouting ‘You’re dirty, you’re dirty.’ I regret to say that at times I was among them.” It is so easy to reject

Barry M. Meyers David M. Neubeck

Sara LC Hulford, Associate Attorney

(360) 647-8846 www.elderlaw-nw.com

MEDICAID ISSUES • WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY • TRUSTS • GUARDIANSHIPS PROBATES • SPECIAL NEEDS TRUSTS

6610 77th Pl N.E. Marysville WA 98270 6602 77th Pl NE Marysville, WA 98270 7406 29th Pl. N.E. Marysville, WA 98270

*The State Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification of specialists in the practice of law and that the certificate, award or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in the state of Washington.

Call 425-239-8818 or visit www.aholisticafh.com

FEATURED PROVIDERS, NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! Compassionate. Affordable. Accessible We accept Washington AppleHealth, Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Uninsured.

High quality, affordable primary health care for your family.

Medical

Chronic Disease Management Diabetes Family Practice Immunization Internal Medicine

Aaron Brinklow, DO

Medical Walk-In Nutrition Obstetrics Pedatrics Prenatal Care Well-Child Checkups

Arlington Clinic

Amy Stevenson, ARNP

Dental

Everett-Central Clinic

Consultation Crowns Extractions Fillings Oral Exam and X-rays Oral Health Education

Gurbir Gill, MD

Everett-Central Clinic

Root Canal Treatments Routine Cleanings Sealants

Pharmacy With a discount pharmacy onsite, CHC provides its patients with the convenience to fill your prescription right after your appointment.

Behavioral Health

Our Behavioral Health Specialists are trained in counseling and other behavioral therapies to work closely with your PCP and provide you with the care you need.

Angela Li, MD

Everett-College Clinic

Reduce your PUD bill by 20% to 60%, depending on income level. Questions? Visit snopud.com/discounts or call Customer Service: 425-783-1000 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM

smart rewards smart rebates More ways to save: instant rebates for installing insulation, insulated windows and heat pumps; smart rewards for buying efficient appliances; rebates for heat pump water heaters, and special low prices on efficient lighting and showerheads at local participating retailers. Some restrictions apply.

Visit snopud.com (click on “Conservation”) or call 425-783-1700 Monday - Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM

Lindsey Mills, PA-C Everett-College Clinic

Locations

• Arlington • Edmonds • Everett-Central • Everett-College • Everett-North • Everett-South • Lynnwood

Call for an appointment today! 425-789-3789 | www.CHCsno.org

PUD Discounts for Low-Income Seniors

people, to go along with the crowd, especially when one is young. Elof wrote that later, as an adult, he ran across Mrs. Kosmoski in another town and felt shame that he had participated in the name-calling as a youth. Having been a target once himself, he felt he should have known better. Throughout our history, immigrants have come from various parts of the world, often causing an initial sense of discomfort in those already here. However, experience shows that those of other cultures have always been absorbed into this unique blend which is America. My own grandfather came as a “dirty Swede,” an orphan who became a sailing ship’s carpenter and proceeded to assimilate and contribute to the economy using his skills — even helping build Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Most important, he and his daughter, Bertha, drilled into me the rightness of acceptance of others. For that, and so many other things, I will be grateful on Thanksgiving Day.

Certified Elder Law Attorneys by the National Elder Law Foundation since 2003 Named a Super Lawyer annually since 2007*

See what a difference Exceptional Care can make!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

supervisor. According to Barnes, family caregivers are invaluable because they’re familiar with the emotional and physical baseline of the care recipients. “The spouse or adult child knows their family member,” Barnes said. “There’s a lot of trust there.” But being closest to a person in need can be the greatest challenge. Caregivers might feel an emotional toll of watching family members struggling, and can lose sight of their own needs by trying to be their sole provider. “The better a caregiver takes care of themself, the more they have to give to the loved on they are caring for,” Barnes said. Andrews stressed the importance of putting their own needs first. “A lot of people think that they don’t deserve it. Everyone should have the opportunity, whether they think they need it or not. If you are caring for someone, you need support.” Unpaid caregivers who need support can contact the Family Caregiver Support program at 425-290-1240.

and Russians. It was hard to find those of Chinese ancestry at that time because the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, as well as subsequent anti-Chinese demonstrations and attacks, had decimated that population. In 1907 an exception to this could be found in Everett where one Chinese family, the Kans, basically passed themselves off as Japanese and owned the “Japan Bazaar.” There were Japanese in the county, many working on railroad section crews and for Crown Lumber in Mukilteo, and they were more acceptable than the Chinese to their Caucasian neighbors, though restricted in their housing to a gulch northeast of town. A large crew of Japanese men worked on the railway at Monte Cristo, but their supervisor was Irish. As I think of my own Thanksgiving gatherings, a sadder memory also pops to mind: my dear aunt Bertha Lindgren, who, at one of our dinners, spoke of a time when she was a small child in a clean gingham dress with sweet blond curls on her way to school in the 1920s, enduring taunts and rock-throwing by other children. “Dirty Swede, go

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

Homage

Which treatments work for women with hair loss? By Stacey Burling The Philadelphia Inquirer Women expect their hair to turn gray as they age, but they may be far less prepared for another ego-challenging aspect of aging: Their hair falls out. You can cover gray with dye, but it’s harder to disguise the sparsely covered scalps that millions of women start to notice in their 50s and 60s. Some unlucky ones have thinning hair long before that. This kind of hair loss is unrelated to cancer treatment or other serious health problems. Of course, there are plenty of men who wish desperately to restore their youthful locks, and a few — we can think of one powerful one — who cling to elaborate comb-overs, but many balding men simply clip their hair short and go on with their lives. Dermatologists say hair loss is emotionally harder for women, who

are often deeply embarrassed by thinning hair even though it’s quite common. By the time they reach 50, about 40 percent of women are experiencing what’s known as female-pattern hair loss, said Gopal Patel, a dermatologist with Aesthetic Dermatology Associates in Media. Women of African descent struggle with even more conditions that can damage hair follicles and cause bald spots. “Hair is such an important part of youth and vitality,” said Aradhna Saxena, a Montgomery County dermatologist who is affiliated with Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health. “I don’t think people realize that until it’s gone.” It is normal for women to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day, dermatologists said. It’s also normal for a woman to get more hair during pregnancy and return to normal after the baby is born. George Cotsarelis, chair of

Remove Stress from Your Aching Back

dermatology at Penn Medicine, studies hair thinning in men and women. He said women also often shed more hair than usual about three months after an illness or rapid weight loss. Hair lost that way typically comes back. People shed a little more hair in the fall than during other seasons, he said. That’s probably a vestige of the coat changing animals do in preparation for winter. Many other women, though, start noticing thinning hair on top of their heads. Doctors say the defining sign is a widening of the part. The hairline itself is usually intact, but the hair becomes less dense behind it. Doctors will often run a battery of tests to make sure there are no treatable medical conditions, such as anemia, thyroid problems, tumors, or hormonal problems. “Ninety percent of the time, it’s normal,” Patel said. The cause of female-pattern hair loss is unknown, but doctors said there is a strong genetic component. The risk can come from male or female relatives. Though it looks as if the hair is falling out, that’s not really what’s happening. Cotsarelis said hair follicles are becoming smaller and producing hairs that may be so small that you can’t see them. Women tend to retain more normal, thick hairs than balding men do. Like other doctors, Cotsarelis decried the lack of funding for studying hair loss. Said Patel: “The biggest challenge we face is we don’t really have great data.” Because the condition is usually considered cosmetic, insurance companies don’t cover treatments.

Doctors warn that the available treatments may thicken hair growth for some women, but that the more realistic goal is to stop or slow the thinning. While thinning generally worsens after menopause, doctors said hormone treatments typically do not improve hair growth. Minoxidil lotion or foam, which can be purchased over the counter, is the first line of treatment. About half of women who use it have not lost more hair a year later, Cotsarelis said. Spironolactone, a blood-pressure drug, can also help, doctors said. Some may also try finasteride — approved to treat baldness in men — off-label. The evidence that it works in women is weak, Patel said. Beyond that, things get more controversial, with some doctors saying there’s inadequate evidence for other treatments. Saxena thinks there is enough scientific evidence to support some of the alternatives and recommends them to patients. But they are not for women on tight budgets. There’s Nutrafol, a “nutraceutical” that costs about $80 a month. Women can also get injections in the scalp of platelet-rich plasma made from their own blood. The first four treatments cost about $2,000 at Saxena’s practice in Fort Washington or Lansdale. Maintenance injections, done every three to six months, cost $515 each. Women can also buy Theradome, a light-emitting helmet, for $895 online. Saxena, who has hair loss herself, said she has had the injections and currently uses minoxidil, spironolactone, and Nutrafol.

ELDER LAW ATTORNEY

SARAH DUNCAN Assisting seniors with Probate, Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives and Medicaid Planning

3128 Colby Avenue Everett, Washington 98201

Our hearts are full of THANKS and GIVING 1,000 OFF

AT MOVE IN

May not be combined with other move-in specials. Must deposit by 11/30/18.

Ask About Our Age-In-Place Partnerships!

We are Pet Friendly

Retirement Living at its Finest! 9912 48th Dr. NE, Marysville

360-653-1717

www.windsorsrliving.com

425-339-8556

adamslawyers.com

Affordable pricing ba sed on income .

CONNECT STAY ACTIVE ENJOY LIFE

OUR GIFT TO YOU IS

425-339-8556

The YMCA of Snohomish County offers a variety of programs and activities specifically for older adults. From aerobics to yoga or special trips, you are sure to find many enjoyable opportunities to connect with others. THERE’S A Y NEAR YOU: Everett 425 258 9211 Marysville 360 653 9622 Mill Creek 425 337 0123 Monroe 360 805 1879 Mukilteo 425 493 9622 Stanwood 360 629 9622 YMCA-SNOCO.ORG

Scriber Pointe Senior Apartments

Happy Thanksgiving from our family at

Subsidized 62+ Community

Features & Amenities:    

LIFE AT OUR COMMUNITIES IS LIKE NOWHERE ELSE. 55+ ACTIVE SENIOR LIVING



WE’RE PLEASED TO OFFER YOU A FULL

SERVICE APARTMENT LIVING EXPERIENCE, OUR RESIDENTS LOVE LIVING HERE.

Scriber Pointe Senior Apartments 19912 Scriber Lake Rd., Lynnwood WA

For information call 425.339.1048

1795085

   

Homage

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

If you can’t do these movements, you’re in trouble By Wina Sturgeon Adventure Sports Weekly As humans grow older, their lives usually get less physical. Those 55 and older do a lot more sitting. They are much less active. The problem with this is that important ranges of motion can be lost, the joints and muscles atrophied by lack of use. Bodies become stiff. The stiffness makes it harder, even more painful, to do the same simple movements that were done without even thinking about them years ago. This is much more serious than merely being out of shape. Someone once said, “Age reels you in.” This is an apt description of what happens over the years if you allow it to happen. Do you wonder if your own ability to move is older than you are? Three simple movements will answer that question for you.

The first is, as mentioned, a simple move. It consists of sitting down on the floor. Don’t lean against anything. Don’t have anyone lower you down. Just get into a sitting position on the floor without any help. Once seated, draw your legs up or stretch them out straight in front of you, whichever is most comfortable. Keep your back straight. The second movement is just as simple; it’s even easier, actually. Stand up. Simply stand up, without anyone grabbing your hand to pull you up, or using any object other than the floor to get upright again. It’s something you do many times a day from a chair, couch or another seat. The third part of this test is also a simple move: While sitting in a chair, or on a couch, put your head on or between your knees. It’s the classic position for someone who is feeling faint or dizzy and has nowhere to

stretch out and lay down. Can you do all three? If not, that shows that you have lost a lot of your flexibility and range of motion. In fact, you were probably surprised to learn that you can no longer get your body to do these movements. They were always easy when you were younger. However, with a little practice, you will be able to do the ‘Three position challenge.’ The range of motion you will regain more than makes up for the efforts you will have to make to accomplish this task. No one would ever choose to be ‘fragile’ in their 70s or 80s, and these exercises will help you avoid that fate. Here are the reasons why it’s important to be able to do these three movements: The sit-downon-the-floor move uses nearly every muscle and joint in your lower body, and several muscles in your torso. The stand-up-again move not only

tests but improves your agility and coordination. If you are unable to put your head on or between your knees, that shows that your lack of activity has caused your spine to contract. The shrinking of the spine is one of the major reasons we get shorter as we age. Here are tips to help you do these three movements: For sitting down, go to a kneeling position, turn onto one hip and one elbow, turn your knees up and push yourself into a sitting position with your back straight and your legs in a comfortable position. For standing up, lean sideways onto one hip and one elbow, draw your legs into a kneeling position again and stand up. Some folks who haven’t made moves of this sort in many years may get leg cramps while practicing. The mineral supplement potassium gluconate can help stop leg cramps.

— Your Medicare Maven —

On Medicare?

“No More Worries About Mom” Assisted Living Rates starting at $2,400/mo Long Term Care starting at $7,300/mo

5 Star

Rating By CMS

Offering a Continuum of Care... Independent Living, Assisted Living, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Care Including Palliative Care and Hospice Services

Seeing is Believing... Call or Visit Today

GIVING

THANKS TO ALL THE VETERANS!

Sunrise View RETIREMENT VILLA & CONVALESCENT CENTER

425-353-4040

2520 Madison • Near I-5 in South Everett A Washington State Top-Rated Nursing Home. www.medicare.gov

e-mail: dlopes@sunriseview.org www.sunriseview.org Family owned and operated for more then 40 years

Now Hiring Meals on Wheels Drivers

Open Enrollment is NOW through December 7, 2018!

Confused as to your options? • Are you eligible for Prescription help? • Have Medicare and Medicaid? Call today to schedule your no obligation consultation for your 2019 benefits!

Kathleen 425-434-8844 Licensed to offer Medadvantage, Prescription and Supplement Plans

BenefitOptions4U “Providing Options You Can Live With”

DRIVERS WANTED If you have a desire to help others and enjoy driving, you may be just the right person for us! We are hiring drivers for our DART program, funded by Community Transit. Full-time and Part-time opportunities are available to provide safe and reliable transportation for frail, elderly, disabled and/or vulnerable adults. Commercial Licensed (A,B,C) drivers with Passenger Endorsements are encouraged to apply, but if you don’t have these credentials, don’t worry. WE will PAY YOU to TRAIN while you learn the skills required for this type of license. Enjoy competitive wages and great benefits. Pay is $17.60 per hour.

Do you love to help others? Become a Meals on Wheels Delivery Driver for Homage Senior Services and deliver meals to homebound residents throughout Snohomish County. Make a difference and love what you do.

This position is considered safety sensitive under the U.S. Department of Transportation and is subject to drug and alcohol testing under both DOT and Homage Senior Services authority; this position must pass physical examination and drug/alcohol testing, as well as a criminal history. For further information including job requirements and to apply on line go to:

www.homage.org.

Call to apply today! 425.265.2227 www.homage.org 5026 196th St. SW, Lynnwood

Homage Senior Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Wednesday, 11.21.2018

Homage

For all your big plans, we have a plan. Find Medicare Advantage Plans with your True Health at heart

Join us to learn more about our Providence Medicare Advantage Plans Snohomish PUD 120 E Fremont St, Monroe November 27, 10 a.m. Snohomish PUD 120 E Fremont St, Monroe December 4, 10 a.m.

Enroll now at mytrueplans.com/herald or call 866-345-8825 (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific Time), seven days a week.

Providence Medicare Advantage Plans is an HMO, HMO-POS and HMO SNP with Medicare and Oregon Health Plan contracts. Enrollment in Providence Medicare Advantage Plans depends on contract renewal. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-800-457-6064 or 503-574-5551 (TTY: 711). H9047_2019PHA94_M