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Thetime

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Thetime

ofyourlifeSpring 2016

YOUR GUIDE TO MATURE LIVING, HEALTH, FINANCES AND LIFESTYLE

Older Americans25th annual

C O N F E R E N C EWed, May 18 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Elks Lodge, 4131 Pine Road NE, BremertonFREE TO THE PUBLIC • SPACE IS LIMITED

(See page 3 for more details)

360-779-5533 19360 Viking Avenue N.W., Poulsbo www.libertyshores.com

Call and schedule a free tour and lunch and you will experience our community � lled with warmth and new friends.

Spring Brings A New Community of Friends

LIKEUS ON

S E N I O R L I V I N GLiberty Shores

M E M O R Y C A R EHarbor House

My mother came from a very large close-knit family.Every summer she organized our family reunion consisting of her sisters, brothers, and their children. She would cook wonderful meals and the kitchen would � ll the house with wonderful aromas.Mom no longer hosts the reunions since Dad had passed away. At the last gathering she looked extremely tired.� e family thought it would be best if we found her a new home where others could keep her company and occupied throughout the days. Somewhere that would take care of her the same way she had taken care of us all those years. We did not just want anyplace to be her home but a place where she had activities, warmth, care and most importantly love. We decided that Liberty Shores & Harbor House in Poulsbo would be the new home that would be perfect for mom.

Liberty Shores & Harbor House is a trusted and de� ciency free senior care provider specializing in assisted living and memory care. � ey o� er the � nest care, given by the most committed sta� .

Spring Brings A New Community of

Call and schedule a free tour and lunch and you will experience

2 TIME OF YOUR LIFE SPRING EDITION MAY 6, 2016

By LESLIE [email protected]

The older Tony Ventrella gets, the more he’s learning.

And that’s just the way it should be, he said.

“In America, we don’t seem to revere seniors like they do in other countries,” he said. “Other places, seniors are held in high esteem. They are honored for their knowledge. But here, we tend not to do that.”

Many times, seniors are looked at as a burden, he said, and some seniors themselves think their lives are over. But as Ventrella likes to say, “Every day is an opportunity to learn something.”

As the keynote speaker at the Kitsap County Older Americans Conference this year, Ventrella plans to tell seniors about his own experiences and about what keeps him going.

“I’m a storyteller,” he said. “I’ll share a lot of stories about the people I’ve met.”

One of those individuals is a friend who, at 84, ran the New York City Marathon with him.

“I was half his age,” he said. “I was 44 and he kept up really well. He was very inspiring.”

Being a senior is no reason to think that you’re too old to learn new things, he said. Or try new things.

“Seniors have the experience and the knowledge which they need to share with others who are younger than they are,” he added.

An interesting statistic, he said, is that 10,000 people — Baby Boomers all — turn 65 every day in the U.S.

“With that, we’re going to have to change how we look at seniors,” he said. “We will have the greatest number of peo-ple over the age of 65 that this country’s ever seen.”

Ventrella has written two books and is working on a third. His books are about keeping a positive attitude and enjoying life.

“Your attitude makes a big difference in your life,” he said.

His third book is titled “Same Air,” and addresses the fact that we all breathe the same air.

“It’s based on something (President John F. Kennedy) said in a speech,” Ventrella said. “We all breathe the same air. We are all in this together. What we each do affects the other and we need to figure out a way to get along before we eliminate our civilization.”

He’s planning on running for office as a way to do his part to make there world a better place. He plans to announce his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives soon.

“People are surprised that I’m a Democrat,” he said. “The biggest factor in that is that I don’t like all the big money in politics. People think that having been in the media, I have money and I am a Republican. But that’s not the case. They’re also surprised that I don’t have a college degree.”

Ventrella was sports director at KING 5 and KIRO 7 television for 22 years. During his career, he covered two Olympics, several World Series, Super Bowls, International Figure Skating events, Final Four basketball tournaments and three Rose Bowls.

He started his career as a barber, trained by his father who also was a barber, and had his own shop. But radio was his true love and he did that on the side. At one time, Ventrella ran his shop, did play-by-play of high school football and wrote the entire sports section of his hometown newspaper while acting in

community theater and playing softball in two leagues.

He went from radio to television sports and worked in Connecticut, Indiana and then in Seattle.

He got into public speaking after he received honors and awards from commu-nity groups.

“I figured if they were going to give me the mic, I better have something good to say,” he said.

For the past 10 years, Ventrella has been digital media host for the Seattle Seahawks. He produces and hosts videos — team, corporate partner, and commu-nity outreach — on team websites.

He also has a background in theater directing and acting in dozens of pro-ductions back east and in the Pacific Northwest. He is a board member of the Evergreen Family Theatre in Redmond; he played “Scrooge” in a production of “A Christmas Carol” and Morrie in “Tuesdays with Morrie.”

People still recognize him when he’s out.

“They know my face,” he said. “They say ‘How do I know you? You were on TV but I forget your name.’ I tell them ‘That’s OK. I can’t remember my name most the time either.’ ”

His bucket list? He doesn’t have one.“That idea is overplayed,” he said.

“Most of us are doing the things we love every day, and if we’re not, that’s a prob-lem. I’ve had the chance to travel. I’ve interviewed political figures, all-time great athletes. I have a great family — three kids and nine grandchildren. I’m very grateful.”

But he doesn’t fault others who want to make a bucket list.

“Today, and every day, my bucket list is to glorify and be grateful for being healthy,” he said.

Conference AgendaFor the past 25 years, seniors through-

out Kitsap County have gathered annually to learn about resources that are available to them as they grow older.

The 2016 Older Americans Conference is no different. Participants will have the opportunity to get to know each other and to see just how many programs and activi-ties there are in the county that cater to them.

The conference theme is “Your Silver Lining ... Blaze a Trail.” Events begin at 8 a.m. May 18 at the Elks Lodge in Bremerton.

• 8 a.m.: Doors open. Registration, hot

breakfast buffet, booths.• 9 a.m.: Presentation of Colors by the

Bremerton JROTC; Pledge of Allegiance.• 9:10 a.m.: Welcome by Sigrid

Howard, president, Long Term Care Alliance.

• 9:20 a.m.: Presentation of the Older Americans Day Proclamation by Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe.

• 9:30 a.m.: Remarks by Alfred Pinkham Jr., chairman of the ALTC Advisory Council.

• 9:40 a.m.: Remarks by a repre-sentative of contributing sponsor CHI/Harrison.

• 9:50 a.m.: Presentation by Robert Law, division chief medical officer CKF&R 911, “Behind the Scenes.”

Law has been with Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue since 1985. He started as a volunteer firefighter in January 1981. For three years, he volunteered as a firefighter and worked for a private ambulance ser-vice in Bremerton. After moving into a resident firefighter program, he attended and graduated from Tacoma Community College with a certificate in paramedicine.

In August 1985, Law was hired as a paramedic firefighter in Silverdale. Since that time, he was promoted through the ranks: lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and division chief of fire training.

He has an associate’s degree from Olympic College and is working on a bachelor’s degree in public administration.

Law is in charge of CKF&R’s medical division. The medical division includes 20 certified paramedics, roughly 80 EMTs and a fleet of 11 transport aid cars or Medic units.

He is married to Christine Law, an assistant supervisor for Kitsap County CENCOM. They have three children and two granddaughters.

• 10:30 a.m.: Break. Visit sponsor and vendor booths, mid-morning snack.

• 11:30 a.m.: Keynote: Tony Ventrella, “Key to Happiness.”

• 12:30 p.m.: Closing remarks: Sigrid Howard.

• 12:30 p.m.: Tony Ventrella will be available for autographs and photos. Visit sponsor and vendor booths. Jazz band entertainment.

• 1:30 p.m.: Adjourn. The conference is sponsored by the

Kitsap County Division of Aging and Long Term Care, Givens Community Center, 1026 Sidney Ave., Port Orchard. 360-337-7068 or 360-337-5700, www.agingkitsap.com.

Welcome to the 25th Older Americans ConferenceKeynote speaker Tony Ventrella will tell some stories — and talk about staying happy as you grow older

Former sportscaster Tony Ventrella will speak about happiness. Contributed photo

MAY 6, 2016 TIME OF YOUR LIFE SPRING EDITION 3


By LIBERTY SHORES STAFF

Any first-time visitor pulling down the driveway at Liberty Shores Assisted Living and Harbor House

Memory Care Communities realizes immediately they have come to a place that appreciates and honors the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Prominently displayed and aligning with the U.S. Flag are five flag poles, displaying the service flags for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Liberty Shores and Harbor House have had the privilege for the past 18 years to take care of aging veterans; the formal display of the flags shows allegiance to that dedication.

The communities are typically the home-setting for 10 to 14 veterans at any given time, and recognizing them for their service to the country has been a paramount honor for the staff at Liberty Shores and Harbor House.

The Fireside Room, which offers a breathtaking vista of Mount Rainier, also has one wall dedicated as the Wall of Honor, showcasing various framed photos of veteran residents stemming from their service time as well as a present-time photo, with a listing of assignments and accomplishments. The present display of flags around the gazebo was dedicated during a special ceremony with the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars on Memorial Day 2014.

This is an active place and you can do it all or you can do just what you want — entertain guests, take in some live enter-tainment, watch TV with friends in the home-like Bay Room, which has a kitchen and snacks, or enjoy a glass of wine on the expansive deck overlooking the bay.

How about venturing out on a mystery drive? Once a week, activity director Erica Applewhite picks a secret destination in Kitsap or Jefferson County and doesn’t reveal the location until residents are load-ed on the bus. Amazingly, we have quite a few adventure seekers who live here, so they don’t seem to be daunted by not knowing where they will go until buckled into their seat, Applewhite said. When so

much of our daily routines can be ordered or programmed, it’s sure nice to have something that’s a mystery.

Administrator Sigrid Howard added, “Most seniors have such extended lives today. We want to provide a level of ser-vice that accommodates those active lives. The beauty of this place sets the tone for the quality of living Liberty Shores and Harbor House strives to provide: Personal care with a holistic team approach designed to address all physical, mental, social and spiritual needs; respect for who residents were and who they are today; integrity in every facet of services and care; dignity as the ultimate goal in provid-ing care, while preserving and respecting the dignity of residents; and exceeding residents and families expectation.”

Liberty Shores offers familiar amenities and services. Studio and one- and two-bed-room apartments are each outfitted with a mini-kitchen with refrigerator and micro-wave. Each apartment has a call-light sys-tem to alert staff when a resident needs assistance, and each unit has cable service available. Apartments are furnished with the residents’ personal belongings.

Three meals a day are served restau-rant style, with such choices as daily specials, accommodation of special dietary needs, and a made-to-order salad bar. Other services include housekeeping and linen services; free use of laundry facilities; transportation for shopping, scheduled medical appointments and community events; programs coordinated

by an activities director; recreation and exercise areas; a beauty salon and barber shop; and a 24-hour bistro-type snack bar stocked with nutritious snacks and drinks.

Howard said additional services set Liberty Shores apart: 24-hour onsite licensed nursing staff; 24-hour, seven-day-a-week admissions; full-time restorative care coordinator, offering customized exercise programs to help residents main-tain, restore or obtain their highest level of physical abilities; Wander Guard sup-port, to provide enhanced security for res-idents with early stages of memory loss; full-time social worker on staff to provide emotional and interpersonal support to residents; BlueStep, an Electronic Medical Charting system that can be accessed by physicians, medical staff and families from a secure, private log-in; and Family Connect, an online informational page which allows families real-time updates on their loved one’s health, activity and social well-being.

All told, Liberty Shores and Harbor House employs more than 100 — that’s almost one employee per resident.

The staff is striving every day to give residents a life where they have all the freedom that they desire as they age. The average age of residents is 90. People are retiring later in life and living longer. Many are able to live at home longer now than in years past.

According to Howard, the only way you can be successful in elder care is to con-tinually adjust to the changing times.

“Residents do not adjust to you; you need to adjust to them,” she said.

She realizes that Liberty Shores will be adjusting again as the Baby Boomers start to arrive; they want to preserve their younger lifestyle.

HARBOR HOUSE MEMORY CAREHarbor House, located adjacent to

Liberty Shores, offers comfortable pri-vate and semi-private rooms, which are furnished or can be furnished with the residents personal belongings.

Harbor House Memory Care has three floors and combines security in housing and health care to aid in residents comfort and ensure their health and safety. Its design is focused on comfort and familiari-ty to allow residents to maintain their inde-pendence and privacy. Personal rooms are outfitted with photos of family and friends, while common areas and memory stations encourage individual and group activities.

A highlight of the first floor: A theater room with theater-style seating, coffee shop, and Memory Lane-style visiting area for before or after the film. Adorning the walls are movie posters from Hollywood’s “Casablanca” era.

Comfortable couches offer a peaceful respite location as well. A fireplace at the end of the hallway on first floor offers again a peaceful ambiance, encouraging residents to sit in the comfortable over-stuffed leather chairs.

Activities are scheduled seven days a week, including board games, Bible stud-ies, exercise classes, day trips and other special outings.

Outside, the courtyard features gardens where residents have grown plants and vegetables that have won awards at the Kitsap County Fair.

Harbor House Alzheimer’s Community also offers daycare and respite care for all stages of dementia patients, seven days a week.

AN INVITATION TO VISITHoward said prospective residents

of Liberty Shores or Harbor House are invited to take a tour and enjoy a compli-mentary lunch.

“We know you will applaud our stan-dards and see why we have been recog-nized for exceptional customer service and quality care,” she said. “We offer a comprehensive selection of living options and support services. We encourage and support aging in place and have the staff and services to make it happen.”

Liberty Shores in Poulsbo is a friendly, active placeSenior-living community focuses on a warm “at home” atmosphere that appreciates its veteran residents

Liberty Shores, located in Poulsbo, offers comfortable private and semi-private rooms at its Harbor House Memory Care center. Leslie Kelly photo


They’re helping seniors get their needs met. They serve as advisers. But they’ve all encountered their

own unique issues navigating the needs of seniors.

They are the Advisory Council to the Kitsap County Division of Aging and Long Term Care. Among the members is Al Pinkham, the council chairman.

Pinkham spent 24 years in the U.S. Navy and, following that, served three terms on the board of the Peninsula Community Health Services. He then decided to join the Advisory Council for the Area Agency on Aging.

As chairman, he said he is dedicated to hearing the concerns of seniors and care-givers to seniors and the aging population and working to meet those needs.

“When I finished my terms on the com-munity health board, I said ‘What else can I do to help the senior population?’ ” Pinkham said. “Then I found this group.”

After three years on the council, he’s seen some things that Kitsap County is

doing well to serve its senior population. And he’s seen things that need work. “We have a great amount of services available here,” he said. “But we need to get that message out to more people.”

In the last year, the council has visited all of the senior centers in Kitsap County, listening to seniors to learn what is impor-tant to them and what needs are not being met.

“Transportation is a big issue,” he said. “What good is having places where seniors can get the care they need if they physically can’t get there?”

The council has met with Kitsap Transit to help improve bus service, but there is much left to be done. The council will continue to look for innovative ways to help seniors and those who are chal-lenged meet their transportation needs.

Another big issue for seniors is that many of them don’t want to ask for help.

“There’s a strong resistance to asking for help,” he said. “Some seniors think of it as welfare. But the fact is that the pro-grams are being paid for with tax dollars and these seniors have worked all their lives and paid into taxes for years and

years. Just like with Medicare and Social Security, they’ve earned the help.”

Vice Chairwoman Mari Van Court said she found her way to the council after being the designated caregiver for three elderly relatives.

“As a family nursing practitioner, I thought I knew what I was doing,” she said. “But I was completely blind-sided by what was involved.”

The combination of legal paperwork, finances and navigating the health care system was overwhelming to her. And it consumed her time 24/7. So she sought out a support network for caregivers and found that with the county’s Division of Aging.

“They saved my life,” she said. “Now I want to get the message out to other care-givers.”

Van Court sees a need for better transi-tions from hospital to nursing care and back home for seniors. She’s hoping to be able to work on making that happen.

She thinks the county is doing good work with making respite care available to caregivers and wants to see that caregiv-ers know what’s available to them when

they need help.Council member Michaelene Manion

had experience working with the disability network, having had a disabled son. She also helped her mother through a number of strokes and dementia in the 1990s.

“I saw so many people in convalescent homes who needed help that they weren’t getting,” she said. “I decided I wanted to fight for those who don’t have a voice.”

Manion has been on the council since 2009. She points to things such as dental care and vision care that need address-ing. She is working with the other council members to gather information and “make sure Olympia and the others with the power to fund programs” know what’s lacking.

Kitsap County is doing many things right, such as planning for the future, council members said. Statistically, by 2020, one in four residents will be older than 60.

“The county is planning well and seek-ing our advice on long-range issues for the aging population,” Van Court said.


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By ANDERSON DENTURE STAFF

A nderson Denture & Dental Center in Poulsbo has dentists and dentur-ists that can care for all your needs,

from fillings to dentures to implants.A denturist is the only professional

legislated exclusively to serve individu-als with removable dental prosthetics. A denturist’s entire required curriculum of study focuses on the oral health of those individuals needing a dental prosthetic and the actual fabrication of that appli-ance. The denturist actually makes your dentures.

Your denturist is an expert in the design, construction, insertion and adjust-ment of removable dental appliances. Your licensed denturist has graduated from an accredited college denturist program and

passed the state’s board of health two-day examination.

This board examination not only includes the sciences involving oral health

issues, but also the technical skills neces-sary to actually fabricate your denture. This expertise makes choosing a denturist the best possible choice to help you derive the maximum benefit from up-to-date den-tal prosthetic technology.

When you choose a denturist for your denture needs, you can be assured of expert personalized care. Knowing you are being seen by the individual who will actually make your dental appliance offers confidence that your unique needs will be met.

Your denturist is devoted to creating full or partial dentures that fit well, look natural and attractive, and allow you to maintain a healthy smile.

Since your dental appliance is actually made at your denturist’s office, the quality

of care is constant, personal and expedi-ent. Also, adjustments, repairs and relines can be made rather quickly, often while you wait.

Denturists’ fees are affordable because there are no outside cost markups or outside delays. Most insurance companies honor the services of a denturist.

You will be pleased by choosing a denturist for your denture care. You will receive personalized, confidential quality care and professional service, and be sur-prised at the affordability.

The attention to detail and the warm personal service will make your visit to a denturist enjoyable. It’s a decision you’ll be comfortable with.

Call 360-779-1566 to set an appointment with one of our dentists or denturists.

Denture and dental center can care for many issuesDenturist Bruce Anderson

County agency on aging works to connect seniors with servicesBy AGING AGENCY STAFF

Kitsap County Aging and Long Term Care, or ALTC, is a division of the Kitsap County Human Services Department and is the locally designated Area Agency on Aging for Kitsap County.

ALTC was created through the collabora-tive action of citizens, aging-network service providers and the Kitsap Board of County Commissioners in 1980. An ALTC Advisory Council makes recommendations as to pro-grams and services provided by the agency, and advocates with elected officials regard-ing the interests and needs of older adults and adults with disabilities living in Kitsap County.

The ALTC’s mission is to work indepen-dently and through community partnerships to promote well-being of older adults and adults with disabilities. ALTC has 14 subcon-tracts with local providers for various ser-vices to support older persons, as well as 18 Medicaid supportive subcontracts to assist those served through the Medicaid.

Stacey Smith, administrator, said, “ALTC is available to answer questions and help people make decisions that will positively affect their lives. We provide unbiased infor-mation and referrals to local services that support citizens making informed choices, experience positive outcomes, and connect to local resources. There are often relatively simple and low-cost options available to help people remain living in their own homes and

communities. We’re here as a way for people to get the information they need as they make important life decisions,” she said.

ALTC’s Senior Information & Assistance Program expects it will assist more than 1,240 people in 2016. Community Living Connections is a specifically-designed local resource database of services to older persons. Other in-house programs include the Family Caregiver Support Program, which helps individuals taking care of fam-ily or friends, expected to serve at least 300 caregivers this year.

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) anticipates providing approximately 1,500 consultations to local community members for free information on Medicare options and cost savings pro-grams. Last year, SHIBA volunteers helped people in the local community save a com-bined, estimated $95,000 in premiums and prescription co-payments.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman expects to assist 2,500 people residing in nursing homes, assisted living or adult family homes throughout Kitsap County.

The Medicaid Long-Term Care Case Management Services assists individuals with disabilities over the age of 18 years, eli-gible for Medicaid and independently living in the community. On any given day, ALTC serves more than 950 individuals throughout the county through this program.

ALTC also operates a Title V Senior

Community Services Employment and Training Program for individuals older than 55 who are interested in re-training and seeking employment.

“If any of these services interest you or could assist you to continue to live indepen-dently in Kitsap County, please give us a call,” Smith said. “Folks don’t realize ALTC is their local resource. They have contrib-uted to our existence their entire working lives. Now, we are here to support them in their golden years.”

ALTC purchases services from private and public agencies and arranges for service delivery for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. ALTC uses a variety of state, federal and local funding sources, including the federal Older Americans Act, Medicaid, Respite, the national and state Family Caregiver Support Program, the state Senior Citizens Services Act, and individual and community donations.

Here are the service numbers expected for 2016.

• Information and Assistance & Community Living Connections: 1,240 individuals served.

• Family Caregiver Support Program: 300 caregivers served; 5,491-plus hours of respite care for 56 caregivers; 80 counseling sessions; 138 trainings; 32 individuals served in support groups; and 35 individuals who will receive home-delivered meals, legal ser-vices or durable medical equipment.

• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 500 investigations or interventions; 2,500 indi-viduals served.

• Medicaid Long-Term Care Case Management Services: 950 individuals served.

• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA): 1,500 direct consumer contacts for assistance.

• Title V Senior Community Service Employment & Training Program: Training and employment opportunities for 12 eligible participants.

• Congregate Meals: 31,400 meals for 775 individuals.

• Home-Delivered Meals: 42,000 meals for 375 individuals.

• Kinship Caregivers Support Program: Support for 60 caregivers raising other family members’ children.

• Mental Health/Substance Abuse Counseling: 385 hours of counseling for 85 individuals.

• Senior Drug Education: Community events providing expert information regarding the safe use of prescribed medi-cations for older adults.

• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: 685 individuals each receiving about $40 worth of fresh food and pro-duce.

• Legal Services: 370 hours of (non-criminal) legal services for up to 120 indi-viduals.


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LESSEN YOUR RISK FACTORS...WE CAN HELP!



Jerry Mecham and Karen Kline are shining examples of how cardiac conditioning can help heart attack

survivors regain their physical stamina.Mecham, 70, had congestive heart fail-

ure and had to have open heart surgery in May 2015. His heart was enlarged and he had to have an LVAD, a pump to help his heart work, inserted in his chest. The LVAD helps the left ventricle pump blood to the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body.

“I was always so weak,” Mecham said. “I couldn’t even walk from the front door to my truck.”

But after his surgery, he began to feel better. Still, his ability to walk and his breathing weren’t what they should be. So his cardiologist sent him for physical therapy.

He chose Kitsap Physical Therapy and Sports Clinics in Kingston.

“The doc said I needed cardiac physical therapy,” Mecham said. “I hated the idea. I’d never been to physical therapy before and the idea of somebody telling me I had to do this or that wasn’t what I wanted.”

But he went along with the idea and found the physical therapists at KPT to be wonderful.

“Those guys, they really watched over me,” he said. “I was assigned to one of them each time I came in and they kept track of my pulse and watched how I did things.”

At first, he could only do one minute on the stationary bicycle. That amounted to about 200 feet in distance.

“We worked up to two minutes and now we’re at seven,” he said, noting that that’s one and a half miles. “I do two sets of seven minutes with a break in-between.”

He can also do seven minutes on the treadmill, usually two or three sets. And he uses an arm bicycle which works his upper body. In the four weeks that he’s been in cardiac rehab therapy, he’s seen a great deal of improvement in how he feels and what he can do.

“It’s a marked improvement,” he said. “I can walk to my truck without feeling tired and I even walk the dog.”

Currently, his time at the physical therapy gym is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for an hour, first thing at 8 a.m. sharp.

“I hate exercising,” said the former Washington state ferry captain who

retired in 1997. “But I hate being out of breath more. Boy, have they ever been helpful. I can tell that the physical exercise is helping.”

After his retirement from the ferry system, he went back to work for the state Attorney General’s office as a witness for the state. He also worked for 14 years at Coast-to-Coast Hardware in Poulsbo. He’s active in the community and hopes to have more good years in him.

His short-term goal, however, is to be able to put on his socks.

“I can’t do that yet,” he said. “I can’t bend over to do that. But I’m getting closer.”

While Mecham knew he had signs of heart trouble, Kline did not. Also 70, Kline owns her own business and encountered significant stress in the year prior to her heart surgery.

“I just thought it was indigestion,” she said of her chest pains. “As women, we don’t realize that that’s a sign of heart problems.”

She made a trip to the emergency room, but her heart issue wasn’t caught that day. It was a few weeks later when she told a friend about how she was feeling.

“The friend said ‘You need to go to a cardiologist right now,’” Kline said.

She made an appointment with Dr. John Banzer, a cardiologist with The Doctors Clinic in Silverdale.

“He told me I needed surgery,” Kline said. “They had to put in a stint.”

She said she didn’t realize how her stress had affected her body. And soon

after surgery, her doctor sent her to cardi-ac physical therapy. She, too, chose Kitsap Physical Therapy in Kingston.

“At first I thought this was just another way to milk the insurance companies,” she said. “But they assigned me to Rich (McDowell), and he got it that I was a type A personality. He helped me get the stress under control.”

Like Mecham, she’d never had physi-cal therapy before and wasn’t much of an exerciser.

“They taught me how to breathe properly from the stomach,” she said. “Because I am exercising and using my yoga breathing, my heart rate and my blood pressure have dropped.”

Now she wears a FitBit so she can monitor her own vitals.

“In a way, it’s taught me to fix myself,” she said. “I’m focused on the fix because I don’t want to be a victim.”

After several weeks working with a physical therapist, she’s continuing her training on her own. She’s met another person in rehab at Kitsap Physical Therapy and now they work out together twice a week.

Still working in her retail business, and working with her husband at their Christmas tree farm, she never wants to retire.

“My goal is to stay healthy, stay active and stay alive,” she said. “I’m still having a lot of fun.”

Any time Rich McDowell, a physical therapist at KPT, gets a new patient, he’s ready.

At KPT there’s a standard protocol when introducing a cardiac patient to exercising, once he or she has had a car-diac event.

“We do a full evaluation on them and assess the risk factors before we ever get them up and going on equipment,” McDowell said. “That includes a muscular, skeletal and orthopedic study, and we assess their cardiovascular health.”

A stress test, where the patient walks on a treadmill to see how long they are able to maintain their walking, is common.

“With all that, we have a base measure-ment and we can formulate a treatment plan and set appropriate goals,” McDowell said. “Cardiac rehab has always been offered by KPT, but in the past five or six years we’ve developed a formal pro-gram. We knew there was a need to offer something locally. Many of the people who needed it around here (Poulsbo and Kingston) were having to drive to Bremerton to get it. We saw the need and we jumped up and met it.”

The program is well known at all KPT locations and many of their patients come by way of word-of-mouth.

“We are always having conversations with the local cardiologists and surgeons,” McDowell said. “We’re proud of this program. But many of our patients learn about us from other patients who’ve been here.”

Steve Goldrick, another KPT cardiac rehab specialist who practices at the KPT Silverdale Clinic, said cardiologists, sur-geons and family physicians, and friends refer patients to KPT.

Goldrick has been a physical therapist with KPT for five years. He’s a board-cer-tified orthopedic clinical specialist. He’s a doctor of physical therapy and specializes in orthopedic work, occupational therapy, chronic pain management and cardiac rehab.

Just how long the rehab will last, depends on the patient, Goldrick and McDowell said.

“It varies,” McDowell said. “Some (patients) have a history of exercise and we just need to guide them. Some have never exercised and we work with them to make it a part of their lives. Getting it to be a routine is the goal.”

A physical therapist works one-on-one with each cardiac patient to watch their heart rate and make sure that they are doing their exercise correctly. McDowell

Kitsap Physical Therapy helps cardiac patients recover

Karen Kline jokes with Rob McDowell, a physical therapist, while she does her workout on the treadmill. Kline is recovering from heart surgery. Leslie Kelly photo

See CARDIAC, Page 10

finds that once a patient gets a treatment plan and begins walking on the tread-mill, and sees improvement, they are committed.

“That helps keep them coming in three times a week,” he said.

Once patients are released from physi-cal therapy they receive a 30 day pass to use the gym and to encourage them to continue exercising on their own.

He stressed that continued cardio exercise can be as simple as a walk in the neighborhood, or using equipment like a treadmill at home.

“In many rural places, there are no gyms close by,” he said. “What do you do if there’s no where to work out? Just getting out and moving is the key. Start to move the body again and get into an exer-cise routine.”

Goldrick said patients who have had a heart attack or heart surgery need someone who understands how they are feeling.

“They’ve been knocked down a peg,” said Goldrick. “They’re not up to the level they were before the heart attack. They’re frustrated and they want to be able to do what they’re use to doing.”

The job of the physical therapist is to walk along side of them and be a coach and a booster.

“We’re there to help them reach their goals,” Goldrick said. “But that’s not just about exercising. It’s about being able to

do what they were doing before, things like their hobbies.”

McDowell, also a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, has been a

physical therapist for 16 years, learned about cardiac rehab during an internship in a hospital cardiac unit. He’s aware that some people who have had heart attacks or strokes, or heart surgery, are reluctant to get going again.

“I saw that in my own family,” he said. “My grandpa had a stroke and was prescribed physical therapy follow-ing that. I had a hard time convincing my grandma that he needed to get moving. She kept saying all he needed was rest. But once she saw him improving, she saw he needed it.”

Goldrick said the patients can be hesitant.

“Having a heart attack is extremely stressful,” he said. “There is a degree of hesitancy because they don’t want another event. So it’s a balanc-ing act and that’s where physical therapists come into play. We are there to make sure

they are working at a level that is right for them.”

As for a national trend that shows fewer women with heart conditions are referred

for cardiac rehab, McDowell isn’t seeing that in Kitsap County.

“We have an equal balance of men and women here,” he said. “There’s just so much research out there that shows the benefit of aerobic exercise that people are understanding its value, especially when they have or have had heart problems.”

Goldrick said KPT is different from other physical therapy places because it’s owned by the physical therapists.

“We’re hometown people,” he said. “Many of us grew up around here. We have a certain sense of pride in watching our business grow and making sure our patients are satisfied.”

And, he said, in many cases, the physi-cal therapists are able to keep in touch with their former patients because many decide to continue their exercising at KPT fitness gyms.

“We will see each other coming and going,” Goldrick said. “They’ll tell me how many minutes they’re doing on the tread-mill, or say ‘check out my grip strength.’ I love being able to keep in touch with them and make sure they’re doing well.”

Kitsap Physical Therapy and Sports Clinic has locations in Silverdale, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Kingston, Port Orchard and Bremerton and was founded in 1979.

Its mission is to play a valuable role in helping the people living in our communi-ties to overcome the physical limitations (and sometimes mental) restrictions that interfere with their ability to fully partici-pate in their activities of daily living.”

For more information or to make an appointment, go to www.kitsappt.com.

Pinkham said as far as funding goes, aging issues may not be the priority now, but both the state and the U.S. Congress are paying attention.

“They know what’s coming (with an aging population),” he said. “They understand the costs of health care at the end of life and they’re looking for ways to reduce those costs. It’s a hard discussion, but it has to happen.” Such things are Advance Health Care Directives help, he added.

Another concern of the council is the overwhelming loneliness of the aging popu-lation. Reaching out to seniors is crucial.

“So many elderly are lonely and they won’t ask for help,” Pinkham said. “But with the work of the agency and the council, we’re improving that. We’re trying to get the word out that help is available. There’s

information out there and problems can be solved.”

One way, he said, is the 2-1-1 telephone resource number. Another is to go to your local senior center. Not only are there activi-ties there to keep seniors from being lonely. But there are resources to help with a vari-ety of issues.

About the county’s Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council:

The purpose of the Advisory Council to the Kitsap County Division of Aging and Long Term Care is to make recommendations to the staff and the board of county commissioners regarding the development and support of the division’s mission and objective.

More specifically, the purpose of the Advisory Council is to work with the county to develop and administer the area plan, to conduct public meetings and hearings, to rep-resent and advocate for the interests of older and disabled residents of Kitsap County and

to review community policies, programs and actions that affect older people.

The Advisory Council currently has eight members: Audrey Barbakoff, Bainbridge Island; Sharon Cromley, Bremerton; Nadine Geister, Port Orchard; Michaelene Manion,

Port Orchard; Alfred Pinkham Jr., Silverdale; Rosemary Pinneo, Tracyton; Mari Van Court, Port Orchard; and Connie Wurm, Port Orchard.


Thetime

ofyourlifeSpring 2016

YOUR GUIDE TO MATURE LIVING, HEALTH, FINANCES AND LIFESTYLE

Regional publisher : Terry Ward

Special publications editor : Leslie Kelly

General manager: Donna Etchey

Sales representatives: Sharon Allen, Tawna Grisham, Jessica Martindale, Marleen Martinez, Bill McDonald, Ariel Naumann

Creative services: Bryon Kempf, manager; Mark Gillespie, Kelsey Thomas, John Rodriguez, Vanessa Calverley, Johanna Buxton

Copyright 2016 Sound PublishingFor information about upcoming special

publications, call 360-779-4464.

Long TermContinued from page 5

Jerry Mecham and Rich McDowell take a walk around the Kitsap Physical Therapy sports clinic in Kingston. Contributed photo

CardiacContinued from page 9


MADRONA HOUSEWYATT HOUSEMADISON AVE HOUSEWINSLOW MANOR

We know it can sometimes be a bit of a transition making the move to assisted living. That’s why pets are not only welcome at Bainbridge Senior Living, they’re encouraged. It’s just one of the many reasons to consider Bainbridge Senior Living. Just ask Fido.

(By the way, if you’re not a pet person, don’t worry, your petless privacy will be 100% respected.)

THERAPY COMES IN ALL KINDS OF PACKAGES.Especially ones with four legs.

By JEFF TOLMANColumnist

I held my younger son’s new child. My baby’s baby. A new branch on the fam-ily tree. A new life. A new story to be

written.Immediately I noticed what I didn’t see

in this newborn. Hate. Prejudice. Anger. Blind ambition.

Instead, I saw happiness, peace, opti-mism and potential. A one-of-a-kind human he is, with a common, but at the same time unique, story to live.

In his first weeks of life outside mom, the baby has already conquered many life tasks. Eat. Sleep. Spit up. Cry. Poop. Pee. Stick his tongue out. Listen to Pa’s stories as if they are fascinating. Look big-eyed at the new, wondrous, exciting world existing outside the basinette. Wrap his grandparents’ hearts around his tiny little fingers.

The world has not yet soiled Zach with demands, expectations and keeping-up-with-the-Joneses.

As when I first held my other grandchil-dren, Kinzie and Miller, cuddling Zachary I thought about my job description as a grandparent. My initial reaction was that the ad would read something like this:

WANTED: A positive role model for new parents and a new baby. Requirements include unlimited love, perspective, the ability to laugh and hug and look at life’s bigger picture. Communications skills to convince new parents that sleep will come again, that being a teenager is a temporary affliction, that everyone will survive the ups-and-downs life brings and that “this, too, will pass” are preferred.

A recent episode in Poulsbo Municipal Court made me alter and simplify my grandparent job description.

A grandmother came before me, arrested for allegedly teaching her grand-children how to shoplift at a local store. She casually pleaded guilty and awaited sentencing. I couldn’t imagine the allega-tions to be true.

“Ma’am,” I said, “I am a parent and grandparent who has spent lots of my waking hours trying to help my kids and grandkids be good people and citizens.

Make sense out of this for me. The allega-tions are shocking and appalling.”

I waited for her to respond, wondering what she had to say. Then she spoke.

“Do we have to have all this chatter? Or can you just sentence me?”

There was no more chatter. Just a firm sentence to someone who’ll likely be back in some court again, as will, I suspect, her grandchildren in years to come. Her grandkids don’t have much of a chance of having a life not filled with police officers, public defenders, prosecutors and judges. Put simply, “monkey see, monkey do.”

That grandmother helped me under-stand better Zachary’s parents’ and grand-parents’ ultimate job: to give him a chance. To help him find and be himself, to write his individual story. To let him know he is loved and valuable. To be part of a team that shows him how to live life right. Without stealing, without courts involved in his life. To always remember, “monkey see, monkey do.”

— Jeff Tolman is a lawyer and judge in Poulsbo and a periodic contributor to the North Kitsap Herald.

Copyright Jeff Tolman 2015. All rights reserved.

A new branch on the tree

“In my new grandson, I saw a world without hate and anger. I saw happiness, peace and

optimism ...”

Columnist, lawyer and judge Jeff Tolman. Contributed photo


‘Elder Orphans’ represent a growing number here By LESLIE [email protected]

They are called “Elder Orphans” and they represent a growing number of Americans who are coming into

their senior years without anyone to watch over them.

Just ask Richard Tizzano, a Poulsbo attorney who specializes in Elder Law. Many people are familiar with him because of his free seminars throughout Kitsap County, where he helps seniors to know their health care and legal options.

“All seniors need to be asking ‘Who’s got your back?,’ ” Tizzano said. “Everybody needs to have someone to watch over them – someone to be their advocate.”

Elder Orphans refers to the coming wave of childless and unmarried Baby Boomers and seniors who are aging alone. Many have no surviving spouse, may never have had children, and have lived long enough to have no surviving family or close friends.

“What about those who don’t have fam-ily watching over them?,” Tizzano said. “Or those whose family live far away and haven’t noticed that things are falling through the cracks?“

He’s seen that happen when seniors come to get his guidance. Sometimes they even reach out to him to be their advocate.

“I’ve had clients ask ‘Can you be my Power of Attorney?’, or they’ll say ‘Are there people out there I can hire to do this?’” he said.

He strongly advises seniors to think ahead and ask themselves ‘is there some-one who has my back?’

Tizzano recommends that seniors attend a seminar where he speaks about choosing an advocate to be your Power of Attorney. He talks about the health care options when a senior can no longer live on their own and what financial assistance may be available.

“There’s really no simple answer,” he said. “But knowing what the options are and being able to choose what’s right for them, gives the senior the feeling that they are in control.”

Tizzano recently had a husband and father come see him. His wife had been in nursing care for more than nine months and he had maxed out his credit cards to pay for her care. He had just received a notice from the care home that he needed to pay another $30,000.

“I helped him fill out an application for Medicaid, and we found that Medicaid

would pay the costs back three months,” Tizzano said. “But I kept thinking how I wished he’d come to see me earlier because he still had the credit card debt that he can’t pay.”

Tizzano said that Medicaid is still a strong and fully operational program in the U.S. and can help with nursing home costs in most cases.

“It remains to be seen how long that will be the case, given the national debt,” he added.

Usually someone enters the arena of elder care after they have an accident, or a medical need that lands them in the hospi-tal. Tizzano said they will then need time in a rehabilitation center, and then may be able to go home, but need specialized care at home. Or, in some cases, they will need to move to a nursing facility.

“Seniors need to know the options and the costs ahead of time,” he said. “Seniors need to ask themselves ‘how am I going to pay for this?’”

There are programs including Medicaid, veterans benefits, and others, he said.

One options is Long-Term Care Insurance, which is less expensive the younger you start it. And there are plans that allow your survivors to get a payout if you don’t use it, just like a life insurance policy.

Elder Orphans are also coming about because Baby Boomers are independent people, he said. Each day 10,000 people in America turn 65. And many of them have been focused on their careers and hence, don’t have a lot of close friends.

He tells a story of a comedian who has an act where he tells his wife that he doesn’t have close friends. He asked, ‘If I die, are there six people you could ask to carry my coffin?’

“Then he sets out to make six good friends to take that burden off his wife,” Tizzano said. “There’s a lesson in there. Start now to intentionally be friendly. And think about making more than one good friend, because you don’t know who’s going to go first.”

Tizzano began giving his seminars two years ago. He offers two hours of private consultation for $200 to anyone who attends a seminar and still has questions.

His calling to help others came to him when he was 12. That was when his moth-er, who was only 42, had a stroke that left her paralyzed on the left side for the rest of her life.

“It was a Sunday and my dad woke me up to say that mom was sick, the ambu-lance was here and that he was going to the hospital with her,” Tizzano recalled. “Because I was the only child, I’d be alone at home.

“I watched them leave and then my first thought was ‘Hey, now I don’t have to go to church.’ But I can still feel what came next, just like I was standing right there in the hallway of our New York City apart-ment. Something told me ’You better go to church, because those people care about us and we need them to pray for us.’”

Tizzano said that the lesson from that is to be a part of things and reach out to friends and neighbors because you never know when you’ll need help.

“There’s a lot of pain in the world,” he said. “You can either be a part of the prob-lem or the solution.”

Tizzano is a 1992 graduate of the University of Puget Sound School of Law and is a partner in the Sherrard McGonagle Tizzano law offices in Poulsbo and on Bainbridge Island. He practiced law in California before moving to Poulsbo. He and his wife have six chil-dren, five still living at home. Four of his children were adopted through the foster care program in Washington.

His office is at 19717 Front St. NE, Poulsbo. His phone is 360-779-5551.

Richard Tizzano Contributed photo


Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney, Richard C. Tizzano

“If you fail to plan, you have planned to fail.” Benjamin Franklin

Subscribe to our monthly Aging OptionsE-Newsletter @ http://bit.ly/1Vjqrj5

We provide solutions that give you

Remain Independent ~ Preserve Your WealthFREE monthly Legal & Estate Planning Seminars to help you age in place

Visit www.legalpeaceofmind.com to learn more

Legal Peace of Mind

360.779.555119717 Front Street NE, Poulsbo

• Elder Law• Estate Planning• Wills• Powers of Attorney• Probates

• Adult Guardianships• Special Needs Trusts• Adoptions ...and More


By PENINSULA CANCER CENTER

A diagnosis of cancer is a scary thing. You want the best possible care utilizing state-of-the-art technology

in a comforting environment in your own community. You can have that here at Peninsula Cancer Center.

Peninsula Cancer Center’s mission is to provide superior radiation treatment with compassion, innovation and VIP service to cancer patients. Cancer care is both an art and a science. Healing, after all, takes place not just on the physical levels, but on the emotional and spiritual planes as well. At Peninsula Cancer Center you can expect:

• Respect: We promise to make each visit as easy and efficient as possible. Our physicians and staff review a patient’s case together beforehand to make sure his or her needs are not only met, but antici-pated.

• Flexibility: Appointments are not rushed. Patients set the schedule and take as much time as they need to discuss their care with physicians and staff.

• Accessibility: Peninsula Cancer Center physicians are always available, by email or phone, to their patients and to anyone diagnosed with cancer who wishes to speak about his or her case to an expert

in their field.• State-of-the-art technology: Leading-

edge equipment and the most recent radiation techniques are utilized to deliver optimum treatments so patients can achieve the best possible medical out-comes.

• Warm ambiance: Comfortable spaces, abundant natural light, warm colors, regional works of art from Bainbridge Arts and Crafts — all contribute to a soothing, healing atmosphere.

• Community of caring: We partner with community resources to enhance the

patient experience: Bloedel Reserve for Strolls for Well Being; free massage for patients on treatment provided by Mary Briner, LMP, CMLD; prostate nutrition classes; and Survive and Thrive for female cancer survivors.

Peninsula Cancer Center has been awarded a second three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widely accepted radiation oncology accrediting body, with more than 600 accredited sites and 27 years of accredita-

tion experience. When you see the ACR seal, you can rest assured that your treat-ment will be done at a facility that has met the highest level of quality and radia-tion safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after evaluation by radiation oncologists and medical physi-cists who are experts in their field.

Peninsula Cancer Center is helping to pioneer a new tool that is proven to protect prostate cancer patients from the negative effects of radiation therapy. Upon FDA approval, Peninsula Cancer Center was the first center on the West Coast and one of the first nationwide to adopt the advanced technology.

On May 5, 2015, Dr. R. Alex Hsi performed the first procedure utilizing SpaceOAR® hydrogel. The SpaceOAR System is intended to temporarily posi-tion the anterior rectal wall away from the prostate during radiotherapy for prostate cancer, creating space to protect the rectum from radiation exposure. Hsi was recently featured on the local KING5 Health Watch (www.king5.com/news/health/cushioning-the-effects-of-prostate-radiation/122901092).

Peninsula Cancer Center provides world-class radiation treatment for cancer patients: top doctors, state-of-the-art equip-ment, the latest research and science and a great support system. To make an appointment with doctors Madsen, Hsi or Foxlee, call 360-697-8000.

Peninsula Cancer Center on the cutting edge of careGreat service and innovative care available in your own hometown

Patients diagnosed with cancer can be treated close to home in Kitsap County at the Peninsula Cancer Center in Poulsbo. Contributed photo

Now that spring has officially sprung, you might look around your home and decide it’s time for some sprucing up. But you don’t have to confine your efforts to your house and yard — you can also engage in a little “spring cleaning” in your investment portfo-lio.

Here are a few suggestions for doing just that:

• “Dust off” your investment strategy. Dusting is a big part of spring cleaning. Light fixtures, shelves, windowsills — they can all acquire layers of dust and grime that need to be whisked away. And if you’ve left your investment strategy unexamined for a long period, it too may need to be “dusted off” and re-evaluated. Over time, your financial goals,

family situation and even risk tolerance can change, so it’s a good idea to review your overall strategy to make sure it’s still appro-priate for your needs.

• Get rid of “clutter.” Once you start tidying up your house, you might be sur-prised at all the “duplicates” you find — a broom in a bedroom, another broom in the laundry room, a third in the garage, and so on. Just as you probably don’t need multiple brooms, so you may find that you have many versions of the same type of investment in your portfolio.

If you own too many of the same invest-ment, and a market downturn affects that particular asset, your portfolio could take a big hit. You may be better off by selling some

of the too-similar investments and using the proceeds to diversify your holdings.

• Remove “stains” on your portfolio. As you clean your carpets and furniture, you might notice some stains that should be removed. And when you look through your portfolio, you might find some “stains” in the form of chronically underperforming investments. Instead of holding on to these vehicles with the hope that they will eventu-ally turn around, you might consider selling them and using the proceeds to purchase new investments, which can help fill any gaps you may have in your holdings.

• Consolidate your accounts. Have you ever discovered a stapler in one drawer, a roll of tape in the linen closet and a bunch of marking pens on your desk? All these items may be useful, but for the sake of efficiency (and to cut down on frustrating searches), you might want to consolidate them in one

place. And you could do something similar with your investments. Specifically, if you have some stocks here, a couple of certifi-cates of deposits there, and some IRAs at still another place, you might consider consolidat-ing them with one financial services provider.

With all your investments in one place, you could possibly reduce the fees and paperwork associated with maintaining your accounts. And when you eventually start tak-ing withdrawals from your IRA and 401(k), you may find it easier to calculate these required distributions if they’re coming from just one place. But just as importantly, when you consolidate your investments with one provider, you may find it easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy.

So, there you have them — some spring-cleaning ideas to help you energize your portfolio. And you won’t even need a dustpan. — Submitted by Edward Jones

Spring cleaning for your portfolio


































• Innovative prostate cancer care, o� ering rectum- protecting SpaceOAR technology and short course stereotactic treatment options

• Team approach for breast cancer patients from initial diagnosis to survivorship programs

• Painless, non-surgical treatment for skin cancers with superior cosmetic results

• ACR accredited - meeting highest industry standards for care

• Exceptional service from a devoted sta� of top doctors, nurses and therapists


Kitsap County Aging You may be able to save as much as $4000 a year with the following programs:The Medicare Savings Programs can pay Part A and Part B premiums and other expenses like deductibles and copayments.Extra Help for Medicare Part D prescription drug plans can pay monthly premiums, deductibles and copayments.

You may want to apply if... Medicare Savings ProgramYour gross monthly income/assets are less than $1,337/$7,280 (individuals) or $1,802/$10,930 (couples)

Medicare Part D Extra HelpYour gross monthly income/assets are less than $1,485/$13,640 (individuals) or $2,003/$27,250 (couples)

Visit the Kitsap County Aging & Long Term Care booth at the conference for more information and

application assistance. Or call Senior Information & Assistance at 360-337-5700

Need help understanding your Medicare coverage?

Your Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor (SHIBA) is as close as your telephone!

1-800-562-6900

If you need help understanding your current Medicare coverage or you’re trying to find a new plan, call:

SHIBA is sponsored locally by Kitsap County Aging and Long-Term Care

Protect yourself from fraud!Safeguard your personal information. Never give out your Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security Number to strangers. To report or discuss possible fraud or scams, call SHIBA at: 1-800-562-6900 or go to www.insurance.wa.gov

Older Adults and Unpaid Caregivers of an Adult We’re Here for You!

If you are age 60+ (or helping someone in that age range) call us for free information on retaining independence, planning for the future and finding and applying for programs and services that meet your legal, housing, social, financial, employment, nutrition, and mental health needs. As your local Area Agency on Aging we provide unbiased assistance, regardless of income or assets.

Contact the Caregiver Support Center for free personal, customized support as an informal, unpaid caregiver of an adult and information on help with caregiving activities (including possibility of paid respite)!

One phone number connects you to either local program! (360) 337-5700, 1-800-562-6418, TDD 360-307-4280, Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit us online at www.agingkitsap.com

See our ads below and on the next page for more details…and stop by and visit with us at our table at the Older American’s Conference on May 18th!

As an unpaid supporter of adult family or friends, contact us for more information on:

“Give ExperiencesInstead of Stuff”

Participating businesses offerdiscounts of 15-50% on tickets or giftcertificates for:• Music • Plays • Museums• Sporting Events • Restaurants• Spa or Salon Services• Lodging • Tanning • Auto Services

and more

Gift services may only be purchasedfrom Nov. 16 - Dec. 31

Visit www.wastefreeholidays.comto register your business.

or contact Colleen Minion - Pierce 360 337-4568

Your business can be recognized onthe Waste Free Holidays website aswell as print ads and a brochure.There is no cost to join.

Brought to you byKitsap County Solid Waste Divisionas a way to reduce holiday waste.

Kitsap BusinessesInvited to Partner In“Waste Free Holidays”

9857 Silverdale Way NW, Silverdale • Mon-Fri 11:00AM - 2:00PM or by Appointment

Take care of yourself while taking care of someone else

ARE YOU CARING FOR OR HELPING AN ADULT

FREE • Information & Education

• Caregiver Library• Personal Caregiver Consultation

• Support Group Information

ASK US ABOUT • Help with caregiving activities

• Counseling • Specialized Services

• Training & Conferences

Kitsap County prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, veteran or military status, or disability.


“Give ExperiencesInstead of Stuff”

Participating businesses offerdiscounts of 15-50% on tickets or giftcertificates for:• Music • Plays • Museums• Sporting Events • Restaurants• Spa or Salon Services• Lodging • Tanning • Auto Services

and more

Gift services may only be purchasedfrom Nov. 16 - Dec. 31

Visit www.wastefreeholidays.comto register your business.

or contact Colleen Minion - Pierce 360 337-4568

Your business can be recognized onthe Waste Free Holidays website aswell as print ads and a brochure.There is no cost to join.

Brought to you byKitsap County Solid Waste Divisionas a way to reduce holiday waste.

Kitsap BusinessesInvited to Partner In“Waste Free Holidays”

Senior Information & Assistance

W

“Promoting the well being of older people and assisting them in maintaining their independence.”

A FREE service for people ages 60 and over360-337-5700 or 1-800-562-6418

here to turn in Kitsap County for:Answers to questions about service & opportunities

Assessment of needs & referral to local servicesAssistance finding & applying for programs & services

Advocacy on important senior issues

Kitsap County Aging& Long Term Care Services

Kitsap County’sArea Agency on Aging

& Long Term CareWe want to share this message about safe Medication ManagementYou and Your Medicines

As you get older you may be faced with more health conditions that you need to treat on a regular basis. It is important to be aware that more use of medicines and normal body changes caused by ag-ing can increase the chance of unwanted or maybe even harmful drug interactions. As you get older, body changes can affect the way medicines are ab-sorbed and used. For example, changes in the diges-tive system can affect how fast medicines enter the bloodstream. Changes in body weight can infl uence the amount of medicine you need to take and how long it stays in your body. The circulatory system may slow down, which can affect how fast drugs get to the liver and kidneys. The liver and kidneys also may work more slowly, affecting the way a drug breaks down and is removed from the body.

Drug InteractionsBecause of these body changes, there is also a bigger risk of drug interactions among

older adults. Therefore, it’s important to know about drug interactions.• Drug-drug interactions happen when two or more medicines react with each other to

cause unwanted effects. This kind of interaction can also cause one medicine to not work as well or even make one medicine stronger than it should be. For example, you should not take aspirin if you are taking a prescription blood thinner, such as warfarin, unless your health care professional tells you to.

• Drug-condition interactions happen when a medical condition you already have makes certain drugs potentially harmful. For example, if you have high blood pressure or asthma, you could have an unwanted reaction if you take a nasal decongestant.

• Drug-food interactions result from drugs reacting with foods or drinks. In some cases, food in the digestive tract can affect how a drug is absorbed. Some medicines also may affect the way nutrients are absorbed or used in the body.

• Drug-alcohol interactions can happen when the medicine you take reacts with an alcoholic drink. For instance, mixing alcohol with some medicines may cause you to feel tired and slow your reactions.

It is important to know that many medicines do not mix well with alcohol. As you grow older, your body may react differently to alcohol, as well as to the mix of alcohol and medi-cines. Keep in mind that some problems you might think are medicine-related, such as loss of coordination, memory loss, or irritability, could be the result of a mix between your medicine and alcohol.

What to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist• What is the name of the medicine and what is it supposed to do? Is there a less

expensive alternative?• How and when do I take the medicine and for how long?• Should it be taken with water, food, or with a special medicine, or at the same time as

other medicines?• What do I do if I miss or forget a dose?• Should it be taken before, during, or after meals?• What is the proper dose? For example, does “four times a day” mean you have to take

it in the middle of the night?• What does your doctor mean by “as needed”?• Are there any other special instructions to follow?• What foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements, or activities should I avoid

while taking this medicine?• Will any tests or monitoring be required while I am taking this medicine? Do I need

to report back to the doctor?• What are the possible side effects and what do I do if they occur?• When should I expect the medicine to start working, and how will I know if it is

working?

• Will this new prescription work safely with the other prescription and OTC medicines or dietary supplements I am taking?

• Do you have a patient profi le form for me to fi ll out? Does it include space for my OTC drugs and any dietary supplements?

• Is there written information about my medicine? Ask the pharmacist to review the most important information with you. (Ask if it’s available in large print or in a language other than English if you need it.)

• What is the most important thing I should know about this medicine? Ask the pharmacist any questions that may not have been answered by your doctor.

• Can I get a refi ll? If so, when?• How and where should I store this medicine?

Did you know?Your local Area Agency on Aging, Kitsap County Aging & Long Term Care, sponsors Medication Management Senior Drug Education events. Please contact us if you want to be on a list of individuals interested in attending upcoming free workshops. Call (360) 337-5700 or (800) 562-6418.

You’re invited!Come see us at the Kitsap County Aging & Long Term Care booth at the Older American’s Conference Wednesday, May 18th! We’re featuring our Senior Information & Assistance, Caregiver Support and local Statewide Health Insurance Benefi ts Advisors programs. We will be available to provide materials, answer questions and help to schedule one to one assistance appointments.

Pick up your FREE medication management pill box organizer and FREE medication management materials including informational brochures, medication management charts (supplies are limited). Information about programs and local resources that help with the cost of medications will also be available.

Assistance services or online support includes:• Benefi tsCheckUp RX screening help! www.benefi tscheckup.org• Insurance coverage options and information from your local Statewide Health Insurance Benefi ts Advisors Program! www.insurance.wa.gov• Research and compare Medicare plans and options and Medicare Part D information! www.medicare.gov • Information and support for informal caregivers; Caregiver Personal Survey: www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/home-and-community-services/caregiver-resources


EMERGENCY SERVICESCrisis Line (available 24 hours/day) ............... 800-843-4793 ........479-3033Emergency Department: Harrison Bremerton .............................. 744-6710Emergency Department: Harrison Silverdale................................. 744-8975Emergency Department: Navy Hospital ..........................................475-4232Women’s Emergency Shelter (after 5 P.M.) .... 800-843-4793 ........479-3033Kitsap Sexual Assault Center 24HR Crisis Help Line ....................... 479-8500Police, Fire or serious Medical emergency ................................................ 911Veteran’s Crisis Line ..........................................800-273-8255

INFORMATION & REFERRALElder Care Locator (www.eldercare.gov) ...... 800-677-1116Peninsula 2-1-1 (www.win211.org) ...............877-211-9274 ..................211Senior Information & Assistance (www.agingkitsap.com) .......................800-562-6418 ........337-5700

HEALTH & WELLNESSHospitalsHarrison Medical Centers (www.harrisonmedical.org): Harrison Bremerton ............................. 866-844-9355 ........744-3911 Harrison Silverdale ....................................................................744-8800 Harrison Medical Center Social Work-Bremerton.................744-6584 Harrison Medical Center Social Work-Silverdale ...................744-6584Navy Hospital Bremerton ...............................800-422-1383 .......475-4000VA Puget Sound Health Care System – American Lake Division .................................................... 800-329-8387VA Puget Sound Health Care System – Seattle...................... 800-329-8387

CLINICS & REFERRALHarrison Clinics & Referrals ............................866-844-9355Harrison Imaging Centers: Poulsbo ...............800-972-9264 ....... 479-6555Harrison Imaging Centers: Bremerton ..........800-972-9264 ....... 479-6555Harrison Imaging Centers: Silverdale ............800-972-9264 ........337-6500Harrison Imaging Centers: Port Orchard .......800-972-9264 ........337-6500Harrison Bainbridge Island Urgent Care.................................. 206-855-7500Harrison Bainbridge Island Primary Care ................................206-855-7600Harrison Belfair Urgent Care ..............................................................277-2975Harrison Belfair Primary Care ............................................................277-2950Harrison Palliative Care ..................................................................... 744-5618Harrison Port Orchard Urgent Care .................................................. 744-6275Harrison Port Orchard Primary Care ................................................744-6250Harrison Port Orchard Rehabilitation ..............................................744-6220Harrison Poulsbo Primary Care ........................................................779-4444Harrison Silverdale Adult Rehabilitation .........................................744-8980Harrison Silverdale Pediatric Rehabilitation ...................................744-6080Hospice of Kitsap County (www.hospicekc.org) .............................698-4611 Bremerton Kitsap County Health District

(www.kitsapcountyhealth.com) .............................................337-5235Eye Care America Senior Eye Care Program

(www.eyecareamerica.org) .................877-887-6327Kitsap County Medical Society-Physician Referral .........................689-2928Peninsula Community Health Services Centers

(www.pchsweb.org) .................................................................377-3776

EDUCATIONAARP Smart Driver .......................................... 866-955-6301Red Cross - NW Region (www.redcross.org/wa/seattle) ..... 206-323-2345Kitsap Regional Library (www.krl.org) ........ 877-883-9900 Bainbridge Island .............................................................. 206-842-4162 Downtown Bremerton..............................................................377-3955 Kingston ......................................................................................297-3330 Little Boston ...............................................................................297-2670 Manchester .................................................................................871-3921 Outreach Bookmobile ...............................................................405-9112 Port Orchard ...............................................................................876-2224 Poulsbo .......................................................................................779-2915 Silverdale ....................................................................................692-2779 Sylvan Way (E. Bremerton) ...................................................... 405-9100

FOOD & NUTRITION RESOURCESFood Assistance (DSHS) Community Service Office (CSO#18)

.................................................................. 877-501-2233 ........473-2200Senior ProgramsBremerton Services Association dba Meals on Wheels Kitsap: ..................................................................888-877-8511 ........377-8511 Home Delivered Meals, Congregate Meal Sites, 50-60 Meals, Caregiver Support

Meals, Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Nutrition Education and Dietary Counseling (www.mealsonwheelskitsap.org)

Food BanksBainbridge Island Helpline House (www.helplinehouse.org) ................................................206-842-7621

Bremerton Food Line (www.bremertonfoodline.org) ................. 479-6188Central Kitsap Food Bank ...................................................................692-9818Harper Church (South Kitsap) ............................................................871-1230Life Care Community Food Bank at Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, Port Orchard ..........................876-9244North Kitsap Fishline (www.nkfishline.org) ..................................779-5190Salvation Army ....................................................................................373-5550Share Net Food Bank (Eglon, Hansville, Indianola, Kingston, Port Gamble, Suquamish) .........................................................297-2266South Kitsap Helpline (www.skhelpline.org) ...............................876-4089St. Vincent DePaul-Assistance Office....................................... 479-7017 ext.2Hearing ResourcesAudiologists Northwest

(www.help2hear.com)...........................800-770-1605 .......479-4065AVADA Audiology & Hearing Care - Port Orchard

(www.avada.com) .................................................................... 874-0953 AVADA Audiology & Hearing Care - Bremerton

(www.avada.com) .....................................................................415-0412Harbor Audiology & Hearing Services .......................................253-2036641Hear For Life Audiology LLC (www.hearforlifeaudiology.com) ................................. 206-842-6374Hearing Loss Association of Washington (Volunteer – Private Residence) ......................................lvm 871-0997Hearing Solutions .............................................................................. 692-6650Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center Tacoma Voice/TTY.............................................866-698-1748 ... .253-475-0782

Toll Free ....................................................866-421-5560Kitsap Audiology .................................................................................373-1250Miracle Ear ...........................................................................................301-8131Nilsson Audiology & Hearing Clinic ...................................................362-1404Sight Life/NW Lions Foundation for Sight/ Hearing Assistance (Not for Eyeglasses) .......................................................... 206-682-8500Office of Deaf & Hard of Hearing– Video Phone: 339-7382.....Voice/TTY: 800-422-7930 .........902-8000Peninsula Hearing ...........................................800-540-8698 ........697-3061Washington Relay Services (www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh/telecommunication-relay-services) ............711

HOME HEALTH & SUPPORTIVE CARE Home Health ServicesGentiva/Kindred Home Health Services (www.gentiva.com) ..............................888-436-8482 .......373-6966Harrison Home Health (www.harrisonmedical.org) ....................744-6699Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (Navy Visiting Nurse) (www.nmcrs.org)

Bremerton ..................................................................................627-2187 Bangor ........................................................................................396-6704Caregiver Support ResourcesCaregiver Support Program (www.agingkitsap.com) .......................800-562-6418 ........337-5700Kinship Caregiver Support Program, Kitsap Community Resources ..................................................473-2032 Lutheran Community Services NW

(www.lcsnw.org) ...................................800-378-5771 ........377-5511Chore & Personal Care ServicesA Helping Hand ............................................... 877-281-7111.. 206-686-7440Care Plus Home Health (www.mycareplus.com) ...................... 877-670-0098 ........373-8016Catholic Community Services (www.ccsww.org) ..................................800-642-8019 ........792-2066Comfort Keepers

([email protected]) ............ 877-885-4663 ........373-5678Fedelta Care Solutions (www.fedeltahomecare.com) .............. 877-333-3582 .. 206-362-2366Martha & Mary at Home

(www.marthaandmary.org) .................877-266-2856 ....... 871-4425Haven In Allyn Homecare (haveninallyn.com) ............................... 277-0636Home Instead Senior Care (www.homeinstead.com/616) Kitsap County ............................................................................782-4663 Gig Harbor .......................................................................... 253-514-9201Lutheran Community Services NW Home Care (www.lcsnw.org) ...................................800-378-5771 ........377-5511Kitsap Home Care Services (www.kitsaphomecare.com) ...............888-449-9048 ........377-7307KWA Home Care (www.kwacares.org) ........888-508-2780 ........479-1707The Personal Touch, LLC (www.thepersonaltouch4u.com) ......... 895-3980ResCare HomeCare Services (www.rescarehomecare.com) ........ 698-8590Visiting Angels (www.visitingangels.com) ....................................602-0609Medicaid ServicesAssisted Living/COPES/Adult Family Homes (DSHS) Home & Community Services ..800-422-7114 ........473-2299All other Medicaid Services (DSHS) Community Services Office ................... 800-338-7410 ........473-2200

Volunteer ServicesIsland Volunteer Caregivers of Bainbridge Island .................. 206-842-4441Lutheran Community Services Senior Companion Program ..................800-335-8433 ........377-5511Volunteer Chore Services ................................866-246-3642 .......405-0072HospiceFranciscan Hospice and Palliative Care ......866-969-7028 ....800-338-8305Group Health Hospice Program Referral .......800-332-5735Hospice of Kitsap County (Office) (www.hospicekc.org) ...............698-4611Adult Day Care ServicesAshley Gardens of Bremerton (www.cascadeliving.com) .............478-7277Bay Pointe (www.baypointeretirement.com) ...............................373-9904Elder & Adult Day Services .................................................................377-9810Harbor House (www.libertyshores.com) ........................................779-5533Marine Courte (www.marinecourte.com).......................................373-8551Orchard Pointe.....................................................................................874-7400The Ridge - Silverdale ........................................................................697-4488Medical Equipment ResourcesAirgas Sales & Service .....................................800-626-1380 ........373-2579Apria Healthcare (www.apria.com) ............. 800-446-1447 ....... 698-0552iMotion Medical Equipment and Wellness .....................................692-3003 Hanger Clinic Prosthetics (www.hangerclinic.com) .....................888-880-6976 ........478-2087Lincare ..............................................................800-925-6404 ........792-9414ROTEC.................................................................800-542-5775 ........479-8811Tim’s Home Medical Supplies (www.timshomemedicalsupplies.com)... ...877-455-8543 ........782-1922Personal SafetyMedic Alert Bracelet (www.medicalert.org).......................... 800-432-5378Phillips Lifeline (www.lifelinesys.com) ................................... 800-332-7799Phillips Medication Dispensing Service ................................... 800-332-7799ResponseLink .................................................. 844-394-8953 253-298-1395Safety Choice Medication Management System- Comfort Keepers .................................... 877-885-4663 ........373-5678Safe Return (ID Bracelet/necklace) Alzheimer’s Association .........................800-272-3900 206-363-5500Safetyline (www.marthaandmary.org) .......877-266-2856 ...... 871-4425

FINANCIAL & CONSUMER RESOURCESAttorney General Consumer Protection ....... 800-551-4636Apprisen (www.apprisen.com) .....................800-244-1183 253-588-1858DSHS - Community Service Office.................. 800-338-7410 .......473-2200Office of Insurance Commissioner – Consumer Protection Hotline (www.insurance.wa.gov) ....................800-562-6900Social Security Administration/Supplemental Security Income (www.ssa.gov) ........................................ 800-772-1213Washington State Dept. of Veterans Affairs

(www.dva.wa.gov).................................800-562-2308 TaxesAARP Tax Aide Program ..................................888-227-7669Internal Revenue Service ................................800-829-1040 ....... 698-5861Property Tax Exemptions Kitsap County Assessor’s Office ............337-7160 InsuranceMedicare Claims Information Hotline ..........800-633-4227Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) (www.insurance.wa.gov) .....................800-562-6900Washington State Insurance Commissioner & Fraud Hotline ......................................800-562-6900Home Repairs & ModificationBremerton Rehabilitation Loan Program ........................................473-5375Independent Living Program

Housing Resources Bainbridge Island ............................ 206-842-2041Housing Kitsap (www.housingkitsap.org) ...800-693-7070 ........535-6100USDA Service Center (loans and grants) Port Angeles Office ........................................................... 452-8994 ext.4Volunteer Chore Services (minor modification) ....................866-246-3642 ext.3 .......405-0072Home Weatherization & Energy AssistanceKitsap Community Resources (www.kcr.org) ................................ 377-0053 Energy Assistance Program ......................................................479-1507 Weatherization Program ......................................................... 377-0053Puget Sound Energy Efficiency Hotline ........800-562-1482

LIVING SITUATIONSHousing Referral ServiceHousing Solutions Center of Kitsap County (KCR) ...........................473-2035Housing Resources Bainbridge Island ..................................... 206-842-1909Peninsula 2-1-1 (www.win211.org) ...............866-736-9634 ..................211Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) ...................................536-7520National Homeless Veteran Call Center .........877-424-3838Senior Information & Assistance ....................800-562-6418 ........337-5700

SheltersYWCA/ALIVE

Program Office (24-hr Hotline) ............................479-1980 ........479-5118Victim Support Services (24-hr Hotline) 800-500-5513 .206-780-2931ALIVE House (Suquammish) ............................................206-780-2931

Bainbridge Helpline House (referrals) (www.helplinehouse.org) ................................................206-842-7621Benedict House (Male) .......................................................................377-6136 Crisis Line (referrals to shelters) (www.crisisclinicofthepeninsulas.org) 800-843-4793 ........479-3033Salvation Army (Assistance) ..............................................................373-5550St. Vincent DePaul (Female) ..............................................................473-2035

After Hours .......................800-843-4783 or 479-3033Subsidized HousingBremerton Housing Authority (www.bremertonhousing.org) ...479-3694 Bay Vista Commons ...................................................................377-8300

Bay Vista Communities ............................................................479-4600The Firs Apartments ................................................................. 373-8479Shadow Creek Apartments ......................................................377-0232

Tamarack Apartments ..............................................................377-0232 Tara Heights ................................................................................377-0232 Winfield Apartments ...............................................................479-4600Housing Kitsap (www. housingkitsap.org) .800-693-7070 ........535-6100 Finch Place (Bainbridge Island) • Fjord Manor (Poulsbo) Golden Tides I, II, & III (Silverdale) • Madrona Manor (Port Orchard) Orchard Bluff (Port Orchard) • Port Orchard Vista (Port Orchard)Alternative Subsidized HousingBAINBRIDGE ISLAND Finch Place ......................................................................... 206-842-0724

Island Terrace..................................................................... 206-842-1280 Rhododendron Apartments/ 500 Madison ...................206-842-8144 Virginia Villa ...................................................................... 206-842-5482 Winslow Arms ....................................................................206-842-3611BREMERTON Charter House ............................................................................ 377-0808 Eastwynd Apartments .............................................................479-3444 Frank Chopp Place .....................................................................377-7744 Marion Court Apartments ....................................................... 377-8806 Max Hale Center ......................................................................... 792-2117 Park Place ....................................................................................698-7345 Pinewood Manor .......................................................................377-4977 Shadow Creek Apartments ......................................................377-0232 Tamarack Apartments ..............................................................377-0232 The Firs ...................................................................................... 373-8479 The Vintage (www.vintagehousing.com) ............................. 479-8300KINGSTON Kingston Ridge ...........................................................................297-7003 Robinswood ...............................................................................297-4144 Time Square Apartments .........................................................297-7188PORT ORCHARD Cedar Heights .............................................................................876-5320 Conifer Ridge ..............................................................................871-2869 Heritage/Viewmont East Apartments ....................................895-1454 Conifer Woods Apartments ......................................................871-5581 Village Green ............................................................................. 871-4883POULSBO Hostmark Apartments I, II, III ..................................................779-4687 Fjord Manor ................................................................................535-6100 Fjord Vista II ................................................................................535-6100 Peninsula Glen Apartments .....................................................697-3942 Winton Wood Apartments .......................................................779-3763 Wood Creek Apartments .......................................................... 697-1824SILVERDALE Danwood Apartments ..............................................................662-1100 Martin Avenue .......................................................................... 377-0053 Silvercrest Apartments .............................................................692-4233 The Vintage – Silverdale (www.vintagehousing.com) ......308-9600Retirement ApartmentsBAINBRIDGE ISLAND Winslow Manor .................................................................206-842-2500BREMERTON Bay Pointe Retirement Community (www.baypointeretirement.com) .....................................373-9904 Canterbury Manor (www.episcopalretirement.org) ............377-0113 Claremont Senior Living (www.meridiansenior.com) .......... 377-1717 The Vintage (www.vintagehousing.com) ............................. 479-8300 The Willows ............................................................................... 479-8522GIG HARBOR The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing (www.thelodge-gigharbor.com) ................................253-235-3552

Resource DirectoryOlder Americans Conference2016 25th Annual


KINGSTONMartha & Mary Village Green Senior Apartments (www.villagegreenseniorliving.com).................................297-2836

PORT ORCHARD Park Vista Retirement, Assisted Living and Memory Care Unit

([email protected]) (www.parkvistabonaventure.com) ....................................871-2323

Home Helpers (www.staffordcare.com) ...............................876-4461Ridgemont Senior Apartments ...............................................876-4461

Washington Veterans Home .................877-838-7787 ....... 895-4700POULSBO Liberty Shores (www.libertyshores.com) ..............................779-5533 Martha & Mary Retirement Apartments – The Ebenezer (www.marthaandmary.org) .............................................. 598-4357

Brookdale Montclair Poulsbo (www.brookdale.com) ..........697-2223SILVERDALE Country Meadows (www.encorecommunities.com) ..........692-4480 Clearbrook Inn (www.encorecommunities.com) ..................692-1228 Crista Shores (www.cristaseniors.com) ...800-722-4135 ....698-0900 The Vintage (www.vintagehousing.com) .............................308-9600Assisted Living BAINBRIDGE ISLAND Madison Avenue House ...................................................206-842-3694 Madrona House (www.bainbridgeseniorliving.com) ..206-842-2500 Wyatt House ......................................................................206-780-3646BREMERTON The Cottage ................................................................................373-0553 Ashley Gardens of Bremerton (Memory Care) .......................478-7277 Bay Pointe (www.baypointeretirement.com) ......................373-9904 Bay Vista Commons (www.bayvistacommons.com) ..........377-8300 Claremont Senior Living (www.meridiansenior.com) .......... 377-1717 Cypress Gardens .........................................................................479-4130 Marine Courte (Memory Care)

(www.marinecourte.com) ..................................................373-8551GIG HARBOR Brookdale Harbor Bay (Memory Care)

(www.brookdale.com) ................................................253-858-7790 Brookdale at Gig Harbor (Independent and Assisted Living) (www.brookdale.com) ................................................253-858-5300 Olympic Alzheimer’s Residence ...................................... 253-851-5306 The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing (www.thelodge-gigharbor.com)

(Independent and Assisted Living) ............................ 253-858-4990PORT ORCHARD Orchard Pointe Memory Care Community

(Dementia Care) ....................................................................874-7400 Park Vista by Bonaventure Retirement,

Assisted Living and Memory Care Unit ([email protected]) (www.parkvistabonaventure.com) ....................................871-2323

Stafford Suites (www.staffordcare.com) ............................... 874-1212 Liberty Place ..............................................................................876-0980 Washington Veterans Home

(www.dva.wa.gov) ........................... 877-838-7787 ....... 895-4700POULSBO Harbor House (Memory Care) (www.northwestcare.com) .................................................779-5533 Liberty Shores Assisted Living (www.northwestcare.com) .................................................779-5533SILVERDALE Clearbrook Inn (www.encorecommunities.com) ..................692-1228 Crista Shores (www.cristashores.org)....................................698-0900 The Ridge (Memory Care) (www.encoreridge.com) ............697-4488Skilled Nursing FacilitiesKitsap County Long Term Care Ombudsman ...800-562-6418 .....337-5714Nursing Home Residents Neglect Hotline ... 800-562-6078BAINBRIDGE ISLAND Island Health & Rehabilitation Center ............................206-842-4765 Messenger House Care Center......................................... 206-842-2654BREMERTON Bremerton Health & Rehabilitation Center ............................377-3951 Forest Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center .........................479-4747 Stafford Healthcare at Belmont (www.staffordcare.com) ..479-1515PORT ORCHARD Life Care Center of Port Orchard (www.lcca.com) ................ 876-8035 Stafford Healthcare at Ridgemont (www.staffordcare.com) ....................................................876-4461 Washington Veterans Home (www.dva.wa.gov).............................877-838-7787 895-4700POULSBO Martha & Mary Health Services (www.marthaandmary.org) ...............................................779-7500

SILVERDALE Northwoods Lodge (www.encorecommunities.com) ........................................698-3930Adult Family HomesAdult Family Home List:

(fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup/AFHPubLookup)Home & Community Services (DSHS)............800-422-7114 ........473-2299Senior Information & Assistance (Call for a list) ..800-562-6418 ..337-5700

TRANSPORTATION RESOURCESAmbulance ServicesAir Lift Northwest ............................................800-426-2430Bainbridge Island: Bainbridge Island Ambulance, Inc. ..........206-842-2676Olympic Ambulance ....................................... 800-445-2257 ........377-7777Cabulance ServicesAround the Sound Transportation ([email protected]).....................................253-858-7088Northwest Transport Inc. ...............................800-600-9225Olympic Ambulance ...........................................................................377-7777ParaTransit ServicesParaTransit Services .........................................800-756-5438 ........ 377-7176Transit ServicesKitsap Transit .................................................... 800-501-7433 ........373-2877Kitsap ACCESS (reservation line) ....................800-422-2877 ........479-7272Dial – a – Ride (limited service) .....................800-422-2877Volunteer TransportationAngel Flight West (www.angelflightwest.org).... 888-426-2643Island Volunteer Caregivers of Bainbridge Island .................. 206-842-4441Volunteer Chore Services ................................866-246-3642 .......405-0072

COUNSELING RESOURCESCounseling Referral (Crisis Line) .................... 800-843-4793 ........479-3033Helpline House of Bainbridge Island

(www.helplinehouse.org) ....................................206-842-7621 ext.12Kitsap Mental Health Services – Access Line .................................405-4010Senior Information & Assistance (referral) ...800-562-6418 ........337-5700Substance Abuse CounselingADATSA Information

(Bremerton Community Services Office).. 877-501-2233 ....473-2200Al-Anon/ Alateen (www.kitsap-al-anon.org)... 800-344-2666 Alcoholics Anonymous (www.aa.org) ............... 800-562-7455Alcoholics Anonymous- District 10 Kitsap Peninsula ....................830-6283Alcoholics Anonymous- District 43 Port Orchard & Gig Harbor ....329-2841Crisis Triage Services at Kitsap Recovery Center ..............................337-4625Gamblers Anonymous .....................................855-222-5542Kitsap Recovery Center.......................................................................337-4625Narcotics Anonymous .....................................877-861-6156Nicotine Anonymous ...................................... 877-879-6422Senior Information & Assistance (referral) .. 800-562-6418 ........337-5700WA Tabacco Quitline .......................................800-784-8669Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program

(US Navy Retirees & Family) .....................................................475-5350

SUPPORT GROUP RESOURCES Alzheimer & Caregiver SupportAlzheimer’s Association,

Western & Central WA Chapter ............800-848-7097 Poulsbo – Martha and Mary Health Center .......................... 649-6793 Toll-Free Telephone Support Group ....800-848-7097Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group (Harrison Medical Center) ........................................................ 744-6920Bremerton Ashley Gardens of Bremerton ..................................................478-7277 Canterbury Manor (www.canterburymanor.org) .................377-0113

Claremont Senior Living (www.seniorlifestyle.com) ............ 377-1717 Marine Courte at Bay Pointe (www.marinecourte.com) ....373-9904 Memory Connection at Lutheran Community Services NW (www.lcsnw.org) ..................................................................377-5511Port Orchard Life Care Center of Port Orchard (www.lcca.com) ................ 876-8035 Orchard Pointe Memory Care ...................................................874-7400

Stafford Suites ([email protected]) ......................... 874-1212POULSBO Harbor House (www.libertyshores.com) ...............................779-5533 Martha & Mary Health Services (www.marthaandmary.org) ...............................................779-7500BereavementCompassionate Friends ........... ...................................692-0217 or 620-4831Harrison Pallative Care Team .............................................................744-5618Hospice of Kitsap County Bereavement Services

(www.hospicekc.org) ................................................................698-4611

Island Volunteer Caregivers – Grief Support Group .............. 206-842-4441Survivors of Suicide ([email protected]) .......................................871-9136Understanding Grief Support Series - Harrison Medical Center ...744-5618Cancer SupportAfter Breast Cancer Diagnosis Hotline (www.abcdbreastcancersupport.org) .800-977-4121American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)................................800-227-2345 .. .253-272-5767American Cancer Society Discovery Shop ........................................613-4139Group Health ....................................................800-992-2279Harrison Med. Center Cancer Support ..............................................598-7500Kitsap Cancer Services .......................................................................204-6399Live Strong- YMCA ............................................................................. 698-9622Look Good, Feel Better (Breast Cancer Support)... 800-227-2345Men’s Cancer Caregiver Support Group (Harrison Health Partners) ........................................................598-7500Cancer Caregiver Support Group - Silverdale ..................................598-7500Susan G. Komen for the Cure ......................... 877-465-6636Women & Cancer Support Group - Poulsbo ....................................598-7500Women & Cancer Support Group – Bremerton .............................744-4990Additional Support Groups/ResourcesAIDS/HIV Client Services .................................. 877-376-9316AIDS/HIV Washington Hotline........................800-272-2437YMCA/ALIVE: Battered Women & Children .................................... 479-0522American Diabetes Association Support Groups (www.diabetes.org) ...............................888-342-2383American Lung Association ...........................800-586-4872 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) (www.alsa.org) .....................................800-782-4747... 253-254-8909ALS Support Group ....................................... 866-786-7257... 253-254-8909ALS Online Chatroom for PALS (http://webwa.alsa.org)Arc of Kitsap & Jefferson Counties .................800-613-0813Arthritis Foundation ...........................................................................547-2707Harrison Sleep Disorder Center - Bremerton .................................. 744-6812Harrison Sleep Disorder Center - Poulsbo ........................................744-1635Harrison Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine ....................................... 479-8022Brain, Head Injury Support Group

Bainbridge Island ............................................................. 206-842-8005Bremerton .................................................................................744-8980Silverdale ...................................................................................744-8960

Caregiver Support Center ................................800-562-6418 ........337-5700Caregiver Support Group: First Lutheran Church

Port Orchard ...............................................................................876-3901CHADD (Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder)

..................................................................800-233-4050 ....... 779-5362 Compassionate Friends (Relatives dealing with grief)

(www.compasionatefriends.org) .........877-969-0010Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America – NW ...................... 425-451-8455Diabetes and Nutrition Counseling Center ...888-825-3227 ....... 744-6910Epilepsy Foundation 24/7 Helpline...............800-332-1000. 206-547-4551Grandparent Support- Bainbridge Island Senior Center ........206-842-1616Olympic Peninsula Kidney Center ...........................................479-5908 ext.3Kitsap Community Resources- Kinship Care

(Grandparents raising grandchildren) ................................... 377-0053Kitsap Recovery Center.......................................................................337-4625Kitsap Sexual Assault Center Women’s Support Group .................479-1788Multiple Sclerosis Society Hotline- Greater NW Chapter

(www.nmss.org) ...................................800-344-4867National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

(namikitsap.org) .....................................800-273-8255 ........377-2910NAMI –Bremerton, Poulsbo, Silverdale, Bainbridge Island .........440-6211Ostomy Support Group of America (www.ostomy.org)

Support Line ..........................................800-826-0826. 206-748-1410Parkinson’s Disease Association

(www.apdaparkinson.org) ...................800-223-2732Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

Poulsbo .......................................................................................779-7178Bremerton .................................................................................744-6220

Polio Support Group for Kitsap County ........ 800-609-5538 ........692-1381Post Traumatic Stress Disorder .......................800-273-8255Better Breathers (Respiratory Support) ..........................................744-6687The Ridge – Silverdale

(Dementia/Alzheimer’s/Caregiver Support) .........................697-4488Stroke Support Group (Harrison Silverdale Rehab) .......................744-8980Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) (www.tops.org) ..........................275-2179Veteran’s Caregiver Support Line (www.caregiver.va.gov) .. 855-260-3274

SENIOR OPPORTUNITIESVolunteer OpportunitiesMeals on Wheels Kitsap (www.mealsonwheelskitsap.org) .......888-877-8511 ........377-8511

Elder and Adult Day Services .............................................................377-9810Harrison Medical Center Volunteer Services ................................... 744-6570Hospice of Kitsap County (www.hospicekc.org) ............................698-4611Island Health & Rehabilitation .................................................206-842-4765Kitsap County Volunteer Services Coordinator (www.kitsapgov.com/volunteer)............................................337-4650Long Term Care Ombudsman.........................800-562-6418 ........337-5714Senior Companion Program at Lutheran

Community Services NW .....................800-335-8433.. 253-272-8433Martha & Mary Health Services (www.marthaandmary.org) .....779-7500United Way (www.unitedwaykitsap.org) .......................................377-8505Volunteer Chore Services ................................866-246-3642 .......405-0072EducationKitsap Computing Seniors (www.kitsapcomputingseniors.org) . 888-901-5805Kitsap Regional Library (www.krl.org) .........877-883-9900 ....... 405-9100Goodwill Job Training & Education

Silverdale ................................................ 877-448-3446 ....... 698-6776Bremerton .............................................. 877-448-3446 ........373-3692

EmploymentFoster Grandparents (Catholic Community Services) .............866-246-3642 .......405-0072Kitsap Community Resources ...........................................................478-2301 Unemployment Benefits ............................... 800-318-6022Vocational Rehabilitation - Silverdale ...........800-548-1406 .......698-4360 Washington State Senior Employment Program ...........................337-4756Work Source Kitsap County ...............................................................337-4810Senior Organizations & CentersBainbridge Island Senior Community Center ..........................206-842-1616Bremerton Senior Recreation Center (www.ci.bremerton.wa.us) .....................................................473-5357Givens Senior Center (South Kitsap) .................................................337-5734Kitsap County School Retirees Association ...................................... 871-2415NARFE (Retired Federal Employees) (www.narfe.org) .........800-627-3394North Kitsap Senior Center ............................................................... 779-5702Port Gamble S’Klallam Elders’ Center ...............................................297-9827 Silverdale Community Center............................................................337-5350Suquamish Tribe Elders’ Lodge .........................................................598-3135Village Green Community Center (Kingston) ..................................297-1958Legal & Protective ResourcesLook in your local yellow pages under “Associations”, “Attorneys”, “Lawyers”, “Elder Law”, or “Estate Planning” (visit: www. washingtonlawhelp.org)Adult Protective Services (Home & Community Services) ....877-734-6277Dispute Resolution Center ..............................800-377-6583 .......698-0968Office of Public Guardianship Services – WA State Courts (www.courts.wa.gov) ...............................................................753-3365Kitsap County Long Term Care Ombudsman ...800-562-6418 .....337-5714Kitsap County Volunteer Attorney Services .....................................479-6125Northwest Justice Project (CLEAR) ..........................................888-201-1014 CLEAR*Sr. (60 and older, regardless of income) ............888-387-7111Nursing Home Complaint Line ...................... 800-562-6078Veterans Project ...............................................855-657-8387Washington Disability Rights (www.disabilityrightswa.org) ..............800-562-2702Washington State Bar Attorney Referral .........................................373-2426

This directory is a limited listing of resources and services. If you cannot locate what you need, further information may be available. Call Senior Information & Assistance at 360-337-5700 or 1-800-562-6418.

The information contained herein is provided as a public service with the understanding that Kitsap County Government, Senior Information & Assistance and the Long Term Care Alliance makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information or the suitability of any listing for any purpose. Kitsap County Government, Senior Information & Assistance and the Long Term Care Alliance do not endorse any commercial providers or their products. This directory is a limited listing of resources and services. If you cannot locate what you need, further information may be available. Call Senior Information & Assistance at 360-337-5700.This information contained herein is provided as a public service with the understanding that Kitsap County Government, Senior Information & Assistance and the Long Term Care Alliance makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information or the suitability of any listing for any purpose. Kitsap County Government, Senior Information & Assistance and the Long Term Care Alliance do not endorse any commercial providers or their products.

Resource DirectoryOlder Americans Conference2016 25th Annual



OK. So you’re a 55-or-older “senior” and you’ve landed in a place where you don’t know anyone, or you just

want to create a new set of friends.You’re not a church-goer and you feel

you’re too young for the community senior centers or the “Red Hat” society. Here’s a handful of suggestions of places, events, and activities where you might find new friends, and maybe even find that spe-cial person to spend time with.

• Join a quilting group, or a sewing class. There’s the Kitsap Quilters at www.kitsapquilters.com. They meet at 7 p.m. every fourth Tuesday of the month in Poulsbo and beginners are welcome. For sewing and craft classes, give JoAnn’s a try. Located at 2886 NW Bucklin Hill Road in Silverdale, classes are posted at the store and can be found online, or call 360-692-1300.

• Sign up to become a Master Gardener. Through the Washington State University Extension Service and Kitsap County, there’s the opportunity to learn all you need to know to garden beautifully while helping the environment. Just go to www.ext100.wsu.edu/kitsap/gardening/master-gardeners/become-a-master-gardener/ and read about the classes and seminars that are available.

• Attend a wine tasting. With wine tast-ing rooms in every part of the county, this is the perfect place to drop in and meet new people. Eagle Harbor Wine Co. on Bainbridge Island at 278 Winslow Way E, is a popular one. Call 206-842-4669 or go to their website at www.ehwineco.com. Or try Olalla Valley Vineyard & Winery, 13176 Olalla Valley Road SE, Olalla, call 253-851-4949. Website: www.olallaval-leyvineyard.com

• Combined the artist within you and your love of wine and try a “Tile and Taste” evening at Kitsap Mosaics at 18827 Front St. in Poulsbo. Create a fun set of coasters, picture frame or choose from other select items, while enjoying a glass of wine and appetizers, every Friday from

6 to 9 p.m. Cost $40. Call 206-422-0787 or 360-930-0741.

•But if that’s not quite your style of art, several local bookstores, including Eagle Bay Books on Bainbridge (www.eaglebay-books.com) and Liberty Bay Books (www.libertybaybooks.com) in Poulsbo have sponsored adult coloring nights where wine is sometimes offered.

Liberty Bay Books calls it “Coloring and Cocktails” and it’s offered at both Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo and Bremerton. Speaking of which, joining a book club is just one other way to meet people. Check with your local library or bookstore to connect to a group.

• Go hear music at a community concert. During the summer, there’s plenty to choose from with concerts at the waterfront gazebo in Port Orchard, on the waterfront in Bremerton and in the parks on Bainbridge Island and in Poulsbo. Check the parks department websites for specifics.

• Join an outdoor group and go hiking or learn to fish. Olympic Outfitters is a place to go to learn about fly fishing. See more at www.peninsulaoutfitters.com/product-category/fly-fishing-classes/. If you’ve never been in a kayak and want to try, check out the classes offered at Olympic Outdoor, www.olympicout-doorcenter.com. There’s also standup paddle boards to try. For those who want

a hike try the Kitsap Outdoors group on MeetUp.com. The Kitsap Outdoors Meetup Group is an outdoors group dedicated to bringing introductory hikes, snow travel, camping, backpack-ing, and biking to the citizens of Kitsap County. Starting where the Clear Creek Trail leaves off, they know area parks, the Olympics and Mount Rainier. Go to www.meetup.com/Kitsap-Outdoors/ for more. And there’s the North Kitsap Trails association at www.northkitsaptrails.org, where you can work outdoors and help keep up local trails.

• Sign up for an adult education class with your local park department or at Olympic College. If you’re really commit-ted, check out the culinary program at Olympic College.

• Try bingo or bunco or trivia night at a local pub. There’s a schedule of pub trivia events throughout the county in Kitsap Weekly each Friday. A local group, called the Bunco Divas love playing Bunco, drinking responsibly, bringing a variety of food and beverage, having fun conver-sation, enjoying a wonderful host who prepares a delightful event and the social aspect of being able to just have fun for one night a month.

Find them at www.meetup.com/The-Bunco-Divas. For bingo, all the local casinos offer it and there’s the ARC Bingo at 3243 Perry Ave. in Bremerton. Call 360-

377-5074 for hours and more information.• Sign up for a cooking class. There’s

always cooking demonstrations at Central Market in Poulsbo, and Town & Country on Bainbridge Island. Or try Heyday Farm on Bainbridge Island. Find more at www.haydayfarm.com. A recent class was Bolognese and Barolo, a class on pasta sauce making with a meal that followed.

• Try Kitsap Computing Seniors at www.kitsapcomputingseniors.org. This group is a place where you can go to get your techie questions answered while meeting others. The group meets at Sheridan Park Community Center, 680 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton.

• Volunteer at a nonprofit you support. There’s the Kitsap Humane Society shel-ter for the animal lover in you, Habitat for Humanity if you’re more of a builder-type, and there’s always a need for more hands at all the local food banks. To find out more about local nonprofits go to www.kitsapgreatgive.org.

•And the Kitsap County website has a list of volunteer opportunities and county boards that have vacancies at www.kitsap-gov.com/volunteer/default.htm. Another option are the local schools. Many of the elementary schools have a “Grandparent” program where you will be matched to a student and meet to read or do other projects.

• If you want to start online, try www.meetup.com and look for the Kitsap Singles group or the Peninsula Boomer Zoomers group.

Kitsap Singles is for any age person and it’s purpose is to get out and do things, not necessarily find someone to date. Their schedule is filled with things like Happy Hour at the Boat Shed in Bremerton, Trivia Time at Whiskey Creek Steakhouse, Hike 4 Miles, and even a weekend white water rafting trip.

They also offer “Rock and Bowl” in Silverdale.

• The Peninsula Boomer Zoomers is a singles activity group for ages 50 and above on the Kitsap Peninsula. Members come from Gig Harbor to Port Angeles and all points in between. The goal is to get out and play. Activities include dinner, movies, hiking, camping, traveling, par-ties, playing cards, dancing, bike riding, wine tasting, museums, bowling, mini golf, rafting, kayaking, boating, coffee, plays, outdoor concerts and indoor concerts.

Options for making new friends when you’re over 55 It’s not that easy to reach out and make friends when you’re older, but there are plenty of places where you can try

Joining a cooking class and enjoying a meal together with the other students is one way to meet new friends. Others include hiking groups and book clubs. Contributed photo

By TERRYL [email protected]

No matter how old (or young) you are, you need to read Aaron Murphy’s book, “Aging in Place,” before you buy or rent your next home.

I wish this book had been available back in 2012 when my wife and I made our last move.

As a professional in the senior hous-ing field, I was determined that we buy find a home and location with features that would enable us to live there the rest of our lives; what Miller calls aging in place and defines as “the concept that you can and should be able to stay in your residence or current living situation, or choose the location of your residence and your community, for the remainder of your life.”

So, I thought I knew what we needed. What I didn’t know how to do was con-vince my wife.

To say that she didn’t share my con-cerns is putting it too mildly. The more adamant I became, the more resistant she became, at one point threatening to buy a three-story house with the bedroom on the top floor and the bathroom in the

basement, if I didn’t shut up about aging in place.

In retrospect, her concern wasn’t intel-lectual (she is way smarter than am I), but emotional. Like so many baby boomers, she didn’t want to admit she would ever be a senior. Eventually she realized the convenience features that make it easier to age in place are good for people of all ages; wide doors that are easy to navigate in a wheelchair also make it easier to move a big piece of furniture, too. And we wound up buying a house (or in our case a houseboat) that had most of the conve-nience features we may someday need.

Still, I could have saved myself, and her, several years of grief and arguments if Murphy’s book had been available — especially the section on how introduce the topic (“The Soft Startup,” page 34).

A Kitsap County architect and certified aging-in-place specialist, Murphy doesn’t spend a lot of time and pages on all of the possible physical features of a home designed for all ages. Rather, he focuses on the process of deciding why to buy or build such a home and how to get it done


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See AGING, Page 22



Charlie was an 84-year-old veteran who lived in Kitsap County. He had moved away, but came home

to retire here. He didn’t have any family members close by.

As Charlie aged, he began to have health problems and he wound up in a local hospital. When he was feeling better, he wanted to go home, but the hospital wouldn’t release him until they knew he was returning to a healthy situation where he would get the care he needed.

That’s when Carrie Mulcahy, Director of Care Management for Martha & Mary AT HOME in Poulsbo, got a call from Charlie’s attorney asking for help.

“Many times in situations like this, the person is helped through the Division of Aging,” Mulcahy said. “But there are those gray areas where there’s no one to help. That’s where we come in.”

The Martha & Mary AT HOME care management program started in 2011. In her role, Mulcahy assesses a person’s cur-rent living situation, reviews their medical records, and makes suggestions about their current and future care needs.

“Initially, we got Charlie home care services through Martha & Mary AT HOME,” she said. “The program sends private duty in-home caregivers to help clients with bathing, dressing, meal prepa-ration, housekeeping and medications oversite.”

He was having stomach and bowel trouble and he wasn’t eating right, she

said. “We worked with him and his care-givers to encourage a healthier diet. But he refused to go to the doctor. He feared he’d be sent back to the hospital and he didn’t want that.”

Fortunately, Mulcahy was able to find a physician who would see Charlie at his house for medical care.

Over time, Charlie ended up in the hos-pital emergency room following a bad fall. He was placed in intensive care where it was soon discovered he had Stage Four cancer.

Working with the hospital discharge planners, Charlie agreed to a short term

stay at Martha & Mary Health and Rehab Center, but eventually he insisted on returning home.

“As time passed Charlie’s health got worse and he declined overall. At that point we worked to get Hospice services started for him and increased his in-home care to 24 hours a day,” Mulcahy said.

“What’s important in this story, is that Charlie was able to receive care on his own terms, the way he wanted to,” she said. “He was able to be at home and his wishes were respected.”

Like Charlie, most seniors out there in their 70s and 80s wish to actively par-ticipate in care decisions about their own health, Mulcahy said.

Because of the geriatric care program at Martha & Mary, there is a stopgap pro-gram in place to help seniors who do not have family in the area. Mulcahy said she works with family members who are out of state, attorneys, neighbors and caregiv-ers with power of attorney.

“Sometimes they just need a home care expert to look at the big picture,” she said.

Generally, when she is called she does an initial assessment, looking at the residence, for safety issues, for its ease at which the senior can get about, and then she reviews records from physicians involved in the case.

“I look at the situation holistically, and at any physical concerns from my head to toe clinical assessment,” she said. “I work with other health care professionals to develop a comprehensive care plan that is geared toward meeting safety, health and

welfare needs.”The initial assessment is about $300,

and is privately paid, although some insur-ance companies are beginning to offer coverage for this service.

“From there, it depends on what issues are at play,” she said. “But a key focus of what I do, is to keep this services afford-able for families that need it.”

Another example was a woman in her 90s who was hospitalized and needed to have her home assessed for safety. Mulcahy knew the woman didn’t want to go into a nursing home, but once she saw the home where the woman lived, she determined it would not be safe for her to return home.

“The stove didn’t work and she had been using the shower as a closet,” Mulcahy said.

In that case, she was able to recom-mend to the client’s family that the woman move to an assisted living facility.

Mulcahy said geriatric care manage-ment began on the East Coast more than 25 years ago. It’s only made its way to this area in the past five years.

She has an LPN and a bachelor’s degree in health care administration and a master’s degree in health care manage-ment. She is certified by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and a member of the Aging Life Care Association and is required to take con-tinuing education annually.

To contact her at Martha & Mary AT HOME, call 360-394-5458, or email [email protected].

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Carrie Mulcahy, director of Care Management. Contributed photo

successfully. As he points out, planning ahead can help you avoid having to move to a retirement community or assisted liv-ing facility and, in the process:

• Save your hard-earned money.• Save your lifestyle in your home.• Extend your finances during retire-

ment.• Extend your happiness, longevity, and

safety at home.• Save your independence, your dignity,

and your right to choose your housing situation (page 53).

He walks the reader through the pro-cess in a very logical and readable man-ner, including a number of real-life stories that put a human face on the facts and

figures. First he provides the reader with back-

ground concerning the explosion in the number of older adults. Then, he explains what successful aging in place should look like. He then moves into the “how-to” pro-cess: how to start the discussion with your family; how to be an active listener; the importance of planning ahead and hiring a professional team to help; and, finally, choosing the right community.

If, like me, you are among the nine-out-of-10 people who want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, read this book.

“Aging in Place: 5 Steps to Designing a Successful Living Environment for the Second Half of Life,” by Aaron Murphy (2014). Published by Entrepreneur Publishing, Poulsbo, Washington. Available online at Amazon.com.

AgingContinued from page 21

“Aging in Place.” Contributed photo

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Since 1945, the Ostrom family has been privileged to serve older adults in a unique and special way.

Our success stems from old-fashioned values that have been instilled within the culture of each community. Local, family ownership drives an experience that sets us apart from facilities run by national corporations. The hallmark quality of all of our communities is in making each guest feel like they are valued and respected members of our family.

Our mission is to serve. We are a group of highly skilled professionals who serve with expertise and compassion. We offer first-rate accommodations with attention to detail at every level.

Our organization is built on a philoso-phy of caring. This philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. We are focused on results and we achieve those results by adhering to timeless operating principles and values. We have a proven track record of excellent customer service and are proud of our history of consistent, profes-sional care provided in all of our locations.

We provide several levels of senior care in Kitsap County; Ridgemont Senior Apartments in Port Orchard are independent senior retirement apart-ments, Stafford Suites Assisted Living Community in Port Orchard provides full-service assisted living apartments, and our two Skilled Nursing Communities are Stafford Healthcare at Belmont in Bremerton and Stafford Healthcare at Ridgemont in Port Orchard.

Ridgemont Senior Apartments provide individual private apartments, one hearty meal per day, weekly housekeeping services, activities and scheduled trans-portation. The Senior Apartments are managed by Karin Stewart, who has been on our team for more than 26 years and is knowledgeable about all aspects of senior care. Karin makes her residents her first priority and is passionate about providing excellent customer service.

Stafford Suites Assisted Living Community provides a safe, warm, car-ing environment and offers a full range of

services for seniors to enjoy. Executive Director Denise Hoyt, RN, has been in her role since the doors opened 18 years ago.

At Stafford Suites residents can choose from private studio, one, or two bedroom apartments. They receive three delicious meals a day served restaurant style in the

Dining Room, weekly housekeeping, a full range of activities directed by a full-time Activity Director, qualified nursing staff on-site 24/7, a full-time Nurse Wellness Director, scheduled transportation to medical appointments, a full service salon in house, diverse library, gift shop and many other amenities.

Resident independence, freedom of choice and respect are all hallmarks of the Stafford Suites philosophy of caring.

Stafford Healthcare at Belmont, under the direction of Administrator Robert Washbond, and Stafford Healthcare at Ridgemont, under the direction of Annette Crawford, provide professional skilled nursing and rehabilitation services for those needing a higher level of care. They are staffed with exceptional profession-als; RNs, LPNs, therapists, social services staff, dieticians, chefs and direct care staff.

They provide a high level of skill and expertise in caring for seniors and spe-cialize in assisting them to achieve the highest level of health and functioning possible.

They are at the forefront of innovative techniques, therapies and technology in the ever-changing and challenging health-care field. Both skilled nursing facilities have a physician on-staff who provides direct care and oversight of the healthcare team and plan of care. Both communities offer short-term rehabilitation care in our state of the art Transitional Care Units.

Our teams of physicians, nurses and therapists collaborate to provide rehab and nursing services to assist clients to return to their previous living environ-ments with improved health and function-ing as quickly as possible. In addition, there is longterm care available for those who require this higher level of personal and medical care on a more permanent basis. Both of our skilled nursing facili-ties are rated as 5 Star by the Centers for Medicare Services.

All of our communities share a strong history of performing very well in the Washington state DSHS Survey process and are known for exceptional quality care. We strive to be good neighbors and community members. We are members of the Bremerton, Belfair and Port Orchard Chambers of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Bremerton and the Kiwanis Club of Port Orchard among other regional and county organizations.

We are compassionate healthcare pro-fessionals who treat you like family. Please come visit one of our communities soon and experience the difference our tradi-tion of family values can make in the lives of seniors.

Stafford Healthcare: Generations of experienced careOld-fashioned values are the culture of the community at Stafford Suites in Port Orchard

Staff at Stafford Suites works to make residents feel like part of the family. Contributed photo

A group of residents from Stafford Suites prepares to go on an outing. Contributed photo


By MATT CLIFTONPeninsula Hearing

We have been offering a new and different concept in hearing care called the Lyric. Lyric has

been around for a few years; however, Dr. Megan Nightingale at Peninsula Hearing in Poulsbo is the first hearing professional on the peninsula to offer Lyric. The Lyric concept is one similar to extended wear contact lenses for the eye.

For those clients for whom Lyric is a good fit, they tout their natural hearing ability with little inconvenience or fuss.

Lyric is still the only extended wear hearing device available.

The concept centers on a very small device (about the size of a pinto bean) that is placed deep in the ear canal within about 4 millimeters of the ear drum.

The device stays put in the canal until the battery dies which can be up to 4 months. The device is then taken out of the ear canal by a trained professional and

a new one placed back in the canal. The device is designed to be worn 24

hours a day – seven days a week. While the thought of a traditional hearing aid being worn 24/7 is not very pleasant, Lyric when properly placed in the ear canal can hardly be felt.

The mechanics of the Lyric is sur-rounded by a spongy material that allows moisture to escape and the ear canal to breathe which is very important for ear canal health.

The advantage of having a hearing device placed so close to the ear drum is that the sound is very natural because not as much amplification is needed as with a traditional device.

Also, by virtue of the placement of Lyric the brain can take advantage of the ears natural background noise fighting capabili-ties. Lyric is very convenient for the user as well.

One does not have to change batteries

or take the device on and off the ear. The device can be adjusted for volume and turned into what is called sleep mode for nighttime use by using a magnet tool.

Lyric is sold on a subscription basis for one, two or three years at a time. The makers of Lyric and Nightingale do state that Lyric is clearly not for everyone. There are some people who cannot have anything in their ear canal and some whose hearing issues are so great that it is beyond the amplification ability of the device.

For the people who have tried it, and liked it however, it is a miracle.

“They rave about it,” said Nightingale. Should Lyric not be right for you, we do

offer a variety of traditional styles with the latest technology.

If you are interested in learning more about the Lyric concept in hearing care, give us a call for a complimentary evalua-tion. Call 360-697-3061 or 800-540-8698.

Peninsula Hearing offers new Lyric hearing device

Megan Nightingale Contributed photo

By TERRYL [email protected]

Human beings are not cans of soup. There’s no expiration date when you magi-cally become “old.” Still, the most widely used definition of “old” remains age 65, the calendar age that for most of the 20th cen-tury was the point in life at which Americans became eligible for Social Security.

But it turns out there was no scientific reason for government officials to choose that particular age.

Social Security was set up during the darkest days of the Great Depression and officials back then were focused on setting up a national pension system that would encourage older men to leave the strug-gling job market. A historian who studied U.S. retirement history, William Graebner, reported that before officials settled on age 65, they considered going as young as age 50 and as old as age 70.

After the National Institute on Aging (NIA) was created in 1974, research on aging in this country began in earnest. Most NIA aging research applications defined “old” as aged 60 or 65 years and older. This further solidified calendar age in the minds of scholars and the public.

But as research progressed, it became

apparent people over 65 years of age weren’t all alike. In an effort to avoid comparing apples to oranges, researchers tried divid-ing old age into three stages: the young-old (aged 65-74), the old (aged 75-84), and the very old (aged 85-plus). That didn’t work so well either. Some researchers reported that the three age groups still appeared to be made up of both the healthy and unhealthy, even among the very old.

In 2010, Robert Butler, MD, founding director of the National Institution on Aging, admitted “there is nothing magical or sci-entific about 65 …or any other number in defining old age.”

So what is “old?”All definitions of everything, not just the

concept of “old,” are based on classification systems developed by human beings. It’s how we make sense of the world. “This is a newspaper.” “That is a car.” “He is old.” The important thing to remember about classification systems is that they need to accurately define groups of things or people that share the same characteristics.

In the case of “old,” a meaningful clas-sification is one in which everyone who is said to be “old” shares most of the same characteristics.

Beginning in the 1980s, some research-

ers in the fields of sociology and psychol-ogy suggested dividing later life in two. So, besides childhood (the first age) and middle age (second age), they proposed a third age (the well elderly or “wellderly”) and a fourth age (the “illderly”). So, older adults, regard-less of their calendar age, who are in rela-tively good health and socially engaged may be said to be in the third age. The fourth age is typified by the onset of all the nega-tive stereotypes of old age: failing health and increasing social isolation.

What makes this new classification sys-tem so useful is that it compares apples to apples. Membership in the fourth age is based on measurable losses in three or more of the following: vision, hearing, mobility, cognition, strength, and physical illness. So, someone can be classified as being in the fourth age when they are still in their 50s if, for example, they have early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Or, like some of my friends, can still be in the third age even when they are well up into their 90s. Calendar age has nothing to do with it.

Four ages theory can be extremely useful if you are concerned about a parent, friend, or loved one. If they exhibit three or more of those losses, then they should be encour-aged to seriously consider the need for additional assistance. Adapting a home to meet changing physical needs, participating in restorative exercise programs that target mobility and strength losses, moving closer to their caregivers — these are the kinds

of things that can help them prolong their quality of life, independence, and sense of aging successfully.

Not sure if a friend or loved one is in the fourth age? In 2013, I reported on my findings from a small study that included comparing driving a vehicle and member-ship in the third or fourth ages. I found that participants in the third age, who had none of the losses listed above, still drove regu-larly. Those on the cusp of the fourth age (one to two losses) tended to self-restrict their driving and avoided driving at night. Those in the fourth age no longer drove at all and were dependent on others for trans-portation.

My findings were supported by the kinds of losses leading to driving cessation report-ed in the driving safety research literature. Bear in mind that driving cessation may not be a valid indicator in all cases. Some healthy people don’t drive at all, or only rare-ly, because they choose not to or don’t need to. They may live in an urban village where everything is within easy walking distance or in a community that has great mass tran-sit. Likewise, some individuals in the fourth age may continue to drive a vehicle simply because they have no other option or even out of sheer stubbornness.

At age 71, Asla is still in the third age. In addition to writing for peer-reviewed aca-demic journals, he is a reporter for the North Kitsap Herald and assistant editor of Kitsap Military Times.

A new way of defining ‘age’


This is an exciting time for overall healthawareness and how important your hearingis to your overall health.

Call today and let us help you achieve the healthiest hearing you can have just like thethousands we have helped over the past 25 years.

DR. MEGAN NIGHTINGALE

time of your life north kitsap - spring toyl - 2016

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