New Hearts and Hands Position

The Orcas Senior Center, the Orcas District of the Senior Services of San Juan County 501(c)3 nonprofit organization continues to grow! Starting Nov. 1, 2017, Tom Eversole has been hired to direct the Hearts and Hands Program, which provides home visiting companions. His initial focus will be on engaging and strengthening support for those volunteers.

“Hearts and Hands provides an invaluable service to folks in our community, who are isolated, lonely and may have difficulty preforming ordinary activities of living at home,” said Eversole. While not a home health care service, H and H volunteers provide regular, ongoing companionship and can help participants access other appropriate levels of care if needed.

“I think my first task is to meet our currently active volunteers to make sure they are getting the support and training they need. As the program becomes more solid, we can accept more volunteer companions and participants,” Eversole said. “With proper support, H and H has the potential to expand its scope of services and to strengthen its collaboration with other community services that fill needs we don’t.”

Eversole comes to OSC following a career in mental health and public health. He provided mental health services to people with HIV/AIDS at Johns Hopkins Hospital and worked with the HIV/AIDS training program for the American Psychological Association. In Oregon, he served as Public Health Administrator for Benton County and later administered the Center for Public Health Practice for Oregon Health Authority.

Eversole lives in Deer Harbor and enjoys hiking and community theatre.

For more information on the Hearts and Hands Program see https://orcasseniors.org/hearts-hands/.

Free Tai Chi Class

Join Robin Kucklick on Monday evenings at the Orcas Senior Center from 6-7 p.m. for a free Tai Chi class. Robin has taught classes for years in the Orcas community and we are excited to bring his classes and vast experience to the Orcas Senior Center. This class emphasizes the health benefits of Tai Chi. This is a wonderful opportunity open to all ages. Space is limited, contact the Orcas Senior Center front desk at 360-376-2677 to reserve a spot in the class!

AARP Smart Driver Course

Many insurance companies offer reduced rates for senior drivers that have completed safe driving classes, and you are invited to participate in the AARP Smart Driver Course here at the Senior Center in October. This course provides research-based information to help update driving knowledge and skills. Consider participating in this course to take advantage of an important opportunity to learn how to drive more safely and confidently, and possibly get a break on your car insurance rates.

The AARP Smart Driver course will be held at the senior center Thursday, October 19, 1-5pm and Friday, October 20, 1-5 p.m. Attendance at both sessions is required. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Bring your current AARP card to the class to get the discounted rate. Pre-registration is required to ensure that sufficient supplies are available. Register at the Orcas Senior Center front desk, or by calling 376-2677.

Advanced Directives Workshop

Join us for a hands-on tutorial Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 1-3 p.m. for step by step instructions in filling out an Advanced Directive/Living Will. The workshop is led by RN Libby Garcia who has spent most of her career in emergency situations where she has glimpsed the near-to-last moments of many lives. After 16 years in those trenches, she worked as a hospice nurse. Bearing witness for the process of dying in these diverse settings brought her normally introverted self to speak out about planning for end of life. You can visit endoflifewa.org to review the Advanced Directive form. Copies will be available for all participants at the workshop. The class price is $10 per person. Class size is limited, so pre-register at the Orcas Senior Center front desk or by calling 376-2677.