The following was submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.

GiveOrcas Campaign

The Orcas Senior Center is thrilled to be accepted into the Orcas Island Community Foundation’s spring grant cycle.

This initiative gives us the chance to promote not only our grant request but work as a team to help all Orcas nonprofits listed in the catalog reach their goals and help our island thrive! The Orcas Senior Center 2018 Grant Request is titled “We Hold the Wisdom of the Ages; Help Bring Us Up-to-Date.”

Lack of computer skills for elders can be as isolating as loss of sight, hearing or speech. OICF award funds will help seniors gain and maintain technical skills they need to remain connected and relevant in today’s computer-dependent world. Orcas Senior Center (OSC) will provide elders access to technology equipment (via implementation of weekly computer labs and loaner equipment), and learning including; (1) Workshops teaching device utilization, accessing services online, (2) Access to telemedicine, technological interventions, (3) A stipend will be offered to participants for individual consultations. We hope to raise a total of $20,000 to cover the expenses of this initiative.

Visit our website – https://www.orcasseniors.org/ – to view the entire grant request as well as view the “Cyber Seniors” video! Donations can be made via http://www.giveorcas.org/. GiveOrcas Game Days give us the opportunity to drive donors to the grant requests – we will be promoting these days throughout the month.

Aging on Orcas

The Orcas Senior Center is recruiting participants for our upcoming focus groups to further explore the results of the “How to we build a vital Future” Orcas Island survey conducted in the fall/winter of 2017.

In June 2018, we will be holding three focus groups (10-12 people per group) to discuss services, needs, and solutions related to the following topics; (1) Coordinator to help Navigate and facilitate access to services, (2) Home Safety (including possible handyman services, home assessments and other services), and (3) Emergency Preparedness (including senior emergency kits and information about services such as Life Alert).

Contact Sara Boyle via email oisc.cfa@gmail.com or phone 360-376-2677 to participate.

Alzheimer’s class

On May 16 at 1 p.m, Orcas Senior Center will host a guest speaker Sheila Snyder of Birch View Memory Care Community. Snyder will discuss functional skills for successfully communicating with folks with Alzheimer’s and for optimally coping with or managing memory and behavioral challenges. The class will focus on ways for caregivers and companions to manage changes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease in the home.

The 90-minute class is designed for those providing in-home care and companionship to elders, who have cognitive changes or Alzheimer’s Disease. The class is open to members of the community. Admission is free, but call the senior center at 360-376-2677 to reserve a seat.

Elders in the Garden

Orcasong Farm is offering bi-monthly (first and third Thursday of the month), hands-on classes to Orcas elders 55 and better focused on exploring the garden through cooking, art, music, movement, and more.

Each week, Leila Jordan, Orcasong’s Garden Manager, and her team of Orcasong interns will teach a lesson illuminating new ways to engage in the garden space. At the end of each class participants will harvest from the garden and prepare a fresh and healthy lunch together. Take advantage of this free opportunity (lunch included!) to learn how and why a garden (big or small!) can affect our overall health and well-being and become empowered to steward your health toward a brighter future.

Classes begin on Thursday, June 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Sept. 20 at Orcasong Farm (280 Dolphin Bay Road). Transportation is available to and from the senior center; contact the front desk to sign up. There is no fee for this program. Registration is required and limited to 14, so please call 376-2677 to get on the list. Participants are encouraged to enroll in the full series (eight classes), though each class can stand alone.

To register directly with Orcasong Farm, contact garden manager Leila Jordan at leila.jordan@orcasong.farm