All Posts in "Month: February 2014"

The Pierce County Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is taking on the improper marketing and misuse of certain prescribed drugs for the treatment of behavioral symptoms of dementia. 

The drugs most often used include Risperdal, Seoquel, Abilify and Invega. Misuse of the drugs, especially for elderly seniors and people who have a dementing illness, can have serious, life-threatening side-effects, according to Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources.

 “Prescription drug use plays an important role for individuals with dementia,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, the county agency’s manager. “But in certain situations, strong drugs may have been given inappropriately simply to control behaviors stemming from Alzheimer’s and other dementias.  Families need to understand their rights and responsibilities in advocating for their loved ones.”

The ombudsman program is hosting a series of free community seminars to help friends and family members advocate for their loved one who may be at risk. The seminars are scheduled for: 

• March 10 at 1 p.m. at the Bonney Lake branch of Pierce County Library, 18501 90th St. E.

• March 12 at 6:30 at the Spanaway branch of Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S.

• March 17 at 12 p.m. at Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th in Tacoma.

• March 19 at 2:15 p.m. at Wheelock Library in Tacoma, 3722 N. 26th St.

• March 26 at 2 p.m. at Gig Harbor Boys and Girls Club, 8502 Skansie Ave.

Officials said the major concern centers on the use of the medications for reasons other than their intended use (referred to as off-label). Research indicates that 83 percent of the medications were used for reasons other than their designed use. Sedating patients to control their behaviors frequently denies any quality of life and can lead to rapid physical and mental deterioration, according to researchers.

The Pierce County Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is a service of Pierce County Community Connections.  Staff and volunteers of the program advocate for the rights and quality of life of residents living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family homes with special attention to residents who may be unable to communicate effectively on their own.

srmedia by — February 25, 2014 in Everything Else

The north Pierce County and south King County area has gained more than 100 units of housing for seniors with the opening of the Alder Ridge senior apartments in Milton.

Village Concepts, the Alder Ridge developer, calls the new facility located near the county line an affordable housing community for independent seniors 62 years old and up. It has 116 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with washers and dryers, private patios and balconies in select units. Amenities include a media room, library, computer lab, beauty salon and barber shop, fitness room and a large social room with a full kitchen. The community is near a walking and biking trail and retail establishments such as stores and banks.

A grand opening Jan. 9 featured raffle prizes, tours and an appearance by Milton Mayor Debra Perry.

Fiinancing for Alder Ridge’s construction was arranged through the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, which issued $8 million in tax-exempt bonds combined with $4 million in housing tax credits for the developer. The financing package also included a taxable loan backed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The commission will work with Village Concepts in a relationship that will keep rents low and help the owner comply with federal and state requirements, officials said.

Village Concepts, based in Federal Way, operates 14 senior living communities that are home to more than 1,400 residents in the Puget Sound region, the Olympic Peninsula and central Washington. The dedicated company is at the forefront of the industry with programs and communities to offer the best senior living options.

Alder Ridge is at 38338 28th Ave. S. Its manager can be contacted at 253-878-5665 and stacyn@villageconcepts.com.

Social areas are among the features of the new Alder Ridge community in Milton.
Social areas are among the features of the new Alder Ridge community in Milton.
srmedia by — February 21, 2014 in Lifestyles

As I sit here writing this in early February with snow on the ground, I think to March and beyond. Spring is just around the corner, and with that are all the wonderful gardens and nurseries. 

Would you like to head up to the Skagit Valley to see the tulips, or perhaps go south to the lilacs?  How about a trip to Molbak’s or one of the other wonderful nurseries to pick up a few plantings? Now will be the time to sign up for something headed in those directions.

A very nice group will be departing early this month on a flight to Houston, Texas and a bus to Galveston, where we will meet up with RCCLs Navigator of the Seas. You will have to wait until we get back to hear all about that.  And then in April, we have rented a house on Maui and will spend two weeks going in and out of every back road around the island.  That will give you another column to read where you will say, “I wish I had gone with them.”

We certainly aren’t getting any younger, and the bucket list is out there. We all make excuses, particularly the one that says, “I don’t have anyone to share with.”  We will always help you find a roommate so that you are not paying single supplements.

Sharing does not mean that you have to do everything together, unless you want to. It means that you pay the lesser share fare and have someone to talk to when you wish. Who knows? You just might find someone to share with on other adventures.

Another way to meet potential roommates is to take some of the day trips. These include mystery trips, dinner dates, and other short excursions.  We have a Victoria, B.C. trip planned for a two-night stay and might just throw in a couple more short overnights.

May brings a marvelous trip to our nation’s capitol for a week-long visit to see memorials, museums, Arlington Cemetery, MountVernon, Annapolis and much more.  There still might be room if you want to come along.

October has some of our people taking off for Europe for the anniversary of the beaches of Normandy.  Spend some time in Paris and then head out to remember all that took place so many years ago.

In April of 2015, we have a wonderful group already developing to do a 19 day trip from Tampa, Fla. to Vancouver through the Panama Canal. The new one won’t be finished by then, but we will certainly be able to see what is happening with it. And think of it, you only need to fly one way as the ship will bring us right back home.

For reservations and further information, call me at 253 927 8207 or send an e-mail linda.finch@gmail.com.

Linda Finch by — February 21, 2014 in Lifestyle, Home, Adventures

AARP Foundation is providing free income tax preparation and electronic filing through its Tax-Aide program.

in its 45th year, Tax-Aide – offered in conjunction with the IRS – is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention to filers who are 60 and older. Filers don’t need to be an AARP member or retired to use the service.

The IRS tax-certified volunteer preparers can handle most common tax returns for employed or retired individuals, which include earned and retirement income, investment income (Schedule D), and various education, child and earned income credits.

Tax-Aide sites can’t prepare returns with rental income or depreciation, but do prepare Schedule C for individuals with small businesses that have less than $10,000 in annual expenses.  Taxpayers utilizing the free service can receive their tax refunds rather quickly, as all AARP Tax-Aide sites will be using electronic filing.

More information, including locations of Tax-Aide assistance, is available at www.aarp.org/findtaxhelp, and 1-888-227-7669. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offered in conjunction with the IRS.

Since 1968, Tax-Aide has helped nearly 50 million low to moderate- income taxpayers nationally through its 35,000 volunteers and 6,000 sites across the country. In Washington last year, more than 1,000 Tax-Aide volunteers helped about 78,000 taxpayers get more than $52 million in refunds.

srmedia by — February 21, 2014 in Everything Else