All Posts in "Everything Else"

John Mikel, Program Specialist for Pierce County Community Connections Aging and Disability Resources (ADR), says that their Advisory Board is looking for new members to serve as advocates for clients and to advise ADR of the senior and disabled population in Pierce County.

“In the past we did not necessarily recruit for a targeted demographic, but now we are,” said Mikel, who added they are looking for representatives who are seniors and adults with disabilities to serve on the board.  They are also hoping to include more young adults with disabilities in order to balance out their membership.

“A board of this nature definitely has more female members than male members and we would like to have more males as representatives,” said Mikel.

Maggie Sweasy has been a board member since 2003 and says her time on the board has given her an opportunity to lend a voice to aging or disabled individuals in her community.

When she visits Olympia she attempts to educate members of the legislature on what is important to clients and acts as their advocate.

Sweasy said another piece of her board commitment is to call folks who are receiving services such as having housework done or being driven to doctors, to be sure those services are being supplied as they were contracted.

Making sure senior nutrition programs are complying with their contracts to provide a safe and healthy meal is an important piece of Sweasy’s job. “Sometimes this is the only hot meal an elderly person might get that day so we make sure they are complying with that need,” she said.

Sweasy enjoys being an advocate.  “It is very fulfilling because above and beyond the monitoring, there is also the interaction in the legislative process,” said Sweasy who added board members also are visible at health fairs and always have a booth at the Puyallup Fair to educate others on the needs of aging and disabled populations as well as providing access to available resources.

“The board is the eyes and ears of Aging and Disability Resources and also advises on any matter that would be pertinent to the populations that we serve,” said Mikel.  “We are grateful that our board exists, as well as for the work they perform.”

Board members serve a four-year commitment and are able to serve a total of eight years. Board members are not paid, but they are reimbursed for mileage.

“It is a huge commitment of time and energy for the board,” said Mikel, adding that after the four-year term, 90 percent of board members opt for a second term.

He sees serving on the board as a way of giving back to the community.   “They are shining examples of what can be done if you have a cooperative relationship between the government and the people they serve,” he said.

Board members are involved on a monthly basis and volunteer anywhere from a minimum of three to fifteen hours or more per month. Anyone interested in serving on the board can contact Mikel at (253) 798-2823 or e-mail him at jmikel@co.pierce.wa.us or contact Mickie Brown at (253) 798-7376 or e-mail her at mbrown3@copierce.wa.us.

Joan Cronk by — April 30, 2012 in Everything Else

Many people think of stress as another word for tension or pressure. Actually, stress is the way each of us responds to change. Understanding stress can help you use it to your advantage and potentially turn “stressors” into positive energy.

Our body responds to stress in many ways. Acute (sudden or short-term) stress leads to rapid changes throughout the body. Almost all the body’s systems (heart and blood vessels, immune system, lungs, digestive system, sensory organs and brain) gear up to meet perceived danger. Hormones, such as adrenaline, surge. Heart beat and pulse rate increase. Blood sugar rises. These effects helped prehistoric humans survive by enabling them to run faster or fight harder, which is why we often call this reaction to stress the “fight or flight” response.

Over time, however, repeated stressful situations put a strain on the body that may contribute to physical and psychological problems. Chronic (long-term) stress can have serious consequences and should be addressed like any other health concern.

Stressors are things or events, such as traffic congestion, divorce or a difficult job, that cause stress. We often experience tense muscles, headaches or stomach pains during, before and after these situations. But stressors can also be positive experiences. Having a baby, bowling a perfect 300 game, or completing a satisfying project are changes that can activate our stress response.

The body cannot tell the difference between a positive or negative stressor. In either case, it experiences the same stress effects. If we are not able to let off steam and relax, then these effects can be harmful. We may feel tired, depressed or anxious. We may experience physical symptoms such as a clenched jaw or backache.

A 2010 survey by the American Psychological Association found that Americans were experiencing more stress than five years earlier and engaging in unhealthy habits due to stress. During periods of stress, take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest, eating healthily, exercising and relaxing (without alcohol or drugs). Doing so will help your body recover from all stress, even when you feel satisfied or excited.

Stress is like body temperature: If it’s too low or too high, you cannot survive. But the right balance can keep you going strong. Talk with your primary care physician or other professional health care provider about stress in your life and how to achieve the necessary balance.

 Neena Chawla, MD, specializes in internal medicine at the Gig Harbor Medical Clinic, which is part of the Franciscan Medical Group.

 

Contributing Author by — April 30, 2012 in Everything Else

Everyone knows someone with hearing loss.  As much as we may tease about it, hearing loss can be a serious issue.  Hearing loss can occur at birth and with aging; it has many contributing factors such as work, illness, medications, hobbies and lifestyle.

More than 37 million Americans–and approximately 4 percent of the population of Pierce County live  with hearing loss significant enough to affect not only their lives but the lives of those around them family, friends, co-workers, service providers and more.

Knowing “how to” communicate with someone with hearing loss will dramatically change your relationships.   Pierce County Community Connections Aging & Disability Resources is sponsoring a free informational workshop, “Solving the Mystery of Hearing Loss.”  It will be repeated four times:

May 7 – 12:10-12:50 p.m.

Pierce County Annex, Main Conference     Room, 2401 35th Street, Tacoma

May 9 –12:10-12:50 p.m.

County-City Building, 7th Floor Rainier Conference Rm., 930 Tacoma Ave S., Tacoma

May 10 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Gig Harbor

May 12 – 9:30-11:30 a.m.

TACID, 6315 South 19th St, Tacoma

Christine Seymour, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Specialist, will present this interactive and informative presentation aimed at changing how you view hearing loss and giving you the tools to support effective communication.

Contributing Author by — April 30, 2012 in Everything Else

Evelyn Wright, winner of 2012 Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.

Senior Corp Week is May 7-11.  Throughout that week, volunteers and organizations will take part in events celebrating the remarkable achievements that older Americans provide through their volunteer work.   Senior Corps programs tap the skills, talents, and experience of more than 12,000 older Washington state residents to meet a wide range of community challenges through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program.

Senior Companions help more than 1,400 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes.  Sometimes simply going for a walk with someone helps them to lead a better life. Evelyn Wright’s shy smile and modest temperament hide a strong determination and a grueling walking pace.  Wright has served more than 50 clients and approximately 20,000 hours as a Senior Companion since she began in March 2000.  She is the Senior Companion Volunteer award winner for the Governor’s 2012 Out-standing Volunteer Service Award.  For more information or to get involved with Senior Companions, contact Julie Kerrigan at (253) 722-5686 or jkerrigan@lcsnw.org.

Michi Schroeder, RSVP Kitsap volunteer provides services at Harrison Medical Center in Kitsap county.

RSVP volunteers provide services through more than 920 groups across Washington.  RSVP Volunteer Michi Schroeder volunteers at Harrison Medical Center in Kitsap County in the Emergency Department as a greeter and assistant.  To date she has 6,600 volunteer hours with Harrison since October of 2003. The staff says they “couldn’t do their shift without her.”  For more information or to get involved with RSVP of Kitsap County contact Inga Jennings 360-377-5511 or ijennings@lcsnw.org.

RSVP Volunteer Lorraine Robertson is an inspiration to everyone she meets. She has been volunteering with the American Red Cross for over 50 years and with the Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol(CAP) for over 35 years. She is committed to serving our military service members at the McChord Medical Clinic, as well as helping young people learn leadership skills through CAP’s youth program. For more information or to get involved with RSVP of Pierce County contact Molly Feider (253) 682-1832 or  mollyf@uwpc.org.

Foster Grandparents serve as mentors, role models and friends to local at-risk youth and children with special needs.  Kyoung Mo Im has been a Foster Grandparent volunteer for an impressive 17 years.  He cares deeply for the children with whom he works and also serves as an interpreter for fellow Korean-speaking volunteers.  He has even been selected to receive a City of Destiny Award this year, in recognition of his hard work and dedication.  For more information or to get involved with the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) of Pierce and Thurston Counties contact Andie Daisley (253) 502–2743 or andied@ccsww.org.

Contributing Author by — April 30, 2012 in Everything Else