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“This class is a huge encouragement to me,” said one participant of the Support U: Fostering Caregiver Wellness classes offered at her local congregation in 2014. Now two new congregations, trained and supported by Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), are offering classes for family caregivers in Pierce County this fall at Sts. Cosmas and Damian Parish in Orting and St. Leo Church in Tacoma.
St. Leo is first up, offering Support U on Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 7 and ending Oct. 21. Two classes will be offered each session from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the parish office at the corner of Yakima Avenue and 13th Street in Tacoma. More information is available from Kathy Hitchcock at 253-564-3785.
Sts. Cosmas and Damian Parish will offer shorter sessions with one class each on Thursdays, starting Oct. 15 and running through Jan. 7. Class times and other details are available from Marlene Bartram at 360-893-3661.
“Having classes that serve rural Pierce County is especially exciting,” said Pat Witt, director of the Support U program for LCSNW.
Information is also on the LCSNW web site, including e-mail connections to register for classes.
The class topics include Planning Ahead, Ginding, Creating and Using Resources, Self Care for the Caregiver, Family Dynamics and Communication, Dementia, Chronic Illness and the Family, and Financial Well Being.
Congregations interested in offering the classes anywhere in western Washington can contact Witt at pwitt@lcsnw.org and 253-722-5691.

srmedia by — September 15, 2015 in News

Local police departments, Pierce County Community Connections Aging and Disability Resources, and Safe Streets, an anti-crime community group, will host a series of public presentations on ways that people can help maintain their personal safety.
The free events are scheduled for:
• Sept. 14 at Lakewood Police Department, 9401 Lakewood Dr. SW., from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 15 at Tacoma Police Department, 3701 S. Pine St., from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 16 at Gig Harbor City Hall, 3510 Grandview St., from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 17 at Sumner Senior Center, 15506 62nd St. Court E., from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 19 at the Graham branch of Pierce County Library System, 9202 224th St. E., from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Seniors and people with disabilities are often targeted by criminals “for quick gain with less risk” of being caught, said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “But people can take some simple steps to improve personal safety both at home and in the community.”
While prime time television and other media constantly exaggerate violent crime, it is nevertheless a serious problem. Nationally the ratio of property crime to violent crime was higher for the elderly (13 to 1) than for younger persons ages 25 to 49 (3 to 1). The rates of violent crime (3.6 per 1,000 persons) and property crime (72.3 per 1,000) against elderly persons remain high. In addition, the rate of violent victimization for persons with disabilities (36 per 1,000) was more than twice the age-adjusted rate for persons without disabilities (14 per 1,000).
The five presentations scheduled in September will be presented by officers from the Lakewood, Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Sumner Police Departments as well as the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center. Participants will receive practical tips for personal safety, hear about crime in their neighborhoods and understand how best to interact with local police.
The event is free and no RSVP is required. For additional information about “Making it Safe at Home,” call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600.

srmedia by — September 8, 2015 in News

Wildfires this summer have at times negatively affected air quality and caused health risks for certain segments of the population, including the elderly, health authorities say.
People with heart or lung disease, or those with respiratory issues such as asthma, colds or flu, are most at risk from the smoke of wildfires. Children, the elderly and pregnant women also need to take precautions.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, among other agencies, urges the public to pay attention to updated air quality reports and health warnings from local news outlets and public health agencies.
Those at risk should avoid physical exertion if smoke is in the air. If advised to stay indoors, keep indoor air as clean as possible and keep windows and doors closed. Follow your doctor’s directions about taking medicine, and follow asthma or other management plans. Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen. If it is too hot and air conditioning is not available, consider leaving the area.
Bans on all types of outdoor fires for recreation or other purposes remain in effect in Pierce, King and Kitsap counties and throughout the Puget Sound region.

srmedia by — August 25, 2015 in News

Eighty years ago, on Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.

As the face of America has evolved over the course of the last eight decades, so has Social. Social Security has expanded its safety net to provide benefits for retirees, people with disabilities and chronically ill, spouses and children of deceased workers. The agency has evolved to serve the needs of a changing America. Now, we are celebrating this historic anniversary by looking at both our successful past, and the path to an even brighter future.

Social Security is there for you during all stages of life. Right from the beginning, we issue a unique Social Security number to most newborns when an application is taken at the hospital. This allows us to track your income over your working career and accurately calculate your retirement benefit. We provide disability benefits to injured and chronically ill workers and their families. We provide survivors benefits to widows, widowers, and the minors of deceased workers. We also provide Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to those with low income and resources, and Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs for people who qualify.

In our decades of experience, Social Security has evolved to meet the fast-paced demands of the digital world. Creating an online my Social Security account, allows you to view your Social Security Statement, verify the accuracy of your earnings record, and get estimates of your future monthly benefit. Once you begin receiving Social Security benefits, you can use your online account to manage your record. You can change your address and phone number, check your benefit information, update your electronic payment method or obtain an instant benefit verification letter or replacement Medicare card. If you haven’t already, you can easily sign up for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Our safe and secure online services allow you to apply for retirement, spouse’s, Medicare, and disability benefits from the comfort of your home. You can quickly complete an online retirement application at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.

We look to the next 80 years with a renewed commitment to proudly serving Social Security customers throughout their lifetime, when and where they need us. See how Social Security has evolved over the years at www.socialsecurity.gov/history.

 

Kirk Larson wrote this article. He is a public relations specialist for Social Security in western Washington.

Contributing Author by — August 25, 2015 in News