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Early in the morning, when the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium first opens, most of the animals are out and waiting for breakfast, such as the red wolves roaming around their environment.
This fall, the Early Stage Memory Loss zoo walk participants were greeted throughout the zoo with similar, out-of-the-ordinary sights such as the skunk going on a walk with its keeper, catching the attention of the Sumatran Tigers. The sights triggered memories and ignited conversation which continued over snacks in the cafe.
Caregiver Services at Lutheran Community Services Northwest has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer a stimulating environment for individuals with mild memory loss and their care partners at the zoo in Tacoma. Participants partake in a weekly morning walk through the zoo, followed by coffee and conversation to exercise and build relationships with others who understand their concerns and can offer support. The winter series of eight walks begins Nov. 13 and includes free admission to the zoo and aquarium. Participants pay for their own beverages at the Plaza Cafe following the walk. To register, contact the Early Stage Memory Loss coordinator with the Alzheimer’s Association at 206-529-3868. The deadline for registration is Nov. 7.
Early research indicates that daily physical exercise along with social engagement can help delay the effects of dementia, although individuals experiencing memory loss often retreat from both. There is a stigma attached to dementia that often keeps friends, aquaintances and even family at arm’s length. Individuals with the disease have no one to talk to about the experience which can add to the anger, denial and depression they experience. Zoo walks are one activity that can help.
In addition to the zoo walks, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a variety of services for individuals with early-stage memory loss and their care partners. More about that, as well as referrals to other services for individuals and care partners at all stages of the disease, is available from the association at 1-800-272-3900 and www.alzwa.org.
Lutheran Community Services Northwest provides services for family caregivers, including Support U: Fostering Caregiver Wellness classes. The agency also offers services such as home care, respite, and Meals on Wheels. The Caregiver Services staff can be reached at 253-539-0255 for details or referral to other agency programs. Information is also available at www.lcsnw.org/tacoma.

Participants in a zoo walk pause in front of the Sumatran tigers exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
Participants in a zoo walk pause in front of the Sumatran tigers exhibit at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.
srmedia by — November 4, 2014 in Spotlight

People who want to reduce their stress, gain flexibility and keep moving can benefit from chair yoga.
“We move all the joints in our body so it helps maintain flexibility and range of motion,” said Diane DeMars, who teaches chair yoga at University Place Senior Center.
Her Wednesday afternoon classes at the center, which is at 2534 Grandview W., are called Heart and Soul Chair Yoga, begin the second Wednesday of each month and run from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Fees are $25 per month for a three-class series, and everyone is welcome.
DeMars said chair yoga also creates a sense of well-being.
“It helps folks be able to bend over comfortably, reach into their cupboards and look over their shoulder,” she said.
DeMars has been teaching yoga fulltime for almost 20 years. “I started before it was popular,” she said
She began attending yoga classes 25 years ago and fell in love with the activity.
“It is an amazing, practical class, and now it has gotten to be a fad. If I’m packing boxes and start to feel back pain, I stop and do yoga poses and the pain stops. Yoga is a very practical, everyday practice that you can use in your daily life. It is more than just a class,” she said.
Class participant Norma Washington would agree. She said she suffered from anxiety and panic attacks prior to taking yoga.
“Now I’m armed with the proper breathing techniques and stretches and haven’t suffered one attack,” Washington said. “My increased flexibility and strength has also been beneficial to my overall health.”
DeMars said that focusing on breathing helps make movements safer and more energy-efficient.
“You use less energy when you are moving with the breaths,” she said.
As people age, their balance can suffer and yoga helps with that as well, said DeMars. People who “come to class and learn to breathe better and help with their balance” have enhanced their life, she added.
Another class member said she has vertigo problems, and chair yoga has helped her immensely. She said she has a tendency to get frustrated easily, and chair yoga has taught her breathing skills to calm herself. After classes, she feels better and continues to do the movements when she gets home
Class members said DeMars is knowledgeable and cares about each student.

Chair yoga classes like the one taught at University Place Senior Center have enthusiastic participants.
Chair yoga classes like the one taught at University Place Senior Center have enthusiastic participants.
Joan Cronk by — October 15, 2014 in Spotlight

Improving the lives of others – this is the focus of the Senior Companion program.
Senior Companions are volunteers age 55 or older who help older adults with physical or mental health limitations. They make a difference in others’ lives by helping them with daily tasks such as shopping, going to doctor appointments, or just getting out of the house for a while and watching a movie.
The program, which is offered through Lutheran Community Services Northwest, helps people remain in their own homes longer, live more independent lives, and improve self-esteem and friendship. Senior Companions help run errands and provide friendship for their clients. Senior Companions typically serve 15 to 40 hours per week, with an average of two to four clients.
With organizations around the nation, Senior Companion Programs have provided assistance since 1974. There are more than 15,000 people in the program nationally, helping to improve the lives of others.
One of these people is Evelyn Wright. She volunteered in the Senior Companion Program for 14 years before retiring in August. She talked to Senior Scene about her time in the program and how volunteers “get back so much more than you put into it.”
Senior Scene: Why did you begin to volunteer?
Evelyn Wright: I began to volunteer in the year 2000 because I was already doing the same thing. But it was getting harder for me. We had a service coordinator who told me about the program. She kept nagging me and nagging me because she knew I needed the help, and that’s how I started.
SS: You’ve been doing this since 2000. You must be very passionate about it. What keeps you going?
EW: Because you get back so much more than you put into it. They are so eager to give you bits of their wisdom they’ve learned in life, and if I had listened to all of them I would probably be rich and famous! But it’s really a joy, because I’m convinced that I’ll live longer by staying active. I’ll probably keep doing this until my car quits or I quit. You meet so many interesting people; you have no idea when you see someone… what their life was like before. You learn all kinds of amazing things.
SS: What is the best part of volunteering?
EW: I think feeling useful… you’re still connected to everything that’s going on.
SS: What are some of the benefits of volunteering?
EW: I’m convinced it’s good for your health. It’s good for your mind – for most people anyway. It keeps you healthy. I haven’t needed to get a new doctor recently, and I just turned 80.
SS: What do you do with the people you work with, your clients?
EW: Well, a variety of things. One client, who has recently passed away, she was in her 90s. She liked to play bingo, so I took her to the Bonney Lake Activity Center. Every Wednesday we would go up there, and she could socialize. Before she wouldn’t make an effort to come to the rec room or even leave her apartment. Sometimes we help people go grocery shopping. We also go on outings. The Senior Center has that once or twice a month and we can come with them on these trips.
SS: Where do you go on these trips?
EW: The most recent one was going to Tacoma to Wright Park in the conservatory. One time we went up to the Tulip Festival. It’s nice getting people out and about. I hadn’t realized it’s been so many years until someone told me. It goes by so fast. I don’t know if people realize it, but it not only helps the client, but it helps their family. I’ve had several letters from a family when a client has passed away, thanking me for what I did.
SS: If someone were interested in the program, what would you tell them?
EW: Well, you’ll feel better if you’re out and about. You’ll forget about your own ailments. You’ll not only be helping the person, but you’ll be helping yourself. You will make a difference in their life, and yours too. Get out there and volunteer!
If you are interested in becoming a Senior Companion volunteer, and live in Pierce or Kitsap counties, contact Julie Kerrigan, the program director in LCSNW’s South Puget Sound office, at 253-722-5686 or jkerrigan@lcsnw.org.

Chloe Wilhelm, who wrote t

Evelyn Wright (left) and other Senior Companion volunteers were honored by Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland during a recognition party hosted by Lutheran Community Services Northwest.
Evelyn Wright (left) and other Senior Companion volunteers were honored by Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland during a recognition party hosted by Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

his article, is an LCSNW student volunteer.

Contributing Author by — October 1, 2014 in Spotlight

Pat Tribby enjoys volunteering at Grannies’ Attic. One of her jobs is to price items before they go out on the thrift store’s floor for sale. (Joan Cronk/Senior Scene)
Pat Tribby enjoys volunteering at Grannies’ Attic. One of her jobs is to price items before they go out on the thrift store’s floor for sale. (Joan Cronk/Senior Scene)

When customers enter Grannies’ Attic Thrift Store in Puyallup, they are struck immediately with the cleanliness of the store and the friendliness of the all-volunteer staff.
“They call us the Nordstrom of gift shops,” said Pam Scholer, a longtime volunteer at Grannie’s.
Grannies’ Attic falls under Celebrate Seniority, a MultiCare Health System member program of education and outreach that has three focuses for adults 55 and better – volunteerism, healthy living and social events, said Deborah Gurney, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Celebrate Seniority supervisor.
Grannies’ Attic supervisor Kat Boyle said she has a staff of 75 volunteers. The store, which is open six days a week, has donated over $1.2 million to the Puyallup hospital’s programs and patients. The reason the store is so successful, said Boyle, is “it has a grannies’ touch.”
“When you walk in, you are greeted by a grannie who will ask what you are looking for,” she said.
Boyle has been in her position at Grannies’ for eight years and said, “This is the least glamorous job I’ve ever had, but it is the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Saying she was looking for something that would give her life focus and meaning, she added, “I’m edified daily because I work with the greatest generation and certainly the generation work ethic. That work ethic will never be duplicated.”
Eighty-six year old volunteer Pat Tribby has been working at Grannies’ for seven years. Most of the volunteers are women, and all are 55 and up.
After her husband passed away, Tribby said she thought volunteering “would be a good thing to do. I love the fact that I’m doing some good.”
Tribby, who prices items and works the floor, volunteers two mornings a week for a four-hour shift.
Scholer is the head ironing person and lead cashier and takes great pride in her work. She has been volunteering for 11 years, four days a week. “I love it here, it is my second home,” she said
Two days a week, Scholer stands at the ironing board, making sure all clothing items are neatly pressed before going on the floor for sale.
“We go through everything, and if it is wrinkled, we iron it,” she said.
Jeanne Spann is a floater and moves around the store, chatting with everyone.
“I enjoy visiting with people,” she said, adding that she also picks up empty hangers, straightens items for sale and relieves the cashiers. “The enthusiasm at Grannies’ is very healing.”
Volunteers are flexible about filling in for each other, and they say their work environment is like one big family.
Boyle appreciates each and every volunteer.
“Most days I wish I could just sit at the feet of my volunteers and glean from their experience and knowledge. They work hard and selflessly with such empathy and compassion for those we serve, like the children of CTU (children’s therapy unit),” she said.
Grannies’ has pledged $350,000 to the CTU endowment, making sure that no child is ever turned away.
“Every penny we make goes right back into the community,” she said.
The real difference in Grannie’s, said Boyle, is the store’s price point.
“We literally do it 50 cents at a time. Our average sales are low, and when we say we’ve donated $1.2 million, it is 50 cents at a time,” she said.
Boyle said she couldn’t do her job without her volunteers.
“It is a herculean effort to run this store. Every one of us does our very best. When you work alongside the grannies, they know the quality of work and the value of a hard day’s work. They set the bar very high,” she said.

Joan Cronk by — September 16, 2014 in Spotlight