Six years after moving into its location on Henry Road near “Church Corner,” the Orcas Island Senior Center is going stronger than ever. Not only do Foot Care and Senior Lunch continue to be popular and well attended, additional activities have been steadily added to the program.

The new Center, which shares space with county offices, accommodates classes such as Tai Chi, taught by Joan Roulac, Yoga, taught by Patsy Stephens, and Oil Painting, taught by Edmona Saunders.

Membership in Senior Services of San Juan County, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has almost doubled from 350 to 600 participants. In addition to supporting the Transportation Program, membership ($15 for singles and $25 for couples), allows seniors 60 years of age and older to take advantage of one of three memberships in the Orcas Spa and Athletic Club. They also benefit from a variety of discounts offered by many Orcas Island merchants, vendors and service providers.

A monthly newsletter, available to everyone, members and non-members alike, contains information regarding Senior Lunch menus, recent Medicare information, upcoming classes, programs and recreational trips off-island. The newsletter and additional information is also available online at www.orcasseniors.org .

“We also have a Care Giver Support Group which meets every Monday at 1 p.m. and a Care Giver Referral service which provides names of qualified people who are available to come into clients’ homes to help take care of folks who need a little extra attention on a regular or occasional basis,” says Linda Tretheway, Senior Services Coordinator.

According to Tretheway, many people take advantage of this program, and there are still people out there who are not aware of this service and could benefit greatly from it.

“There is a Respite Program which places older people, regularly receiving care, in the Island Convalescent Center for up to 13 days,” says Tretheway, “in order to give the adult children who are taking care of their parent, or regular care givers, a much-needed break from the constant demands of their parents, spouses, and/or loved ones.”

Jo Anne Bastron, manager of the Transportation Program, says, “We have over 20 volunteer drivers and four vans which we use to pick people up for Senior Lunch and, also, take folks off-island for medical appointments as far north as Bellingham and as far south as Seattle.”

A call to the Senior Center, no later than a week before the appointment, will give Bastron enough time to line up a driver for the trip. “We try as much as possible to take more than one person per trip. However, when that is not possible, we will still take only one passenger if they have no other way to get to their appointment,” adds Bastron.

Three days a month are devoted to foot care with two nurses, Sally Coffin, R.N., and Barbara Fleming, R.N., coming in to trim toenails, reduce calluses, and provide some general attention to feet, which may be difficult to reach as people get older.

A new program in the works is Bath Care, provided by Kim Secunda, CNA. The Senior Center has a large ADA-designed shower with a bench and hand rails which can be used to provide regular or periodic bathing for someone who has difficulty performing that task for themselves and has no one available to help them.

Everyone is encouraged to contact the Senior Center at 376-2677 for information regarding these programs and other issues that seniors face.

Six years after moving into its location on Henry Road near “Church Corner,” the Orcas Island Senior Center is going stronger than ever. Not only do Foot Care and Senior Lunch continue to be popular and well attended, additional activities have been steadily added to the program.

The new Center, which shares space with county offices, accommodates classes such as Tai Chi, taught by Joan Roulac, Yoga, taught by Patsy Stephens, and Oil Painting, taught by Edmona Saunders.

Membership in Senior Services of San Juan County, a 501(c)3 non-profit, has almost doubled from 350 to 600 participants. In addition to supporting the Transportation Program, membership ($15 for singles and $25 for couples), allows seniors 60 years of age and older to take advantage of one of three memberships in the Orcas Spa and Athletic Club. They also benefit from a variety of discounts offered by many Orcas Island merchants, vendors and service providers.

A monthly newsletter, available to everyone, members and non-members alike, contains information regarding Senior Lunch menus, recent Medicare information, upcoming classes, programs and recreational trips off-island. The newsletter and additional information is also available online at www.orcasseniors.org .

“We also have a Care Giver Support Group which meets every Monday at 1 p.m. and a Care Giver Referral service which provides names of qualified people who are available to come into clients’ homes to help take care of folks who need a little extra attention on a regular or occasional basis,” says Linda Tretheway, Senior Services Coordinator.

According to Tretheway, many people take advantage of this program, and there are still people out there who are not aware of this service and could benefit greatly from it.

“There is a Respite Program which places older people, regularly receiving care, in the Island Convalescent Center for up to 13 days,” says Tretheway, “in order to give the adult children who are taking care of their parent, or regular care givers, a much-needed break from the constant demands of their parents, spouses, and/or loved ones.”

Jo Anne Bastron, manager of the Transportation Program, says, “We have over 20 volunteer drivers and four vans which we use to pick people up for Senior Lunch and, also, take folks off-island for medical appointments as far north as Bellingham and as far south as Seattle.”

A call to the Senior Center, no later than a week before the appointment, will give Bastron enough time to line up a driver for the trip. “We try as much as possible to take more than one person per trip. However, when that is not possible, we will still take only one passenger if they have no other way to get to their appointment,” adds Bastron.

Three days a month are devoted to foot care with two nurses, Sally Coffin, R.N., and Barbara Fleming, R.N., coming in to trim toenails, reduce calluses, and provide some general attention to feet, which may be difficult to reach as people get older.

A new program in the works is Bath Care, provided by Kim Secunda, CNA. The Senior Center has a large ADA-designed shower with a bench and hand rails which can be used to provide regular or periodic bathing for someone who has difficulty performing that task for themselves and has no one available to help them.

Everyone is encouraged to contact the Senior Center at 376-2677 for information regarding these programs and other issues that seniors face.