Submitted by the Orcas Island Senior Center.

Senior Council Update

Since February 2022, The Senior Services Council has been working to move management of its three senior centers to separate nonprofits on Lopez, Orcas and San Jan Islands. Directors and staff have been busily itemizing the assets that need to be transferred and revising agreements with business partners including San Juan County and WCOA. Orcas Senior Center anticipates its transition will be complete on Jan. 1, 2023. These changes will allow each center to be nimbler and more responsive to senior needs in its community. Donations will continue to go to centers designated to receive them.

Island Hearing Healthcare

Stacie Nordrum, Au.D., CCC-A, of Island Hearing Healthcare will offer hearing appointments at Orcas Senior Center on Thursday, Dec. 1 and the first Thursday of each month moving forward. Services available include hearing tests, consultations, hearing aid programming and other hearing aid services. Clean and checks of hearing aids as well as general consultations will be offered free of charge. To schedule an appointment and other questions please contact Stacie directly at 360-378-2330 or islandhearing@gmail.com. To learn more, go to islandhearing.net.

Companion services in GiveOrcas Holiday Catalog

Orcas Senior Center’s Companion Services will participate in the GiveOrcas Holiday Catalog, Dec. 1-15. The senior center is working to raise $15,000 to provide services essential to aging safely in place by reducing isolation, loneliness, depression, and neglect.

Companion Services serves in two ways: Hearts and Hands (home visiting) and Buddy Check-In. Hearts and Hands, an in-home visiting program has been serving homebound seniors and adults with disabilities for years. The Buddy Check-In program began in response to seniors isolated at home due to COVID-19. Although COVID-related restrictions have eased, the need for the Buddy Check-In program to check on seniors and assure their physical support needs and social connection is increasing as clients age. Many relationships have matured into friendships and will progress to Hearts and Hands services.

Look for Orcas Senior Center in the GiveOrcas Catalog starting Dec. 1.