Circles
of Care matches seniors with trained local volunteers who are available to lend
a hand assisting with everyday tasks such as transportation, meals, errands,
light cleaning, technology support, friendly check-ins, minor yard and
household maintenance and much more!
Circles
of Care is a way for older adults to feel supported by local volunteers with
various tasks that may have become more challenging to complete. And it gives
both older adults and volunteers the opportunity to engage in meaningful
connections while bridging generational gaps and strengthening our communities.
In The
Dalles we have some of the best independent and assisted living communities.
But most of us desire to live in our own homes for as long as we can. It is
familiar and less expensive.
But with
the increasing number of older adults requiring long term care and the costs
growing, alternative models to support older adults in their homes need to be
developed. Circles of Care is one such model.
The
founder of Circles of Care, Keren Wilson, has an incredible resume. She has over
30 years of experience in long-term care and supportive housing. During the
1980’s she was the principal architect of the Oregon model of assisted living
and has founded three assisted living companies. Currently, Keren is President
of the Jessie F Richardson Foundation, a charitable organization working on
housing and service issues for very low income and hard-to-serve elders.
You can
meet her and learn more about the benefits of this innovative program and how
to get involved when she speaks about Circles of Care on April 17th at
1:00 PM at the Center.
You probably
read about it in the Chronicle several weeks ago but here is a quick reminder about
“Bone Soup” - Home at Last’s fundraiser sponsored by Valvoline Instant Oil
Change. It is on Saturday, April 13th, from 6-10 pm at the Civic Auditorium and
will include a gourmet soup dinner, music, and great auction items. Tickets are
$25 advance or $30 at the door. You can purchase tickets by visiting the
Home-at-Last website, calling 541-296-5189, or visiting Klindt’s Booksellers or
the shelter at 200 River Road. This fundraising event will help Home at Last
continue to care for the homeless animals of Wasco and surrounding counties. And
could this also be the time to consider adopting a new furry companion?
Last week
I mentioned the benefits of walking. Every morning driving to work I see folks out
for their “morning constitutional”. The Center would like to start a walking
group with a little twist: using Walking Poles - which has been growing in
popularity. They provide stability and exercise your upper body if done
properly. If you are interested in walking with poles call the Center and we
will see what we can get started.
One of
the most popular Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club and who went on
to become a successful American actress and singer was Annette Funicello. (I
received correct answers from Cheri Brent, Betsy Ayers, Lana Tepfer, Jess Birge,
Diana Weston, Jerry Phillips and Jim Heitkemper, winner of a free quilt raffle
ticket, and who was born on the same day, month and year as Annette but I don’t
believe ever dated her – as far as I know. And last week I was bad - missing
both Cheri Brent and Betsy Ayers.
In the
1950’s the term Rock and Roll was coined by a Cleveland disc jockey who during the
height of his popularity in 1956 and 1957 was featured in four movies: Don’t Knock the Rock with Little
Richard; Rock, Rock, Rock! with Chuck Berry, Mr. Rock and Roll and Rock
Around the Clock. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was this
disc jockey’s name? And if that question is too difficult, what musical group
starred in Rock Around the Clock? Email
your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or
return your answer with a 1952 ticket to the Moondog Coronation Ball in
Cleveland believed to be the nation’s first-ever rock and roll concert.
Well,
it’s been another week, forgetting what I forgot. Until we meet again, keep up
the good fight.
“Never
forget. We are alive within mysteries.” Wendell Berry, Writer/Farmer
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