Volunteering

A senior housing option may be needed, but in the meantime, learn about community resources

Just a reminder about the 50+ Connections Expo tomorrow. Geared toward people 50 and older, the Expo offers more than 120 exhibits with resources, services and activities.

Being informed as we age helps us maintain an active, healthy and independent lifestyle. The Columbian had a nice article about the Expo. They summed it up by saying that the exhibits are meant to provide information and interactive activities on travel, recreation, health, nutrition, senior housing, finances, and more.

Free of charge, with a suggested donation for the Human Services Council’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, this year’s Expo is sure to exceed the expectations of the previous Expos.

Health screenings include blood pressure, lower extremity circulation, lung function, glucose, and body mass index.

There will be live music and mini-presentations on personal enrichment activities such as our laughter yoga.

We are proud to be among the many exhibitors and seminar presenters as well as one of the 16 companies and non-profit organizations and government agencies to sponsor the event.

It is our goal to help make any transition to one of the many senior housing options in the Vancouver WA and Clark County easier, but we totally support any of the many worthy efforts to delay the need to transition from your own independent housing. That is one reason why we are a participant and sponsor of this 50+ Connections Expo. Stop by to say “hello.” We can help you determine whether you need assisted living or some other senior housing option.

Come join us at the 50+ Connections Expo April 29th, 2012

Come join us at the 50+ Connections Expo next Sunday, April 29, 2012. A Caring Heart is pleased to be a participant and one of the sponsors for this exciting event where you can learn about services, ideas, and resources available for your active, healthy, independent lifestyle in and around the community.

There will be over 120 interactive and informative exhibits, seminars, a boutique, free health screenings, and prizes. The new Toyota Prius C will be shown. And two therapy llamas will be waiting to greet you.

A Caring Heart will have an exhibit. Other exhibitors include Biogift, Boys and Girls Club, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Lucky Eagle Casino, Isagenix Health & Wellness Coach, Scentsy, Jafra Cosmetics, Bath Fitter, Global Health Alerts, Elder Justice, Empower UP, Vancouver Acupuncture, Navidis Olive Oil and Vinegars, Fred Meyer, Whole Foods Market, and many, many more along with various senior living facilities and care centers.

There will be about eleven seminars held in either the Heritage or Discovery Ballrooms. Some of the seminars include memory, tai chi, helping your dog age gracefully, a cooking demonstration, and our Laughter Yoga.

Enter to win various prizes. The grand prize is a six-day Mississippi River Cruise courtesy of USA River Cruises.

The 50+ Connections Expo will be held at the Vancouver Hilton on 301 W. 6^th Street from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is a suggested donation at the door which supports the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. For more information, you can call 360-735-3683 or log onto www.50plusconnectionsexpo.com.

This is going to be a great event – even bigger and better than in previous years. We are looking forward to seeing you there. Stop by our exhibit to say “hello”.

Saluting the recipient of the Compassion for Senior award who helped establish a supportive in-home program

Being so involved in the welfare of seniors, whether they are residing in an assisted living or other setting or still at home with supportive services, recognizing those persons in the Vancouver WA area who contribute to the senior community, is an honor.

The annual Clark County Loaves and Fishes charity luncheon on April 12, 2012 will recognize Larry Smith with its Compassion for Seniors award.

Councilman Smith helped implement SNAP, a senior nutrition program, and he played a key role in introducing Loaves and Fishes, a program that delivers food to homebound seniors in Clark County in 2006.

We encourage everyone to attend the luncheon at the Hilton Vancouver Washington at 301 W. Sixth Street. The event is free, but donations are welcome and registration is required. You can visit feedseniors.org to find out more about the event and to register.

Congratulations to Councilman Smith. And, just a reminder, if your senior can no longer manage at home, even with the various supportive services in place, it may be time to consider assisted living or another type of housing option.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HANUKKAH

Written by Regina Brett

90 years old Regina, is of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio . This is a reprint of her article on 45 lessons of life.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good..
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
Pay off your credit cards every month.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
Take a deep breath It calms the mind.
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
The most important sex organ is the brain.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words : ‘In five years, will this matter?’
Always choose life..
Forgive everyone everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Believe in miracles.
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
Your children get only one childhood.
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come…
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Yield.
Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Growing up and growing older in Clark County can be great fun!

Kathy McLaughlin is happy to talk to people at the Clark County Fair about all sorts of things regarding growing older in Clark County Washington. Kathy’s free to the client service, helping families and individuals find the proper adult family homes, assisted living or memory care facility, is only part of what makes Clark County a great place to age.

As a volunteer with Clark County’s Aging Readiness Task Force she is shown here having a great time at the 2011 county fair!

The Aging Readiness Task Force will assess the county’s capacity to serve as a home to the growing number of older people who will be living in Clark County. The Task Force will concentrate on the areas of housing, transportation, health care, supportive services, and civic/social engagement.

Learn more here: http://www.clark.wa.gov/planning/aging/taskforce.html