Good Living Summer 2010

GoodLivingThe Retirement Years

Summer2010

A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American

HEALTH FOCUS• You and your health care• Hospitals get ready for baby boomers• Benefits of Vitamin D

Cliff Flanary, 89, works out during a cardiac therapy session at Skagit Valley Hospital.

� July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years Skagit Publishing www.goskagit.com www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years �

Advertising Representatives:Stephanie Fussell, [email protected] Hines, [email protected] McCoy, [email protected] Schulrz, [email protected] Streit, [email protected] Tinnon, [email protected]

Photographer: Scott Terrell

EDITORIALP: 360.416-2160 F: 360.428.0400

Editor: Colette Weeks, [email protected]

Display Advertising Manager:Deb Bundy, [email protected]

Advertising Operations Supervisor:Sarah Hickman, [email protected]

Design: Ashley CrerarProduction: Ashley Crerar, Jody Hendrix, Christina Poisal, Patricia Stowell

ADVERTISINGP: 360.424.3251 F: 360.424.5300

1215 Anderson RoadMount Vernon, WA 98274

COVER STORIES Your Health Care ...............4Hospitals ..........................6

For Your Health .................8

Benefits of Vitamin D .......10

Our Health: Q&A ..............11

Senior Events ..................12

Busy Seniors ...................14

Good Living The Retirement Years

SENIOR RESOURCES NUMBERS:

126

Summer 2010

ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION AND REFERRALCommunity Action Agency Mount Vernon360-416-7585

Community Health Resource Center Anacortes 360-299-1397 Mount Vernon 360-428-2371

Department of Social and Health ServicesMount Vernon 360-416-7444 or 800-487-0416

Physicians Referral Line Skagit County 360-848-5555

Senior Information and Assistance Burlington 360-428-1301

Whatcom-Island Counties Medical SocietyBurlington 360-676-7630

CALLING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSEHealth Watch 360-336-9693 or 800-624-2714Lifeline 360-293-7563 or 800-543-3546Response Link 360-303-2292

FINANCIAL AND LEGAL SERVICESCity utility discounts for low-income seniors:Anacortes 360-293-1900

Burlington (refuse pick-up only) 360-755-0531

Mount Vernon 360-336-6218

Sedro-Woolley (refuse pick-up only) 360-855-0929

HOME HEALTH CAREIsland Hospital Home Health Services Anacortes 360-299-1301OptionCare Mount Vernon 360-854-9604 or 800-755-0484Visiting Nurse Personal Services Mount Vernon 360-336-9693 or 800-624-2714

SENIOR CENTERSAnacortes Senior Center 360-293-7473Burlington Senior Center 360-755-0102Concrete Senior Center 360-853-8400Marblemount Community Center 360-873-4432Mount Vernon Senior Center 360-336-5757Sedro-Woolley Senior Center 360-855-1531

www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years �

CAUTION:CREATORS OF

THE BABY BOOMON THE LOOSE.

Obviously, the creators of the Baby Boom knew how to have fun. And, of course, they still do. That’s why so

many people choose Creekside Retirement Community. Fun. You’re free to enjoy life because we provide

the necessities. Things like housekeeping, shuttle services, planned group activities, and tasty restaurant-style

meals are all included in the monthly rent. And assisted living services are available if needed. So feel free to

stop by and take a look around. We love visitors. But please watch out, people are having fun everywhere.

To Learn More AboutCreekside Retirement Community

Call (360) 755-5550 Today

400 Gilkey Road • Burlington, WA 98233 • (360) 755-5550www.creeksideretirement.com

SKAGIT COUNTY’S HOSPITALS PREPARE FOR A BOOMING POPULATION

See full story on page 6In this photo: Jim O’Bryan of Sedro-Woolley sits in the “body box,” which is used to help test lung function,

at United General Hospital. Working with him is Janette Taylor, who is the director of Pulmonary and Sleep Services.


Getting health care is more com-plicated than simply picking a doctor for many senior citizens in Skagit County.

Seniors have to figure out some complicated details about insurance, long-term health plans and Medicare even before they’re able to make a medical appointment. And health of-ficials acknowledge that there aren’t as many doctors specializing in senior care as this community needs.

However, area hospitals, safety nets and medical clinics offer plenty of programs and tips to help seniors navigate the system and prepare for specialized health care.

People can do a lot to help them-selves, said Aubrey Adams, regional coordinator at Island Hospital’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program.

Preparation is key, and it’s never too soon to start, Adams said.

SHIBA is a statewide program that

helps people work through Medic-aid, Medicare and other insurance programs.

Adams said she gets a lot of calls from seniors who say “I have just one question.” She sighs a little bit when she hears that.

“There is no one question with this stuff. It just doesn’t work that way,” Adams said. “I wish it did.”

Insurance and Medicare is just too complicated, she said. The sooner people start figuring out what ben-efits they have — whether from in-surance, Social Security or Medicare — the better.

Adams recommends that people as young as 50 call SHIBA as soon as possible to start working out the details of long-term, senior care.

She said everyone should docu-ment what their health preferences are ahead of time. Gather all the information you’ll need in the event of a medical emergency or situation.

That includes date of birth, treatment preferences, contact information for everyone from doctors to accoun-tants and even a will.

Family and friends need to know where to look for things like your checkbook and vital documents in case you become seriously ill, Adams said.

“Plan ahead while you have a say,” she said.

She encourages people to meet with her volunteers as early as pos-sible, even before age 60, to work out a plan to keep medical care consis-tent and available.

Other programs can connect se-niors with various services available in the county.

Senior Information and Assistance

In this photo: SHIBA volunteer Claudia

Shoemaker talks to Joleen Sloniker at United

General Hospital.

YOUR Health CAREBy AARON BURKHALTER Staff Writer


Bellingham Office4213 Rural Ave.(360) 671-8388Toll Free 866-522-6435

Burlington Office325 E. George Hopper Rd. Unit 107(360) 707-2074Toll Free 888-707-2074

Everett Office2532 Wetmore(360) 348-9914Toll Free 866-348-9914

www.VisitingAngelsWA.comVisit our website at

(425)

Call for a free in-home consultation

Stay in your

our Angels Assistance• On call 24/7• Personalized case-by-case care• You choose your care giver• All levels of care• 1 to 24 hours of care• Comprehensive Caregiver Screening and Testing

Own Home with

We serve Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island &

SnohomishCounties

— call 360-428-1301 — can also offer some help for seniors, even things as simple as finding a ride to the doctor.

Jill Eelkema, who runs the pro-gram, said the organization is tuned into what services are available and who is eligible for them, from Meals on Wheels to Dial-A-Ride.

“One of the challenges in our area is transportation,” Eelkema said.

Even that simple help makes a dif-ference. Allie Jensen, 73, of Concrete, called the Senior Information and Assistance because she didn’t know

how to get home from her clinic after cataract surgery.

“I know I’m not the only one who runs into a situation like that,” Jensen said.

Jensen called senior centers to find help, but finally got it through Senior Information and Assistance.

Figuring out insurance, rides and health plans ahead of time makes a big difference because doctors simply can’t fill all those needs. With a rising population of seniors, doctors are strapped. Some can’t even take new

Medicare patients.North Cascade Family Physicians

Administrator Pam Putney said doctors do the best they can with the resources they have, but many are taking losses to provide care for a growing population of seniors.

“We’re going to deliver the same good medical care to everybody and hope it shakes out in the end,” Putney said.

• Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360-416-2141 or [email protected].

Numbers to KNow• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) 1-800-562-6900• Senior Information and Assistance 360-428-1301• Skagit County Community Action Agency 360-416-7585

readiNess tips• Start making plans for medical care now, before an emergency.• Collect important information and documents in one place so a family mem-ber or care provider can find it. Include your health care preferences and contact information for people like your doctors and accountants.• Make a will now.• Find a family member or friend to be your power of attorney to make deci-sions for you if you can’t.• Find out who can drive you to and from appointments. Even healthy patients need a driver after certain procedures.


by aaroN burKHaLterStaff Writer

Hospitals have already started to feel the high demand for geriatric medicine in Skagit County, especially as the large generation of baby boomers — which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classify as people born after World War II through the mid-1960s — reach an age when health maintenance takes a lot more physician attention.

CEO Greg Reed of United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley said that the booming boomer age group has prompted hospitals to reconsider how they deliver care.

According to the state Department of Health, the population of people ages 55 and up in Skagit County grew by 8.2 percent from 2006 to 2008, compared with 7.6 percent growth statewide.

More of those seniors were admitted and discharged from hospitals here, we well. The discharge number grew by 8.7 percent from 2006 to 2008, compared with 4.2 percent statewide.

“We know there’s going to be more and more of us who are going to be over 65,” Reed said.

He said the focus switches in main-taining health instead of addressing illness and injury “as it occurs.” He said younger people typically come in

to the doctor when there’s a problem and may not need any attention unless there is.

United General shifted its focus in the last couple years to keeping people healthy to prevent health problems from forming down the road. The hospital’s fitness program offers classes to seniors to keep them active.

United General offers classes for a small fee and also promotes community events that encourage healthy eating, such as the Cement City Street Fair.

The street fair in Concrete offered health screenings and invited vendors to serve healthy snacks instead of the

standard french fries and elephant ears.At Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount

Vernon, nurses receive ongoing train-ing to assist geriatric patients.

Spokeswoman Kari Ranten said the hospital is constantly considering seniors as they develop their services and treatment programs. She said there aren’t many programs specifically tai-lored to seniors, but older patients are a major consideration now when evaluat-ing services.

“We try to keep their needs in mind with all our programs,” Ranten said.

She said that the hospital’s wellness programs frequently are helpful to

In this Photo: Ensue Pung Puaa limbers up during cardio-physical therapy at Skagit Valley Hospital.

HospitalsThe baby

boomers are coming, and three local hospitals are

shifting focus.

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AGENtREFERRALBONUS

seniors. The wellness programs offer classes and screenings for particular diseases and conditions, such as diabe-tes.

Dennis Richards, spokesman for Is-land Hospital in Anacortes, said senior care is a primary focus there because of the community’s demographics.

“Island Hospital lives in that world because we have such a high number of retirees,” Richards said.

All of the hospital’s services and programs are influenced by that. The hospital has had its Senior Advisory Board since the early 1990s. The board helps look at the hospitals services and advise how the services could be modi-fied to help the senior population.

• Aaron Burkhalter can be reached at 360-416-2141 or [email protected].

Island HospitalAnacortes

Seniors can sign up for programs that connect them electronically to the hospital.

The programs offer wrist bands that alert the hospital when there’s a problem or phone-dialing direct to the hospital.

Skagit Valley Hospital Mount Vernon

Seniors can participate in a number of wellness programs that focus on specific health

topics like diabetes or cancer. The programs include classes

and screenings for certain diseases.

United General HospitalSedro-Woolley

Seniors can participate in the hospital’s fitness program,

which includes guided exercising at a low cost.

FOCUS ON SENIORS

“We try to keep their needs in

mind with all our programs.”

Kari Ranten, SVH


STREET FAIR: Sponsored by United General

Hospital and the Concrete Chamber of Commerce, the third annual Cement City Street Fair and Motorcycle Show, will be held Saturday, July 24, on Main Street in downtown Concrete.

Organizers say the fair will promote good health and fitness — screenings, resource information and the Cinder Shins 5k Fun Run — while entertaining visitors with arts and crafts, a poetry and music festival, and the motorcycle show. For information, visit www.unitedgeneral.org or www.concrete-wa.com.

PODIATRY CLINIC ADDED: Safe Harbor Free Clinic will offer a specialty podiatry clinic for diagnosis & treatment of foot ailments from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of each month, at the Stanwood/Camano Medical Center, 9631 269th St. N.W., Stanwood. 425-870-7384 or www.safeharborfreeclinic.org.

DRIVER SAFETY: AARP is offering the two-day driver

safety program at the following locations:

Camano Senior and Community Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6. $12 AARP members, $14 nonmembers.

STROKE, ANEURYSM: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at Skagit

Valley Ultrasound Associates, 1320 E. Division, Mount Vernon. Combined carotid and aorta screening by ultra-sound, $59. Appointment required: 360-428-8208.

ARTERIAL DISEASE: Tuesday mornings. Cardiovascular

and peripheral arterial disease and stroke risk assessment. $29 for 40-minute test and review of ways to reduce risk. Appointments required: 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481. www.skagitheart.org for discount.

BLOOD SCREENINGS: 8 a.m. to noon every Friday at

United General Hospital, 2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley. Cholesterol and diabetes, $15, fasting required; Vitamin D, $35. No appoint-ments needed; check in at main lobby. 360-856-7245.

ACUPUNCTURE/STRESS REDUCTION:

10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at Middle Way Acupuncture Institute, 321 W. Washington St. Suite 334, Mount Vernon. No appointment required for this free community/veterans acupuncture clinic. Free mindful silent sitting is offered from 6:15 to 7 p.m. every Monday. 360-610-7706.

MALL WALK: 7 to 10 a.m. Mondays through

Saturdays, at Cascade Mall, 201 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington. United General Hospital offers the Inside Track Mall Walk for people of all

FOR YOUR HEALTH

In this Photo: Ensue Pung Puaa, 71, talks with Skagit Valley Hospital cardiac

therapist Jeff Rhodes as Lois Flanary, 86, works out on an exercise machine.


ages. Registered walkers receive a free T-shirt and can earn prizes for miles walked. Free blood pressure checks are offered Monday mornings at the east entrance. 360-856-7245.

BREAST CANCER ADVOCATES:

Survivors with the Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation will attend consultations, chemotherapy and radiation appointments with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. 877-417-3484, [email protected] or www.angelcarefoun-dation.org.

QUIT SMOKING ASSISTANCE: Tobacco cessation support services are available to the public through the Washington State Department of Health:

• By phone: The Washington State Tobacco Quit Line, 800-QUIT NOW (784-8669) in English or 877-266-3863 in Spanish, provides referral to a “quit coach,” who helps callers develop a quit plan and mails them stage-appropriate cessation materials.

Free nicotine replacement therapies are available for those who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid.

• Online: www.quitline.com offers information, tips and encouragement from others to stop using tobacco.

PHYSICIAN REFERRALS: A free physician referral line for

Stanwood and Camano Island is avail-able from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays by calling 360-848-5555 or 360-629-5850.

HOSPITALWELLNESS PROGRAMSISLAND HOSPITAL1211 24th Street, Anacorteswww.islandhospital.org

Living Wills & Durable Power of Attorney Healthcare: Free. To register, call 360-299-4204. 10 to 11 a.m., July 27.

Balance and Mobility Screening: Free. By appointment. 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 10. At 715 Seafarers Way. 360-299-1367.

Look Good, Feel Better: Free. 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 16 and Sept. 20. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society. 360-299-4200.

Essential Remedies: Migraines, Sinus and Sleep: $15. 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sept. 13. 360-299-4204.

Bone Density Screening: $5. Women only. 9 to 11 a.m., Sept. 14. 360-299-1367

Urinary Leakage: $10. 9:30 to 11 a.m., Aug. 17.

Memory Awareness Screening: Free. 9 to 11 a.m., Sept. 21. 360-299-1367

Blood Pressure Checks: Free. 9 a.m. to noon each Wednesday. 360-299-1309.

SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL1415 E. Kincaid St., Mount Vernon www.skagitvalleyhospital.org

Heart Healthy Fitness Program: 360-814-8368.

Diabetes Education: 360-814-2699.

Lebed Method — Moving Toward Better Health: 3 to 4:30 p.m. the first and third Thursdays each month. 360-814-8255.

Look Good, Feel Better: 1 to 3 p.m. the fourth Monday each month. Register: 800-ACS-2345.

Joint Replacement Preparation: Wednesday afternoons. 360-814-2424.

Pregnancy and Childbirth: 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481.

Individual Weight Loss and Nutrition Counseling: 360-814-2424.

UNITED GENERAL HOSPITAL2000 Hospital Drive, Sedro-Woolley www.unitedgeneral.org

Diabetes Education: 360-856-7268.

Medicare and health insurance counseling: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays. 360-856-7298.

Healthy Steps — Moving Toward Health with the Lebed Method: 3 p.m. Tuesdays. 360-856-7524.

Look Good, Feel Better: Call 425-322-1100 for dates and to register. Fitness Program: By appointment from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 360-856-7245.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation: 360-856-7211. Health Coaching: By appointment. $45 per session. 360-856-7245.

Worksite Wellness Services and Health Fairs: 360-856-7524 or [email protected].

FOR YOUR HEALTH

10 July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years Skagit Publishing www.goskagit.com www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years 11

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THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN DLOS ANGELES — Older adults need up to twice the amount of vitamin D than is typically recommended, according to guidelines released recently by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Concluding a meeting in Switzerland, the group urged adults, defined by this group as 65 and older, to aim for a 25-OHD blood level — the primary marker for vita min D in the blood — of 75 nanomoles per liter. To reach that level, one would need an intake of 20 to 25 micrograms per day (or 800 to 1,000 international units) of vitamin D. That is significantly greater than the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance of 10 micrograms (400 IU) for people ages 51 to 70 and 15 micrograms (600 IU) for people 71 and older. Moreover, the international group cautioned that intakes of up to 50 micrograms or 2,000 IU may be necessary for people who are obese, have osteoporosis, have limited sun exposure or who have problems absorbing vitamin D. The guidelines also recommended vitamin D blood tests for people who may be deficient. The lead author of the statement, Dr. Bess Dawson-Hughes of Tufts University, noted that many people worldwide do not get enough vitamin D. “This high prevalence of suboptimal levels raises the possibility that many falls and frac- tures can be prevented with vitamin D supplementation,” she said in the statement. “This is a relatively easy public health measure that could have significant positive effects on the incidence of osteoporotic frac- tures.”

OLDER ADULTS ADVISED TO GET MORE VITAMIN D

By SHARI ROAN Los Angeles TImes (MCT)

The body uses Vitamin D to help absorption of calcium and keep

normal levels of calcium and phos-phorus in the blood. That helps keep bones strong, and research indicates

Vitamin D may also help protect against high blood pressure, cancer

and some autoimmune diseases.Source: The Mayo Clinic

BENEFITS

www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years 11

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Our HealtH: Plan fOr lOng-term care needsBy JANE GLENN HAAS The Orange County Register (MCT)

Here’s the dark cloud for the future:

From 1997 to 2007, more people age 50 to 65 said they needed help with daily living because of back or neck problems, diabetes or emotional problems.

Since then, the most common causes for needing help were these ailments as well as arthritis or rheu-matism.

“There’s a definite increase in the limitations on physical functions,” says Linda Martin, a senior fellow at RAND Corp. and author of a study on mobility problems and aging.

While the increased numbers in people who need help are not hor-rific, about 2 percent, the study also found 40 percent of people ages 50 to 64 reported that because of health problems they had difficulty shop-ping, standing for two hours, walking a quarter mile or climbing 10 steps

without resting.If people need help in middle age,

it could mean huge future expenses in caring for the elderly. Martin talked about the issues:

Q. Why is this happening to the younger boomers? Did they overdo exercise?

A. Maybe.Q. Does this reflect changing job

activity — more sitting and less physi-cal labor?

A. Maybe. We are not sure why it’s happening. The concern is, if you are going to need help with activities of daily living, as you age that is going to cost somebody. Whether it’s family members, outside help, institutional-ization.

The question is, what happens when these people get older?

Q. Sounds like you see a potential trend, but it’s too early to tell?

A. More studies are needed to de-

termine if these mobility issues reflect deterioration of health, improved diagnosis and treatment, of improved medical care that is extending the lives of those who might not have survived beyond age 50 in earlier decades.

These survey results are an early warning for society and also for indi-viduals who may face limitations later on.

They have an opportunity to start early, to prevent or work in a way to reverse these mobility problems.

Q. Despite concerns about obesity in the United States, those needing help did not cite weight as an impor-tant cause of their limitations.

A. No. Instead, the analysis shows a prominent and growing form of diabetes as a cause of mid-life dis-ability, suggesting the need to reduce the prevalence and disabling effects of the disease.

1� July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years Skagit Publishing www.goskagit.com www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years 1�

ANACORTES SENIOR CENTER360-293-7473

Health offerings include: • Exercise opportunities include Silver Foxes exercise, Wii Sports and Wii Fit, Tai Chi, yoga, table tennis, indoor walking, beginning line dancing, and mind and body wellness.

• “Wellness Day” speakers and screenings offered from 10 a.m. to noon the last Tuesday of each month; blood pressure checks from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the last Tuesday; hearing aid checks from 10 a.m. to noon the last Monday; and chair

massage by appointment from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

• The Hearing Loss Association meets at 1 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Anacortes Senior Center.

Classes include:• Drop-in computer clinic 9 a.m.

each Thursday and Friday.• Driver safety, wood carving,

basket weaving, oil painting, watercolors, bead weaving, ukelele and art appreciation.

Also available:• Games include pinochle,

bridge, cribbage, Mahjong, billiards, Mexican train dominoes and Scrabble. Call for times.

• A book discussion group and field trips are also available.

BURLINGTON SENIOR CENTER 360-755-0102

Health offerings include:• Tai Chi on Wednesdays ($3)• Free blood pressure clinics on

the third Wednesday• Foot and fingernail care clinics

on Tuesdays (foot care $17, fingernails $5)

• Weight loss group on Mondays• The Low Vision Support Group

on the first Tuesday. Classes include:• Spanish ($10 per session)• Recreational music-making.

Contact Sally Kirk at 360-856-4938.Also available:• Games include Mexican train

dominoes, Rummikub, Skip Bo, Trominos, cribbage, pinochle, bridge and hand-and-foot card games.

• The Old Time Fiddlers per-form at 11 a.m. the third Monday of each month.

EVENTSSENIORCENTERS

OFSKAGITCOUNTY

Penny Jacobsen of Camano Island line dances at the Mount Vernon Senior Center recently.

www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years 1�

CONCRETE SENIOR CENTER 360-853-8400

Health offerings include:• Foot care is offered by Visiting

Nurses Aug. 12, Sept. 23, Nov. 4 and Dec. 16. Foot care is $17, finger-nails $5. Appointment required. Bring a towel.

Also available:• The Gray Ladies Sewing Circle

meets Monday mornings.• Games include SkipBo and

dominoes.

MOUNT VERNON SENIOR CENTER360-336-5757

Health offerings include:• Free low-impact exercise

classes are held Mondays, Wednes-days and Fridays.

• Tai Chi exercise classes are of-fered Mondays and Fridays.

• TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensi-bly) meets Wednesdays.

Classes include:• Computer classes.• Arts and crafts classes, such as

ceramics, knitting, crocheting, watercolor painting.

• Recreational music-making. Call Sally Kirk at 360-856-4938.

• SpanishAlso available:• Games include duplicate

bridge, party bridge, and pinochle.• The Old Time Fiddlers per-

form at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of the month.

• Line-dance on Tuesdays. New students welcome the first Tuesday of each month. Call Kathy at 360-540-2378.

• Evening gatherings include: Sweet Adelines at 7 p.m. Mondays, Skagit Squares at 7 p.m. Tues-days, Highland Dancers at 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Round Dancing at 7 p.m. Thursdays, hula dance lessons Thursdays, the Old Time Fiddlers at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Fri-days of the month, Skagit Remote

Control Club the second Wednes-day of the month, the Dahlia Society the fourth Wednesdays, the Retired Foresters the fourth Thurs-days, the Skagit Writers League the fourth Thursday, the Mount Vernon Plant Society at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday, faceting the third Satur-day, ballroom dancing 6:30-8 p.m. first and third Fridays.

• The Retired Senior Vocational Council meets the fourth Wednesday.

• The Skagit Council on Aging meets the third Tuesday.

• The Mature Women’s Discussion group Crone meets the second and fourth Tuesday.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY SENIOR CENTER360-855-1531

Health offerings include:• Fit for Life exercise classes

offered Tuesdays and Fridays. Free

for YMCA members. • Tai Chi exercise classes offered

Wednesdays.• TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensi-

bly) meets Mondays and Fridays.Classes include:• Recreational music-making

classes. Call Sally Kirk at 360-856-4938.

• Painting classes for all skill levels on Mondays.

Also available:• Daytime activities include

quilting, ceramics, Bible study, crafts and pinochle.

• The Old Time Fiddlers per-form at 12:30 p.m. the first Thurs-day of the month.

TRY A RESPITE STAY!Caring for a loved one with dementia can be physically and emotionally challenging. That’s why Birchview Memory Careoffers ongoing residential care, as well as respite stays.

Birchview’s compassionate staff specializes in supporting residents with memory loss, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias.

Call (360) 856-1911to learn more or to schedule a tour at Birchview Memory

Care Community.

925 Dunlop Ave Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 www.birchviewmc.com

Calltheseniorcentersformoreinformationontimes

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1� July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years Skagit Publishing www.goskagit.com www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years 1�

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Every weekday morning, Billie Mar-ion walks a few blocks to the bus stop from the South Natomas, Calif., home she shares with her daughter. She commutes downtown, where she spends her days wrapping gifts in a tiny office at Grebitus & Sons jewel-ers across from the Capitol.

She’s 88, the daughter of a Meth-

odist minister, a small, energetic woman whose one vanity seems to be fingernails manicured a bright shade of orange. Quite simply, she loves to work.

“I love my job,” said Marion. “I’ve always loved it. I like working with my hands.

“I know I could retire. But I like being around people. I love the peo-

ple I work with. They make it so nice to come to work in the morning.”

Her daughter credits Marion’s work ethic with keeping her youthful and involved.

“Work is what keeps her going,” said Tricia Marion, 54. “Seeing some of her friends after they retire, it seems like they got older. Mom just keeps on ticking.”

Retirement isn’t for everyone, and that’s likely just as well: Over the past decades, the promise of pensions has largely vanished from the American economic landscape, and in tough times, retirement savings accounts have fizzled.

Research shows that large num-bers of baby boomers — the oldest of whom reach the traditional retire-ment age of 65 next year — don’t intend to follow earlier generations’ footsteps into a long retirement. Some can’t afford to; many others don’t want to.

Besides, said AARP California’s Christina Clem: “No one should tell you what your later years should be. That’s up to you. Invent your own re-tirement.”

Or un-retirement.Marion, a professional gift wrap-

per for 18 years who in her spare time takes computer classes and sings in her church choir, could be a role model for younger workers — a prime example of someone thriving well past retirement age.

So could Nancy Sadler, 81, who has owned Mad Hatters costume shop in Auburn, Calif., for 27 years.

“A woman came in one day and said, ’When I’m your age, I want to be just like you,”’ said Sadler, looking pleased at the idea.

She works six days a week, despite a handful of health issues that would slow down a less energetic person, and she likes to say she rarely even stops to sit. Instead, she weaves her way expertly through rooms packed with tuxedos and ball gowns and cos-tumes whose themes range from an-

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BUSY SENIORSFor necessity or love of work, many older workers plan for non-retirement

By ANITA CREAMER The Sacramento Bee (MCT)

www.goskagit.com Skagit Publishing July 2010 GOODLIVING: The Retirement Years 1�

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cient Rome to the Easter bunny.“If I sold the shop, I suppose I

could retire,” she said, but it’s clear from her tone she’s not interested in that option.

AARP studies show that the work force population age 65 and older has steadily increased since 1985 to more than 17 percent of that age group, up from not quite 11 percent.

And the trend is only expected to continue.

“One big reason is the money,” said Clem. “It’s nice to get a paycheck. An-other reason is that some people are fortunate enough to really love their jobs. Work is part of their identity.

“Having a reason to get up and a place to go where you can make a difference really contributes to your quality of life,” Clem said.The aging of the work force repre-sents a significant social shift. Within the decade, according to the San Francisco think tank Civic Ventures, the double-whammy of people

leaving work at normal retirement age plus much smaller generations of younger workers could mean that employees who want to continue working into their 70s and beyond will be especially valued.

It’s a nice thought, at least.“Older workers are there every

day because they want to be,” said Kathleen Davis, a career counselor who runs KzDavis Recruiting in Fid-dletown. “Even if they have to work,

their values are a little different. They show up for work every day, and they don’t gripe about it.

“They have that old-fashioned value system that’s going by the way-side.”

Billie Marion joined the Women’s Army Corps after she graduated from junior college. After the war, she worked briefly for the state. Then she got married and had three children. Working wasn’t generally an option for women of her generation.

But when her kids reached age 9 or 10, she decided it was time.

“I think I wanted a little more,” she said. “I hadn’t done much. I kind of missed working.”

So when she was in her 40s, she found a job at a department store, soon landing in the gift-wrapping department. And she’s worked ever since, even though she could retire and relax.

“I know,” she said. “But like I say, I really love my job.”

“Having a reason to get up and a place to

go where you can make a difference really

contributes to your quality of life.”

Christina Clem, AARP

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