Greetings Neighbors!

Announcements:

Free Tax Assistance is available from AARP. See dates, times, and locations below.

Join S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) classes for cardio, balance, and strength building to help prevent falls. Click to learn more.

Holiday closure: Island Senior Resources offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17, in honor of Presidents' Day.



Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers needed in Oak Harbor

We have added routes for Meals on Wheels to meet expanding needs in the community and need more volunteer drivers! Call 360-321-1600 to volunteer.

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Are you looking for ways to connect, learn, be supported, and have fun? For details see the Events section on our website home page.

• Games Afternoon every Wednesday, 1-3 at ISR Bayview, 14594 SR 525 Langley

• Let’s Move Together exercise class for balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance: 10:30 - 11:30 at ISR Bayview 14594 SR 525, Langley 2nd and 4th Thursday, and 10-11 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church 555 SE Regatta Dr. Oak Harbor 1st and 3rd Thursday.

• Langley Walking Group every Tuesday, 11 a.m. at Trustlands Trails off Craw Rd., Langley

• Memory Cafe every 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 12:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church 1050 SE Ireland St. Oak Harbor

• Caregiver Support Group Wednesdays,10 a.m. on Zoom and in-person at ISR Bayview 14594 SR 525 Langley

• Parkinson's Support Group Tuesdays, 10 a.m. on Zoom

• Lunch & Learns: lunch 11:45 - 12:30, presentations 12:30-1:30, Wednesdays at Coupeville United Methodist Church 608 N. Main St. Coupeville. See the program schedule under Events on our website home page.

• Medicare Advising Classes. Details, dates, locations, and times below.

Thank you for being one of our eNews readers. Please share it with others.

Robin Bush

ISR Communications

email: robin@islandseniorservices.org

phone 360-321-1600

ARTICLES

Loneliness vs. Being Alone

by Robin Bush, ISR Communications

Do you know the difference between being lonely or being alone?  Being alone means you aren’t in the presence of another person. It is physical solitude that often boosts creativity, reduces stress, and promotes relaxation. Being lonely is a negative state of mind when your social relationships (in quantity or quality) are not as you desire and do not fulfill your need for social contact. Loneliness is emotional isolation. You can be alone but not lonely, or you can be lonely even when surrounded by other people...

Read more here

Moment versus Momentum:

The Creativity-Key to unlock the Isolation-Prison

By Charles LaFond, ISR Senior Development Director

There is an odd secrecy to aging’s challenges in our society. We love to talk about aging’s “joys,” such as retirement, travel, intergenerational community centers, mental connections, etc. And there are many joys. However, there seems to be a taboo on speaking about the challenges of aging...

Read more here

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are here to help! Request assistance for yourself, a friend, or a neighbor

Serving Whidbey and Camano islands



Island Senior Resources offers programs and services for seniors and caregivers. Details can be found here.

We are here to listen, and to help you find answers to your questions. To request help:

• Call 360-321-1600, Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
• Email us at reception@islandseniorservices.org
• Ask for assistance using our online request feature

Photo by Dennis Browne

Be a Hero. Your gift in 2025 will fund our work to SERVE, SAVE, and SOOTHE older adults in our community. 

Ways to give:

• Online: make a one-time or monthly gift. Click here to get started.
• By check: mail a check to Island Senior Resources, P.O. Box 939, Freeland, WA 98249.
• By phone: send a text to the number 53555 with the word ISRCARES (must be all CAPS), and you can easily make a gift in minutes right from your phone in our “text-to-give” system.
• Pledge: use our secure online service to do your pledge. Learn More.
• IRA, Stock Giving, Planned Gift in your will or trust, Donor Advised Funds, and more: Explore the many ways to give (click here) or contact Charles LaFond, ISR Director, at 360-210-3011 anytime, and he will help you make a gift. If you prefer, you can email Charles at charles@islandseniorservices.org.

To learn more about the impact of gifts to ISR, watch our short online film The Secret Sauce (click to start).

Questions? To meet one-on-one with Charles LaFond, call Charles' cell 24/7 at 360-210-3011, or email him at charles@islandseniorservices.org.

EVENTS

View all ISR events on our website home page and on our online calendar.

COMMUNITY PARTNER EVENTS

ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES

eNews Sign-up

• Camano Center programs and services
• The Center in Oak Harbor program schedule

Senior Thrift

5518 Woodard Avenue

Freeland, WA 98249

Phone 360-331-5701 (main) or 360-331-5726 (donations & pick-ups)