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Island Senior Resources - January 2025 eNews
Serving Whidbey and Camano islands
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Greetings Neighbors!
From all of us at ISR, we wish you a safe, happy, and healthy New Year!
Announcements
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 Schedule
Island Senior Resources offices and Senior Thrift will be closed on Jan. 1 to celebrate New Year's Day, and ISR offices will be closed on Jan 20 to honor Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Now you can call Senior Thirft directly
360-331-5701 (General Information) or 360-331-5726 (for donations/ pickups)
Click to learn more.
Meals on Wheels volunteers needed
We have added routes for Meals on Wheels to meet expanding needs in the community and need more volunteer drivers! We also need volunteers to help package meals on Mon., Wed., or Fri. 8 a.m. - noon at Bayview. Call 360-321-1600 to volunteer.
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Events this month - See details in 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. and SR 525, Langley
- Memory Cafe every 1st and 3rd Tuesday 12:30 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 12:30-1:30 Wednesdays at Coupeville United Methodist Church 608 N. Main St. Coupeville
- Medicare Advising Classes (see dates, locations, and times below)
- Discuss Medicare Advantage Plan changes Tuesday, Jan 28 at noon at The Center in Oak Harbor 51 SE Jerome St. How/why to switch plans by 3/31,
______________________________________________________________You CAN make a difference.
Volunteer for ISR. Let us know your interest: 360-321-1600, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our YouTube channel.
Thank you for being one of our eNews readers and sharing it with others.
Robin Bush
ISR Communications
email: robin@islandseniorservices.org
phone 360-321-1600
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Why Do We Gather?
By Robin Bush, ISR Communications
Throughout history the human desire for gathering is found throughout the world in festivals, pilgrimages, feast days, harvest celebrations, ceremonies, worship, and more. Energy builds when a group gathers. Like a wave, it gains momentum and lifts those gathered to a new place, a place higher than what one experiences alone. Chip Conley (hospitality entrepreneur, author, and founder of the Modern Elder Academy) describes this as collective effervescence -- the energy that occurs when you feel connected to a larger group. And that connection, some say, is a fundamental human need, perhaps as essential as food or shelter...
Read more here
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Curiosity: A Better Choice Than Fear
By Charles LaFond – ISR Senior Development Director
One day, I became curious.
I was never curious about aging when I was young. It was happening to others around me – to others, as I sped along, accumulating...
Read more here
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Request Assistance for Yourself, a Friend, or Neighbor
Serving Whidbey and Camano islands
Island Senior Resources offers programs and services for seniors and caregivers. All programs and services information can be found here.
We are here to speak with you and help you find answers to your questions. You can request assistance for yourself, a friend, or a neighbor. Ways to request help:
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Support Groups
We provide Support Groups for caregivers, and Parkinson’s, and a new support group "Aging on Whidbey" is coming soon (date to be announced). Attend a free, professionally facilitated Support Group.
Learn More
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Memory Cafes
Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church is offering Memory Cafes in Oak Harbor. To learn more call 360-321-1600. To see dates and times click here.
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Lunch and Learns
Come for lunch and fun presentations at Coupeville United Methodist Church every Wednesday. Lunch 11:45 - 12:30. Presentations 12:30 - 1:30. See list of programs on our home page
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & INFORMATION | |
The Activity Hub
Looking for something fun to do? Check out our online guide to resources offering activities for older adults. There is so much to do in Island County from gardening to theater, classes to hikes, lectures to recreation, and more! Check back regularly as we continue to add to this list.
Learn More
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Medical Equipment Lending Library
Island Senior Resources has free medical equipment lending libraries for medical equipment, assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.), and hygiene products/personal care items including disposable underwear, pads, wipes, bed pads, no water shampoo, body wash, and more.
Learn more
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Private In-Home Providers Directory
Not sure who to hire for odd jobs around the house? Or maybe you are in search of a caregiver who is the right fit for your family member and will provide you with some much-needed respite time. Our Private In-home Provider (PIP) directory might have just the person you need.
Learn more
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Senior Thrift
Senior Thrift offers new and lightly used clothing, furniture, household goods, outdoor items, tools, crafts, books, jewelry, and children’s items. Visit our housewares department and year-round Christmas room.
Proceeds from sales at Senior Thrift support ISR programs. Learn more
5518 Woodard Avenue
Freeland, WA 98249
(off SR 525 just north of Main Street in Freeland)
View Map,
phone: 360-331-5701 Senior Thrift (General)
360-331-5726 Senior Thrift (Donations/ Pickups)
Need to drop off items at Senior Thrift?
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Volunteer
Volunteering is highly satisfying, good for your health, connects you to others, and makes a huge difference in someone’s life. We have many volunteer opportunities available.
Learn More
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ISR Blog
New articles each month to help you with the joys and challenges of aging.
Visit the blog
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Healthy Aging
Join Charles LaFond at his potter’s wheel, his kitchen, and his outdoor wok as he honors the benefits and challenges of aging on Whidbey and Camano Islands. (Film produced and donated by Chris Douthitt).
Watch Video
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See. Hear. Now. Join our Board
Island Senior Resources has openings on our board of directors. This could be your opportunity to lend your ideas and voice to how we can help seniors in Island County. For more information about our board, contact Jan Bahner, ISR Board President at 360-321-1600 or email jan.bahner@islandseniorservices.org
For more information about Island Senior Resources, contact Michele Cato, Executive Director, at 360-321-1600 michele@islandseniorservices.org
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OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST | |
Island Senior Resources is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) that has been serving Island County since 1972. Island Senior Resources is the trade name for Senior Services of Island County. | |
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Copyright © 2025 Island Senior Resources. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested it or opted in to keep up on news at Island Senior Resources. Thanks for your interest!
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Island Senior Resources
P.O. Box 939
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-321-1600
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Senior Thrift
5518 Woodard Avenue
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-331-5701 (main) or 360-331-5726 (donations & pick-ups)
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