Serving Whidbey and Camano islands

www.senior-resources.org


April 2025 eNews

Greetings Neighbors!


ISR offers opportunities for you to learn, receive help, and connect with others.


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.


Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers are needed in Oak Harbor and Coupeville. Neighbors helping neighbors make a difference. Become a volunteer driver! Call 360-321-1600 to volunteer.


April Menu for Community Meals and Meals on Wheels Click here.


Fun events to participate in this month - games, Lunch n' Learns, walking groups, exercise classes, and more. For details, click on the images in the "Connect, Learn, and Have Fun" section below.


Senior Thrift hours and days may be expanding soon. Stay tuned to our website.


Thank you for being one of our eNews readers, and please join your neighbors in supporting Island Senior Resources.


Our apologies to anyone who encountered technical difficulties with some links last month. No log-in is required.


Robin Bush

ISR Communications

email: robin@islandseniorservices.org

phone 360-321-1600

Photo by Dennis Browne

Neighbors helping neighbors can make a difference.

Please donate today.


Ways to give:

  • Online: make a one-time or monthly gift. Click here to get started.
  • By check: Island Senior Resources, P.O. Box 939, Freeland, WA 98249.
  • By mobile phone: send a text to the number 53555 with the word isrcares 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, Senior Director, 24/7 at 360-210-3011 anytime, or email charles@islandseniorservices.org.


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

CONNECT, LEARN, and HAVE FUN

(click images to enlarge)





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

ARTICLES


Walking and Dementia

By Robin Bush, ISR Communications


Alicia and her husband, Marcial, have been walking nearly every morning for over a decade. Last summer, Alicia noticed Marcial was beginning to shuffle a bit as he walked, and the spring in his step was gone.  He was originally a New Yorker and had always walked what she called “commuter pace,” a speed walk that was focused on reaching his destination as fast as possible. Now he was walking slower than her, something that had never been true in their 42 years of marriage. It was subtle, but she wondered, should they ask their doctor why? Could it be more than just the result of passing years? She called and was told yes, he should be medically evaluated, including evaluation for possible early dementia. 

Read more


Regrets As We Age

By Charles LaFond

Senior Director, Development and Donor Communications


Humans have regrets in the same way humans have physical wounds...As we age, the wounds mount up. And so, too, do the regrets...

 

Our regrets reveal what we value. When I regret an unkind word, I show value for kindness. When I regret interrupting a friend, I show value for respectful conversation. And when I regret a lie, big or small, I show value for honesty.

Read more


Practice, Practice, Practice

By Robin Bush, ISR Communications


When you hear the words, “practice, practice, practice,” does it remind you of your middle school band director pushing you to improve at the instrument you were trying to learn or your sports coach saying it repeatedly, day after day? Those adults in our early life were likely trying to instill success patterns to use throughout our lives. They wanted us to understand that others may have more talent, but you can outrun them by never stopping the work it takes to get better.

Read More


ASSISTANCE

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 older adults and caregivers. Details can be found here.


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

Request Help

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RESOURCES

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. 

People gathering

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

Nutrition

Eating well is key to a robust immune system and maintaining health and well-being. Savor nutritious meals at home from Meals on Wheels or delight in conversation and lunch at a Community Meal.


Learn more. See days, times, and locations of meal sites

Click here to see the April menu

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

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?

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

ISR Support Groups

ISR Blog

New articles each month with information and inspiration about life and the jchallenges of aging.



Visit the blog

secret sauce video

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

ISR Brochure

Our brochure is available at our offices and downloadable from our website. Please share it with anyone who may need help with issues of aging.


View Brochure

2024 brochure
 

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 older adults and caregivers in Island County.  

For more information, contact Janis Machala, ISR Board President, at 360-321-1600 or email Janis.Machala@islandseniorservices.org

 
 

STAY CONNECTED WITH ISR

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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.
 
 

Copyright © 2025 Island Senior Resources. All rights reserved.

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Island Senior Resources
P.O. Box 939
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-321-1600

Senior Thrift

5518 Woodard Avenue

Freeland, WA 98249

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