An excerpt from an interview of Caring Connection participants by Geoff Norcross, host of Think Out Loud on OPB. This episode aired Friday, June 25th. Norcross: Emily, can you talk first about the problem? Emily Freeman, Council on Aging Outreach Manager: A poll released last month by the University of Michigan revealed that twice as many…
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In a society that glorifies youth and change in its popular imagery, the common negative images of age and aging can fuel disrespectful behavior. Among the ageist biases reported, older people felt they were thought of as useless, less intelligent, stingy and a burden. As a group, there is a perception in developed countries that…
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Here’s to our Volunteer of the Month, Sierra Ritchie! Her creativity and hard work are an asset to the Council on Aging. Sierra is a member of the local Girl Scouts and earned her volunteer badge by donating over 50 hours to the Council on Aging! Sierra, why did you decide on volunteering at the…
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Congratulations to Morgan Dewalt for her volunteer service as our Medicare counselor’s receptionist. Our Medicare counselors are part of the Oregon Senior Health Benefits Assistance Program (SHIBA) and are highly trained volunteers that help seniors navigate the complexities of Medicare, including enrolling at 65, annual open enrollment updates and fraud issues. Morgan, why did you…
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The Council on Aging serves as the place seniors in Central Oregon can turn to for the support and services they need to stay fed, safe, and connected. A retired physician, Alan Hillis, was one of the first volunteers to join the Caring Connections program. Alan is matched with Ed, a senior who signed up…
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The World Health Organization’s report on age-friendly cities says, “Social participation and social support is connected to good health and well-being throughout life.” Since humans are social creatures, inclusion, or a sense of community, is key to living a long and fulfilling life. Most of us enjoy spending time with friends, family, and colleagues. Beyond…
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This month’s volunteer(s) of the month award goes out to all of the dedicated volunteers from PacificSource. PacificSource employees have been volunteering for Meals on Wheels for about 20 years now! We sat down with them to have a quick chat about their work. Q: Why do employees continue to volunteer for the Council on…
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The number one disaster threat to homes and families isn’t a dreaded Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. It’s not torrential rains and massive flooding. It’s not even a colossal freeway pileup. Instead, it’s a tiny spark – that leads to a flame – that leads to a fire – a home fire. One that destroys possessions, displaces people,…
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The City Club of Central Oregon recently brought together a panel of experts to address this important topic: Envision Better Aging: How Can Central Oregon Adapt to the Needs of an Aging Population? That’s a complicated question, and there’s no single answer. The aging population in the world and Central Oregon is rising rapidly. How…
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A choice of dwellings and the ability to retain independent living are priorities as we age. Affordable housing ranks high on the list. A case study from the U.K. indicated that 76% of the homes were owner-occupied, reaffirming that most retirees would rather live in their own homes than move to a retirement community. This…
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The National Volunteer Week theme for 2021, The Value of One, The Power of Many, reflects on the awe-inspiring acts of kindness by millions of individuals. It’s an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the…
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