Quarantine Diaries: Spotlight on Jean Stevens

Volunteer and Advisory Council chair, Miss Jean Stevens, has put down roots in Bend for the past 14 years. As a very private, solitary person, the COVID-19 stay-at-home order adjustment for Jean wasn’t as hard as it has been for others. “People who are creative and curious are going to handle [isolation] a lot easier…

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Quarantine Diaries: Spotlight on Jean Stevens

New Program: Caring Connections

Seniors are at the highest risk of developing more serious illness from COVID-19 and are being asked to be the most vigilant about social distancing. But, with our new Caring Connections program, loneliness doesn’t have to be a side effect of COVID-19. Caring Connections matches volunteers with tri-county seniors who would appreciate a weekly phone…

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New Program: Caring Connections

COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available to Ages 75+

We have great news! Starting today, Central Oregon residents who are 75 and older are eligible to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. You can schedule your appointment now, online or by phone.  There is no out-of-pocket cost to attend this clinic. The vaccine is available by appointment only. …

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COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available to Ages 75+

In conversation with Tom Filcich, our volunteer of the month!

Q: Tom, why did you decide to volunteer for the Council on Aging? A: Well, I’ve been here for probably over 10 years. I decided to volunteer for the Council on Aging because I was a senior citizen, and I wanted to help. As a volunteer, I am learning more about myself and the Council…

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In conversation with Tom Filcich, our volunteer of the month!

Don’t Let Scammers Spoil the Season

While you’re busy making holiday plans, the crooks are making their wish list. If you know what these con artists are up to, it’s easier to spot scams rather than fall for them. Unfortunately, seniors are a common target for fraudsters, especially during the holidays. Why? Seniors often have nest eggs, own their homes, excellent…

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Don’t Let Scammers Spoil the Season

Food or Medical Care? Our Seniors Shouldn’t Have to Choose.

After a lifetime of hard work, often for reasons beyond their control, many older adults in Central Oregon are forced to choose between healthcare and hunger.  Many are struggling with food insecurity for various reasons, including limited finances and resources, the cost of healthy foods, competing priorities such as medication, functional limitations, and stress. Some…

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Food or Medical Care? Our Seniors Shouldn’t Have to Choose.

Making Communication Age-Friendly for Seniors All Over the World

The single barrier to communicating with older people is how information is presented in the print form or audibly. The font size on text materials, mainly hard copy and visual displays such as television, can often be too small to read.  Product labels and instructions, particularly for medications, can be hard to decipher. Page layouts…

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Making Communication Age-Friendly for Seniors All Over the World

Let Us Help You Make the Right Medicare Choices

Our in-depth, one-on-one Medicare insurance counseling sessions are designed to help Medicare beneficiaries and their families, friends, and caregivers. During open enrollment, Robert Cohen, a long-time SHIBA counselor for the CoA, helps hundreds of people make the right choices for each individual situation.  “I try to steer people in the right direction, so they can…

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Let Us Help You Make the Right Medicare Choices