What’s In a Website? More Importantly - What’s in the NNN Website?

Is there something you think could make our NNN website better for your use? Do you have a great design idea, or willingness to take more member and volunteer photos, or rewrite some of the content? What’s a quick link button that would take you more directly to what you’re looking for on our website? These are all ideas we’re looking into as we look for our first mini-upgrade since the initial design over four years ago.

https://northwestneighborsnetwork.org/ 

We have a few people behind the scenes ready to help, and we would love your ideas and input. If you want to take part, send an email with your areas of interest in helping to Board President, Suzy: suzy@northwestneighborsnetwork.org 

I don't necessarily love to drive. I am open to help in any way that NNN and our members need. I just see, especially recently, how much the need for transportation has increased.  And when I see rides that have not yet been taken by other volunteers, I feel a sense of worry…¨Oh no, these people need help, and rides to various places are what they need most!¨ I can't help it; call it my Catholic guilt. So I do a lot of driving.  While waiting I park somewhere with no parking fee, and find something to do. I can read a book in the car or take a walk. 

My husband, who just retired, now knows to consult the calendar on the refrigerator to find dates I am not volunteering with NNN. He understands the importance and is very understanding.  We love the outdoors and getting away.  We hope to keep enjoying what we love for as long as we can.  Just as our members do.

Beyond the nearly 50 wonderful people and personalities I have met, I enjoy really connecting with individual members and paying attention to their health and safety. I always try to help if I can or report back any concerns I have. I am a bit handy and very alert in situations that are unsafe and attempt to help a member to the best of my ability. I recently helped a member with the gliders on her walker. I enjoy all the facets that come into this kind of volunteer work. 

Lives to Celebrate as we are saddened by the loss

The NNN community recently lost two long time members who taught us the meaning of “living in the face of adversity.”  Always interesting and interested in what others are doing and thinking, they focused on what they could do to help and encourage others.

Martha Orvis worked with young people as a special education teacher.  She was a role model for people with disabilities.  Several of us had the opportunity to spend time with her, visiting, learning, and doing enjoyable activities under her direction.  My Edmonds News gives us a glimpse of Martha’s inspirational life.

“She was an inspiring, positive and wonderful person.”   

“I will miss my visits with her.”

Kristiana Johnson was a tireless champion for the city of Edmonds.  Serving on planning boards and the city council for many years.  She also was a supporter of the arts and the environment.  Those of us who provided her with transportation learned a lot and had many good laughs with this dynamic person. Kristina’s journey in public life can be found in My Edmonds News.

 “Kristiana was such a hardworking public servant. She always had her enormous bag of reading for every medical session I drove her to. We enjoyed great conversations on the drives.”

“I was inspired by her strength and tenacity.”

NNN Learns Together

In collaboration with the Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center, on June 1st NNN sponsored a panel discussion “Help For Seniors and Their Families: Are You Prepared?” Over 50 people attended this free event to listen to experts in the fields of senior living as they shared valuable information to help us navigate the years ahead. We heard from:

• Adrienne Miller, Senior Housing Referral Specialist, Forever Care Services who helped us understand how to explore and evaluate assisted living options, including what you can expect to pay for assisted living housing. 

• Tracy Morcom, Regional Business Manager,Family Resource Home Care who shared how to identify and find qualified professionals with skills to help people stay in their homes with assistance for as long as possible. 

• John Platt, Fiduciary,  Profiducia  who explained what a fiduciary service does and when you may want to consider hiring an independent specialist to act as your power of attorney or personal representative in financial areas.

• Peggy Sanders, Attorney, Sanders Elder Law to help us understand what legal steps we may want to consider to preserve our independence for as long as possible.

NNN thanks each of the panelists for their valuable contribution to support our community by sharing their knowledge and insights. We also thank the Mountlake Terrace Community Senior Center for their generous support in co-hosting this event.

If you missed this event, or want to listen to the 90 minute discussion again, please visit this link Helping Seniors Prepare For Their Futures ~ Panel Discussion 2022 06 01 or paste this address in your web browser: https://youtu.be/D3-RQAV1Z_U

So Much Fun at the NNN Spring into Summer Picnic! 

Are you looking for a fun day trip with some great NNN friends? Sign up now for the small group outing to the Angel of the Winds Casino & Resort

August 17, 2022

Space is limited and reservations are required

Join volunteer Alexa K. and a few NNN members/volunteers for a day trip to the Angel of the Winds Casino & Resort in Arlington, WA. Plan to meet at the pick up location in Shoreline by 9:00 a.m. on the 17th. (Details on location pick up/drop off will be provided by the volunteer driver.) The group will leave the Casino by 2:00 with an anticipated return to Shoreline around 3:00. Plan to pack a snack, lunch and/or your own beverage or join another member for lunch, at your own expense, at one of the Casino restaurants. The size of the group is limited to 8, including up to 2 drivers so there’s an opportunity to mingle to get to know each other better if you’d like to do so. 

While there is no fee to attend, since this is an 80-mile round trip outing that’s well outside of our normal service area, we suggest a voluntary contribution of no more than $10.00 per rider on the day of the event. This would be paid to the volunteer driver to help offset the cost of gas, which we anticipate will be about $20.00. The contribution is strictly voluntary and could be lower if there are 3 riders, since the cost would be shared equally among those choosing to contribute. The decision will be up to each person. No one is under an obligation to contribute. 

If you’d like to join the group, you must register. Once all 8 spots are filled, we will close registration. To register online, go to our NNN website, log on, and go to the Events page: https://www.northwestneighborsnetwork.org/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=571198&item_id=1755191&event_date_id=255. Click the Register Now button on the right side of the page and complete your registration. Members may request transportation to the pick up/drop off site at the same time. You may also text or call 253-237-2848 to register or request transportation. If you’d like help registering, contact Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org. 

MAKE YOUR OWN GREETING CARDS - REGISTRATION REQUIRED! 

Where: Home of Ginger H., Shoreline

When: August 31st, 1:00-3:00 p.m. 

Ginger’s doing it again! Need a last-minute birthday card or thank you card? Impress the socks off your friends by sending them a card YOU made! Absolutely no experience needed. If you can cut paper and use scotch tape, you’ll be a pro. Join member & volunteer Ginger H. for this afternoon of creative card making with other NNN members. Everything you need to make two to three easy greeting cards will be provided along with fun and good company. There is a small (12-lb.) house dog who will greet you then ignore you. Masks are optional, but this will be an indoor activity. If you have a small pair of scissors to bring for cutting paper and a roll of double-sided scotch tape, that would be great but not required. 

The group size is limited to 5, so register now while you’re thinking about it to reserve your place at the table! To register online go to our NNN website, log on, and go to the Events tab. (or paste this address in your web browser: https://www.northwestneighborsnetwork.org/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=571198&item_id=1762250&event_date_id=255) and then log on. When there, click the Register Now button on the right side of the page and complete your registration. Members may request transportation at time of registration by clicking the “request transportation” button on the registration page. You may also text or call 253-237-2848 to register or request transportation. If you’d like help registering, contact Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org. 

Do You Enjoy Cooking? Help Us Create Our Own NNN Cookbook!

Do you have a favorite recipe? Are you curious about what dishes others like to make (or eat)? Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork wants to hear from you! We’d like to create our own NNN Community Cookbook in time for the winter holidays. Please send your recipe(s) to Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org by October 31, 2022. If you’d like to volunteer to help organize the cookbook, that would be so appreciated! Please contact Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org or text/call 253-237-2848.

Opportunities to Learn - AARP Speaker’s Bureau Has Timely Topics to Share via Zoom

 Interested? We need to hear from you!

AARP Washington recently asked members what issues are important to them, and the answers form the backbone of an on-demand Zoom series to help adults age with confidence and comfort. If we can commit to having a group of 10 or more people attend one of the free speaker’s bureau topics, NNN will make arrangements to schedule one or more of these topics. The topics range from 30-60 minutes, depending on the subject. Here are the topics available:

• “HomeFit,” covering accessibility and livability modifications

• “Six Pillars of Brain Health”

• “Protect Yourself From Fraud and Identity Theft”

• “Operation Protect Veterans From Fraud”

• “Living Longer, Living Smarter,” on long-term care

Many thanks to volunteer Kate C. for bringing this information to our attention! More details will be provided if we hear that a minimum of 10 people are interested in attending at least one of these sessions.  Please send your response about which topics you’re most interested in hearing about to Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org (or call 253-237-2848).

~ Health & Safety News ~

Some Like it HOT - But Not Too Hot! Hot Weather Cooling Tips

How can you lower your risk of heat stroke or illness if your home is too warm? Here are ideas from local counties:

Things you can do to lower your risk of heat-related illness:

Drink plenty of liquids. Stay away from drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. If your doctor has told you to limit your liquids, ask what you should do when it is very hot.

If you live in a home or apartment without fans or air conditioning, try to keep your house as cool as possible. Limit your use of the oven. Keep your shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Open your windows at night.

If your house is hot, try to spend time during midday somewhere that has air conditioning.

If you need help getting to a cool place, ask a friend or relative. Some religious groups, senior centers, and Area Agencies on Aging provide this service. If necessary, take a taxi or call for senior transportation. Don’t stand outside in the heat waiting for a bus.

Dress for the weather. Some people find natural fabrics, such as cotton, to be cooler than synthetic fibers.

Don’t try to exercise or do a lot of activities outdoors when it’s hot.

Avoid crowded places when it’s hot outside. Plan trips during non-rush-hour times.

More tips at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hot-weather-safety-older-adults 

Snohomish County Cooling Centers - local libraries and shopping malls are your best bet: https://snohomish-county-public-safety-hub-snoco-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/cooling-centers

King County: libraries and malls:

https://kcemergency.com/2022/07/21/cooling-centers-in-king-county-july-2022/

~ More Health & Safety News ~

Infections of Covid BA.5 variant are on the rise - Have you had a booster? 

We want to help keep our community members informed and aware of the steps they can take to help minimize the effects of being exposed to a Covid infection. As reported by the Seattle Times, “King county transmission rates are edging into HIGH. Masks are recommended for indoor events.” 

As reported in the Shoreline Area News, UW Medicine also strongly suggests going ahead with boosters to help mitigate the impact of a Covid infection. To read more, please click here or paste this URL in your web browser to read more: https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2022/07/uw-med-booster-shots-with-existing.html

AARP recently published a very interesting article, 5 Reasons You Should Beware the BA. Omicron Subvariant. Click here or paste this URL in your web browser to read the article:

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2022/omicron-ba-5.html

Dr. John Lynch, Medical Director, Infectious Diseases, Harborview Medical Center says:

“I am very pro-booster. I think that if you're eligible for boosters in any way, shape, or form – you should definitely get them. For those who are eligible for that second booster, absolutely get it on board. I do not think that waiting for an omicron-specific booster or vaccine in the fall is necessary. We really know we're in a surge right now with a highly transmissible variant.”

Even if you’ve had a previous Covid infection or have had your vaccinations, if you’ve not yet considered taking time for your 1st or 2nd booster, there’s no time like the present to do so. And if you’re attending an indoor event where there is little air circulation or where you can’t practice social distancing, please wear a mask - for the sake of yourself and those around you. 

If you’re experiencing any symptoms of Covid (fever, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, joint aches), please test to rule out Covid and follow self-quarantine guidelines. If you test positive for Covid, or if you think you may be infected even if you test negative, please contact your health care provider immediately to determine how best to respond to the infection.  And please let Services@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork know in case we need to reschedule any planned services or otherwise assist you while you’re under the weather. Rest assured, NNN is committed to maintaining your privacy and does not share personal health or other personally identifiable information with others without your consent. 

If you need help scheduling or getting a ride for your vaccine or booster, please contact Services@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org, or text/call 253-237-2848.

 Let’s stay healthy!