Welcome to the Orcas Senior Center Nonprofit!
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We are not just “Seniors”, just adults who happen to be over 60… We are artists, teachers, therapists, engineers, farmers… We are business owners, philanthropists, contractors, politicians, ship builders, and so much more. We are the wise ones, the ancients, the elders, holding wisdom that can only be achieved with age. We are the ones that made it through. Many of us are the baby boomers, we have all lived through war and seen the technology age evolve. We have fought for equality and environmental change. We have seen parts of our world grow while others crumble. Help us build an intergenerational, sustainable community for lifetimes of decades. Help us thrive, not just survive. As one day, part of this “WE” will be YOU.
~ Orcas Senior Center |
Let's Start a Conversation...
Aging in the Salish Sea
A Note from Tom Eversole, Hearts & Hands Director
There is a myth that seniors on Orcas Island are well off and can access services they need through private or public resources. My observations as Director of the Hearts and Hands program since November 2017 are different, and the need for support services for elders is growing. By 2020, more than half of islanders will be 55 or older, according to the State of Washington’s Forecasting Division.
Many elders cannot age safely at home here. Their home maintenance has been deferred for years. Home maintenance and repair emerged as a critical need in the 2017 needs assessment conducted by the Orcas Senior Center (OSC) Nonprofit. OSC is undertaking efforts to establish a collaborative, affordable community response.
Retire on Orcas, but go someplace else when you can’t take care of yourself! Frail and elderly women and men here, who need care themselves are often the sole caregivers of others. Ultimately they must relocate. Many individuals and nonprofits are working earnestly to support elders here at the end of their lives, but a reliable system of in-home health plus in-home care accessible to everyone is unavailable. Caregivers can’t afford to live on Orcas making what Medicaid pays them. A variety of public and private organizations have begun exploring sustainable solutions.
Loneliness and depression define the “golden years” for some on Orcas. Island neighbors, faith-based and civic organizations, San Juan County Senior Services, Compass Health and nonprofits like OSC do what they can. We need a consumer-engaged system for mental health and addictions treatment and prevention beyond Medicaid. We should become a “Dementia Aware Community”.
Elders are subject to crimes by scammers and identity thieves. The OSC Nonprofit’s new “Tech” initiative will help seniors avoid cybercrime and use the internet safely. As elsewhere, elder abuse and neglect occur on Orcas. With fewer options at their disposal, however, local seniors may endure more here, fearing that their limited support will be lost. Both the OSC Nonprofit and County Senior Services respond when there is a suspicion, concern or report of elder abuse, notifying to the proper authorities.
Emergency preparedness also emerged as a 2017 OSC senior needs assessment priority. Accordingly, OSC has undertaken a new initiative for “Senior Preparedness” in coordination with first responders and County emergency management’s established response plans. The project strives to increase individual senior preparedness as well as the readiness of communities to include vulnerable neighbors in their response activities.
While challenges to aging on Orcas are significant, they are not insurmountable. As Margaret Meade said: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Folks on Orcas are amazing, generous, committed, helpful neighbors. I feel certain that as a community we can find the solutions we need.
Visit our Aging on Orcas page for a fuller discussion of these and other issues confronting island elders (i.e., all of us someday).
Many elders cannot age safely at home here. Their home maintenance has been deferred for years. Home maintenance and repair emerged as a critical need in the 2017 needs assessment conducted by the Orcas Senior Center (OSC) Nonprofit. OSC is undertaking efforts to establish a collaborative, affordable community response.
Retire on Orcas, but go someplace else when you can’t take care of yourself! Frail and elderly women and men here, who need care themselves are often the sole caregivers of others. Ultimately they must relocate. Many individuals and nonprofits are working earnestly to support elders here at the end of their lives, but a reliable system of in-home health plus in-home care accessible to everyone is unavailable. Caregivers can’t afford to live on Orcas making what Medicaid pays them. A variety of public and private organizations have begun exploring sustainable solutions.
Loneliness and depression define the “golden years” for some on Orcas. Island neighbors, faith-based and civic organizations, San Juan County Senior Services, Compass Health and nonprofits like OSC do what they can. We need a consumer-engaged system for mental health and addictions treatment and prevention beyond Medicaid. We should become a “Dementia Aware Community”.
Elders are subject to crimes by scammers and identity thieves. The OSC Nonprofit’s new “Tech” initiative will help seniors avoid cybercrime and use the internet safely. As elsewhere, elder abuse and neglect occur on Orcas. With fewer options at their disposal, however, local seniors may endure more here, fearing that their limited support will be lost. Both the OSC Nonprofit and County Senior Services respond when there is a suspicion, concern or report of elder abuse, notifying to the proper authorities.
Emergency preparedness also emerged as a 2017 OSC senior needs assessment priority. Accordingly, OSC has undertaken a new initiative for “Senior Preparedness” in coordination with first responders and County emergency management’s established response plans. The project strives to increase individual senior preparedness as well as the readiness of communities to include vulnerable neighbors in their response activities.
While challenges to aging on Orcas are significant, they are not insurmountable. As Margaret Meade said: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Folks on Orcas are amazing, generous, committed, helpful neighbors. I feel certain that as a community we can find the solutions we need.
Visit our Aging on Orcas page for a fuller discussion of these and other issues confronting island elders (i.e., all of us someday).
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Support Orcas Seniors by Shopping on Oct 18th at the Co-op!
Please support the Orcas Senior Center NonProfit by shopping at the Orcas Food Co-op on Oct. 18 for 3% Thursday Community Shopping Day! For this day only, 3% of all Co-op sales will be donated to the Senior Center. For the month of October you can choose to round up and support the Senior Center. Stock up on organics or enjoy a tasty lunch and support our mission to help all islanders age well on Orcas! 2018 GiveOrcas Technology Grant
Thanks to the community's support, we will be starting this initiative for 2018-2019. We hope to join forces with Orcas teens, Caregivers, and Rock Island to make this project the a powerful offering and collaboration for our community. Interested in joining our tech grant planning committee? Contact us today!
Orcas Senior Center 2018 Grant - We Hold the Wisdom of the Ages; Help Bring Us Up-to-Date! Orcas Senior Center (OSC) will provide elders access to technology equipment (via implementation of weekly computer labs and loaner equipment), and learning.
RENEW TODAY!
New Annual Membership Process - Your Membership will be valid for ONE YEAR from the date of application/renewal. TO JOIN or RENEW MEMBERSHIP ONLINE scroll down to complete the online Membership Form. Once you have completed your form, you will be given the option to pay membership dues online. DOWNLOAD/PRINT MEMBERSHIP FORM Connect with us on Facebook, sign up for email updates below, and come on down to the Orcas Senior Center! Do you have membership questions or ideas on how we can enhance our offerings? We would love to hear your feedback – please reach out to Sara Boyle at the Senior Center to share your thoughts via phone (360-376-7723) or email oisc.cfa@gmail.com
Come exercise with us! Take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The Senior Center has an amazing team of local and experienced instructors who have created classes tailored to a variety of physical abilities. Interested in a class – come check us out and meet our instructors, the first class is free!
Come enjoy a cup of coffee or a sip of tea with friends at our self-serve coffee shop NOW OPEN Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am-noon. Refreshments and goodies available are free to all as this offering is part of the new initiatives launched from last year’s Challenge Grant. Watch for more new initiatives!!!
Hearts and Hands Program
The Orcas Senior Center, the Orcas District of the Senior Services of San Juan County 501(c)3, and United Way of San Juan County support the Hearts and Hands program. Do you know of an Orcas resident that could benefit from companionship or are you interested in becoming a Hearts and Hands volunteer? Visit our Hearts and Hands page to learn more!
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Senior Preparedness Initiative at the Senior Center
As on of its new initiative programs, the Orcas Senior Center Nonprofit (OSC) is taking this opportunity to roll out its Senior Preparedness Series. This effort is designed to raise awareness about ways seniors can prepare for emergencies as well as special considerations for vulnerable islanders. OSC Members and the Public are invited to participate in monthly activities that prepare them to survive emergencies, access PERS, assist others and shelter in place if necessary, to ensure we can all age well, safely, on Orcas.
For more information, the below article contains a lot of good ideas, tips, and links to CDC’s website. The “Care Plan Template” is fairly in-depth but even filling out portions of it could be helpful, especially for those that are unable to leave their home or have memory barriers. 
Orcas Senior Center Nonprofit is thrilled to have Vicki O’Keefe join our staffing team as the new Program and Activities Coordinator. Vicki’s focus will be launching new initiatives like our Tech grant and increasing offerings in result of islander feedback obtained throughout the last year. Vicki brings a vast amount of programming experience and her passions align with our mission to age well on Orcas.
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – The Summer Day, Mary Oliver. Vicki O’Keefe has thirty years of experience as a classroom teacher. She has a Master’s degree in Education, and is certified in the University of Washington Fiber Art program. She was coordinator of the Community Service Outreach programs at several private schools in the Seattle area. She started as an English teacher in Seattle independent private schools teaching English, and continued her career as a technology teacher instructing students in the wonders of desktop publishing, sewing, photography and filmmaking. She tutors reluctant readers and dyslexic children. Vicki’s goal is to bring her experience, caring and insights to the Orcas Island community. “Reading, sewing, and service bring me great pleasure,” she states. “There is a great power when vibrant and grateful people join together to do good things.” Please stop by the center to introduce yourself, Vicki will be working part time, Monday through Thursdays at the Senior Center, email her at seniorcenterprograms@gmail.com and the new host of our Tuesday Coffee Shop (soon to expand to Thursdays!). 2017-18 OICF Grant Aging in Place Study - Read the full report!
Thank you for your support to help our island THRIVE and Age Well on Orcas! Every dollar adds value to our efforts, programs, services and offers a helping hand. Donations can be made via the below link. Checks can be made payable to Orcas Senior Center and mailed to: Orcas Senior Center, PO Box 1653, Eastsound, WA 98245 or DONATE ONLINE - NEW OPTION!
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