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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 2017)
20 Wednesday, October 11, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Commentary... A growing, inclusive community for Sisters seniors By Joann Power Guest Columnist The Earth shook a bit Monday, September 25, under the Rainwater Café when a group of 10 enthusias- tic “shakers and movers” got together for the first time as a steering committee for the emerging Senior Alliance. The steering commit- tee will provide the Sisters community with a picture of the needs of our aging com- munity. The emphasis is that Senior Alliance is inclusive. Conversations and collabora- tion are key to its direction for assisting seniors in the com- munity to have and to eas- ily access the many services present and needed. Anyone interested in participating in the future conversations are urged to contact Joann Power with their name, contact and specific interest. Email: lulok3@hotmail.com (They will then be sent invitations and information.) Maybe another volcano is emerging to join the Cascades’ Three Sisters Mountains to attract admiring attention to keep this “age-friendly” community’s spirit active. The term “age-friendly city” is used by Dr. Margaret B. Neal, director of the Institute on Aging, an outstanding promoter of such communi- ties world-wide. She will be visiting Sisters on November 3, probably because she has already heard how Sisters is the model of a caring, friendly little city. A coined word, “agers” describes anyone from con- ception to age 110. Yet each stage and age has its unique needs, and a healthy commu- nity meets them. Sisters now does an outstanding job of meeting educational needs. From preschool through high school are growth experiences and educational opportunities that are exem- plary. But then jobs for the graduates are scarce in Sisters. People hear about their well- educated, talented youth serv- ing well in other communities. Senior citizens approach situ- ations where they are tempted to leave for places that have better transportation or more accessible services for them. Often they are unaware of the services that are here. Thus Sisters loses two groups of its loved and talented agers. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES Senior Alliance seeks to incorporate the talents of all “agers” into a model community. Perhaps there are ways to 85-year-olds still comfortable When an assisted-living facil- keep both young and old here but needing some help in their ity is built here as planned, it to the economic benefit of the own homes. will employ many younger community. Senior Alliance Either here or in another people, helping all agers to invites each citizen to analyze community senior citizens continue to live in their home all answers to that. will pay for such services. town. Sisters attracts retired Seniors mean profitable This newly formed group, people as residents. They are industry. Their needs are Senior Alliance, invites every- a large part of the population potentials for businesses and one to think and talk about here. Services for these people part-time work for many incorporating the talents and as they age can employ many. young people. Youth saving kindnesses of each age group Doctors, nurses, counselors, to go to university, or young to continue to coordinate the financial advisers, bankers, parents who need part- or full- model community for all its food services, grocery stores, time jobs to raise their young agers. Senior Alliance will landscapers, home services families need a fair wage. give out and collect informa- such as cleaning, animal care, Most seniors can afford to tion at the Senior Health Fair yard care, transportation, gro- pay that. To make the many being held from 10 a.m. to 2 cery delivery, food prepara- services already existing p.m. October 20, at Sisters tion. Handy men and women more easily known and more Park & Recreation District, are needed daily by the 65- to accessible could be a goal. 1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd. Right Step Orthotics COMFORT…FROM THE GROUND UP Ski • Bike • Hike • Run Back-Pain Foot-Pain & Bunions 541-636-0855 — Free Consultation — A lot of physical ailments start with your feet. If you’re walking wrong, it hurts. Back pain in particu- lar can often be helped with quality foot beds. Get in step with Right Step Orthotics. John Neal makes house calls. He’s fully mobile and willing to travel. It’s part of his commitment to helping folks in the Sisters community. Right Step foot beds are custom fitted and manufactured to exactly meet your needs. They are an investment in your good health that will serve you for years. And if you have foot beds that serve you well but are getting kind of ratty, Right Step Orthotics can often refurbish them for you. John can also provide in-shoe sole lifts and can stretch shoes that you thought wouldn’t work for you anymore. Don’t live with pain or settle for cheap, tempo- rary fixes. Get a free consultation with John Neal at Right Step Orthotics. Your feet will thank you. Sisters Park & 60+SENIOR HEALTH Recreation District FAIR IN SISTERS Friday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at SPRD (next to High School) FREE Over 60? Free education & screening for: • Functional Strength, Movement, Posture & Balance • Bone Density Testing • Blood Glucose Testing • Hearing • Blood Pressure • Tire Checks • Orthotics • Dental Check • Cholesterol • More! 541-549-2091 1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd. www.SistersRecreation.com Sisters Park & Recreation District and the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District have part- nered together to bring a 60+ Senior Health Fair to Sisters Country. The fair will showcase the health services cur- rently being offered in Sisters Country, and to pro- vide free screenings and education for those who attend. The 60+ Senior Health Fair has been set for October 20, at Sisters Park & Recreation District at 1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd. (next to Sisters High School). This event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is free to everyone. The fair will include: Bone density testing; lower extremity functional strength and balance screening; blood glucose testing; hear- ing screening; blood pressure safety information; tire checks; orthotics; functional movement and posture screening; dental check; and cholesterol assessment.
