Lahari on Orcas

05/31/2024

Starting in July 2026, Washington workers who move out of state can choose to remain part of the WA Cares Fund, provided they've worked and contributed for at least three years with a minimum of 500 hours per year. They must opt in within a year of leaving. Out-of-state participants will continue contributing to the fund during their working years, with the state developing a process for them to report earnings and pay premiums conveniently.

Benefits for out-of-state participants kick in from July 2030, and they'll need to meet specific care needs, such as requiring assistance with daily activities for at least 90 days or supervision due to severe cognitive impairments.

The program is devising user-friendly processes to ensure out-of-state participants can easily access their benefits, with further details forthcoming.

For more information, visit https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/

Looking for a caregiver, visit: https://OrcasCaregivingConnection.org/

05/17/2024

🚗 Calling all early birds! We're seeking a volunteer willing to drive to catch the morning ferry a few times a month. If you're up for an adventure and want to make a difference, drop us a message! 🌅

05/15/2024

Strokes radically change people's lives and change levels of care. This post by Washington State Department of Health is a fantastic look at how strokes work and how to help prevent them.

05/14/2024

Hospice of the Northwest presents Therapeutic Touch at Orcas Senior Center on June 1st and 8th.

05/10/2024

How do you know when to call for support? How do you find the right support for your loved one? No answer fits every family. Still, you can find some questions and information at Caregiving Connections, Lahari's online caregiver directory, that might help you make the right decision.
https://orcascaregivingconnection.org/hiring-an-in-home-caregiver/

09/21/2023

Vaccines are available at Rays!

Article link below

Their Vaccine Clinics have:

Standard Vaccines

Influenza – Regular and High dose for those 65 and over.
Pneumonia (Prevnar 20)
Covid booster – we will offer the new formulation recently released by the FDA and CDC for those
12 years and older. Estimated timing for receipt of vaccine is early Oct.
Shingles (Shingrix) for those over 50 years old, available as a two-dose series (2 to 6 months apart).
Tetanus including pertussis (TDAP) for those 12 years and older and greater than 10 years since the last dose of vaccine.
Additional Vaccines – available with advance notice

HPV
Meningococcal
RSV

09/06/2023

Recent Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine findings have shed new light on Alzheimer's disease. (https://news.vt.edu/articles/2023/08/vtcsom-alzheimers-research.html) The study reveals that carotenoids, a crucial micronutrient found in the brain, tend to be at lower levels in brains diagnosed with Alzheimer's compared to those without the condition. This discovery underscores the importance of nutrition in brain health.

We're delighted to have such remarkable powerhouses on island, Orcas Island Food Bank, Orcas Food Co-op, Orcas Senior Center, and Orcas Community Resource Center, who have been instrumental in ensuring that more seniors have access to fresh vegetables, which are rich sources of these essential carotenoids.

Considering that over 70% of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's are aged 75 and above, facilitating discussions about brain health is paramount. To help in these conversations, we recommend exploring Orcas Caregiving Connection. On the resource page, (https://orcascaregivingconnection.org/?p=300), you will find Alzheimer's Foundation of America and NAC's free Brain Health guide that equips individuals with valuable insights on engaging in these crucial discussions.
Visit Orcas Caregiving Connection to access this valuable resource. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. 🌟

09/01/2023

Accessible parking at the ferry landing! What a difference a few ADA parking spots can make.

08/31/2023

A helpful guide to help prevent falls from the National Counsel On Aging

Check out the full pdf here:
https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FallsPrevention_FINAL.pdf

08/27/2023

08/25/2023

It is hard to talk about memory loss, especially with someone you love.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America created a brain health guide to help have those hard conversations.
You can find the full PDF athttps://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/TalkBrainHealth_Nov-1-2016.pdf