||| FROM TOM EVERSOLE for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER |||
Seniors are especially subject to crimes against vulnerable populations. Scammers actively seek seniors to target for their scams and identity theft. Both Orcas Senior Center (OSC) and San Juan County Senior Services address these issues with seniors as best they can. Staff also respond when there is a suspicion, concern, or report of elder abuse, notifying the proper authorities. More needs to be done to address abuse awareness and prevention on Orcas.
Suicide among seniors may be more common than we recognize, perhaps because we expect old people to die. But who knows when a senior loses their spouse and decides that this cup of yogurt for breakfast alone will be their last? Few companionship and mental health services are available locally for elders whose psychological care is funded by Medicare.
OSC’s Hearts and Hands program provides in-home visits by dedicated volunteers. The Buddy Check-In program reaches out by phone to seniors who are isolated or just need a friend. To learn more about Hearts and Hands or Buddy Check-In, go to www.orcasseniors.org or contact Edy Hansen at edy@orcasseniors.org or 206-413-6167.
Bless you, Tom, for your insight, awareness, and for calling attention to the challenges faced by our aging population! And gratitude to the Senior Center and all the volunteers who are providing services & trying to help. A friend of mine (who is bright & tech-savvy) recently lost $11,000 to a scam and I know of others who are slipping into the negative effects of isolation, often because they are too shy or too proud or simply unable to seek support. I also know of kind hearts who are anonymously reaching out, offering companionship, meals, rides and such, when they can. We are fortunate to have each other.