Derby Day After PartyMaking a Difference and Honoring Heroes Recognition Awards

250 people attended Council on Aging’s Derby Day After Party event and raised $180,000. This is a huge step toward meeting the need to care for our senior population, including delivering more than 3,800 Meals on Wheels meals a week in Sonoma County.

BiRite Foodservice Distributors received the 2018 Making a Difference award.

Marrianne McBride, President & CEO, Council on Aging also presented Hero recognition awards to key members of our community who had a significant impact during the devastating firestorms that rocked our County and increased the need for Council on Aging services:

Sheriff Rob GiordanoKSRO’s Pat KerriganKenwood Fire Chief Daren BellachREDCOM’s Sofia Kittila and Frances Rossiter3rd District Supervisor Shirlee Zane2nd District Senator Mike McGuire

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

June 2018Beauty: Going GreySee page 6

INSIDE

Partners in Aging ........................................ page 4

Accepting a caregiver .............................. page 4

People on the move ....................... ...........page 5

Beauty spotlight ...........................................page 6

Derby Day party pix....................................page 7

Senior center highlights ................ ..........page 8

Letters to the Editor ...................................page 9

Puzzles ..............................................................page 9

MOW volunteer driver .............................page 10

Benefits of hiring seniors ......................... page 11

Choosing a caregiver ............................... page 12

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 341

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Kenwood Fire Chief Daren Bellach

REDCOM dispatchers Sofia Kittila & Frances Rossiter with Marrianne McBridePresident & CEO, Council on Aging

Senator Mike McGuire served as Derby Day auctioneer.

KSRO’s Pat Kerrigan with Derby Day MC Lisa Wittke Schaffner, Executive Director, The John Jordan Foundation

3rd District Supervisor Shirlee Zane with 2nd District Senator Mike McGuire

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Mission StatementTo enhance the quality of life for our aging community by providing services that promote well-being and maintain independence.

PAGE 2 | June 2018

Sonoma Seniors Today

A monthly publication by

30 Kawana Springs Road Santa Rosa, CA 95404

707-525-0143 • 800-675-0143Fax 707-525-0454

@councilonaging.comwww.councilonaging.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Deborah Roberts, ChairJohn Reyes, Vice Chair

Bonnie Burrell, SecretaryJoseph Huang, Treasurer

Corrine Lorenzen, Past ChairJeff Beeson, James DeVore,

John Pearson and Frank Pugh

COA EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENTMarrianne McBride, President and CEO

Connie Aust, Fiduciary Director of Financial Services

Renee Tolliver, Director of Social ServicesZachary Carroll, Director of Legal ServicesLauren Schwing, Director of DevelopmentJennifer Mangosong-Shankle, Director of

Senior Nutrition ServicesJosef Keller, Director of Kitchen Operations &

Business Development

Editor: Laurie Wachterlwachter@councilonaging.com

Contributors: Laurie Wachter

Distribution Manager: Jeramon Shade

Subscriptions: Use form on this page.

Sonoma Seniors Today strives to share a variety of viewpoints on subjects of interest to a broad range of its readership. Opinions and viewpoints expressed by contributors and those interviewed for articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Council on Aging. Readers are invited to share their ideas, opinions and viewpoints by writing to this publication. Suggestions for improving this publication are given careful consideration, and letters to the editor are welcomed. Photographs may also be submitted.

Editor’s note: Publication of all material is at the discretion of the editor; originals become the property of SST and cannot be returned. Mail all submissions to Sonoma Seniors Today c/o Council on Aging, 30 Kawana Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404, or email to SonomaSeniorsToday@councilonaging.com.

All rights reserved© 2016 Council on Aging

“Accept – then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.”

~ Eckhart Tolle

Make SST part of your plan to age successfully!Sonoma Seniors Today is your local resource for all things aging-related, with tips on how to stay healthy, engaged and financially secure.

Subscribe now to receive your monthly issue filled with helpful information. Best of all, your subscription helps fund senior services provided by Council on Aging. Mail this form and check payable to Council on Aging, SST Subscriptions, 30 Kawana Springs Rd., Santa Rosa CA 95404.

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SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Barbara AbsherMr. & Mrs. Roger AquistapaceWayne and Carolyn AdkinsLeslie J. AgnewKathleen Ah SanChady Wonson and Bruce AlbertAlexander Valley Ladies AidJennifer AlvarezWilliam AndersonKathy AtkinsonPatricia BallardAlex S. BendahanRichard and Carolyn BischofConstance BloodDaisy BogartPhyllis J. BoilesJohn T. BraytonLillian BrownKim BuckmanThomas and Kathleen CahillMarsha CalhounTammera and Paul CampbellMary ClancyJerry and Marcy ClausenLinda M. CloseBarbara CoenGlenn K. CoxeSusan and Henry P. CulpCheryl C. CumminsDonald and Renee DeorseyCece DepaoliRonald and Kristin DickJocelyn DuranElizabeth EllisBeth Eurotas

David and Joyce FanucchiDonald FioriWendell FreemanP.C. FrenayeRobert & Moria GardnerRaymond GloorEvelyn and Hans GottschalkLinda HanesGeorge M. and Lynda L. HarringtonJanyce HaseltineHenry HickeyCarol HintzeCarl JacksonJoni JonesBob JOrdan and Jennifer Bennett-Jor-danSumedha KhannaKilcor Builders & Design, Inc.Ardath LeeBrent LegreidLionel and Gerry LennoxMelvin and Barbara LevyRichard and Anne LewisJanet M. MacDonaldNoel Dale MarshallAnthony MazzolaLeslie MeuchelJudy MillerBo-Bette MinsonJeanne M. Miskel and Steven A. Aze-vedoJean MontagueKathleen L. MooreWilliam and Carolyn MorrisseyG. Harry Morse

Kathleen A. MouatLori MyersJoan NaszadyPaul NyeRon PaganoGary PendersRoy D. RagghiantiGregory and Gail RalstonJonna RegeRae RehnDennis RhodesSteven and Elizabeth RichardsKathleen and James RocheZenna RoeCelso RosalesMrs. Mary Ann RovaiLarry W. RuminsonGeorge D. SalomonCarol SandersBob and Claudia SantiniSusan SavonisElizabeth and John SheelaDanyelle SimardDavid SmithwickArvid SorumPriscilla Saint ClairAdam SteinDana and Kenneth StokesRendi and Steven StraesslerKristine SundquistBarbara Swary & Stewart Lauter-bachRonald D. and Nancy L. TantarelliJ. and Richard ThayerMichael Toath

Sandra TurnerMary TurneyUnited Methodist Women Ruth CircleDixie van der KampMarty WaitMark and Sandra WalheimCarla WedemeyerMarian WilliamsPaul and Lynn Wycoff

June 2018 | PAGE 3

Bistro help needed!

We are in need of greeters, servers and kitchen help with availability form 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday!

Sites are located in Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Healdsburg and Cloverdale.

You can choose days and locations that are most convenient for you.

For more information, call Leigh Galten at 707-525-0143, ext. 121 or lgalten@councilonaging.com.

Making donations by credit cardDonors are vital to the services and programs provided by Council on Aging for Sonoma County’s most vulnerable seniors. To better accommodate you, Council on Aging accepts credit card payments on a one-time, monthly or quarterly basis for donations made to Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels or General fund.You can enroll as a Sustaining Member by filling out your information below. Rest assured that your information is maintained with the utmost security.

Info@CouncilonAging.com 707.525.0143 30 Kawana Springs Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

www.councilonaging.com

Council on Aging donorsA huge thank you to all the donors supporting Council on Aging and the senior programs they provide, including, but not limited to, Meals on Wheels, Day Services, Fire Recovery, Disaster Relief, Care Navigator, Financial and Legal Services

To leave a bequest is to

make a permanent

statement of your values.

It is by this act of charity that the world will

remember what you cared about

and what you stood for.

If providing for seniors mat-

ters to you, consider a gift

to COUNCIL ON AGING in your estate plans.

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Accepting the need for caregivingby Laurie Wachter, Editor

Have you noticed that you or your loved one is falling behind on paying your bills on time? Is it getting harder to do

day-to-day tasks like making dinner, doing the dishes or taking care of the laundry? Do you find yourself worrying about falling when you (or your loved one) takes a shower?

Start with baby stepsIf these worries are cropping up in your life,

it may be time to look into hiring a caregiver who can take over day-to-day activities that are becoming difficult. You can start slowly by accepting help with the little things. Get a gardener for the heavy work – digging, blowing leaves, planting, weeding. Get rid of trip hazards. Recognize when it’s time to stop driving and get a driver to take you to the store.

For some seniors, inviting a caregiver into their home and life is freeing, relieving them of worry and allowing them to spend their time in other ways. But for others, the thought of losing their independence or dipping into their hard-earned savings makes it a difficult decision.

Connie Aust, Fiduciary Director of Financial Services at Council on Aging, says, “People save for a rainy day and then don’t see the rain is surrounding them.” She adds, “Then there are people with hardly any money and they still have to have caregivers.”

Explore financial help

Since cost is a critical factor for almost everyone, it’s important to understand the options available to you.

Investigate public benefits, such as Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability programs, veterans’ benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), Medicare and Medicaid.

AARP Foundation offers an online tool, Benefits QuickLINK, to determine qualification for 15 different government programs. The

National Council on Aging offers a similar online tool called Benefits Checkup.

Also check your private disability or life insurance coverage, pension benefits, long-term care insurance and employee health insurance policy to see whether any of them cover home health visits or any kind of short-term assistance.

If you’re eligible for MediCal, you may be

able to get a chore worker through In Home Supportive Services IHSS, a Department at Sonoma County. The county screens potential workers, putting them through extensive background checks before they can go out and serve anyone through MediCal. The worker fills out a time card with their hours worked, has the client approve it and then sends it to the county. The county facilitates the payment, which actually comes from the state.

It can be difficult to acknowledge the need for assistance and accept help. Stepping into it slowly and knowing that there are financial resources to help lighten the costs will make the transition easier.

FREE COURSE – OLDER ADULTS PROGRAM Note: There is no class fee, but the Santa Rosa City Dept. of Parks & Recreation Charges a Facilities use fee of $3.00 for Non-Members per class.

AGING GAYFULLY:

A Fun 8-Week Summer Session!

THURSDAYS • June 21 to August 9, 2018 11 am - 1 pm

Finley Center Person Senior Wing 2060 West College Ave., Santa Rosa

LET’S CREATE OUR OWN VERSION OF AGING!!! Re-imagine elderhood as you connect with your lesbian, gay, bisexual and

transgender peers in a fun, safe, supportive atmosphere.

Instructor: Gary “Buz” Hermes MA LGBT Aging Consultant & Co-facilitator Sonoma Valley LGBT Seniors

SRJC offers noncredit courses for seniors as part of its goal to provide lifelong learning.

How to register:

• Sign up by going directly to the location and the instructor will give you an application and assist with registration. Or sign up online at older-adults.santarosa.edu, schedule of classes.

• No age limit for Older Adults Program courses, though they are tailored for seniors. • Students may register at any time during the semester. • No fee for Older Adults Program course. • Contact the Older Adults Program at (707) 527-4533 for more information

The Sonoma County Junior College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnic group identification, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic condition, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices; nor does the District discriminate against any employees or applicants for employment on the basis of their age. This non-discrimination policy covers admission, access and treatment in District programs and activities--including but not limited to academic admissions, financial aid, educational services and athletics--and application for District employment.

“I have accepted fear as part of life – specifically the fear of change… I have gone ahead despite the pounding in

the heart that says: turn back….” ~ Erica Jong

PAGE 4 | June 2018

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

Working for youInformation and ReferralFor help in connecting to services for older adults in So-noma County, Council on Aging’s Resource Specialist can be reached at 707-525-0143 x102

Senior Financial Services:Our bonded and insured counselors assist individuals who are unable to handle bill paying, checkbook reconciliation, eligibility documentation for retire ment programs, and other financial needs relative to their daily money man-agement, as well as trustee and conservatorship assistance. This program is especially designed for the forgetful senior or someone with poor vision and often protects them from financial abuse and late fees associated with forget-ting to pay their bills. For peace of mind, call Connie Aust, Director, at 525-0143, ext. 108.

Senior Peer Support:Sponsored by the Sonoma County Department of Mental Health, this volunteer program is designed for seniors who are suffering from various mental health issues. Under the supervision of a Licensed Marriage and Fam-ily Therapist, volunteers are trained to help clients help themselves. Twelve to 24 weeks of assistance are provided to each client.For additional information on this program call Susan Greene, LMFT at 525-0143 ext. 125.

Senior Meals:Council on Aging Meals on Wheels Program personally delivers over 285,000 fresh meals to seniors each year. We also staff 10 bistro dining sites that provide nutritious food with our meals choice program, as well as companionship. Therapeutic meals and nutritional counseling are available for seniors with special needs. Call 525-0383 for informa-tion on home delivery or dining site locations.

Senior Social Club, an Adult Day Program:Four convenient sites in Sonoma County offer isolated seniors an opportunity to gather for meals, exercise, enter-tainment and companionship for otherwise homebound, isolated individuals through our Senior Social Clubs. They also provide a needed respite for caregivers. For additional information on this program call Laurel Anderson at 707-525-0143 X103.

Senior Legal Services:Available are simple trusts, wills and durable powers of at-torney for health care and finance. Call 525-0143, ext. 140, for an appointment.

Senior Care Navigator:Our experienced staff provides advocacy-based long-term care management for seniors having difficulty navigating the local senior service delivery system. Our Senior Care Coordinator creates an individualized and thoughtful care plan to reflect and preserve the senior’s values and lifestyle choices, while maximizing opportunities for posi-tive change and maintaining quality of life. We work in collaboration with home health care agencies and pro-vide integrated services through other Council on Aging services. Our fees are very competitive with private care managers in our community. Call 525-0143.

Partners in Aging

People on the moveBy Laurie Wachter, Editor

Jessica Carranza, Case Manager

Jessica learned to focus on helping others by watching her Mom caring for her father, who had Alzheimer’s Disease. Now she feels it’s her calling to give back and

help in any way she can. Council on Aging (COA) is a perfect fit for her because she’s learning how to help seniors, including those with Alheizmer’s Disease and dementia.

Her job is to meet with seniors and assess what kind of help they need. Sometimes they just need help with their meds, but often they need longer-term help to find housing or managing their recovery from last year’s wild fires. Since Jessica’s role in her clients’ lives is short-term, a large part of what she does is find the right person or organization to help them long-term.

Before coming to COA, Jessica interned at Family Justice Center and was a Family Advocate for Marin Head Start, where she worked with families and children under 6 - so there was never a dull moment! She played a similar role, helping out with applications and making referrals to longer-term solutions.

She went to Sonoma State for her BA in Psychology and then Holy Names University for a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. She may go on to study Clinical Psychology, but right now, she sees herself as a “forever” student and is excited to help and learn from her colleagues and clients at COA.

You can contact Jessica at jcarranza@councilonaging.com

Maria Cuevas, Accounts Payable

Maria has almost 15 years of experience doing administrative work and and accounts payable for different types of companies. She came to Council on

Aging (COA) because she wanted a change and has a yearning to learn. She saw such an opportunity at COA and was excited to learn that COA offers so many services beyond Meals on Wheels.

Maria grew up in Cloverdale. Like many of us, she left in order to experience new things when she was 18 and ended up in Santa Rosa, which she now calls home. She has a bustling home, with two girls and two boys ranging in age from 7 to 23.

You can reach Maria at mcuevas@councilonaging.com

Donate with Amazon Smile!Do you shop online at Amazon.com? Shop on Amazon Smile and Amazon will donate to Council on Aging.

To sign up, go to smile.amazon.com. Sign in using your email and password. In the search box, type “Council on Aging for Seniors” and select it. That’s all you have to do. Your cost will remain the same, but Amazon will donate .5 percent of your purchase to Council on Aging.

When you shop Amazon, always shop at amazon.smile.com.

June 2018 | PAGE 5

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

About Brenda

Have you ever gotten an idea that just won’t go away? It happened to Brenda Kinsel with the idea of writing about

fashion and women. As a single mom with three kids, she thought, “Oh, great, just what I need, something new to take over my life.”

She called her parents outside the small North Dakota town of 75 people where she grew up, for advice. Her Dad reminded her that she’d been writing her whole life and advised her to think about who her audience is. She thought to

herself, “Dad’s a farmer, what does he know about audiences?” But he said, “Your audience is the woman who wants to feel better about herself, who wants to feel beautiful.”

Her Dad’s advice was spot on - within a year, she had a book deal! The first place she went on tour was home to North Dakota. As she boarded the airplane, her Mom called, “There’s a blizzard up here, so don’t expect anybody at your book signing.” But when she arrived, she found, “My sweet country folks from Hastings took the back roads to be there and congratulate me.” What a homecoming!

While there, a Fargo radio station interviewed her - the start of a guest spot on their program. She went on to write five books and a blog about fashion, became widely known as an image consultant, featured in InStyle, Real

Simple, The Oprah Winfrey Show and NPR, and founded a company, Inside Out, to offer a community, education and training for image consultants around the world.

Brenda’s new hometown is Sonoma, thanks to a rainy drive from Calistoga to Marin after watching her son, a jazz musician, play at Clos Pegase. As she and her daughter drove through Sonoma, she thought, “Wow! This would be a great place to live.” It reminded her of the farm where she grew up and her heart is always happiest around farmland. Six months later, she put an offer on her now-home, and, “finally found happiness.”

Follow Brenda’s Blog at www.brendakinsel.com, on Facebook: Brenda Kinsel’s Tips & Teasers and Instagram @brendakinsel.

PAGE 6 | June 2018

Beauty- Going Grey Be prepared to change your wardrobe!By Brenda Kinsel, Sonoma Fashion Blogger

To color or not to color? That’s a question many women are asking themselves. After years of coloring their hair, doing

highlights, lowlights and middlelights, they’re wondering if going natural would simplify their lives.

Here’s something to consider as you wrestle with this decision: If you go natural, your wardrobe colors will need to change, and you’ll need to go shopping. Don’t worry about the money. Just think how much you’ll be saving when you call it quits to all the hair appointments. That will be what you need to get your wardrobe balanced and purring along.

My hair stylist encouraged me to go natural. “Really?” I said, while squirming in the hydraulic chair. She said many of her clients were doing it. It took me a few months to decide, but I jumped on the bandwagon. My hair color went from an artificial chestnut brown with strong hints of red to an ash light-to-medium brown. It went from warm to cool.

We’ve all heard that line about changing one thing and everything changes. That’s true when it comes to introducing your new untreated hair color into your closet. Your clothes colors are

going to fight. It takes a bit of time to find the sweet spot between your hair color and colors that are friendly to it.

Start simply.Set a strong foundation by choosing a new

neutral color for outerwear and accessories. I switched from a warm brown to shades of gray to look put together and harmonious.

I’d never worn gray before. Now it was turning into my new best friend.

Charcoal, ash, smoke, fog, pewter, graphite, pebble, gunmetal, slate. They are all great shades with my hair color.

If your outerwear - jackets, coats, blazers and shawls - relates to your hair color, it makes you looked pulled together immediately.

Let’s talk about accessories - bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, scarves. I used to rely on gold, burnished gold, and copper as my main accessory colors. Now I favor pewter, matte silver and my very favorite, gunmetal.

Letting your hair go grey and getting a cute cut is really freeing and gives you a fresh look at yourself! We all get in ruts. If you’re changing your hair color, you’ll start seeing other things you may have been ignoring. If your body has changed, the silhouettes that always worked for you may no longer fit right. Fashion trends you’ve been afraid to try suddenly become fun to play with. You’ll find it can soften your style.

Give it a try!

This J.Jill jacket and my gray plaid sweater are easy pieces to reach for

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY June 2018 | PAGE 7

Derby Day After Party Pix

SONOMA SENIORS TODAYPAGE 8 | June 2018

Senior Center highlightsEvents for Seniors in and around Sonoma County

Cloverdale Senior Center311 N. Main St., Cloverdale, 894-4826 cloverdaleseniorcenter.com

• Friday, June 8, 1:00 - Writing your autobiography • Wednesday, June 13, 2:30 p.m. - Fermentation and More • Friday, June 15, 12:30 p.m. - Come join us for root beer floats in honor of Father's Day!• Saturday, June 16, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Potluck Game Party. Please call or sign up. If desired, bring a main dish, salad, side dish or dessert. Cost: $10• Wednesday, June 20 1 p.m. - Meet and Greet New Members with Mardi.

Healdsburg Senior Center133 Matheson Street, Healdsburg, 431-3324www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/269/Senior-Center

• Friday, June 8, 5:30-7 p.m. - Bistro Gallery Opening Reception: SRJC Watercolor Student Showcase. Reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshments served.• Monday June 11; 1 -2 p.m. - Tenant Workshop. Volunteer attorneys will lead a discussion providing legal information and suggest options and remedies for problems faced by tenants. Presented by the Sonoma County Legal Services Foundation, free and open to the public. Register at (707) 546-2924.• Wednesday, June 13, 12 - 2 p.m. - Father’s Day Lunch. Celebrate DAD at the Senior Center with friends and neighbors. Open to all ages. RSVP required. • Monday, June 25, 10 a.m. - 11a.m. - Neighborhood Crime Prevention PresentationHealdsburg Police Department will discuss Neighborhood Crime Prevention. Open to all ages. RSVP required.

Rohnert Park Senior Center

6800 Hunter Dr., Suite A, Rohnert Park, 585-6780 www.rpcity.com

• Thursday, June 7 – 9:15a to 3:00p – DAY TRIP – Jack London State Park Tour, Glen Ellen. This 1.5 hour, docent-led tour to Beauty Ranch includes the ranch's barns, Pig Palace and silos. Learn about the life and work of Jack London – the writer, the socialist and the innovative rancher and farmer. After the tour, lunch at “The Saloon at Jack London Lodge”. Cost: $30 Friends of RP Senior Center Members/$35 Non-Members. Includes transportation, tour, park entrance fee and lunch.• Tuesday, June 19 – 2:00pm – Vintage Choir Summer Concert. The theme of the annual summer concert is “It’s a Small World” and will include songs from many different countries and in many different languages. Tickets at Senior Center front desk. Cost: $5 Friends of the RP Senior Center Members/$7 Non-Members• Friday Nights – 4 p.m., Game begins 6:30 p.m. – BINGO. Buy-ins are $35 and $45, which include all the supplies needed. Payouts are given upon attendance and food is available for purchase. 100% of net proceeds go directly to the Rohnert Park Senior Center for building and programming enhancements.

Sebastopol Area Senior Center

167 N. High St. Sebastopol, 829-2440sebastopolseniorcenter.org

• 1st Thursdays, June 7, 2 - 3:30 p.m. - TED Talk: Dare to Refuse the Origin Myths: Chetan Bhatt. There’s an extraordinary emphasis on knowing where you’re “from,” but claiming an identity from your past can be counterintuitive. Facilitated by Jon Jackson, retired psychiatrist and lover of neuroscience, literature, the arts, music, radio programs and filmmaking. Free for Wisdom Counts members; $5 non-members.• Saturday, June 16, 5 p.m. - Aged to Perfection. 1950’s Cabaret-themed fun at annual auction gala honoring this year’s Distinguished Citizen, Gus St Marie’s many philanthropic and community-enhancing contributions. Silent and Live Auctions, dinner by Wine Country Catering and wine by local wineries. Benefits Sebastopol Area Senior Center. Tickets: $100 at Brown Paper Tickets and our website, or call.• Saturday, June 23, 6:30 -10 p.m. - LGBTQI & Friends Rainbow Pride Dance Party. Wear your most colorful attire and join us for a night of dancing as DJ MAXX spins the tunes. Beer and wine available for purchase. Admission $10.• Wednesday, June 27 - Evening performance by Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Green Music Center. We've reserved indoor, balcony-center seating for this incredible performance. Trip Fee: Members, $68; non-members, $88, includes show and transportation. Call to reserve seats.

Windsor Senior Center9231 Foxwood Drive, Windsor, 838-1250www.townofwindsor.com

• Starting June 1, 2:15-3 p.m.—Gentle Water Exercise. If you have chronic back or joint problems or are recovering from an injury or surgery, you will benefit from this gentle exercise program. Our experienced instructor will lead exercises designed for increasing flexibility and balance, rebuilding strength and helping relieve arthritis symptoms. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, except holidays. Drop-in fee $6 for Windsor residents and $7 for non-residents 55+.• Wednesday, June 13, 1-2 p.m.— Don't Get Scammed. Windsor Police Department's Bill Mikan will discuss common scams targeting seniors. Learn how to protect yourself, identify a scam, who to report a scam to and other information. Call by 6/8 to sign up.• Thursday, June 21— Virtual Dementia Tour® Senior Helpers Homecare's free sensitivity training session teaches about the physical and mental challenges facing those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This immersion experience simulates changes associated with cognitive decline to help you provide better care and create a supportive environment for those with the disease. Call to make a 15-minute reservation.

Event SubmissionsSubmit Sonoma County events for seniors to the editor at lwachter@councilonaging.com. Any errors or omissions are inadvertent.

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY June 2018 | PAGE 9

*Answers found in this issue

Supply the missing numbers so that every row, column and 9-digit square contain only one of each number. No math skills are required, and no guesswork. For hints on doing Sudoku puzzles, go to www.sudokudragon.com

Letters

I’m so excited you decided to do a regular column on beauty. I’m 65 years old and still hyperventilate when I’m in the cosmetic

aisle or entire store. You can call me a cosmetic/beauty junkie ... but not taking a lesson from Tammy Faye Baker. LOL

My fantasy is to walk in to ULTA or Sephora and someone tells me to get whatever I want and they will buy it for me. Right.

There will be some readers in Sonoma County that will tell you beauty is inside, not on the outside. But I digress.

My mom is 90 years old and is always complimented how pretty her makeup is. Guess it runs in the family.

In my bath/shower right now there are approximately 8 shampoos and 8 conditioners (with back stock).

I also have back stock with my makeup. I am so addicted!

Irene

We’re so glad you like the idea of our writing about beauty and how it changes as we age. Personally, I just

feel overwhelmed by all the choices in the beauty aisle, no matter which store it is!

Laurie

We’d like to hear what you think of our newsletter. Send your suggestions or feedback to Sonoma Seniors Today

Editor, Laurie Wachter, at lwachter@councilonaging.com.

* denotes reference to content in the newsletter.

Sonoma Seniors Today is seeking contributing writers. Contact the Editor if you have a story to tell.

June Puzzles

Puzzle solutions are on pages 10-11

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Meals on Wheels - a good experience for all . . .By Bruce Meadows, Volunteer Driver

I volunteered to drive for Meals on Wheels more than seven years ago when I took early semi-retirement from the Press Democrat.Although I had done a lot of volunteer work

with youth baseball, softball and soccer, I had never thought about something like Meals on Wheels until my wife Sandy suggested it.

I thought it was my chance to help people in a new and more rewarding way, but when my service ended recently, I looked back on an experience I had never expected.

Sure, I know my weekly delivery route in the Bennett and Rincon Valleys helped and was appreciated by COA, as well as the many people I delivered to over the years.

But I soon discovered that in helping a lot of people, I was really helping myself as much if not more than the people I served.

One of the worst parts was finding that one of my longtime people was no longer on the list. It always saddened me that I never had a chance to say good-bye.

When possible, I would try to find a few

minutes to spend with some of my “clients” because I was aware I was probably the only visitor they might have that particular day.

To see them smile, maybe laugh and tell me about their family or what was going on in their life meant as much to me as it did to them.

I was able to occasionally bring one of my seven grandkids along, as well as my wonderful flatcoat retriever Tag, whom we lost to stomach cancer at age 9 this past January. Watching people react to the kids and Tag brought tears to my eyes but also joy to my heart.

I’m guessing I dealt with as many as 100 people, sometimes couples. I hope I brought some laughter and comfort into their lives, because they sure did that for me, my grandkids

and Tag.Diane Faulkner at MOW thanked me for my

service when I left, but I realize it is me who should do the thanking.

I would encourage anyone with a little time and energy and the desire to make a difference to call Diane at Meals on Wheels.

Being a MOW driver was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Bruce “Grumps” Meadows and one of his seven grandkids.

MOW driver’s assistant, Tag, was eager to conform with the safety rules on wearing red hair nets..

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” -

~ Alan Watts

PAGE 10 | June 2018

June puzzle solutions

SONOMA SENIORS TODAY

• Do you want to preserve your low property tax rate?• Or find the right house to age in place?• Or explore a multi-generation approach?

I am a certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist. If you haven’t bought or sold property in the last few years, you might be surprised how much has changed. Let me take the mystery and anxiety out of the process. Ask me what my SRES designation can do for you.

Coldwell Banker – Santa Rosa East(formerly Frank Howard Allen)460 Mission BoulevardSanta Rosa, California 95409 707.484.4045, dbyrne@sonic.net

Deborah ByrneLic. #01343542

EXPERIENCE • INTEGRITY • RESULTS

Benefits of Hiring Seniors3 myths employers believe about older workers that just aren’t trueBy Laurie Wachter, Editor

Hiring managers reject seniors for many reasons, but not all are valid. We’ll bust a few myths about hiring seniors while

discussing the benefits they offer employers.

Myth 1: Not tech savvyIt’s not surprising that the tech industry

“thinks older adults are not creative, in touch or able to learn new things, including computer programs," according to Helen Dennis, a specialist in aging, employment and retirement.

But a recent Dropbox survey of IT workers found people over 55 less likely to find tech stressful than younger colleagues. They actually use more forms of technology than average and only 13% had trouble working with multiple devices, compared to 37% of 18-to-34-year olds.

Myth 2: Too expensive “The greatest misperception about hiring

older workers is that health problems would cost too much in terms of increased absenteeism and higher insurance,” says P. William Marshall, EVP of Dise & Company’s Search Practice.

In fact, AARP identified three trends that have “age-neutralized” labor costs: 1) Cash compensation is now performance-based rather than tenure-based; 2) retirement benefits are no longer tied to age or tenure; and 3) health care costs have risen more slowly for older workers. That adds up to a 1% lower cost of hiring older workers vs. an average new employee.

Myth 3: Burnt outCompanies assume that with age comes

exhaustion at work and lower productivity. Instead, our brains compensate for the

decline of some cognitive functions – like speed of information processing and episodic memory – by improving other functions – like semantic memory, language and speech. High-performing older people “bilteralize” their brain, using the left hemisphere of their brains to take advantage of their most important asset - experience. This contrasts with young people primarily using mostly the right hemisphere, which is in charge of processing new information.

Benefits of hiring seniorsOlder workers are more engaged, which

improves business results. They're more conscientious, agreeable and emotionally stable, which means their lifetime of experience dealing

with people and problems can guide younger colleagues through challenging situations. Data from Cloverpop’s digital decision platform confirms this. When older workers are part of a multi-generational team, the team makes better decisions.

Mature workers also connect better with customers. Glassdoor reports that healthcare companies realize Medicare customers respond especially well to Baby Boomers.

Companies hiring seniors CVS saw this and developed their Talent Is

Ageless initiative to tap into it. The call center

industry also sees them as reliable customer service representatives who take pride in delivering great service.

RetirementJobs.com certifies Age-Friendly employers, including AT&T, CVS, Fidelity Investments, H&R Block, Home Instead Senior Care, the IRS, Kelly Services, Macy’s, Safeway, Staples, Starbucks, Wells Fargo Travelers, Verizon and Walgreens.

Sonoma CountyBy encouraging education and advocacy,

the Aging Together Sonoma County initiative supports Sonoma County as a healthy place to live, work and play: a place that supports all people to thrive across their lifespan and achieve their life potential. It is led by the Board of Supervisors, Sonoma County Human Services Department Adult and Aging Division, Sonoma County Department of Public Health, Council on Aging, Petaluma People Services Center and the Petaluma Health Center.

District 5 Board of Supervisors member Lynda Hopkins says, “Given the high performance of older workers, discrimination against them in the workplace makes no sense."

June 2018 | PAGE 11

SENIOR SOCIAL CLUBSAre you a family member or caregiver? Do you need a break?

Santa RosaFirst United Methodist Church

2150 Giffen Ave at Stoney Point RdMonday Wednesday Friday 9:30 am - 2 pm

SonomaVintage House Senior Center264 First Street East, Sonoma

Tuesday Thursday - 9:30 am - 2 pm

SebastopolSebastopol Senior Center

167 High StreetMonday Tuesday Wednesday - 9:30 am - 2 pm

HealdsburgSt Paul’s Episcopal Church

209 Matheson Street, HealdsburgMonday Tuesday Wednesday - 9:30 am - 2 pm

Donations to cover the cost of club activities are appreciated, but no one will be denied access to activities if

they are unable to contribute

Lively Group Excercise

Delicious Lunch

Brain Games

Art and Music

Lively Discussions

Visits from Children

Get some of your precious time back while

your loved one enjoys an engaging atomsphere with activities for people

with memory loss.

Council on Aging | 707-525-0143 x 103 | www.councilonaging.com

OakmontOakmont West Recreation Center

6470 Meadowridge Dr., Santa RosaTuesdays Thursdays 9:30 am - 2 pm

SONOMA SENIORS TODAYPAGE 12 | June 2018

Would you like to see Sonoma Seniors Today in full color? Go to www.councilonaging.com and click on “News & Events,” then “Sonoma Seniors Today.”

Choosing a CaregiverBy Laurie Wachter, Editor

When you are ready to hire, it’s critical to understand the difference between “independent caregivers” and

licensed in-home support services. As with any decision, there are pros and cons to each choice. At its simplest, it’s a cost vs. convenience and safety equation.

Independent Caregivers Many people feel they’re doing a good thing

if they hire people independently at a low rate of $10-$15 per hour. But legally, the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security see in-home caregivers as employees.

Independent caregivers have many clients. They come to your home, do their job and leave. You tell them exactly what you need - help you get up in the morning and dress, do your laundry, clean your kitchen, or take you to the store.

It's important to understand that, because you’re giving instructions to the caregiver and paying them by check or cash, they’re considered employees. That means you’re responsible for withholding taxes, ensuring you’re paying overtime, giving them lunchbreaks and other employer obligations. If you don't, they can go to IRS years later and say that you should have paid them overtime, set aside money for Social Security and withheld taxes. You or your estate will be responsible for meeting those obligations.

Licensed CaregiversExperts in the field tell us that, when you’re

ready to hire a caregiver, its best to go through licensed, bonded agencies. They will help you choose the right care person for you, check in on their work, take care of withholding taxes and much more.

When you hire a licensed caregiver, the company is the employer. They are bonded and

insured, which is a big safety factor for clients. People don’t realize that in-home caregiving is a high-risk job because helping people bathe, get in and out of bed and other tasks result in a lot of injuries – especially back injuries. The company that you hire your caregiver from makes sure their caregivers are on workers comp. They check for criminal backgrounds, screen for drugs, take fingerprints. They also make sure that all caregivers are trained, and most agencies go above and beyond the 10 hours of training required in the first year and 5 hours each year thereafter.

It’s more expensive, of course, because the companies do cover all these things. Cathy Olsen, owner of Interim HealthCare of Santa Rosa, says that, “When I have somebody working in my home, I use a licensed contractor, and insured housekeeper, so I would say it’s even more important with personal care. We all want to make sure our loved ones are safe.” She says that they try to match people up based on personality right from the start. Sometimes, when you’re searching independently, that process of finding a good match can take a long time.

See the Senior Resource Guide put out by Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at www.socoaaa.org for more information.

Congratulations to 2018 Making a Difference Award Recipient