By Holly Glen Gearhart, Contributing Writer
Spring is in the air and it's time to get out of the house. The spring season signals rebirth and with that in mind the East County Senior Center offers support groups to distribute information and encourage fellowship.
Every second and fourth Monday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the Senior Peer Support Group is a free-flowing discussion of life and its challenges, whether financial, physical or emotional. The group is facilitated by Karen DeGuzman, LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) from Snohomish Senior Services.
Many studies on senior/elder loneliness found that extended periods of time not spent with others can and frequently do have an adverse effect on physical and mental health. The same studies found that the incidence of loneliness is less for people who regularly attend worship services, but what about those who have no spiritual affiliation?
Peer groups are a strong force for emotional support for those who do and those who do not choose to attend church services.
The Snohomish County Family Caregiver Support program is offered at ECSC each Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon. Here, peer support is an important community resource for those who care for the health and wellbeing of another.
In your service to others do you take care of you? This is an important part of staying healthy and often finding the time to set aside time to recharge your batteries is overlooked.
Family Caregiver Specialist Carmen Rasmussen from Lutheran Community Services Northwest facilitates this group and can help you find the balance between caring for another and caring for yourself.
If you are unable to make it to this peer support meeting you can set up personal time with Carmen by calling (425) 670-8984 x 22 or through email at crasmussen@lcsnw.org.
ECSC offers books relating to care giving resources and stress management in their lending library.
On the second and fourth Mondays of the month, a new group called The Emotion Code and the new Body Code is offered at 10 a.m. This class outlines ways to heal from past emotional traumas and how to move past those blocks in your life.
The class, led by Shiloh Meisler, a Certified Practitioner, will show you ways to direct your subconscious mind and release trapped energies that often slow your life to a halt. Cost: $20 for a 40-minute session. Call (360) 794-6359 for your appointment.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays Group Health offers a fitness class designed for seniors. The class meets at 9 a.m. The cost is $2 a class or $20 a month, but is free for members of Group Health.
The second and fourth Mondays at 8:30 a.m. the center offers Reiki, a Japanese technique of stress reduction and relaxation for healing, by the practice of "laying on hands" and directing an unseen life force energy which flows through our bodies and enhances our awareness of living life. Check with ECSC about costs.
Yoga is offered Mondays at 10 a.m. Yoga is a stretch and strengthening practice which many find a relaxing and uplifting practice that supports mental health. No need to have taken yoga classes before; the class includes techniques for beginners such as seated, standing and reclining poses to support a gentle movement. Please bring a mat and blanket for the class. The cost is calculated on a sliding scale, from $7 - $10.
Confused about cooking a delicious chicken? Come to the East County Senior Center tomorrow night, April 16, to get the skinny on making fabulous roasted chicken.
As part of the Boomerang series, the senior center presents an evening to learn to "roast like a hostGÇ¥ as well as prepare five other meals. The class is presented by Briana Christopherson and Susan Alling.
Although it's at the senior center, the class is for all ages.
A parent-teen combination is $28; adult enrollments are $22 each. Only 21 participants are allowed, to ensure personal instruction. Stop by ECSC to register, email susanalling@hotmail.com or call (360) 794-6359.
Preparing ahead of an emergency is the best way to survive an emergency. It doesn't take an earthquake to drive home the necessity of being prepared; a job loss or an extended illness can leave you at a loss when time comes to feed, shelter and help your family live through a life-changing event.
Boomerang is presenting a preparedness class that covers topics such as "...a metaphoric pantry with all you need to fend for yourself. Tools? Seeds? Emergency cash? A family garden? Medicine? Toilet paper? Short and long term food? Water? What will you choose to put in YOUR pantry? Would you be able to help extended family or neighbors?GÇ¥
Susan Alling, CEO and Founder of Strategies for Provident Living, will present this class on Tuesday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $4 for handouts. Only 20 participants can attend: come by the East County Senior Center to register, email susanalling@hotmail.com or call (360) 794-6359.
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