Elderhood roundtables and other elder issues

Kathleen Anderson

It is entirely possible that we all know someone who is dreading the upcoming holiday season. It could be because of the recent loss of a loved one, the home they had to give up due to health problems, or the fact that they will be spending the holiday season alone.

Some of our community will be spending it in alleyways, under cardboard boxes. Other people, due to illnesses or accidents, may find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings with everything being done for them.

Some assisted living facilities and rehab centers allow “senior adoptions” during the holiday seasons for those residents who have no visitors throughout their stay, while others do not, depending on company policy.

Either way, there is no need to decorate a tree or wrap presents. And age has nothing to do with these circumstances, because life happens to everyone. But because we know where some of these seniors are located, we could do things to make their season a little brighter.

For instance, church groups or scout troops could make arrangements to go caroling for residents in care facilities. Service clubs could make cards and other decorations for individual residents’ rooms, especially those people who live far from family members.

But what about those people still living at home?

Homebound elders can have their groceries and medications delivered to their doorstep. But for people living on a limited income, going out for pleasurable or social outings maybe beyond their means.

This year there is one more way to share the holiday season with like minds, who would otherwise be alone. If you have access to a computer or smart phone and internet, this is an opportunity to share your memories, thoughts, and fears in a safe place with others who are having the same difficulties getting through the season.

 And it is all thanks to an internet program called ZOOM and a compassionate gentleman named Glenn Harper. He works as a certified home care aide and end of life doula.

He started hosting Death Cafes on Zoom during the pandemic about three years ago, and now is up to three in-person monthly Death Cafe events at the Olympia and Lacey senior centers and the Green Lady coffee shop in Olympia.

He served on the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council for six years, where he learned a lot about aging resources available to help keep seniors living in their own homes as long as possible.

Currently, he is a state certified independent home care provider specializing in end of life and hospice situations.

'Candles in the Dark'

Among other things he observed during his work, Glenn explained, “Early on, I learned about the negative health effects of loneliness and isolation.”

Because of his experience with the emotional and physical damage loneliness and isolation can cause, Glenn founded a new nonprofit organization called The Elderhood Senior Alliance. Glenn explains the current program, Candles in the Dark, as follows:

“December is the darkest month of the year and a time when holidays often increase feelings of grief, loss and loneliness. Rather than curse or dread the darkness, how about we do our best to show up as candles and share our light with one another?”

Elderhood roundtables:

Elderhood roundtables are ZOOM meetings designed to create a space to share challenges and coping strategies, while providing much needed socialization opportunities, especially for people with limited mobility or transportation options.

Topics of conversations might be caregiving, accessing services, grief, affordable housing and veterans issues. Raising grandchildren, gardening health, nutrition, fun activities and pets — anything that is of interest to participants can be discussed.

Starting Dec. 10, The Elderhood Alliance hosts two-hour evening Zoom gatherings every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Click on https://bit.ly/elderhood-roundtable for the ZOOM log in, or for more information contact Glenn Harper at TESA@elderhoodalliance.org

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia. Contact her at kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comments.