Fairbanks Senior Center News Fairbanks, AK 99701 Fax 907 ...

Fairbanks

Senior Center 1424 Moore Street,

? FairbanksSeniorCenter

NewsFairbanks, AK 99701 907-452-1735 Fax 907-451-9974

NSCoA News Center Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30PM October 2019

Hello Seniors,

Your Senior Center completed the long awaited Senior Needs Assessment by Agnew Beck . The last Senior Needs Assessment was completed in 2008. We received a $20,000 grant from he Borough and with that partnership, along with the City, Fairbanks Neighbor Housing and Alaska Commission on Aging, we were able to gather current data to paint a picture of what the projected needs are in our growing senior population. The analysis clearly shows the "Silver Tsunami" that is moving upon our beloved community is real and alarming. Some key points in the report are: 1) a growth of 240% from the 80+ population from 2018 to 2035 reaching over 5,000 by 2035; 2) current senior population, "Baby Boomers", is at 18,000 and will grow to over 21,000 by 2035; and, 3) a projected need of 149 additional senior independent housing units by 2025. The Fairbanks Senior Center has been strategically positioning itself to bring awareness and programs that strengthen the services to allow choices for seniors in their own aging process.

A strategic move for the Center is to add office spaces for key services to solidify our efforts in wraparound services, expand the dining room for exercise classes, congregate lunches, educational classes, and address the lack of ADA compliance in our bathroom for a building that was built in the 1980s. Our plan is to submit for the Borough Capital Improvement Program Grant, along with other grants available, to hit the ground running. The Center is looking for partners in this essential endeavor to safeguard the Center, and our pioneers, in the next 3 years to be ready for the 80+ population explosion that starts in 2025.

As your Executive Director, I have faith in our community to position us to ride out this "Silver Tsunami". The first step is awareness and acknowledgement, and the second is being willing to openly discuss the unique challenges that come with the natural process of aging. I am ready and willing to do both, are you?

You will find the completed Senior Needs Assessment posted on our website . My door is always open for questions, input and partnership.

NSCoA News

October 2019

Page 2

A Tribute to Kat Ferrell

Kathy D. Ferrell ("Kat"), born Sept. 21, 1954, passed away July 16, 2019, in Seattle of progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, a rare brain disorder that she is believed to have had since 2011.

Kat was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and lived in various states before arriving in Fairbanks - mainly Idaho, California and New Mexico. Los Alamos was her favorite stomping grounds amid the Native American ruins and badlands. She came to Fairbanks as a sophomore in high school, and soon discovered that Fairbanks women were especially tough and resourceful and immediately took to the area. She formed many lasting friendships; particularly the women of the First Avenue "Klondyke" house, where she took up playing guitar and singing with her friends.

Kat didn't let her gender stop her from pursuing a career in a traditionally male dominated field as a "wood butcher." She apprenticed as a carpenter in Carpenter's Local 1243, then became a maintenance carpenter with the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. After teaching herself computer skills, she became the school district's information technology guru, and later the Tanana Valley Campus' IT director, where she retired from in 2012. Kat used her carpentry skills to design and build the stage for a decade of Fairbanks Women's Music festivals, then later her computer skills to teach seniors at the Fairbanks Senior Center after retiring.

Kat met Syrilyn, the woman she would be with until the end, in Fairbanks in 1996, long before gay marriages were legal. They traveled the world and lived together as life partners before they could declare their love for each other via a domestic partner ceremony in Vermont in 2003, then legal marriage in 2013 in Seattle.

Kat especially enjoyed traveling and has vacationed in Bonaire, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Europe, Canada and Africa twice. She especially liked the American Southwest and, despite being confined to a wheelchair, Kat recently rode the trains to the Grand Canyon and in nearby Sedona, Arizona.

Kat was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Adoline Ferrell; her sister's partner, Ric Smoyer; nephew, Thomas Ferrell; and great-nephew, Tony Argend. She is survived by her wife, Syrilyn Tong, of Fairbanks; sister, Sherrelyn Argend, of Fairbanks; brother and sister-in-law, Darryl and Hannalore Ferrell, of Eagle Point, Oregon; nieces, Tammy Leslie (and Chuck, Michael and Aubry) of Palmer; Sharonna Argend (and Erik and Tyler) of Fairbanks; Susanne Petervary (and Miklos "Mitch," Mattias, Lukas and Kristof) of Los Angeles; and Mariam Ferrell (Patrick Tillman) of Boston; nephew, Arius Argend (and wife, Sabrina) of Maui; dear friends Bernie Hoffman and Susan Coltellero; and other friends and relatives too numerous to name.

A celebration of Kat's life was held last November, and she has requested no further memorials. Please send donations in Kat's memory to the Fairbanks Senior Center and . Source: Published in Daily News-Miner on Aug. 2, 2019

Thank you to wonderful family and friends for providing a special gift. In Memory of:

Frank & Judith Williams Sine Anahita & M. Kayt Sunwood

Mary Matthews Fundraiser of Family and Friends

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October 2019

Page 3

Zumba Gold Seated Classes When: Tuesdays @ 9:00--10:00 Why: Muscle strength / Increases Balance / Enhances

flexibility / Improves mental awareness / Mood and so much more

Where: Fairbanks Senior Center Call Adele at 388-1724 for more information Cost $5.00 Come see what all the fun is about!

"Bits & Pieces"

Monday, October 21st 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm All supplies provided

* Learn easy card making * No experience needed * Sample packets will be provided Assemble cards w/ die cuts of your choice

*Come to the table, all drinks need to be spill proof* Lessons on die cutting, embellishments, and card making with Karen Demeyer 907- 987-0739

Meals on Wheels......................907-452-1735 Delivery drivers and kitchen help needed so no senior goes hungry!

TAI CHI

for Arthritis

& Fall Prevention

Beginning 10/15 Tuesday & Thursday 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ~ ~ ~

INSTRUCTOR Bob Galloway

Donation of $3.00 accepted

The Meals on Wheels Program needs your help!

Do you enjoy helping others? Do you want a chance to give back to the community and make a senior smile?

We need volunteer drivers for our weekday routes. Come see Bob or Darlene to join our fun-loving crew and

make a difference in a senior's life. Call 452-1735 for more information

Qigong Exercises for Recovery and Longevity

Ancient Asian Exercise Thursdays--2:30-3:15 pm

Instructor: Hisako Ito Slow simple movements with quiet

healing music. Qigong is mindful breathing which brings

relaxation and mental clarity. Improves strength of body and balance. Can be practiced sitting or standing.

For more info: 479-4263

Helping Hands.........................907-457-4263 Looking for men and women with basic home repair skills to help seniors and the disabled to live in the comforts and safety of their own home.

Senior Companions..................907-452-1735 Volunteer by making independence a reality for a senior by providing companionship, Find out if you qualify to be a paid volunteer with this program.

Fairbanks Senior Center.........907-452-1735 Find out how you can pay it forward and become a Volunteer!

Want a FREE FLU SHOT?

* Ages 6 months and up, while supplies last The "high dose" flu vaccine (for people 65 and

older) will NOT be at this event. Thursday, October 10th 3:00 pm--7:00pm Noel Wien Public Library

1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks FREE BUS RIDES

to and from the event on all lines courtesy of MACS Transit:

Noel Wien Public Library: Red & Blue Lines

Need more info on transit, call 907-459-1011

NSCoA News

October 2019

Page 4

FAIRBANKS CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:

WE BANJO 3

North Star Council on Aging SEEKING BOARD MEM-

4TH

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7:30 PM

Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra Presents:

We are seeking 1 individual who is interested in becoming a Board Member.

All Board Member positions are voluntary. We are looking for someone who is excited about public relations, helping with community events, vot-

ing on important issues, helping out others, and wanting to make a difference in our

senior community. If you are interested in becoming a

Board Member, please contact Executive Director Darlene Supplee @ 907-452-1735

Science and the Symphony w/ Dr. Jose Francisco Salgado Sunday, October 6th

Pre Concert Lecture w/ Maestro Zilberkant at 3:00pm, Concert begins at 4:00pm,

C.W. Davis Concert Hall For more information, contact Laura 907-452-1735

Aging at Home Fairbanks is a membership organization for older adults in the Fairbanks area. They provide access to services to help folks stay in their homes as they grow older. They are always looking for Volunteers! Located in the Fairbanks Senior Center To become a Volunteer and for more information, please contact: Joy Clein 907-799-4026

The Alaska Federation of Natives Convention &

the Elders and Youth Conference Starting Sunday, October 13th @ 1:30 pm thru

Saturday, October 19th Carlson Center

Go to for full schedule

Thank You for going GREEN!

This is a savings of paper, ink, printing, and mailing costs.

Join the movement of going green by calling Laura- 452-1735

MEMBERSHIP NOTICE If you see three asterisks *** on your mailing

label next to a month and year, it means your membership is now expired and this will be

your LAST newsletter.

Please make sure to renew your membership ASAP. Please contact Laura at 452-1735 for more info.

Fairbanks Senior Center

Curious About Computers? Searching on the Internet? Need ANY Electronics Fixed?

Available Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 10 am to 2 pm

~ to answer your questions ~

We are sorry to announce that "Painting with Peggy"

has been cancelled and is no longer scheduled for future classes.

The Senior Center is looking for "Crafty Folks" who are interested in volunteering and teaching their basic craft skills.

If you are an artist and would like to bring your artistic style to the Center, please call 907-452-1735

October's Birth Flower Marigold

Birth Stone Opal

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October 2019

Page 5

Alaska CSFP

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Eligible Seniors over 60 years and income is within the guidelines provided below.

CSFP Local Office Information:

907-374-0555



Household Size

Annual

1

$20,280

2

$27,469

3

$34,658

4

$41,847

5

$49,036

6

$56,225

7

$63,414

8

$70,603

Each

+ $7,189

Add'l

Member,

add

Monthly

$1,690 $2,290 $2,889 $3,488 $4,087 $4,686 $5,285 $5,884 + $600

Alaska ADRC

Aging & Disability Resource Centers Office: 907-452-2551 Fax: 907-451-9974

Connecting seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers with long-term care services and support.

Education Programs Available!

Take classes, get support, learn about caregiving, and find out what resources are available. We teach the best practices in dementia care to anyone interested including family caregiver's, professionals and those working in the field of dementia care. For more information, please contact... Education Specialist- Joan Adams 907-452-2277

WE'RE LOOKING FOR SENIOR

VOLUNTEERS

Helping Hands Home Modifications

Helping older adults and people

Fairbanks North Star Borough

with disabilities to live in the

If you are interested in helping make another senior's life an independent reality, come to the

familiarity, comfort & safety of their own home.

Senior Center and learn how you can

Contact Karla 907-457-4263

become a paid volunteer.

Contact SCP Program Manager: Laurie Lizotte Direct: 907-452-2561, Main: 907-452-1735

Respiratory Education

(fka Better Breather's Club)

October 15th 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm

@ FMH

EDUCATION TOPIC TO BE ANNOUNCED

For more info, contact Alyssa Keill - 907-891-7452

MEAL TICKETS DRAWING

Buy 5 lunch tickets for $20

Put your tickets in the jar at lunch and be entered in the monthly drawing!

Write your name and phone number on the back of your ticket.

September Winner: JoAn TALVI

You can be a winner too!

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