Announcements

The Senior Center will be closed in alignment with Klamath Falls City and Klamath County schools in the event of inclement weather full day closures. Early closures and late starts will be addressed on a case by case basis. We will post inclement weather information here and on our Social Media accounts. We are working towards a mass notification system where you can sign up for voice, text, or email alerts from the Center!

Serving the Klamath Community through Meals on Wheels

A knock at the door might not seem like a big deal to many of us. But, to a homebound senior, it could signal the arrival of the only person they might see all day or all week long. It brings hope. It brings health. It brings the nutrition and care that will completely make their day. We can’t do it alone. It takes all of us to keep the meals on wheels movement going. Call the Senior Center at 541-883-7171 to become a volunteer today!

If you or someone you know is in need of Meals on Wheels, please register with the Klamath Lake Counties Council on Aging by calling 541-205-5400.

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

6 days ago

SHIP TALK (Senior Health Insurance Program)Preventive and Screening ServicesLong time readers will recognize this column we featured last year. However, it’s a good reminder for everyone and may be new information for new readers. That said, it’s important information. Medicare covers many preventive and screening services. These services are valuable since they can keep you from getting sick and also can help find health problems early when treatment is most likely to work best. Talk to you doctor about which one might be right for you. Most are fully covered and some of the more complex are offered at a reduced, price. Let’s look at what’s covered. The list is long but it’s worth wading through.• Abdominal and aortic screening• Alcohol misuse screenings and counseling• Bone mass measurements (bone density)• Cardiovascular disease (behavioral therapy)• Cervical and vaginal cancer screening• Colorectal cancer screenings• Depression screenings• Diabetes screenings – and self-management training if necessary• Glaucoma tests• Hepatitis B infection screening and Hepatitis C screening • HIV screening• Lung cancer screening• Mammogram screening• Nutrition therapy services• Obesity screening and counseling• Prostate cancer screening• Sexually transmitted infections screening and counseling• SHOTS: (1) Flu shots (2) Hepatitis B shots (3) Pneumococcal shots and (4) SHINGLES shots – all free.• Tobacco use cessation• Yearly wellness visit If you’re needing any information about health insurance and Medicare, we’re here at the Senior Center, volunteer certified and trained SHIBA counselors, ready to tackle your questions. Call 541-883-7171 to make an appointment. Anne Hartnett, SHIBA Coordinator ... See MoreSee Less

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

7 days ago

New Alzheimer’s Association Report Reveals Top Stressors for Caregivers and Lack of Care Navigation Support and ResourcesSubmitted by Lori Stanton, Program Director, Alzheimer’s Association Oregon and SW Washington ChapterThe Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures (alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures) report reveals that both dementia caregivers and health care workers report difficulties in navigating dementia care within the U.S. health care system. The new report estimates that 6.9 million people age 65 and older in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including 79,100 in Oregon.This year the cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is projected to reach $360 billion — a $15 billion increase from a year ago. This does not include unpaid care provided by family caregivers and friends. Last year in Oregon there were 170,000 dementia family caregivers, providing 229,000,000 hours of unpaid care valued at $5,285,000,000. Oregon caregivers and those across the country face significant emotional, physical and health-related challenges as result of caregiving as well, according to the report:• Dementia caregivers report higher rates of chronic conditions, including stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer compared to caregivers of people without dementia or non-caregivers. In Oregon, 57.4% of caregivers reported at least one chronic condition.• The prevalence of depression is higher among dementia caregivers when compared to caregivers for other conditions. In Oregon, 33.6% caregivers reported depression.• Seventy-four percent of dementia caregivers report they are “somewhat concerned" to “very concerned” about maintaining their own health since becoming a caregiver. In Oregon, 8.5% report frequent poor physical health.An accompanying special report, “Mapping a Better Future for Dementia Care Navigation, provides a comprehensive look into dementia care navigation by surveying dementia caregivers and health care workers on their experiences, challenges, awareness and perceptions of care navigation in dementia care. Dementia care navigation provides clinical and nonclinical support to people living with dementia and their caregivers to overcome barriers that compromise care and health outcomes.Key findings: • A majority of caregivers (70%) report that coordination of care is stressful.o More than half of the caregivers surveyed (53%) said that navigating health care was difficult.o 2 in 3 caregivers (66%) also have difficulty finding resources and support for their needs.• Care navigation facilitates medical and social support to alleviate patient and caregiver stress. Despite coordinating care and scheduling being top stressors for caregivers, only half of the caregivers surveyed (51%) have ever talked with a health care professional about challenges finding their way through the health care system or asked for help with dementia care. • Black and Hispanic caregivers report managing care on a daily basis (43% and 45%, respectively) compared to White caregivers (31%).• The vast majority of dementia caregivers (97%) say that they would find navigation services helpful. Full text of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, including the accompanying special report, Mapping a Better Future for Dementia Care Navigation, can be viewed at alz.org/facts. ... See MoreSee Less

Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures

alz.org

Read the 2024 report to understand the burden of Alzheimer's and dementia on individuals, caregivers, government and the nation's health care system.

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

1 week ago

Thank you, @subaru_usa , for your unwavering generosity and support of the seniors we serve. #MealsOnWheels programs across the country thank you! ... See MoreSee Less

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

1 week ago

Are you Fit, Functional, or Frail? Grip Strength Assessed at the Living Well Health Fair 2024By Anne Davenport, Program Manager of Health Promotion Services, Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ CenterGrip strength measures muscular strength or the maximum force generated by a person’s forearm muscles. It’s generally understood that a higher grip strength is associated with better health, and a lower grip strength is associated with poorer health. If you are losing strength, muscle will be replaced by fat tissue. The loss of muscle mass and strength is called “sarcopenia,” which is NOT a normal part of aging. If you are losing strength in your hands, it’s a potential sign that it is happening all over your body. Our hands are critical for daily tasks. If you want to button a shirt, eat with a utensil, write with a pen – it requires strength and control in your hands and fingers. Grip strength is important for more than daily activities. Grip strength is an easy-to-measure sign of how strong the rest of your body is. Keeping muscle strength throughout your body is important for mobility, balance, endurance and more. A strong body means you can live the life you desire.In one study, researchers found a relationship between grip strength and climbing stairs or walking in the community. Lower mobility and activity makes you less likely to move in ways that will build your strength, so your muscles will continue to weaken.“Weak” grip strength is a potential sign of;• Higher risk for falls and fractures• Higher risk for infectious diseases like COVID 19, RSV, the flu• Higher risk for complications from infection and for hospitalization• Higher risk for chronic diseases, such as COPD, diabetes, heart disease, obesity• Higher risk for social isolation and loneliness (due to a reduction in mobility)• Higher risk for cognitive impairment, difficulty sleeping, depression• Higher risk for frailty, a decline in health that is not a normal part of agingOn March 2, 2024, we provided at Grip Strength Assessment at the annual Living Well Health Fair. Not able to attend the Fair? Call or email me to set up a time to assess your Grip Strength, chat about your wellness goals, and get you plugged in to our programming! anne.davenport@kbscc.org 541-883-7171 ext 122 ... See MoreSee Less

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

1 week ago

"Nurturing Wellness: The Foster Grandparent Program of Southern Oregon"Submitted by Cassie Rose, Community Volunteer Network Executive DirectorThe Foster Grandparent Program in Southern Oregon is more than just a volunteer opportunity—it's a lifeline for both children and seniors alike. This program highlights the incredible health benefits that come with volunteering, especially for active seniors, aligning perfectly with April's theme of health and stress.For seniors in Klamath County, participating in the Foster Grandparent Program offers a meaningful way to stay engaged and connected. By lending their time and wisdom to support children in educational settings, they find fulfillment in making a tangible difference.Volunteering brings numerous health advantages. Physically, staying active through volunteering helps seniors maintain mobility, flexibility, and vitality. Whether it's engaging in interactive learning activities or providing emotional support, these actions contribute to better cardiovascular health and overall fitness.Moreover, volunteering acts as a powerful stress-reliever. The sense of purpose and joy derived from helping others triggers the release of feel-good hormones, such as oxytocin and serotonin, which mitigate stress and bolster emotional well-being.Beyond its immediate health benefits, the Foster Grandparent Program fosters a profound sense of community and belonging. Seniors forge meaningful connections with the children they mentor, as well as with fellow volunteers and program facilitators. These social bonds are essential for combating loneliness and isolation, promoting mental and emotional resilience.As we celebrate the impact of volunteering on health this April, let's acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the Foster Grandparent Program of Southern Oregon. Through their selfless dedication and generosity, these seniors exemplify the transformative power of giving back to our community while reaping the countless rewards of improved health and well-being. If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer or a community advisory council member please call (541) 857-7786 for more information or email fgp@retirement.org. www.cvnvolunteer.orgOne West Main Street, Suite 303 • Medford, Oregon 97501 ... See MoreSee Less

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