Senior Living: Advocates for care in care homes

And for many other reasons, we know that may not happen. The space may be twice as much as you need; you have to keep it clean, but feel like Joan Rivers: “I hate housework. You make the beds, you wash the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again.”

And then there are accessibility issues: too many steps, unreachable shelves, narrow doors, poor lighting. As I am thinking about this, does anyone want to buy a 3,500-square-foot house with a wonderful view?

It may come to the point that you decide it is time for a change — or your children decide for you! There are many options depending on what you can afford: selling your house and moving into a 55+ housing complex, renting a smaller place — maybe closer to the children and grandchildren, or moving into an independent living community.

Also, depending on your level of independence and health needs, you may consider long-term care options that provide care, supervision, and health‑related services such as assisted living facilities, residential care, and adult foster homes.

In any living situation, issues can arise. If that happens and you are living in a long-term care facility, or know someone who is, there is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) Program to help advocate and resolve those issues.

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program provides free, confidential advocacy for residents and their families, and investigates and resolves complaints related to care, rights, and quality of life.

But the program’s success depends on the trained LTCO volunteers. Unfortunately, there are not enough volunteers in the Gorge.

LTCO volunteers regularly visit assigned facilities in their communities. They listen to residents’ concerns, help identify issues, advocate for residents when problems arise, work with facility staff to resolve complaints, and educate residents about their rights.

Examples of the types of calls a LTCO volunteer receives include unanswered call lights, missed or late medication, incorrect billing, evictions, poor-quality food, and lack of privacy.

The LTCO program provides comprehensive training, ongoing education and support, and a flexible commitment, typically about 4 hours per week, but may vary per week.

You can see the value and importance of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program in making sure residents receive the quality care they deserve. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering, visit www.oltco.org or contact Julie Maw at 971-600-6149 or julie.maw@rights.oregon.gov.

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Brain Tease. Rebus puzzles use a combination of images and words to convey a phrase or message, typically a common idiom or expression. For example, “Wineeeee” means “Win with ease.” See if you can solve these Rebus puzzles:

1. Jobinjob. 2. STA4NCE. 3. ENTURY. Hint: You might use this to greet an old friend. 4. M1Y L1I1F1E. I thought this one was the most difficult.

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The name of the pediatrician who wrote “The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care,” one of the best-selling books of the twentieth century, was Dr. Benjamin Spock. I received correct answers from Anna O’Donnell, Rhonda Spies, Mike McFarlane, Bruce Johnson, Marny Weting, Shelly Hinatsu, Julie Hoffman, Lana Tepfer, Judy Kiser, Eva Summers, Dave Lutgens, Craig Terry, Nancy Higgins, and Marny Weting, who is this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket.

Last week, I missed Kathy Bullock, Donna Mollet, Rebecca Abrams, Debbie Medina; Barb Weilford and Tina Castanares, who were both Candy Stripers in their younger days; and Francis Hartford who at the age of 85 is still dreaming big!

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I want to thank Bruce Johnson for reminding me about this week’s “Remember When” question.

Most of you probably remember watching “Captain Kangaroo,” which was conceived by Bob Keeshan and ran from 1955 to 1984, one of the longest-running children’s TV series. (Keeshan had portrayed the original Clarabell the Clown on NBC’s “The Howdy Doody Show.”)

A regular visitor on the show was a talented and inquisitive handyman who provided assistance at the Treasure House and frequently visited the Captain with the latest addition to his collection of zoo animals. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this popular character? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-980-4645, or send it with a pair of farmer’s overalls.

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Well, it’s been another week, wondering whether we will have any significant snow in January. Until we meet again, mistakes are what remind us we are all human.

“A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.”

—  Lois Wyse

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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on second and fourth Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Town Hall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).

For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).