Directors Letter– May 2020
Covid-19 has ushered in lots of changes and created much uncertainty. Anything that brings stability and continuity is welcome these days. With this in mind, so I have decided to stay on as center director at the Sno Valley Senior Center. The center has lots of opportunities ahead to expand its reach into the community through the Veterans Seniors and Human Services Levy funding it received. We have so much more we can offer our community. I’m glad to be part of it.
So, how have you been handling all this enforced isolation? My mom is in South Dakota and is a busy community volunteer. This enforced isolation is hard for her. She has cancer that is in remission but she’s doing alright at the moment.
My mom was sick this past fall with bad vertigo so I went home to visit her. I went to help but she didn’t see it as help. She saw it as interference. So even Senior Center Directors have a lot to learn! I wanted to set her up with transportation, help with housework and meals. I wanted her life to be easier and for her to be safe. But she didn’t want help! I should have known better.
You can’t force help on your parents or friends or anyone! The best way is to tread lightly. “Help” only helps if the person being “helped” thinks it helps. So I learned to start by finding out if there is anything she thinks she might want some assistance with. By the time, I left my mom’s home, we had a friend to help take her to the doctor since she temporarily couldn’t drive. And a niece was lined up to come once a week to help clean because she really needed the income and my mom agreed to a little help. It was a win win. It’s hard to accept help but it feels good to give people the opportunity to feel helpful. Sometimes in life, you give help and sometimes you have to accept help.
I want you to know that we are here for you. We won’t force help on you. You get the choice and freedom to choose when and how you engage. There are lots of resources available. All you have to do is ask. Kelly Fujiwara, our social worker, has her door open and her phone ready to provide you support and resources. Just call the Senior Center at 425-333-4152.
Please come say hi when the doors re-open. We can’t wait to see you all again!
Lisa Yeager, Lisay@soundgenerations.org