Senior News May, 2002 Vol. 21. No.  5

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Historic Register: Washington School receives national recognition

Senior issues: Commission hears from local providers

Springcreek Place:Affordable senior housing opens in Eureka

McKinleyville: How can we help?

Del Norte InfoCenter: One-stop shopping for senior and family services

Assistive Technology Classes

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McKinleyville
How can we help?
by Barbara Ogden

We offer little perks to seniors like making photo copies, taking blood pressures and having a fax machine available. We have in house computers so they can send and receive e-mails from friends and relatives. We help with income taxes and homeowners and renters rebates. We fill out insurance forms and medical forms and any other forms. We answer questions and try to help in any way we possibly can.

We don't have an official Information and Referral program, but it seems if seniors have a problem they call us. Seems like anyone in McKinleyville who has a problem, young or old, calls us for help. And here at the senior center we think this is great. We don't always have all the answers, but we sure do try.

We've had some real challenges over the years. We get the everyday calls for information on doctors, dentists, plumbers, handymen. Folks call asking where streets are and where they can find certain items like paper shredders or padded toilet seats. We've recently received many requests for care providers, which we refer to agencies.

Last week a lady called asking us to find someone to house sit for two months, taking care of her many bonsai trees. Another gal called wanting to know how to make a heart-shaped cake. And a lady called asking if we could find someone to bury her dead goat. Would you believe we were able to take care of all these problems?

Everyday questions like where to buy farm fresh eggs or get rid of ants in the kitchen are pretty routine. One of our greatest resources in McKinleyville is Eleanor Sullivan, former McKinleyville Senior Center director. She knows everyone and can usually help us with a lot of problems.

McKinleyville is still small enough and quite close knit that all of us are a resource to each other.
Here at the senior center we welcome all calls and all challenges. Sometimes all it takes is a little common sense and some input from folks around you to find an answer. Today's seniors have too much stress with all that's going on in their lives and the world. Little stresses sometimes can be eliminated with just a phone call.

And yes, we did find a kind gentleman who dug a hole and buried the goat. He even provided a flower on the gravesite.

Barbara Ogden is director of the McKinleyville Senior Center, 707-839-0191.