A supportive services speaker series regarding seniors aging within their own homes is currently ongoing in Clark County.
The series the work of the Clark County Commission on Aging. Last year, the commission did a similar speaker series, but the focus was on housing.
The current speaker series takes place on the third Tuesday of each month in the sixth-floor Hearing Room of the Public Service Center at 1300 Franklin St. in Vancouver. Meetings begin at 4:30 p.m.
The purpose of the series is to educate and raise awareness about supportive services that exist, or may need to exist, to help Clark County’s older citizens age in their own homes and familiar neighborhoods for as long as they can. During each meeting, the commission brings in a local expert to speak on a specific topic. The upcoming topic on May 16 is “home safety” and the guest speaker is Sue Doyle, an occupational therapist who has her own private practice in Battle Ground.
Below is a look at the series schedule, which began last month and concludes in November. Attendance at each meeting is not the only way to experience them, though, as each meeting is carried live on CVTV Channel 23 and online at.cvtv.org. Replays are also available at the site.
According to Jacqui Kamp, a planner for the series, around 20-30 people typically attend the meetings. Though the series is obviously aimed at senior citizens, many attendees are caregivers.
Each speaker, she said, usually begins by presenting with a Powerpoint presentation. Afterward, the nine-member commision discusses the topic with the speaker. Eventually, the audience is allowed time for questions and answers. Overall, she said the series is a huge benefit to the community because the Commission on Aging members “have the ear of the county council” and can influence policies regarding seniors. It also simply makes other residents more aware.
“One of the biggest things is raising awareness and knowledge of resources,” said Kamp. “Especially when there’s a crisis and you need info, that can be hard sometimes if you don’t know what’s around.”
According to the Commission of Aging, Clark County is anticipating a huge surge in the number of residents 60 or older. They say that today one in six residents is 60 or older, and the number will increase to one in four by 2030. Those projections are one of the reasons for the speaker series.
“It’s making a difference. It’s preparing us for an aging population. It’s important for the community,” said Kamp.
Anybody interested is welcome to attend a meeting. More information can be found at clark.wa.gov/community-planning/commission-aging.
