Getting out and seeing the world is one of those pleasures that almost everyone enjoys. Whether it’s heading off to delightful far off places or taking in vistas nearby, travel can lift the heart and stimulate the mind. But with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia, all that changes. But does it need to?
“Travel with Dementia – Yes or No?” will explore possibilities and offer practical resources and solutions to people who still want to discover new horizons. Travel advisor David Westin will share his experiences of travelling with his wife who was living with dementia, the arrangements they made, the obstacles they met, the answers they found and the joys they discovered together.
As with any form of travel, the better the preparation the better the experience. The presentation will take a realistic look at travel starting with an honest appraisal of whether adventuring out is even a good idea. Other topics include the benefits of travel, selecting destinations, itinerary planning, finding accommodations, disability-friendly tours, preparing legal and medical documents, personal hygiene and preparing for the worst.
“Travel with Dementia – Why Not?” will be held ton three dates:
Saturday, Nov. 12 – 10 to 11 a.m. (Sound View Building, 3602 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma)
Monday, Nov. 14 – 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. (Pierce County Annex, 2401 S. 35th St. in Tacoma)
Tuesday, Nov. 15 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community, 1301 N. Highlands Parkway in Tacoma)
“Keeping the mind active is so very important,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources manager. “A diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean an end to life. When appropriate, travel can be a wonderful way of adding quality to life and engaging in new and stimulating experiences that help both the care giver and the care receiver.”
This free informational presentation is sponsored by Pierce County’s Aging & Disability Resource Center in collaboration with Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and is open to the public. No RSVP is required. For more information call (253) 798-4600.
– Pierce County
Veterans Day events, Zoo career day coming up this week
Thursday, Nov. 10 – Bates Technical College Salute to Sacrifice, Downtown Auditorium (1101 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Keynote speaker Command Sergeant Major Roy L. Rocco from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Lunch available for purchase. www.batestechnicalblog.org
Friday, Nov. 11 – Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles Veterans Day ceremony and celebration of the centennial of Coast Guard aviation, 10:30 a.m. Ceremony held inside the air station hangar. Entrance through the front gate a t1 Ediz Hook, Port Angeles. www.uscg.mil/d13/sfoportangeles/Driving_Directions/Maps_and_Driving_Directions.asp
Friday, Nov. 11 – The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest honors Medal of Honor recipient, Marvin G. Shields at Gardiner Cemetery, Gardiner, Wa., 11 a.m. The public is invited to join Shields family, the officers and enlisted members of NAVFAC Northwest and their families, alongside retirees and civilian employees at the service to honor Shields, who was killed in combat during the battle of Dong Xoai, Vietnam in June 1965.
Now through Nov. 20 – Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, “Help Out for Half Off”, offering half-priced admission with the donation of two or more non-perishable food items, Thursday-Monday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving). www.pdza.org/calendar?cid=758
Saturday, Nov. 12 – Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is hosting a zoo career day for students in 6th grade through college, Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Participating students will receive free admission to the zoo, however, students under age 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Biologists will talk about their jobs and offer presentations on training and animal enrichment. Behind-the-scenes tours will be offered but space is limited.
Pre-registration is not required, but all students (including those with zoo memberships) must check in with career day staff before getting their tickets at the admissions window. Participants can go online to complete the check-in form to speed up the process.
Thursday, Nov. 17 – 2016 Art Students Annual, award reception, University of Puget Sound, Kittredge Gallery (N. 15th and N. Lawrence St., Tacoma), 5-7 p.m., free and open to the public. Display runs Monday, Nov. 14 to Saturday, Dec. 10.
Thursday, Nov. 17 – Bates Technical College Culinary Arts Thanksgiving buffet, downtown Tacoma campus cafe, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $10 ($6 12-under). www.batestechnicalblog.org
