Resource fair to keep you Living Well in Wahkiakum Nov. 7

The Hope Center in Cathlamet will open its doors on Friday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services’ (WCHHS) Living Well in Wahkiakum. Because the annual resource fair coincides with Medicare open enrollment, one of its central aims is to assist community members as they navigate their Medicare options. Local Medicare expert James Sorensen, as well as volunteers from SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) will offer presentations on Medicare 101 and opportunities for one-on-one advising. There will also be a presentation on dementia care from Diane Craft of Koelsch Communities.

While the event has a special focus on senior needs, there will be representatives from a variety of regional and local resources that serve every population in the county.

The Department of Licensing mobile unit will be on site to provide first time Washington driver license or ID card, including enhanced, out of state transfers, renewals, driver records, reinstatement letters, and document review for proof of identity.

Care-A-Van will hold a pop-up clinic, offering an assortment of medical screenings and, thanks to a partnership with CHOICE (Custom Health Option and Individual Care Expense), flu vaccines. Insurance is not required for any of their services, but if you do have it, please bring proof. The Lions Club will offer vision and hearing screenings, and the Cathlamet Fire Department will provide blood pressure checks and info on fall prevention. Other vendors include, but are not limited to: American Red Cross, PFLAG (Parent, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Working Families Tax Credit, Cowlitz Family Health Center, Timberland Legal Aid, Chair Yoga and Tai Chi, the Charlotte House, and Lower Columbia CAP (Community Action Partnership). Job seekers can speak to representatives from WorkSource and Goodwill about the opportunities they provide and Wahkiakum on the Move will partner with the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments to provide information on how to access public transportation locally and regionally. Lunch will be provided!

The Hope Center is located at 320 S. 3rd Street in Cathlamet. Living Well is sponsored this year by WCHHS, CHOICE, AAADSW/WA (Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington) Cares, and James Sorensen. For more information, please call Diana at 360-795-8630 ext. 236.