The holiday season has arrived and social isolation is magnified more than ever for all of us. While we are all coping with the pandemic in our own ways with our families, friends and work, let’s not forget about our senior citizens and neighbors who may be struggling. Be aware of your neighbors, especially if they are alone or elderly. If anything looks amiss, it’s not interfering to knock on the door to check on someone (always with your mask on). It’s a show of kindness and it only takes a minute to keep your eyes open. If you have concerns, you can always call the Police Department at (503) 691-4800 and ask for a wellness check. Our officers are trained and prepared to do this. On the flip side, if you are that neighbor in need, it is really okay to ask for assistance. We all try to be good neighbors but sometimes we miss things and we wouldn’t know your need if you don’t ask.
There are other resources available for seniors:
- Tualatin Police Department Prescription Delivery Service: call (503) 691-4800
- Meals on Wheels People for home delivery of meals: call (503) 736-6325
- Ride Connection for free transportation in Tualatin: call (503) 226-0700
- Senior Connection Calls for a weekly friendly check-in: call (833) 736-4676
- Senior Loneliness Line, another way to connect: call (503) 200-1633
- Aging and Disability Resource Connection for available services to seniors: call (855) 673-2372
- Tualatin School House Pantry will deliver food boxes: call (503) 783-0731
- Instacart/Fred Meyer will deliver your groceries to you (there is a fee): call (844) 981-3433
- Borland Free Clinic at Rolling Hills Church: call (503) 974-8887
If you are looking for something to do while staying home and staying safe, take advantage of all the on line programs offered by the City of Tualatin Library and the Parks and Recreation Department. Log on to www.tualatinoregon.gov and on the face page click on Our Community and then select Library and Parks and Recreation. Click on the links to discover all the programming available to you right in your home. The links for opportunities to explore is full of activities and creative ideas to have some fun, be active indoors and stay healthy:
- do you want to take a Silver Sneakers or Yoga or Tai Chi exercise class;
- belong to a book club;
- take a health and wellness class;
- join a letter exchange group with the Dear Stranger Project;
- join an online nature and outdoor activity group;
- take a virtual trip somewhere across the US;
- a virtual tour of museums around the world;
- the Oregon Field Guide to enjoy the great outdoors of Oregon;
- check out a book or video from the library;
- experience the Oregon Symphony or the Oregon Zoo;
- tour the hidden Worlds of National Parks?
All you have to do is log on and bring the outside world inside to enjoy whenever you like.
Thank you all for caring for each other and wishes for a healthy and safe holiday season. Let’s welcome 2021 with the hope that better things are coming and we can leave 2020’s “new normal” behind.
