Raging in Place

Gen-x aging resources and community

Category: Food

  • Honoring Older Americans Month: A Focus on Aging in Place

    Honoring Older Americans Month: A Focus on Aging in Place

    May marks Older Americans Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions and experiences of older adults across the nation. This year, as many of us in Generation X begin to seriously consider our own futures and the futures of our parents, the theme of “Aging in Place” resonates particularly strongly. It speaks to a fundamental desire for independence and comfort within our familiar surroundings.

    Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity offers a powerful example of how this desire can be supported through their Aging in Place and Critical Home Repair program. This initiative isn’t just about fixing leaky faucets; it’s about empowering seniors and disabled veterans in Pierce County to remain safely and independently in their homes and communities.

    Practical Support for Lasting Independence

    The program provides crucial, on-site services, addressing urgent home repairs and making essential modifications. We’re talking about practical solutions like installing wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and railings. These seemingly simple additions can dramatically improve a home’s accessibility and significantly reduce the risk of accidents, allowing individuals to navigate their living spaces with greater ease and confidence. For many, these repairs mean the difference between staying in a cherished home and being forced to relocate.

    As we mature, the thought of leaving a home filled with memories can be daunting. The financial and emotional costs of moving are often substantial. Programs like Habitat’s offer a vital alternative, allowing homeowners to adapt their current residences to meet evolving needs, preserving their independence and connection to their communities.

    Eligibility and Partnership

    To ensure resources are directed where they’re most needed, the program has clear eligibility criteria. Applicants must be Pierce County residents who own and occupy their homes, be at least 60 years old, or a disabled U.S. military veteran. Additionally, household income must fall below 80% of the Area Median Income.

    In alignment with Habitat’s core philosophy, the program also incorporates “sweat equity.” This means recipients are asked to contribute to the work if physically able, and to pay a modest portion (10-30%) of the repair costs, along with a $100 down payment. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of partnership and shared investment in the repair process.

    In a time when many are seeking practical solutions for long-term living, the Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s Aging in Place program offers a valuable blueprint. It addresses the practicalities of home maintenance and modification while upholding the dignity and independence of older adults and veterans. For those of us navigating the considerations of later life, understanding such resources is paramount.

    Reference:

    Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. (n.d.). It’s Older Americans Month: How Habitat Factors In? Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.tpc-habitat.org/its-older-americans-month-how-habitat-factors-in/?blm_aid=401106

  • Pierce County Fresh Produce, Local Impact: Senior Farmers Market Vouchers Now Available

    Pierce County Fresh Produce, Local Impact: Senior Farmers Market Vouchers Now Available

    For many of us navigating the landscape of mature adulthood, maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes increasingly vital. Often, however, access to nutritious options poses a challenge. Good news for seniors in Pierce County: the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) now offers valuable electronic benefit cards. These cards make fresh, locally grown produce more accessible.

    Boosting Senior Nutrition

    Tacoma Weekly recently highlighted this initiative. The SFMNP aims to combat a concerning statistic: fewer than one-third of seniors consume the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables. These essential nutrients are crucial. They prevent and manage many health issues often accompanying aging.

    Eligible seniors can receive a one-time $80 electronic benefit card. These include Pierce County residents aged 60 or older. American Indian or Alaska Native individuals aged 55 and up also qualify. Applicants must meet specific income thresholds. Seniors can use this card through October 31, 2025. It purchases fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey. The card is valid at participating farmers markets and farm stores. This program directly benefits individual health. It also provides a welcome boost to local farmers and the broader agricultural economy.

    Implications for Generation X

    For those of us in Generation X, now firmly entrenched in our “senior adjacent” years, this program serves as a pertinent reminder. While current eligibility might be a few years off for many, it underscores proactive planning for our own nutritional well-being. It’s a preview of resources that will become increasingly relevant as we move into the next phase of life. Moreover, it highlights the enduring value of local food systems. These systems support both community health and economic vitality.

    Easy Application Process

    Applying is straightforward. Applications are available online at piercecounty.wa.gov/653/senior-farmers-market-program. You can also find them in multiple languages. In-person applications are available at Pierce County Human Services locations in Tacoma. You can also apply by phone through the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at (253) 798-4600 or 1 (800) 562-0332.

    Please apply only if you plan to utilize the benefits. Unused cards prevent others from accessing this valuable resource. Participants can also leverage the free SFMNP mobile app. It helps track balances and locate vendors.

    This program is more than just financial aid. It’s an investment in community health and local enterprise. Aaron Van Valkenburg, Aging and Disability Resources manager, stated, “We’re proud to offer this benefit to support both senior nutrition and local agriculture.” It’s a win-win, fostering healthier lives while strengthening the bonds between consumers and the farmers who sustain our regions.

  • Vermont’s Health Care Reform in Limbo: What’s the Future of the AHEAD Model?

    Vermont’s Health Care Reform in Limbo: What’s the Future of the AHEAD Model?

    Recent events have clouded Vermont’s planned health care reforms, potentially altering the health care landscape.

    In July 2024, the federal government selected Vermont for the All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model. This initiative promised to transform Vermont’s health care payment and delivery systems. AHEAD aimed to increase Medicare funding, invest in primary care, and reduce costs while improving Vermonters’ health.

    Now, AHEAD’s future is uncertain. Federal officials have paused communications with Vermont, and reports indicate staffing changes at involved federal agencies.

    What does this mean for Vermont? State officials admit AHEAD’s future is unclear. They continue to work as if the program will proceed, but its implementation is not guaranteed.

    Vermont lawmakers are proactive. They are exploring alternative strategies to tackle the state’s health care challenges. For example, a new bill proposes significant changes to how Vermonters pay for health care, including reference-based pricing.

    The AHEAD Model’s fate remains undecided. However, Vermont remains committed to building a more affordable, accessible, and equitable health care system. The situation is evolving. We will provide updates as Vermont navigates this uncertain period.

  • The Looming Food Crisis: How Federal Funding Cuts Could Impact Our Aging Parents

    The Looming Food Crisis: How Federal Funding Cuts Could Impact Our Aging Parents

    Meals on wheels facing funding cuts

    The news from Thousand Oaks, California, is troubling for anyone concerned about food security, particularly for our aging population. A pause in federal funding could significantly impact the Conejo Valley Senior Nutrition Program, a critical resource providing meals to local seniors. According to a recent article in the Thousand Oaks Acorn, this funding freeze could jeopardize the program’s ability to provide nutritious meals, potentially leaving many seniors struggling to access adequate food.

    A Lifeline for Seniors

    The Senior Nutrition Program isn’t just a meal delivery service; it’s a lifeline. For many older adults, especially those on fixed incomes or with limited mobility, these meals are essential for maintaining health and independence. The potential loss of this service raises serious concerns about the well-being of our community’s seniors. It’s not just about having food; it’s about having access to nutritious food, designed to meet the specific dietary needs of older adults.

    The Sandwich Generation’s Concerns

    For those of us in Generation X, this news hits close to home. We’re the sandwich generation, often juggling the demands of our own families with the increasing needs of our aging parents. The prospect of our parents facing food insecurity adds another layer of stress and worry. We’re already concerned about their healthcare, housing, and overall well-being. Now, we may have to scramble to find alternative solutions to ensure they have access to nutritious meals. This could mean increased financial burdens, more time spent caring for them, or difficult decisions about their care.

    The Importance of Community Support and Planning

    This situation highlights the vulnerability of seniors to changes in federal funding. It underscores the importance of community support and advocacy for programs that serve our aging population. It also serves as a wake-up call for us, the generation facing our own aging journey, to start planning for the future and considering the resources that will be available. We need to be proactive in supporting programs that benefit seniors, not just for our parents, but for ourselves as we age.

    A Call to Action

    The Acorn article rightly points out the potential consequences of this funding pause. It’s a situation we need to be paying close attention to, and one that should prompt us to ask: What can we do to ensure that our community’s seniors are not left behind? How can we, as a generation, support the programs that provide essential services to our parents and prepare ourselves for the challenges of aging? These are questions we need to be asking, and acting on, now.

  • Soufflé Recipes: A Blast from the Past

    Soufflé Recipes: A Blast from the Past

    Remember those airy, delicate soufflés that were all the rage back in the day?
    I’m not sure when they fell out of fashion, but I recently stumbled upon a collection of soufflé recipes from the late 90s (yes, you read that right!), and it brought back a flood of memories.

    Remember when we were younger, and everything seemed possible? We thought we could conquer the world, and our soufflés would always rise to the occasion.  

    Well, maybe not always.

    But there was something magical about those puffed-up culinary creations. They were impressive, elegant, and a bit intimidating, just like us Gen Xers back in the day.  

    If you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to try something different, check out this blast from the past: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mjw/recipes/souffle/index.html  

    Find recipes like :
    Chestnut Souffle

    Grand Marnier Souffle

    Maple Syrup Souffle

    Orange Souffle

    Souffled Cherry Soup

    It’s a treasure trove of soufflé recipes, from classic cheese to more exotic flavors like chestnut and Grand Marnier. Who knows, maybe soufflés will make a comeback, and we’ll be the cool kids again.