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Click here to purchase tickets for the Hot Rod Hop!

Support the Center by Purchasing a Copy of the
“Life’s Journey of Remembrance” Publication

The most common reasons for writing are to express yourself, to analyze, to inform, entertain, and persuade. Sometimes your writing will combine several purposes. Some writing that you do for yourself is practical such as filling out forms and writing letters of complaint. Other self-prompted writing you will do simply because you enjoy it. This type of writing includes poems, journal entries, personal memories, reminiscences, and “just for fun” topics of interest.

Everyone is an individual. You think and act in ways that are uniquely your own, as we each have our own “voice”. As you write you discover what you think about yourself – and the world around you which is different for everyone. This is one of the main reasons why I enjoy teaching this class so much. The diversity inspires me and hopefully will inspire you as we go on this great adventure together.

I am proud to introduce a collection of writings by the students of the Fall 2023 Creative Writing Workshop at the Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center in Klamath Falls, OR.
-Maurine Loprete, Creative Writing Instructor

Follow the link here to purchase a print or ebook copy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNRMXWDK?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520

Serving the Klamath Community through Meals on Wheels

A knock at the door might not seem like a big deal to many of us. But, to a homebound senior, it could signal the arrival of the only person they might see all day or all week long. It brings hope. It brings health. It brings the nutrition and care that will completely make their day. We can’t do it alone. It takes all of us to keep the meals on wheels movement going. Call the Senior Center at 541-883-7171 to become a volunteer today!

If you or someone you know is in need of Meals on Wheels, please register with the Klamath Lake Counties Council on Aging by calling 541-205-5400.

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

3 days ago

Klamath Basin Senior Center
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month Submitted by Mike Mulligan, Community Health Education Coordinator, Parkinson’s ResourcesMichael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali, Linda Ronstadt, Alan Alda, Billy Graham, Neil Diamond, Brett Farve - what do all these celebrities have in common? They all have or had Parkinson’s Disease! While these are faces almost everyone recognize, there are also faces here in our Klamath Falls community, in our own circle of friends, in our own families, and maybe even in our own mirror whose lives are touched by Parkinson’s. April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, so allow us to share a bit more about this disease and the actions that can be taken to manage it.• Worldwide, Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological disorder!• In the US, it is estimated there are about 1 million people living with Parkinson’s.• Another 90,000 are diagnosed each year. • The average age of onset is 60, but it also occurs at earlier ages.• Men are about 1.5 times more likely to develop it.Parkinson’s is a neurological condition that affects the production of a chemical in the brain called dopamine. One of dopamine’s jobs is to carry signals between the brain cells that control our movement. The loss of dopamine production causes a decrease in the speed, quality, and ease of a person’s movement.While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, or a way to stop its progression, there is a lot that can be done to manage symptoms with both medication and non-pill therapies. And research has shown that specific, targeted, exercise programs can slow its progression.There are a lot of symptoms associated with Parkinson’s. In fact, over 50! Some of these, like a resting tremor (rhythmic shaking) and slowness of movement, are ones you can see. But there are many others that can’t be observed. The symptoms experienced will differ from person to person, and for each person, they can vary from day to day and even hour-to-hour. This means each person’s experience is unique!Being aware of Parkinson’s should not be limited to just one month. If you, a loved one, or a friend here in the community is living with Parkinson’s, we want you to know that you don’t have to make that journey alone. Give us a call to learn more.Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO) is a non-profit that only serves Oregon and Southwest Washington. PRO offers a wide variety of services including a helpline, virtual and in-person education events, and a large network of support groups - including one that meets here in Klamath Falls on the fourth Tuesday of the month. For more information, please call 800-426-6806 or go to www.parkinsonsresources.org. ... See MoreSee Less
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Klamath Basin Senior Center

4 days ago

Klamath Basin Senior Center
Diet & Nutrition for Individuals with Parkinson’s DiseaseAlso great nutrition and health tips for everyone!By Klamath Basin Senior Center Staff, adapted from Parkinson’s Foundation and Brian Grant Foundation materials and resources. Learn more at parkinson.org and briangrant.orgStudies show that making targeted nutrition the mainstay of your meals may slow Parkinson's disease (PD) advancement. Eating a whole-food, plant-based diet has many benefits.While there is no prescription for a PD-specific diet, one that includes a variety of whole grains, vegetables, fruits and protein-rich foods can improve health. Also consider including nuts, olive oil, fish and eggs to your diet, for their beneficial fats.Maintain HealthAvoid “fad” diets. Eat food from all food groups, following guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture MyPlate program. Eating a variety of foods will help you get the energy, protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber you need for good health.Tips• Choose a diet with plenty of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, which provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and complex carbohydrates and can help you lower your intake of fat.• Limit sugar intake. A diet with lots of sugar can have too many calories and too few nutrients. It can also contribute to tooth decay.• Reduce salt and sodium intake to help decrease your risk of high blood pressure.• Incorporate foods high in antioxidants (which are important for overall brain health) into your diet. These include brightly colored and dark fruits and vegetables.• Balance the food you eat with physical activity.• Choose a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol to reduce your risk of heart attack and certain types of cancer.• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce chances of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers and common types of diabetes. Your doctor can help you determine what a healthy weight means for you.• Drink alcoholic beverages in moderation, as they have empty calories and few (or no) nutrients. Drinking alcohol can cause many health problems and accidents. It may not be advisable to mix certain medications with alcohol. Check with your doctor.Ease PD SymptomsThe right foods will also optimize your medications, keep your bones strong, fight constipation and weight loss and maintain general health and fitness.• Drink enough water (6-8 glasses a day) and eat fiber-rich foods, including brown rice, whole grains (breads with 3 grams or more of dietary fiber per slice), fruit and beans to ease digestive difficulties and constipation.• Take your medications with a full glass of water. It may help your body break down the medication more efficiently.• Limit sugar intake, alcohol and caffeine particularly before bed, as they may interrupt sleep.• Talk to your doctor about whether you should increase your Vitamin D intake. Vitamin D helps maintain bone health. It can be found in fortified milk and milk products, egg yolks and fatty fish — like tuna, mackerel and salmon — and there are oral supplements available over the counter.• Snack on small quantities of walnuts, cashews and other nuts to promote brain health. Also try to incorporate berries, which contain beneficial antioxidants, and foods that may have anti-inflammatory effects in the brain, like salmon, tuna and dark, leafy green vegetables.ChallengesDiet and Parkinson’s medications can impact each other. Carbidopa/levodopa medications work best on an empty stomach. However, some people experience nausea as a side effect of these medications, and taking them on an empty stomach may not be their best option.For some, taking certain PD medications close to a protein-rich meal — like meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts and beans — may interfere with the absorption of the drug in the blood, causing it to work more slowly or less effectively. Talk to your doctor about the right option for you, such as taking the drug on an empty stomach or with a small snack, such as crackers or applesauce.Tips• People with PD may eat less and lose weight because of difficulty swallowing, nausea from medications or movement symptoms that make it difficult to eat, or from feeling full after a small meal. Be sure to address these issues with your doctor.• Also consider adding foods with healthy fats — nuts, nut butters and avocado — to your diet. Try bitter greens or spicy foods to stimulate your appetite. Exercise to increase hunger.• PD symptoms such as tremor, stiffness or difficulty swallowing may make eating certain foods challenging. Try eating foods that are easy to swallow. Put dishes on rubber mats to prevent them from slipping.• Staying hydrated is important, try eating foods with high water content in addition to beverages to maintain hydration, such as celery, butternut squash, grapefruit, strawberries and watermelon.Kale Pasta SaladThis kale pasta salad will make lunchtime your favorite part of the day. (It’s great as a side dish, too!) Kale is filled with antioxidants and fiber. Use whole wheat pasta and get a dose of whole grains too!Ingredients1 bunch kale, stems removed1/2 tsp granulated garlicpinch of salt1 Tbsp + 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil4 garlic cloves3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice1 Tbsp fresh oregano1/2 tsp salt1 tsp ground black pepper1/2 lb (dry weight) desired pasta (make it whole wheat for added fiber)1/4 cup Sicilian olives, halved1/4 cup oven-roasted tomatoes, or freshly sliced cherry tomatoes Shredded dairy or non-dairy cheese as a toppingInstructions1. Preheat pan on a stovetop burner at medium high heat.2. Toss kale leaves with granulated garlic, pinch of salt and 1 Tbsp olive oil in a bowl. Pan cook until crispy and lightly browned, stirring often as to not burn.3. Remove from heat and set aside.4. For dressing, combine in processor or with a blender bottle to emulsify: garlic, lemon juice, ½ cup olive oil, oregano, salt and pepper.5. Boil pasta in a pot of lightly salted water until al dente or your preferred consistency.6. Toss together pasta, dressing, kale and remaining ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings. Top with shredded cheese as desired. Serve immediately. ... See MoreSee Less

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

5 days ago

Klamath Basin Senior Center
Esther HeinIn MemoriamBy Maurine LopreteEsther was a fixture at the Senior Center until she became ill recently. We were fortunate to have her in our creative writing class.She started journaling immediately. Most were short entries, but the stories she shared about her dad and the relationship that they had are warm and heartfelt. I would encourage you to purchase our book “Life’s Journey of Remembrance” from Amazon where her journaling is published.We will miss Esther’s input in class as she was bright, articulate, and always had a kind word to say about somebody or something. She was friendly, outgoing and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. She was a prolific crocheter and loved making blankets and quilts.She recently celebrated the birth of a great grandson and was excited to journal about him and the rest of her family. She had a lot to say, her voice will be missed.The Road That CountsBy Esther HeinIt isn’t the length of the road that counts,Or the number of days we liveIt’s the way we spend our allotted time,And the service to man that we give,For a lengthy road is uselessAnd so are countless daysIf idly spent or on pleasure bentUncaring for others, always.It isn’t the crowds on the road that counts,Whether near us or passing afar;But the way we treat the ones we meetShows the kind of person we are.There are those that are strong and ableThat we see only now and then,But the weak with their care, too heavy to bearTruly have need of a friend.It isn’t the kind of road that countsWhether smooth, or rocky, or steep;If we follow the star of faith and loveOur footsteps He’ll guide and keepHe’ll make the rough way even, He’ll lower the lofty hills.The shadow of night will fade from sightIf we walk the way that He wills.So let me walk on the road that counts,That my living may not be in vainDoing whatever good I can for IShall not walk this way againSeeking to help my fellow man,His trails of life to surmount.Guide us we pray, as we walk each day,On the only road that counts! ... See MoreSee Less

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

1 week ago

Klamath Basin Senior Center

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Klamath Basin Senior Center

1 week ago

Klamath Basin Senior Center
NEWS FROM THE GIFT SHOP Hello Everyone! The Gift Shop is alive & well. If you are looking for a spring time gift, new baby gift, we have lots of items to look at & purchase. We have lots of handmade cloth tote bags in various prints. The price ranges from $10.00 to $15.00. We also have baby booties that are so cute you’ll fall in love with them at first sight. We have some really pretty plant stakes to dress up your favorite plant. We have wash cloths, potholders & scrubbies if you need to update your kitchen. There is a vast array of patterns & colors for any kitchen.We need donations of yarn, fabric and art supplies. So, if you have any left overs from a project, please think of the Gift Shop. We have an Art-O-Mat (that vends small pocket sized Art from a refurbished cigarette vending machine for $5!) in our gift shop. Come in & check it out next time you are in the Senior Center!Our hours are from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday! Come by and say hello. ... See MoreSee Less

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