LETTER TO THE EDITOR | There’s no competition between Senior Services, South Whidbey at Home

Editor, It’s come to our attention that there is some misinformation swirling around about the relationship between Senior Services of Island County (SSIC) and the developing nonprofit South Whidbey at Home (SW@Home), so we’ve joined together to set things straight. As the director of SSIC and the board president of SW@Home, we have been meeting to keep each other informed for months.

May 14, 2016 10:00 am

Editor,

It’s come to our attention that there is some misinformation swirling around about the relationship between Senior Services of Island County (SSIC) and the developing nonprofit South Whidbey at Home (SW@Home), so we’ve joined together to set things straight.

As the director of SSIC and the board president of SW@Home, we have been meeting to keep each other informed for months. The two organizations are not in competition. Senior Services offers programs, information and referrals to people over 55 or 60 or disabled living anywhere in the county; SW@Home will provide services only to people 55 plus living on South Whidbey who are members of SW@Home. Both organizations are dedicated to supporting our older residents in staying in their own homes and active in their own communities for as long as possible. Both have something to offer.

There is a flood of baby boomers coming down the pike and nearly 90 percent of them say they want to “age in place.” Senior Services offers a wide range of essential services, but will not be able to be everything to everyone with the resources it has. SW@Home is designed to fill some of the gaps or offer programs with a different slant.

The board of SW@Home is aware of the importance of what Senior Services does, and would not intentionally jeopardize its funding, staff, programs or volunteers. Senior Services, on its part, recognizes that some seniors may need or choose to join SW@Home for the personalized care that can be offered by a small, nimble nonprofit dealing with fewer regulations, less paperwork and a small membership base.

Senior Services, of course, is already in operation, serving 700 people a month. SW@Home signed up members, supporting members, and volunteers in April and that process continues this month. Organization leaders hope to begin providing services in late June. For more information about Senior Services, visit its website at www.islandseniorservices.org or call 360-321-1600. To reach SW@Home call 360-610-7127, email info@swathome.org or our Facebook pages.

CHERYN WEISER

Senior Services executive director

LYNN WILLEFORD

South Whidbey at Home board

president