AAA - Your Local Area Agency on Aging 

Northwest Regional Council - https://www.nwrcwa.org/ 

Support for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties 

Local services offered: Aging and disability, behavioral health, care coordination, dementia support, family caregiver support, in-home care, jail health program, non-emergency transport, tribal outreach 

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Transportation Options 

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NWRC can assist with: Bus passes in Whatcom and Skagit counties, Gas vouchers and reimbursement forms, Forms for doctor offices, After-hours transportation assistance 

https://www.nwrcwa.org/non-emergency-medical-transportation 

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Island Transit 

Island Transit is a free transit system in Island County, Washington, serving Whidbey Island and Camano Island. The system consists of fixed-route bus service, paratransit, and vanpools. There is no weekend or holiday service. 

Phone Numbers: (360) 678-7771 or (800) 240-8747 

Website: islandtransit.org 

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Snowgoose Transit 

https://snowgoosetransit.org/map 

 

Local Support Groups 

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Sharing is Caring – Caregiver Support Group 

Camano Center 

606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island 

Facilitators: Patti Pontikis, Ellyn Thoreen and Cheryll Davis 

Contact:  Karen Conway kconway@camanocenter.org or 360-387-0222 

  

Are you caring for someone with early-stage Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia? This support group meets once a month and is a great way to seek support from those who have the same concerns and challenges related to caregiving for someone with mild cognitive or memory impairment. 

  

Group meets 3rd Wednesday at 11:00 at the Camano Center for an hour.  Option to stay and have lunch with the group at the Camano Center starting at noon.  Lunch is a “pay what you can” donation. 

  

Class format: 

First half hour - caregiver and person with dementia start in the same room. 

Second half hour – caregivers are in one room and those with dementia may break-out in another room with group facilitator. Caregivers may come without spouse or partner. Person with dementia needs to come with a caregiver or partner. If you are bringing partner with dementia, the group is geared toward early dementia clients (for example, the person with dementia needs to be able to self-manage toileting and have ability to engage in some verbal conversation). 

 

Alzheimer's Disease Support Group 

Self-Help & Support Groups 

Alzheimer'S Disease Support Group from Langley, WA. Company specialized in: Self-Help & Support Groups. Please call us for more information - (360) 321-1600 

Address: 

14594 SR 525 Langley, WA 

Phone: 

(360) 321-1600 

 

Island Senior Resources- Caregiver Support Group 

 

This group is for people who are caring for someone who has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, other dementias, or any other challenging condition to share experiences, knowledge and support. Friendships are formed and connections are made to help those who are caring for someone diagnosed with this challenging condition. 

https://senior-resources.org/support-groups/ 

 
 

Local Educational Opportunities  

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The Camano Center is partnering with Hospice of the Northwest to offer three educational presentations this fall: 

  

Wednesday, 10/11, 1:00-2:00 

Advance Care Planning: This presentation goes over end-of-life paperwork such as advance directives, durable power of attorney for healthcare and portable orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST).  Look for a full flier in next months newsletter. 

  

Monday, 11/13, 10:30-11:30 

Aging in Place: Learn about resources, tips and safety measures that can help you remain in your home. 

  

Friday, 12/8, 1:00-2:00 

Hospice 101:  This introduction to hospice services goes through the common myths about hospice, what these services really are, how they get paid and how someone can qualify. 

 
 

Engaging Events/Activities in the Area  

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Memory Cafe, third Tuesdays at 12:30 pm, Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church