Wash. Masonic Charities presentation

Washington Masonic Charities, at the request of Odessa’s Masonic Lodge members, presented a seminar on facing the challenges of aging. Two representatives of WA Masonic Charities, Jen Taylor and Pam Hames, provided information on the programs available through their organization to help senior citizens receive the help they need with living arrangements, caregiving in the home or in community facilities. The organization also performs case management for people in need, referring them to services provided by other entities.

Local Masons Mike Kiesz and Dennis Thompson welcomed the audience of 11 Odessa residents eager to learn what they could do to make the aging process safer and more manageable for themselves and their families.

Estate planning is also important for most people, and the program included a presentation by Elizabeth Wallace of Elder Law Group, PLLC with offices in Spokane and Tri-Cities. As questions arose in the audience, Wallace explained patiently the intricacies of preserving assets, arranging for services and putting legal protections in place for oneself and one’s family.

Masonic Charities provided a selection of fruit, donuts, juices, coffee and tea for the attendees. Since many questions arose, the presenters stayed past the allotted time to answer them and also gave each participant a notebook filled with additional information on resources, health issues, housing, long-term care, and financial and legal considerations.