Ella Vogel, director of the Hoodland Senior Center, accepted an award for the
center’s efforts to assist isolated seniors at the May 24 Clackamas County
Board of County Commissioner’s Business Meeting.

Each May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Clackamas County. For the
past three years the Clackamas Behavioral Health Division (CBHD) has
recognized local individuals and organizations with Super Heart Hero awards
for their contributions toward promoting good mental health in the
community.

This year’s awareness month focused on older adults and issues of loneliness
that result in greater mental and physical health problems.

Vogel accepted the Super Heart Partner Award, which recognizes
organizations that implement innovative behavioral health programs that
positively affect the emotional well-being of the community.

“Something important for people to realize is that it’s not just professionals,
we need our community working with people to reduce the stigma of mental
health challenges,” said Nina Danielsen, CBHD health promotion
coordinator.

Danielsen described the center’s efforts to combat loneliness and isolation in
the senior population. “They have done remarkable work out there,” she
added.

During her presentation at the commissioner’s meeting, CBHD Director Mary
Rumbaugh defined loneliness as “that feeling of being alone that makes you
feel sad or isolated,” and described it as “a powerful indicator of mental and
physical health issues.”

According to CBHD data from 2015 to 2017 people 55 and older account for
33 percent of all suicides in Clackamas County.

The center helps seniors in the Hoodland area by providing access to the
Clackamas County Meals on Wheels program, assistance with rides to doctor’s
appointments and other activities, aid with clothing and shelter and by
providing both a place to socialize as well as a link to the community.
“We’re helping people in need who don’t have any other outlet,” said the
senior center’s assistant to the director Leita Bibler. She listed a variety of
issues older people without family, friends or a means of self-transportation
encounter. “Sometimes it’s just knowing the right resources.”

Bibler added that the senior center is a nonprofit organization that provides
its’ community outreach through volunteers.

During the ceremony Rumbaugh presented the Super Heart Hero award to
Vogel and praised the center, saying “They love their jobs because they love
the community they serve. They are the unsung heroes.”

After all the awards were presented commissioner’s board Chair Jim Bernard
expressed gratitude to all recipients on behalf of the board. “It’s a big county

and a lot of people need help and service. We could never do it without folks
like you.”

Hoodland Senior Center is located at 65000 Hwy. 26 in Welches and can be
reached by phone at 503-622-3331 and on the internet at
http://www.mthood.info/hoodlandseniors.