Office on Aging welcomes islands’ man’amko to bevy of programs

The Office on Aging welcomes community members who are 60 years or older to be their congregants or homebound elderly clients.

According to Office on Aging director Walter Manglona, congregants are members who are active members, regularly participate in the man’amko center activities, programs, or events from Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, homebound elderly clients and those with disabilities in the CNMI received free home-delivered meals.

“Homebound clients are not labeled as congregants. We refer to them as homebound elderly clients. Active members who participate at the senior centers are congregants, said Manglona.

Among the activities that were held and still happening in the Office on Aging centers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are computer and technology training for seniors, which basically teaches them how to operate a computer, tablets, and smartphones. The goal is to introduce basic technological training to the elders and people with disabilities.

Musical activities at the aging centers also have led to the formation of a Senior Citizen Band, complete with a lead singer, guitarist, bass man, and drummer. Manglona said there is also a separate area designated for karaoke and during gatherings and performances, the man’amko are allowed to perform in front of an audience.

The Office on Aging also has cultural arts and crafts which are highly regarded among the elderly and people with disabilities. Manglona encourages the man’amko to stay creative and maintain the island custom of weaving, carving, beading, and more.

“Our elders often act as presenters to school children, teaching them the art of these traditional crafts, he said.

The man’amko also usually take part in morning stretching exercises before they start their daily program. This allows the elderly to become physically ready and energized to take on the day.

“They are being encouraged to take part in this activity every day to help them stay active and healthy,” said Manglona.

The Office on Aging’s recreational activities provide various games and activities that are available and allow the man’amko to remain active while at the senior centers. Activities include bingo, billiards, board games, foosball, softball, basketball, ground golf, gym, karaoke, movies, gardening, and more.

The man’amko are also involved in movie production where they are allowed to act in locally produced feature films. The most recent production they were involved in was entitled “The Forgotten Island” which was used as a fundraising mechanism for the Saipan Seniors Advisory Council, a non-profit organization that uses its funds for the benefit of elderly clients and people with disabilities enrolled at the Office on Aging.

Manglona said the man’amko also take part in cultural tutorials that provide opportunities for the elderly and people with disabilities enrolled at the program to visit schools to do storytelling, dancing, singing, arts and crafts, and more. “These cultural tutorials also enable opportunities for the elderly and people with disabilities to teach our language, history, and the use of traditional crafts.”

One of the highlights of the year for the islands’ man’amko is the Office on Aging’s Cultural Variety Shows wherein each year the elderly showcase their talent and takes place during the Older Americans Month celebration in May.”

During this performance, they perform traditional dances, musical acts, dramatic interpretations, and more.

The Office on Aging also holds the Man’amko King and Queen Fundraiser annually in May to help raise funds for their upcoming off-island trips and other celebrations.

They also have a gardening project where the seniors grow their vegetables. This activity increases levels of physical activity and helps mobility and flexibility. It also encourages them to use all motor skills, improving endurance and strength. Gardening also helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis.

The Office on Aging’s Spirit Week, meanwhile, aims to help lift the spirit of the elderly at the senior centers by promoting cohesiveness and participation. Their Fun Fridays have congregants at the senior centers compete in contests and other forms of competitive games. This activity helps keep senior citizens stay active and healthy.

Manglona said the elderly have also recently authored Island Treasures Recipes and Memories from the Man’amko of Saipan, which is a book of recipes and traditions.

The man’amko are also on YouTube now with their cooking show, “Cooking with Grandma.” It features cooking demonstrations by congregants with health topics, nutrition, and traditional cooking.

The islands’ elderly also usually take part in sunset cruises, which serves as a relaxing trip for seniors on a boat inside the Saipan lagoon while they enjoy each other’s company. Monthly birthday celebrations are also held where celebrants get a special treat at a nice restaurant. This promotes socialization and goodwill.

He then explained the Office on Aging’s food distribution service to the islands’ elderly.

The nutrition program on Saipan is handled by a private company that delivers and serves food five times a week, except for holidays. On Tinian and Rota, meals are prepared by office cooks and distributed to active and homebound clients by Office on Aging personnel.

Manglona said the nutrition program provides a minimum of 33.3% of the current daily recommended dietary allowance as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. The meals are approved by a registered dietician and special menus are made available to clients with renal failure, clients with allergies, and those with dietary restrictions due to religion. Meals and ingredients are vigilantly supervised to ensure utmost quality and freshness.

Lastly, Manglona encourages the community and non-profit organizations to support the Office on Aging by taking several proactive steps.

These include reporting elder abuse and neglect as it’s crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of seniors. Additionally, showing kindness to seniors and people with disabilities, advocating for their rights, and addressing social isolation through regular visits and interactions can make a substantial difference. Donating essential goods such as food, clothing, and hygiene products also helps meet the basic needs of the elderly.

Manglona added that spending quality time with grandparents and great-grandparents, aiding, and always being kind contribute to their overall happiness and well-being. Moreover, he encourages the community to offer constructive suggestions and collaborate with his office to continuously improve their programs and services.

“By working together, we can create a more supportive and nurturing environment for our seniors,” he said.

Manglona said to be eligible for the Office on Aging programs, an applicant must be 60 years old and a resident of the CNMI. No fees are required to be a member, but a proof of residency such as a CNMI ID or other official documents may be required.

An interested active congregant should also be in good health and has the ability to participate in the centers’ activities. Those who require assistance must have a caregiver to assist them.

Prospective members usually need to complete a registration form, which may include providing personal information, emergency contact details, etc. Registration forms are available at the Office on Aging or by calling (670) 233-1321 on Saipan, (670) 433-9220 on Tinian, and (670) 532-2656 on Rota. Forms are also available for download at cnmiooa.org.