On November 16, 2023, Age Friendly Seattle hosted its final 2023 Civic Coffee, planned in collaboration with and held at the Washington Talking Book &...
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Everyone knows someone with diminished hearing. Among the AgeWise population, data varies but typically indicates that at age 65, approximately a third of people have...
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This year, we celebrate 33 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its importance to many beneficiaries. We’re committed to the principles and...
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World Braille Day is January 4. The day celebrates the birth of Braille’s inventor, a French educator named Louis Braille, who was blinded at age...
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“The complex and interconnected crises facing humanity today, including the shocks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other countries, a tipping...
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October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Its purpose is to increase awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of...
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Members of the Seattle-King County Advisory Council for Aging & Disability Services (ADS) advocate year-round for local, state, and national programs that promote quality of...
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As we celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law 32 years ago, it is a good time for us to...
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At least 46 million people in the United States live with hearing loss or have another communication disorder that affects how they engage with their...
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If you have what you consider to be “normal” vision, with or without corrective lenses, try to imagine that you have suddenly lost your ability...
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I was in a cab heading to LaGuardia Airport on my way to a business meeting in Miami. Although the driver had initially been fearful...
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On July 26, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—a civil rights law—turns 31 years old. Despite COVID pandemic stay-at-home orders, last year’s 30-year celebration...
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May is Better Hearing Month, a time for us to think about whether our hearing, and that of our friends and family members, is as...
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Who ever thought we would all be wearing face masks? But here we are. Wearing a mask is one way to help protect ourselves and...
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As the holiday season comes upon us again, are you thinking about any New Year's resolutions? One popular New Year’s resolution is volunteering. Good news—Johns...
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The design of housing and other buildings is important for successful aging in place. Design features can make a house more inclusive and “visit-able” by...
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In June 2018, the King County Mobility Coalition (KCMC) was awarded a national grant by the Community Transportation Association of America and the Administration for...
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ADS communications manager Irene Stewart and planning manager Andrea Yip accepted the N4A 2019 Aging Achievement Award on behalf of Age Friendly Seattle on July...
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Have you noticed yourself forgetting names of acquaintances or common items? Or, maybe keeping track of complicated instructions or directions has become more difficult. If...
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Did you know? Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the fifth leading cause of death of older...
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Aging in place, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is "the ability to live in one's home and community safely,...
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The state legislative session adjourned April 28 with several wins for the Seattle-King County Advisory Council for Aging & Disability Services (ADS) and other Area...
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While many organizations try to be welcoming and inclusive, too often they lack the institutional knowledge needed to plan events and meetings that are accessible...
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As spring evolves and summer approaches, the Pacific Northwest begins to come alive. After the long winter, people of all ages are itching to get...
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Sidewalks are at the heart of walkable urban centers, offering a mode of travel that supports nearly all other travel options and community activities. Unfortunately,...
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When David received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's at age 76, a cloud of sorts was lifted. All the questions about memory lapses, balance issues, and...
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Caregivers are often the hidden heroes when providing care to their spouse or other family member. Veterans and/or veteran spouses are often placed in a...
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Everyone deserves the opportunity to find a home that meets their needs. That seems like a common-sense statement but, to people affected by many types...
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The snow events that took place throughout King and neighboring counties last month were unusual, to say the least. February 2019 was the snowiest month...
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[caption id="attachment_1970" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Telecoils deliver the audio signal from an assistive listening system simultaneously to every person with a telecoil-enabled hearing device.[/caption] Many people...
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The Human Services Department is pleased to announce the results of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Community Living Connections, a program that links older...
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A robust transportation network that includes community transportation options is essential to ensure that older adults have access to healthy food and that they can...
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The holidays are busy times, filled with activities, traditions, and visits with family and friends. It's often the time when those who live apart geographically...
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Getting through the holiday season while caring for a loved one can be a challenge on many levels. Holidays tend to bring up emotions,...
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After 21 years living on the street and with a multitude of health issues, Larry Stuvland was referred to Aging and Disability Services for assistance...
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Many middle-income households will face the same challenges that my siblings and I do in providing care for an aging parent. What we learned along...
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"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand."—Emily Kimbrough As many family caregivers can attest,...
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Most of us know or have known someone who experienced a crisis. Unfortunately, financial and health crises are a common occurrence. And that adage, "accidents...
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How many ways can you get to Alki Beach? We can think of at least six that older adults can consider using in order to...
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The May 2018 issue of AgeWise King County introduced you to the new Age Friendly Seattle team. On July 27, we submitted the Age Friendly...
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Did you know that one in four Americans age 65+ falls every year? Did you know that falls are the leading cause of fatal and...
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We live in a world full of risks and hazards. There have always been weather-related and other natural disaster events, but these days it seems...
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Respite, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is "an interval of rest or relief." Respite is an essential necessity that is often overlooked by family caregivers. It...
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The "Age Wave" is a term many use to describe the growing number of older adults in our country. Between the baby boom that occurred...
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Aging and Disability Services (ADS)—the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle & King County—is planning for an upcoming funding process for our network of information,...
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People need public places to gather—indoors and out. Age Friendly Seattle supports parks and other green spaces, safe streets, sidewalks, outdoor seating, and accessible buildings...
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Seattle hosted the Special Olympics USA Games the first of July. The mission of the USA Games is to "showcase the abilities of athletes with...
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I know I date myself when I share a quote from "The A-Team," an action-adventure television series in the 1980s. As Colonel Hannibal Smith, a...
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Recently I received a call from a friend who wanted information about high lead levels in the blood. I'm a nurse. I've worked for the...
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The Northwest Universal Design Council (NWUDC) invites you to attend a forum on "Designing for Special Populations" on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 (9:30–11:30 a.m.) in...
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Have you ever been to a public meeting where you couldn't hear because the presenter didn't want to use a microphone? Have you ever been...
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As the summer months bring warmer weather, many residents look forward to adding a stop to their morning routine. They get a fresh taste of...
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Summer is finally here! Especially in sunny weather, the days are long and many of us enjoy more time outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors....
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For years I have posted this cartoon on my refrigerator. It was sent to me by a cousin long ago, and I have no idea...
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We still have a long way to go to fully understand Alzheimer's and related dementias. While research confirms that staying socially engaged, intellectually challenged, creatively...
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It seems to happen to me more frequently, an older adult at the grocery store, or in line at the library, striking up a conversation....
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It's been quite a year for Age Friendly Seattle! We launched last March, with passage of a joint resolution from the Mayor and Seattle City...
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The City of Seattle Office of Housing and the Northwest ADA Center are seeking participants to complete surveys to inform their work on LGBTQ housing...
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On February 22, ADS Advisory Council members will participate in Senior Lobby Day. Organized by the Washington State Senior Citizens' Lobby in partnership with the...
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Disability is something many people don't expect to face. In reality, a 20-year-old worker currently has a one in four chance of experiencing a disability...
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As highlighted in an article in the November edition of AgeWise King County, AARP recently conducted a survey of adults over the age of 45...
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At a recent conference (Elder Friendly Futures 2017—The Essential Work of Caregiving Across Communities), one of the speakers asked, "Who is a caregiver in this...
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In July 2016, the City of Seattle furthered their commitment to being a city for all ages by joining the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities....
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. When breast cancer facts or statistics are reported from institutions such as the Washington State Department of Public Health...
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As I began to write this article, the sky was covered by a blanket of white haze that blocked the brilliant blue sky that I...
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The 10th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will be observed on September 22, 2017—the first day of fall. In honor of this notable milestone, this...
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In the early '80s, a revolution in Washington state began with a simple notion—people who need long-term support want to stay at home for as...
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So here I am celebrating 10 years of falls prevention and what have I learned? I have my area rug stuck to the floor, I've...
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The 10th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will be observed on September 22, 2017—the first day of fall. In honor of this notable milestone, this...
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As the aging population grows across the United States, Swedish is developing services that make it easier for older adults to stay in charge of...
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Persons with chronic illnesses often feel overwhelmed. At times, there seems to be no end in sight to pain or discomfort, only a constant need...
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Hearing loss is often misunderstood or ignored, and as a result is often not treated. Yet without hearing assistance, people can experience poor communication and...
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Seattle continues to grow, and with that growth comes a greater demand on our transportation system and a need for more options for everyone. To...
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The House leadership's decision to withdraw the American Health Care Act from consideration in late March proves that the voices of Americans are very powerful....
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Nothing can be more discouraging than returning home from a hospital stay, only to be readmitted due to something you didn't anticipate, such as a...
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Did you know that more than 900,000 vehicles travel Seattle's streets every day? These bus, freight, and car drivers share the road with the many...
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If you work with older adults—as a service provider, caregiver, health care professional, or advocate—mark your calendar for this year's care transitions conference—Care Transitions: We're...
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Marthalee Galeota, access and disability program manager for the Starbucks Coffee Company, is the featured speaker at a special event hosted by the Northwest Universal...
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When Aging and Disability Services (ADS) first announced our clinical-community partnership with the Northwest Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Center (NWGWEC), we could not know how successful...
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The Northwest Universal Design Council (NWUDC) invites you to attend a special presentation by Marthalee Galeota, access and disability program manager for the Starbucks Coffee...
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Ask anyone for advice about living a long, healthy life and you'll probably hear tips about the importance of eating well, stopping smoking, exercising, and...
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Our state and region thrive when people of all ages actively participate in their communities, have equitable access to opportunities, and everyone is treated with...
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The holidays are a wonderful time. But with all of the good that comes along with the holidays—family, friends and traditions—added stress can also creep...
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"'Tis the season to be … " This is where you fill in the blank with the standard answer—the ones that are expected. We should...
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In my final month as chair of the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services, I reflect on the success of the past...
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What makes a home or commercial building "visitable?" A level entry is one thing but how do you get there in the first place? How...
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Did you know that one out of every 11 people in the U.S. has diabetes? That's about 29.1 million Americans. Another 86 million adults in...
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One of the best things to happen in the world of aging and disability services this year is a new focus on supporting individuals with...
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Aging and Disability Services director Maureen Linehan and AARP Washington state director Doug Shadel talk with New Day Northwest host Margaret Larson Two Puget Sound...
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The 9th annual Falls Prevention Awareness Day will be observed on September 22, 2016—the first day of fall. Washington Governor Jay Inslee has declared September...
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A growing body of research continues to demonstrate that older adults who maintain social networks and participate in social activities are generally at lower risk...
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Philip Culbertson tells of his journey to the diagnosis of dementia and of how his life has changed since accepting his children's help. I'd moved...
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On Monday, August 15, 2016, the Northwest Universal Design Council steps into a new realm of good design with a special presentation on accessible travel...
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Last month, the ADS Advisory Council sent a message to Senator Patty Murray—the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should be amended to require hearing loop...
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I often reflect on the relationships I've developed in my twenty-plus years working in the aging field. The most honest and real are those I've...
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Do you promote issues or events online—by e-mail or on a company or personal website? Have you ever created a PDF flyer to invite a...
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Aging and Disability Services, the Area Agency on Aging of Seattle-King County, is excited to announce a partnership with the Northwest Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Center....
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Updated July 2021 Synergy occurs when increased effectiveness results from two or more people or organizations working together. In 2015, Aging and Disability Services (the...
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When we think about our sidewalks and street crossings getting us where we want or need to be, presumably we would all like those routes...
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Falls are a preventable public health concern impacting quality of life, health care costs, and premature institutionalization. The prevalence of falls among older adults is...
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Governor Inslee shares the importance of the plan to address the overwhelming impact of Alzheimer's in Washington state. My family has a long history of...
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Increased awareness about sports concussions, and concussions in general, has been growing. The fact that someone does not have to lose consciousness to have a...
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Are you an older adult who needs transportation? Have you signed up for utility assistance? Are you helping someone with a disability find suitable housing?...
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As an Aging Life Care™ professional, I've seen it first-hand: adult children would rather talk about finances and end-of-life issues with their parents than ask...
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Help for millions of family caregivers across Washington state is on its way with the introduction of House Bill 2424—the Caregiver Advise, Record and Enable...
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Have you ever walked down a street and run into overgrowth; construction closure; no sidewalk, path, or ramp; no place to rest; so much traffic...
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[caption id="attachment_156" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Just some of the many tools available to help our patrons use Library resources. Pictured here: Library Equal Access Program (LEAP)...
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