July is definitely a month of anniversaries! July 4th kicks it off by honoring the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And there are some...
Read More
On November 16, 2023, Age Friendly Seattle hosted its final 2023 Civic Coffee, planned in collaboration with and held at the Washington Talking Book &...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
“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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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,...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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,...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
[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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
Getting through the holiday season while caring for a loved one can be a challenge on many levels. Holidays tend to bring up emotions,...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
"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,...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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,...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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....
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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....
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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....
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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....
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
"'Tis the season to be … " This is where you fill in the blank with the standard answer—the ones that are expected. We should...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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....
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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?...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
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...
Read More
[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)...
Read More
![AgeWise King County [logo]](https://www.agewisekingcounty.org/wp-content/themes/agewisekingcounty/images/logo.png){kind=logo}