These days, you can google just about anything. Today, I googled, “How do I find my happy place?” A wealth of information was waiting for...
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On October 24, 2023, Age Friendly Seattle hosted its monthly Civic Coffee in collaboration with the Southeast Seattle Senior Center. Panelists Jennifer Kulik, founder and...
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We all acquire items throughout our lives. Some items are utilitarian (e.g., wooden kitchen spoons). Some are decorative (e.g., a beautiful watercolor painting). Some items...
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The popularity of books such as The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson and Gretchen Rubin’s Outer Order Inner Calm: declutter and...
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September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, an opportunity to discuss this often-stigmatized topic. Let’s use this awareness to spread hope and critical information to people...
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Giving and receiving unconditional love with a dog, cat, or smaller critter is good for your heart—physically and emotionally. Caring for a pet offers proven...
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May is Older Americans Month and has been since 1963. It’s a time when proclamations are made and (at least pre-COVID) parties were held to...
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Past studies have shown that nearly one-quarter of people aged 65 and older are considered socially isolated. We believe these numbers have likely been exacerbated...
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In recent months, older adult service providers have continued to look for ways to address social isolation and loneliness, as awareness of these issues has...
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Recently the Greenwood Senior Center launched a project to increase social connection among older adults, spurred by statistics on the negative health impacts of social...
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Alcohol—in the form of wine, distilled spirits, and beer—is one of the most common and accessible drugs in the world. In our own backyard, Washington...
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“Gathering again is going to be complicated and possibly uncomfortable. Naming the elephant in the room is the most powerful tool we have. We need...
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Surely this is a season like no other. So many of the gatherings and celebrations we usually look forward to at this time of year...
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Social Isolation and loneliness have profound impacts on health. Research has compared the health impacts of loneliness to smoking, concluding that loneliness is as lethal...
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“I’ll never forget the day the phone rang. I felt powerless, I felt stuck. I wanted to help but I didn’t know how, who to...
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On September 22, Aging and Disability Services, a division of the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD), received a 2020 n4a Aging Innovation Award from the...
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Even in the best of times, social isolation is a significant problem. In Washington, nearly half a million people over the age of 50 live...
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Social distancing is a phrase new to many of us that is essential to ensuring that the most vulnerable to COVID-19—older adults and those with...
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Our public health approach to gun violence is a framework that we use to understand how and when firearms are used unsafely, raise public awareness...
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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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Aging with Pride: The National Health, Aging and Sexuality/Gender study is generating exciting and crucial knowledge on health, aging, and caregiving among lesbian, gay, bisexual,...
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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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Since 1979, the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) has served older Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) residents with a variety of services...
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May is Older Americans Month. The national theme is Connect, Create, Contribute. I encourage you to reach out to an older person—a friend, family member,...
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A new evidence-based intervention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults living with memory loss, including those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias,...
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Over 110,000 persons live with Alzheimer's or other dementias in Washington state. Nationally, another person is diagnosed every 65 seconds. For many, and for too...
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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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Chances are, when you welcomed the new year, you set some new goals and aspirations. And you may have looked back and wondered, "What happened?!"...
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The Alzheimer's Association's Discovery regional conference for health and human services providers and family caregivers focuses on resilience this year. Resilience is a process through...
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"Give an experience instead of stuff" for the holidays! Catchy, isn't it? That's been a popular concept for years. Usually that has meant giving someone...
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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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In December, it is very tempting to write a cheery article about celebrating the holidays with families, food, friends, and fun. I don't want to...
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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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The month of November is both National Family Caregiver Month and National Alzheimer's Awareness Month. These designations happen to coincide in a very meaningful way....
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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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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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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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So many times, I have looked up to the sky and wondered, "When will I be able to have a break from this stressful situation?"...
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These days, everybody is thinking about legacy. From politicians to tech programmers designing programs for capturing our digital lives, the legacy concept looms large. And...
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Night Out is a national community-building event organized in cities and towns across the country by police department personnel and neighborhood volunteers. Night Out is...
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I grew up in a small Midwest town in the 60s and enjoyed daily interaction with older adults—relatives, neighbors, church members, shopkeepers. My paternal grandparents...
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"Joe" is a lonely, friendly, and trusting 78-year-old man with a soft spot for those with hard-luck stories. He was befriended by "Sally," a much...
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The Healthy Aging Partnership—an informal coalition of representatives from nonprofit and government agencies that serve older adults in the Puget Sound region—invites you to participate...
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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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When there is an emergency, often the first community request is for blood donations; however, blood donations are always needed to save lives and donation...
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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 a fitness center with no monthly dues, open 24/7 and welcome to all. The recently unveiled fitness zone at Georgetown Playfield in Seattle is...
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In the summer of 2016, my wife and I took a trip to the Oregon coast and rented a house for the week. The house...
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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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I went to visit my doctor as I was feeling more tired than usual and some of the "normal aging" changes to a women's body...
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A dynamic new non-profit provides relief for caregivers while helping those with dementia to live full, active lives at their daytime memory care locations on...
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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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My favorite flowers are dahlias. I love their magnificent colors, variety, and the fact that they bloom at the end of the summer just when...
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In September 2016, my daughter and son-in-law stopped by for a visit one weekend and explained that they were moving to Missouri. We listened attentively...
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Who among us hasn't known someone who, as they grew older, became increasingly withdrawn? She or he may have said they liked living alone. He...
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Recently I visited the Lake City Seniors as Seattle Mayor Ed Murray met with older adults. He was there to receive input on ways to...
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Regardless if we are young or old, we all need connections to live purposeful and healthy lives—connections to family and friends, services, and resources. Who...
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June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month "Genetics is not your destiny when it comes to later-onset Alzheimer's, as genetics accounts for a small percentage...
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Everyone has a story to tell. Those who have lived longer often need—and might have a responsibility—to tell and share their stories. We have stories...
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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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As someone who has worked in the field of aging for over 20 years, I've had the good fortune to work with many older adults....
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I think it was actress Bette Davis who said, "Old age ain't no place for sissies." We laugh but we also know that's a pejorative...
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Caregiving is difficult and exhausting work. Family caregivers frequently report experiencing high levels of stress. If you don't take time to set limits on what...
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When the World Health Organization (WHO) established its Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in 2010, it recognized eight domains of livability—community features that...
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Key theme in Discovery 2017 Alzheimer's Regional Conference So often the discussion about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is narrowly focused on diagnosis and the...
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Seattle identified as impact area for intergenerational excellence movement Never before in our community's history has Seattle enjoyed a larger population of healthy, vital and...
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Family caregivers and in-home care providers are invited to attend "Giving Care, Taking Care," a day-long conference on Monday, June 5, 2017 in Tukwila, Washington....
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According to the American Heart Association (AHA), "cardiovascular disease—including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—is responsible for one out of every three deaths. It...
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When the World Health Organization established its Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in 2010, it recognized eight domains of livability—community features that impact...
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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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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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On Friday, November 11, I went to a grocery store in my neighborhood. Outside sat a Korean War veteran, with a card table full of...
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Lake City is a vibrant and growing multi-cultural neighborhood in northeast Seattle. Historically underserved, Lake City's population and diversity of the neighborhood has increased in...
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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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According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, a family caregiver is "someone who is responsible for attending to the daily needs of another person. Family...
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Silver Kite Community Arts was founded in 2013 as an organization dedicated to using the arts as a tool for community building, connecting participants to...
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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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Which features support the well-being of community members as they move through the stages of life? Are our cities and towns good places in which...
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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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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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Do you thrive on learning? Many of us do—we can't wait for our next good book, or a group discussion, or a class on something...
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The New York Times recently released an op-doc (video) entitled Not Dead Yet, featuring Norman Lear, creator of some of the most successful sitcoms of...
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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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The inequalities of gender, race and income that plague U.S. society directly impact the lives of King County's older residents. Income in retirement is based...
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From Friday, January 8, until Friday, February 26, 2016, a unique art exhibit takes place in Seattle City Hall. More than four dozen artworks by...
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Myriam Marquez doesn't let anything get her down, not even being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Her journey with Alzheimer's began like many others. "When I...
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