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Your Voice Matters: Advocating for Aging Services and Support

An older adult raises her hand to speak at a council meeting

 

February has arrived in a heartbeat with colder weather and new tasks on the “to do list” as we hunker down until spring. For me, the most important work going forward is advocacy, given all that is going on now in our world.  Both on a personal and legislative level, I think it is critical that I pay attention to the news that is coming out of Olympia and Washington D.C. to determine how to respond to make my voice heard. And I invite you all to consider doing the same.

The Washington State Legislative Session began on January 13 and extends until April 27. There are many issues being discussed that you may want to follow. Issues like funding for meals at community dining programs, funding for meal delivery, and the Dementia Action Collaborative deeply affect older adults.  There is a great article included in this issue from Cathy Knight, State Director for the Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging, that gives more details on what is at stake and how you can help.

Mary Mitchell, Director of the Seattle/King County Aging and Disability Service Division, has included an excellent summary in this issue of the recent threats to federal human services funding, including funds for older adults through the Older Americans Act. She encourages us all to speak up and work together to make a difference in protecting programs that are vital to our health and well-being.

We also want to thank those of you who took the poll that was included in the January edition of AgeWise asking what subject matter you would want to learn more about in 2025.  The top choice was “Social Connection and Combatting Isolation.” We will be weaving articles and information into future AgeWise issues to address that topic. This month, be sure to read Coffee Talk, which discusses transportation resources in the greater King County area that can help bridge a gap in community involvement. Additionally, we will continue to add other timely information that may give you some new perspectives and insights. Given the current environment, social connection is even more important than ever to support each other through challenging times.


Contributor Alex O’Reilly chairs the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services. She welcomes input from readers via e-mail (advisorychair@agewisekingcounty.org).Alex O'Reilly

 

 


A group picture of the Aging and Disability Services Advisory council taken in May 2023.

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