Make the Most of Summer with a Gold or FLASH Card

Did you know that Washington state is an official AARP Age Friendly State? And in King County, Renton and Seattle are Age Friendly Cities. If you have never heard of that term, you may be interested in learning what it takes to be designated as Age Friendly, and how being an age-friendly city or state enables people of all ages to live safely, enjoy good health, and stay involved in their community.

As AARP explains: “The common thread among the communities and states enrolled in the AARP age-friendly network is the belief that the places where we live are more livable, and better able to support people of all ages, when local leaders commit to improving the quality of life for the very young, the very old, and everyone in between. AARP engages with elected officials, partner organizations and local leaders to guide communities through the age-friendly network’s assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation processes.”

There are eight domains that are covered in Age Friendly communities: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community and health services. City staff serve as connectors, advocates, and innovators, working to ensure that there are policies to support healthy aging, programs and services are available for older adults, and there are collaborations with partners to create inclusive spaces and promote an anti-ageist culture.

The City of Seattle joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in July 2016, so it’s celebrating its 10-year anniversary this month. It publicly announced this commitment in March 2017 with a Mayor/Council resolution. Age Friendly Seattle is now implementing its second five-year strategic framework, available to read on their Strategic Plans and Annual Reports webpage. For more information, email agefriendly@seattle.gov.

The City of Renton joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in June 2020. Age Friendly Renton’s initial action plan focuses on health and safety, communication and information, housing, and transportation. For more information, email recreation@rentonwa.gov.

One of the many Age Friendly perks for King County residents is a discount program for older adults (aged 60+, Gold Card) and adults with disabilities (ages 18-59, FLASH Card). This provides an opportunity for local businesses and organizations in the greater Seattle area to be a part of building a more age-friendly community while also growing their customer base. To learn more about the discounts, you can go to https://www.seattle.gov/age-friendly/discounts. It also contains this link to the interactive map, which is the best list of current participants.

You can apply online to get either card, and you will receive it within two weeks. If you need a card sooner, the fastest way to get a Gold card for anyone age 60+ is to walk into any branch of the Seattle Public Library or a Seattle Senior Center, Community Center, Seattle Animal Shelter, or Seattle City Hall. As for FLASH cards for people with disabilities, you can also apply in person at locations such as Disability Empowerment Center, listed among others online here.

With summer now here, there are lots of opportunities to get out and inexpensively enjoy cultural events such as museums and plays, outdoor events, restaurants, and a huge list of other activities using a Gold or FLASH card. You can even get a 50% discount if you are adopting a pet at the Seattle Animal Shelter using either card! Admission to the Seattle Art Museum downtown costs $5, an 82% discount. Many of the places giving the discounts are outside the City of Seattle, and you don’t have to be a Seattle resident to get either card.

I hope after reading this you are inspired to get a Gold or FLASH card as soon as you can, or if you already have one, to print out the list of discounts and browse through it to find some fun things to do or see in the coming days while the weather is good. Also, I encourage you to go to the Seattle or Renton links in this article to find out more about what they are doing as Age Friendly cities. Happy summer!

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

Mark Your Calendars

The following are upcoming events of interest:

• Puzzle Together, Joy Together: Thursday, July 2 (9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.) at Spring District Park 12167 NE 14th Terrace, Bellevue, WA 98005. Join Aegeliss for Puzzle Together, Joy Together, a free outdoor activity series for people living with dementia or cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Find more information here. Also happening on: July 9, July 14, and July 23.
• Independence Day: 250th Anniversary of the United States: Saturday, July 4.
• ADS Advisory Council Meeting: Friday, July 10 (12 p.m.–2 p.m.) virtual meeting. To receive the meeting link and information, email michael.adusah@seattle.gov in advance.
• Civic Coffee Tuesday, July 14 (1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.) at Ballard NW Senior Center 5429 32nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107, or online. Refreshments and light food will be provided. Contact agefriendly@seattle.gov for more information.
• Public Hearing 2027-2030 Area Plan for Seattle and King County: Tuesday, July 28 (11 a.m.–12 p.m.) at New Holly Gathering Hall 7054 32nd Ave S Seattle, WA 98118. In person or virtual. Aging and Disability Services invites you to share your feedback on the draft 2027–2030 Area Plan for Seattle and King County covering topics such as dementia support, nutrition programs, and local gathering spaces. Review the draft beginning July 13 and submit your comments in person, via Zoom, or by phone at the public hearing. Contact allison.boll@seattle.gov for more information.