News

Have You Had Your Robocall Today?

October 22, 2019 — From the desk of ADS Director Cathy Knight Just about everyone I know has received many robocall scam messages—sometimes several per day. That situation has been really out of control. Thousands of older people fall victim to phone scams every day. Many of us know at least one person who has turned over large amounts... Read More

Legacy of Love: A Unique, Culturally Focused Event for Caregivers

October 18, 2019 — November is National Caregivers Month. In 2006, Aging and Disability Services collaborated with the Alzheimer’s Association, Washington State Chapter, to develop an annual conference that would focus on the unique challenges that African American caregivers experience, particularly in meeting the needs of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. On Saturday, November... Read More

Portraits and Puppetry Personalize Volunteer Experience

October 16, 2019 — When I met Maria Pinto, a volunteer at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Seattle, we shook hands and exchanged names. Then, she tilted her head and asked if she could do a portrait of me. It was February 2019 and I was finally starting my position as Community Volunteer Ambassador at Klondike after... Read More

Protecting Our Health, Protecting Our Nation

October 14, 2019 — The Office of the Surgeon General sees a silent epidemic of oral diseases, affecting those who are most vulnerable—children who live in poverty, older adults, and many adults in racial and ethnic minority groups. Dr. Jerome Adams, the Surgeon General of the United States, includes oral health among the nation’s most pressing health concerns (along... Read More

Should It Stay or Should It Go? Making Peace with Our “Stuff”

October 11, 2019 — The popularity of books such as “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” and programs like “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” have many of us rethinking our possessions and living environments. The idea of organizing or downsizing (or “rightsizing,” as some like to call it) takes on new urgency as we approach retirement, face other... Read More

The Affordability of Long-Term Services and Supports

October 9, 2019 — Last month, Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw hosted a lunch-and-learn on the affordability of long-term care in the Council Chamber at Seattle City Hall. We were grateful for the opportunity to share both the challenges of paying for long-term services and supports and several opportunities that we want older people, caregivers, and family members to... Read More

Advocating for Basic Food Security

October 7, 2019 — Recently, the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services weighed in on changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility rules proposed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Their proposal would negatively affect 3.6 million families nationwide and cause more than 620,000 older adults to lose nutrition benefits. The change would... Read More