Aging King County

06/17/2026

Friday is Juneteenth. In the latest edition of AgeWise King County, a member of the Mayor's Council on African American Elders offers a story about resilience and a great reminder of the depth and significance of the Juneteenth celebration.

Editor’s Note: The Emancipation Declaration issued by President Abraham Lincoln declaring enslaved people in the United States free became official on January 1, 1863. However, it would take two and a half years for the order to reach Texas, and so people remained enslaved there until the order wa...

06/15/2026

"Caregiving will always require strength. Advocacy adds something just as important: a sense of direction. It reminds caregivers that they are not simply reacting to a system they are learning how to shape how that system responds to them."

So writes Joel Domingo, chair of the ADS Advisory Council’s Advocacy Committee, in this column featuring his personal perspective as a caregiver for his family members.

This month’s advocacy column is a look into the intersection of caregiving and advocacy. It is a little longer that usual, as I write not just from the perspective of an advocate, but also from my personal perspective as a caregiver for my family members. My hope is to share some of my experiences...

06/12/2026

In the latest edition of AgeWise King County, Advisory Council Chair Alex O'Reilly writes:

"Staying independent as we age is a vital concern and a goal for most older adults, and it’s not easy to consider a future in which we may need a lot of help due to cognitive issues... Maybe June is a good time to start a checklist of how we can prioritize and work on brain wellness!"

More and more, I’m learning that friends and acquaintances are dealing with dementia—whether as caregivers or as those challenged with the disease themselves. It can be overwhelming to wade through all the information and research on living with dementia and what we can do to prevent, or at leas...

05/27/2026

During American Stroke Month in May, the American Stroke Association (a division of the American Heart Association) is sharing trusted resources to help survivors and caregivers take care of their emotional health—not just their physical recovery.

Read all about them in the latest edition of AgeWise King County.

A stroke can change daily life in unexpected ways, especially for older adults. Along with physical recovery, many people notice emotional changes such as feeling down, worried, frustrated or unsure about the future. According to the American Stroke Association, these emotional responses are common....

05/21/2026

The latest edition of AgeWise King County spotlights Find a Ride, a special transportation service developed by Hopelink’s Mobility Management team and the King County Mobility Coalition.

The program’s goal is simple but powerful: to help people discover, plan, and connect to rides that meet their needs, all in one easy place.

Getting where you need to go shouldn’t be a puzzle. Whether it’s getting to work, school, the doctor, or just meeting friends, everyone deserves a simple way to plan a trip. That’s exactly what Find a Ride was created to do. And in 2026, it’s getting even better. What is find a ride? Find a....

05/19/2026

A short stretch of missing sidewalk can be the difference between someone getting where they need to go and someone deciding it isn’t worth the risk. If you find yourself noticing places like this in your own neighborhood, you can help.

Take a walk, pay attention, and, if you’re able, share what you see. Whether it’s through a community walkabout or a quick note in an app, your small observations will help shape a clearer picture of how our communities work—and how they can work better for everyone.

Our spring walk starts at a corner that looks, at first glance, perfectly ordinary. A bus stop sits just ahead, close enough to read the schedule if you squint. There’s a bench, a patch of gravel, the usual signs of a place people are meant to wait. Cars move steadily past. It feels like an... Rea...

05/15/2026

In the latest edition of AgeWise King County, Joel Domingo of the ADS Advisory Council, explores the idea that true advocacy does not only happen through policy battles. It also happens in everyday spaces where we insist that systems work with us, rather than against us, as our needs change.

As we celebrate Older Americans Month, we are reminded that aging with dignity is a collective effort that requires reflection on what it truly takes for older adults to participate fully in community life. With the spring and summer travel seasons upon us, many families are preparing to reconnect.....

05/13/2026

In the latest edition of AgeWise King County, learn how family caregiving makes it possible for millions of older adults to remain independent and live safely at home.

“Family caregivers are a major economic force and the backbone of our long‑term care system,” said Marguerite Ro, AARP Washington State Director. “The value of the care they provide now exceeds $25 billion each year. Yet too often, that care comes at a steep personal cost to caregivers’ health, finances, and well‑being. AARP is working to elevate this issue and advocate for policies that save family caregivers time and money.”

Family caregivers in Washington state provide an estimated $25 billion worth of unpaid care each year, according to a new AARP report that underscores the essential role families play in supporting older adults and sustaining the state’s long‑term care system. The report finds that approximately...

05/11/2026

Did you know that people ages 65 and older should get two COVID shots a year, spaced about six months apart (or at least 2-3 months apart)?

Elisabeth Beaber of Public Health - Seattle & King County explains why you should talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for you -- not only for COVID and flu, but also pneumococcal (pneumonia), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), shingles, and pertussis.

It’s springtime in our northwest corner of the world! Daffodils, sunglasses, and shorts are optimistically out even though some days still feel like February. And the entire county is buzzing with sports energy—from rooting on the Mariners to hosting six Men’s World Cup soccer games in Seattle...

05/07/2026

Tubman Center for Health & Freedom takes over the Black Elders Wellness Program in Seattle, focusing on culturally responsive care and community connection.