In early February, the Rotary Club of West Seattle hosted a presentation by Age Friendly Seattle, an initiative to make the greater Seattle area a great place to grow up and grow old. Given that the average age of Rotary members worldwide is 58–62 years old, and many clubs have a median age in the 50s and 60s, we can benefit from the information they provided.
Throughout Seattle and King County, huge investments are made in programs for children and youth, laying a solid foundation for learning and providing the services and supports young people need to succeed. These help strengthen our communities in perpetuity.
Lesser known are programs that encourage a positive outlook on the aging process and provide access services and supports that help older people stay active and connected to others in their communities. Positive outlook, physical activity, and social connections are crucial for living longer and better. That’s why Age Friendly Seattle encourages people to keep active, stay connected, and learn to say “We ❤️ Aging!”
Age Friendly Seattle administers several valuable programs and collaborates with other organizations in our region that have similar goals. Open these links to see how you can get involved:
- Age-Friendly Discount Program—People who apply for and then use their Gold Card for Healthy Aging or FLASH Card can save as much as $240 each year at businesses throughout Seattle and King County, which are listed online in a special discount directory. Business people who wish to submit a discount are invited to do that online as well.
- Age-Friendly Events—Age Friendly Seattle partners with The Seattle Public Library to host monthly in-person Civic Coffee Hours at community venues. They provide an virtual attendance option as well.
- Anti-Ageism Training—Community organizations, volunteer groups, and/or business teams can request a special training and follow-up discussion that helps to combat ageism—which harms the health, economic, and social well-being of older people—and pave the way for high-functioning multi-generational teams.
- Advocacy—Age Friendly Seattle collaborates with the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services and the Mayor’s Council on African American Elders on aging issues on a regular basis. Periodically, the program also partners with local advocacy organizations such as AARP Washington and Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA). In addition, Age Friendly Seattle staffs the Northwest Universal Design Council, advocating for good design for all ages and all abilities, all the time.
If your club would like an Age Friendly Seattle presentation, contact Dinah Stephens or Meg Woolf, shown in the photo above, by e-mailing agefriendly@seattle.gov.
If you are looking for aging and disability services and supports such as long-term care, Medicaid, nutrition, or transportation, for yourself or a loved one, contact Community Living Connections (1-844-348-5464 or info@communitylivingconnections.org).
