Aging in King County: Profile of the Older Population

Understanding local and national population and health trends is essential to Aging and Disability Services’ role in planning and developing services for older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities. The Area Plan for 2016–2019 includes a large amount of demographic data as well a summary of community needs, emerging trends, and promising practices gathered during an extensive planning and review process.

ADS Advisory Council chair Molly Holmes and ADS staffer Allison Boll, who created the infographics, at the Advisory Council’s retreat in January.

Sometimes it’s easier to get the gist of an issue and see patterns and trends by utilizing graphic images. In November 2015, Aging and Disability Services (ADS) staff produced a series of infographics that profile King County’s older population. Special thanks to Allison Boll for developing the series.

The ADS Advisory Council shared the infographics with local government officials at an AgeWave Briefing for the Seattle City Council Committee on Housing Affordability, Human Services, and Economic Resiliency. During the 2016 legislative session in Olympia, we will share this information with each member of our legislative delegation.

We encourage you look at each of the infographics. Share them with your family, friends, and neighbors. Every one of us—no matter our current age—has something to gain by talking about aging and using the data to understand and support an age-friendly community.

Contributor Molly Holmes is the new chair of the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services, which publishes AgeWise King County. Molly welcomes input from readers via e-mail (advisorychair@agewisekingcounty.org) as well as applicants for open positions on the council. For more information, visit www.agingkingcounty.org/advisory-council.

The Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services meets monthly, except January and October. Responding to the Needs of LGBT Elders (February 12) Senior Lobby Day in Olympia (February 25) Committees For information on joining the Advisory Council, visit our How to Join webpage or contact Aging and Disability Services planner Gigi Meinig at 206-684-0652 or gigi.meinig@seattle.gov.