April Calendar

Next Month is Older Americans Month

Blaze a trail! Submit May 2016 event information for possible use in our Older Americans Month calendar by e-mailing event name, date, time, venue, address, a brief description, and contact information to AgeWise King County editor Irene Stewart at irene.stewart@seattle.gov. For inspiration and resources, visit our Older Americans Month webpage.

ADS Advisory Council Meeting

Friday, April 8, 2016, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
Seattle Municipal Tower, Room 4060
700 5th Avenue, Seattle

The ADS Advisory Council meets on the second Friday of most months. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas are available within a week of the meeting. For more information, visit www.agingkingcounty.org/advisory-council or contact Gigi Meinig at gigi.meinig@seattle.gov or 206-684-0652.

Are Your Digital Communications Accessible?

Thursday, April 14, 2014, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room
600 4th Avenue, Seattle

Everyone who uses e-mail, or produces a Word document, or a PDF can benefit from hearing technology accessibility specialist Terrill Thompson from the University of Washington’s DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) program speak at this free public event. Thompson will explore accessibility of common digital media, including problems and easy-to-implement solutions, as well as web accessibility standards and their applicability to the current legal landscape. For more information or to request an accommodation, e-mail info@environmentsforall.org. See related story in this issue.

Discovery 2016: Alzheimer’s Regional Conference

Friday, April 15, 2016, 8:30 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Washington State Convention Center
800 Convention Place, Seattle

Save the date for Discovery 2016, with keynote speaker Gary Small, MD (“Brain Aging and Cognitive Decline: What Clinicians and Caregivers Need to Know”) and 15 workshops, including Alzheimer’s research, communication strategies, design for aging, stages of dementia, strategies for improving memory and brain health, Lewy body dementia, LGBTQ community dementia challenges, and other topics related to human behaviors and emerging therapies. For more information, click here.

The Business of Aging

Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
The Bridge at Village Cove
6848 Woodlawn Avenue NE, Seattle

If you work in the field of aging, don’t miss this opportunity for different kinds of networking and conversations! Using fast-paced, stimulating facilitation tools, experience a different kind of forum to expand networks and cross-pollinate ideas. Be inspired by others who are innovating within their spheres to better serve the aging population. The cost is $35 per person (includes a box lunch). Reserve your space on Brown Paper Tickets by April 14. For more information, contact Rebecca Crichton at 206-930-0809.

Protecting, Strengthening and Expanding Social Security and Medicare for ALL Generations

Thursday, April 28, 2016, 11:45 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Senior Center of West Seattle
4217 SW Oregon Street, Seattle

Join Robby Stern, president of Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) and chair of Social Security Works Washington, for lunch and a lively multigenerational discussion about the status of Social Security and Medicare now and for the next 50 years. And join other senior, health care advocacy and community-based organizations to see how we can work together to insure not only the preservation of Social Security and Medicare for future generations but also make the necessary changes to enhance benefits in both programs. All generations need to fight together to insure real retirement security today and tomorrow. RSVP to Susan: outreachvp@psara.org or PSARA 206-448-9646. NOTE: Lunch ($3) will be served at 11:45 a.m. For more information, click here.

Oral Health for Caregivers – Training for Training Professionals

Thursday, May 5, 2016, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Seattle)
Thursday, October 6, 2016, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (Spokane)
Locations to be announced

This five-hour interactive “train the trainers” workshop is designed for training and professional development managers—those who provide continuing education classes for caregivers. The workshop offers tools to educate formal and family caregivers. Includes oral health education demonstrations, visuals, and printed materials in an easy-to-understand format. The training is free for Washington residents and $95 for out-of-state participants. Included: 5 CEUs, approved by Washington State DSHS; continental breakfast and lunch; and a training kit that includes the full curriculum, demo materials, handout masters, links to online training materials, and an implementation guide to plan future caregiver trainings (value $150). To register, complete the registration form and return it to Matt Gonzalez, Washington Dental Service Foundation (WDSF), at mgonzalez@deltadentalwa.com (fax 206-985-4779). Registration deadlines: April 28 (for Seattle) and September 29 (for Spokane). Confirmation will be sent prior to the event, with location, driving directions, and parking instructions. For more information, contact Karen Lewis, WDSF (206-528-7344 or klewis@deltadentalwa.com).

ADS Advisory Council Meeting

Friday, May 13, 2016, 12:00–2:00 p.m.
Seattle Municipal Tower, Room 4060
700 5th Avenue, Seattle

The ADS Advisory Council meets on the second Friday of most months. Meetings are open to the public. Agendas are available within a week of the meeting. For more information, visit www.agingkingcounty.org/advisory-council or contact Gigi Meinig at gigi.meinig@seattle.gov or 206-684-0652.

Assistive Technology and Resources Fair

Saturday, May 14, 2016, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Bellevue Library, Meeting Rooms 1, 2 and 3
1111 110th Avenue NE, Bellevue

The King County Library System welcomes you to learn about assistive technologies and community resources. Take advantage of resource tables, equipment demonstrations, educational presentations, and videos of emerging technologies. Visit representatives from the following organizations and others to learn what they can do for you: Bridge Disability Ministries, City of Bellevue ADA, Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center, Hopelink Transportation, King County Mobility Coalition, Seattle Public Library LEAP/Library Equal Access Program, Sound Generations (formerly Senior Services), Washington Access Fund, Washington Assistive Technology Act Program, and Washington Talking Book & Braille Library. Tours of the Bellevue Library and assistive technologies available at the library will also be available. Real-time captioning (CART) will be provided. To request ASL interpretation, contact diversity@kcls.org by May 6, 2016.

2016 Care Transitions Conference

Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 8:00–4:00 p.m.
IAM District 751
9125 15th Place South, Seattle

Are you involved in improving health care quality and transitions of care? Are you a health care or human services professional, a caregiver, or a patient advocate? Register to attend “Charting a Course to Health,” the 2016 Care Transitions Conference in south Seattle. For more information, visit www.agingkingcounty.org/CTconference.

Social Security & Medicare Tele-Town Hall

Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Your home or office

Want to know more about Social Security and Medicare? Join this special live “telephone town hall meeting.” Specialists from the Social Security Administration and Washington Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors will talk about how to make the most of your Social Security benefits, health insurance, and Medicare coverage. The format is like a radio talk show, but you listen on your phone. Experts will even take live questions from the audience. Brought to you by the Social Security Administration, Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, AARP and the King County Library Foundation. Free. To register, visit www.kcls.org, call Ask KCLS at 425-462-9600, or contact your local library. Be sure to include your telephone number in the registration to receive a phone call.

Note: If registered, on the day of the telephone town hall you will receive a telephone call from KCLS up to 15 minutes before the start time of the call (between 10:25–10:40 a.m.). Pick up and stay on the line until the call starts. You will hear introductory remarks and then be connected.

Seattle UASI Regional Disaster Planning Conference

Wednesday, May 25, 2016, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Embassy Suites
3225 158th Avenue SE, Bellevue

People from community and faith-based organizations, human services agencies, and philanthropic organizations, along with emergency managers, first responders, tribal leaders, human services planners, public information officers, and anyone interested in emergency planning related to vulnerable populations is invited to help build a community-wide strategy for resilience to disasters. Join the conversation and develop new ways of thinking and innovative programming to make a difference. The conference is FREE for all participants (breakfast, lunch and snacks provided). To register, visit https://uasi2016resilienceconference.eventbrite.com. For assistance registering or for more information, e-mail Deborah.Witmer@seattle.gov.

Caring for Our Aging Loved Ones: A Teamwork Approach to Caring for Aging Parents

Thursday, May 26, 2016, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
1441 16th Avenue, Seattle

Sometimes “it takes a village” to care for a frail or ailing older person. It also takes cooperation and good communication. Your caregiving team might include a partner, siblings, other relatives, friends and neighbors. Bring your whole team or come on your own and learn how to keep relationships strong throughout this process. Facilitated by Lisa Bakke, M.A., Family Caregiver Support Coordinator at Jewish Family Service. Space is limited. Advance registration suggested. $20/person. $30 for family teams. RSVP online or contact Marjorie Schnyder at 206-861-3146 or familylife@jfsseattle.org.

Giving Care, Taking Care: Annual Caregiver Conference

Monday, June 6, 2016
Tukwila Community Center
12424 42nd Avenue South, Tukwila

This annual day-long conference for caregivers will feature author, life coach, support group leader and former Snohomish County caregiver specialist Sandy Powers as keynote speaker, along with 16 workshops and over 40 exhibits. This conference is intended for unpaid caregivers (family members or others), home care workers and adult day services staff, adult family home or assisted living staff, and social service or mental health professionals who work with family caregivers. Through May 15, take advantage of the early registration fees: $30 for individual caregivers and $50 for agency-based caregivers. Scholarships are available for unpaid family caregivers. For more information, call 1-800-422-3263 or 360-725-2544 or click here.

Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon

Thursday, June 9, 2016
Bellevue Hilton
300 112th Avenue SE, Bellevue

Inspire Positive Aging is an annual awards program hosted by Sound Generations (formerly Senior Services). See related article in this issue. For more information, visit the Inspire Award website.