Understanding Senior Community Resources in Washington

Overview of Washington State’s approach to senior service

The State of Washington is proud of its commitment to providing healthcare services to its senior citizens. Local programs include social service, long-term care in designated facilities or at home care, and basic healthcare. Washington State’s Apple Health is available to help with the cost of assisted living and in-home care.

Seniors with disabilities frequently require the help of caregivers, and the State offers resources to adults who perform such diverse duties.

Both disabled seniors and their caregivers can take advantage of Washington State’s myriads of community programs offered through Community Living Connections. 

Key differences between Washington’s senior resources and other states (like Texas)

Available resources for seniors vary from state to state, Northern states such as North Dakota and Montana have earned a top all-around score for their services. Surprisingly, the “retirement” State of Florida ranks quite low on the list. Equally low on the list are Alabama, North Carolina, Delaware, Mississippi, and West Virginia. For overall senior care, the Midwest ranked high due to the presence of the Mayo Clinic and Sanford Health.

According to a survey rating affordability, availability of physicians and nurse practitioners, and mortality rate, Washington ranked number 14 while Texas stands at number 26.

The importance of local knowledge when navigating community resources

Seniors may have more resources than they realize; however, they may lack awareness of relevant programs geared toward their health and well-being. Without proper awareness, seniors could be missing important health and lifestyle assistance, ranging from health programs, insurance, long-term support, and caregiver support. According to research, ten percent of seniors or less are reasonably informed about Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) programs. Awareness of AAA increases with the senior’s age, but a mere 37 percent of seniors over 65 know about AAA programs. Seniors or their families wishing for more information regarding benefits for older citizens can contact benefitscheckup.org. 

How B’zoe Care connects seniors with appropriate community services

According to the National Council on Aging, senior patients usually do better at home instead of a senior living facility, where they are separated from family and all that is familiar to them. At  B’zoe Care, healthcare professionals are trained in all aspects of caring for aging, disabled seniors. Much time is also spent communicating with both care providers and families to help them work as a supportive team and to improve the senior’s life in all aspects, including feeding, grooming, providing companionship, and helping the senior retain as much freedom as possible by exploring the community.

Essential Senior Resources in Seattle

Seattle’s Age-Friendly Seattle initiative and available programs

Age Friendly Seattle is a pro-age Seattle program dedicated to prioritizing the citywide comfort of seniors.  “Age Friendly” is a global initiative to help with the ever-growing needs of an aging population. In Seattle, the over-sixty citizenry is expected to grow more than 80 percent between 2020 and 2035. Age friendly focuses on the fact that everyone, including seniors and the disabled, can enjoy an enriching lifestyle. 

This includes easy-to-use transportation, housing accessible for the disabled, parks and other greeneries, and encouragement to participate in their community. Said participation is a valuable reminder that seniors still have much to say and contribute.

Of course, affordable medical care is a huge part of aging with dignity.

An important part of the program is its discounts for anyone over 60 and anyone with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 59.

Senior centers and community hubs in different Seattle neighborhoods

Seattle senior centers are places for seniors to meet, remain active, and enjoy a wide array of activities, such as games, wellness sessions, crafts, and healthy meals among friends. Some of the major senior centers in the city are:

1. The Ballard NW Senior Center serves a nutritious lunch and encourages its members to remain fit by offering exercise classes.
2. The Lake City Senior Center is designed for social gatherings and participation in Bingo, art sessions, and Mahjong. It is valued for providing needed social interaction to seniors. The center is also a place with referrals for seniors in need. 
3. The East African Senior Center offers fitness classes and meals. They also conduct field trips. 
4. Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Activity Center welcomes seniors 50 years and older for meals, recreation, and social get-togethers.
5. Sno-Valley Senior Center is in the Snoqualmie Valley. The center offers reasonably priced healthcare, outings, fitness classes, and special events.

All 135 Community Emergency Hubs serve as an emergency gathering place during a natural disaster. They function independently of the city. 

1. Duwamish River Community Hub is involved in coastal maritime activities, transportation, small business development, and green jobs.
2. White Center Hub helps families locate affordable housing.
3. South Seattle Community Food Hub works with local farmers to alleviate hunger in the Seattle community.

Other community hubs help with food and other resources, such as senior-designated transportation. 

Free and low-cost activities and classes for seniors

Age Friendly Seattle has many low-cost or free activities that keep seniors active and vital.

1. Discovery Park and Volunteer Park are great for hiking, wandering on the beach, and exploring nature.
2. Visits to the Frye Art Museum are free.
3. The Seattle Art Museum is free on the first Thursday of the month. 
4. Green Lake Park, Kerry Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park offer great views and diverse activities.  The Spheres is an indoor garden with 40,000 plants from 30 countries. Reveling in this scenic magic is free on the first and third Saturday of the month. 
5. Seniors can also explore various art walks. 

Medical resource navigation in the Seattle healthcare system

The major resources for the Seattle healthcare system are the Seattle Fire Nurse Program, the Public Health – Seattle and King County’s Access and Outreach program, and the King County Resource Access Team.

• The Seattle Fire Nurse program provides medical transportation needed to determine the best healthcare needed.  
• Public Health – Seattle & King County Access and Outreach program refers seniors to the best insurance and medical provider options. 
• King County Resource Access Team is a centralized source of information for seniors.

Senior Support Programs in Bellevue

Bellevue Network on Aging and its community initiatives

• The Network on Aging in Bellevue provides community resources on aging for seniors.

North Bellevue Community Center’s senior-focused services

• The North Bellevue Community Center is an exciting meeting venue for seniors with art workshops and other cultural activities on a scheduled or drop-in basis.

Financial assistance programs available to Bellevue seniors

• Struggling Bellevue seniors may be eligible for a variety of financial  assistance: 

1. 1. Medicaid – Apple Health
   2. Medicare Savings
   3. Low-Income Hom Energy Assistance
   4. Diversion Cash Assistance – one-time cash for qualifying emergency               

 Technology training and digital literacy resources

• The Bellevue Public Library provides one-on-one computer literacy training. 

 Cultural and recreational opportunities for seniors

• The Indian American Community Service has Thursday gatherings for yoga, field trips, lunch, and various workshops.
• CareConnect Washington – Recreation activities offered by Bellevue Parks & Community Services’ Aging Services are plentiful and include a wide range of physical activities, such as line dancing, ping pong, pickleball, volleyball, and tai chi. In addition, seniors are able to enjoy socializing over bridge, pinocle, coloring, and English as a Second Language workshops. Seniors in need can contact CareConnect Washington regarding Meals on Wheels.

Bothell’s Senior Resources: Hidden Gems

Northshore Senior Center programs and membership benefits

The Northshore Senior Center programs are membership-based. They include fun seasonal activities such as Cocoa Sip and Paint, Suffragettes Pinkies Up Tea Party, and Red Wine and Chocolates. Here, aging is approached with a sense of humor. Both the Bothell Food Pantry and the Kenmore Food Pantry offer food staples to all seniors, as does Meals on Wheels. 

Bothell-specific meal delivery and nutrition programs

• Bothell seniors are fortunate to have several creative nutritional programs. Some of them are health-specific, which is a welcome rarity. There are, of course, several Meals on Wheels programs that deliver free food.
• Once a month, a Lasagna Volunteer will deliver a home-cooked meal to a senior in need of food and companionship. 
• Homestyle Direct is a meal delivery service that is lauded as top-rated. It tailors its meals to specific needs, such as individuals with heart disease, diabetes, and kidney ailments. 
• Teal Comfort for the Soul provides meals specifically designed for ovarian cancer patients. This provides the patient with the healthiest possible diet and relieves his or her caretaker of mealtime worries.
• In King County, Lifelong.org works with the Chicken Soup Brigade to deliver meals directly to seniors. They also deliver bags of groceries filled with produce, protein, and grains. Six separate grocery-delivery options allow seniors to indulge their culinary preferences. For example, there is an option for cooks with little cooking skills (welcome to scrambled eggs), vegetarians, East African products, Asian products, and Pacific Island products.

Health screening and wellness resources unique to Bothell

Sound Generation – provides a wide range of wellness resources to Bothell’s elderly population. Their resources include assistance with low-income housing and legal matters, healthcare services, and help for seniors with local transportation.

Community volunteer opportunities for active seniors

The North Shore Senior Center is appreciative of senior volunteers to may enjoy yard work and garden maintenance, aid in local water conservation at the Sno-King, help local farmers and local food programs, tutor and mentor young girls, and support families dealing with illness.  

Local emergency support systems for vulnerable seniors

At risk seniors can turn to the Washington State Department of Social Services for emergency assistance in the event of abuse, exploitation, or neglect. If anyone – such as family or caregiver – is aware of a perilous situation, they, too, can contact Social Services. 

Navigating Kirkland’s Senior Community Services

Peter Kirk Community Center programs and services

Kirkland Community Center has a large selection of activities for all ages, but it has a special focus on events for Kirkland’s over fifty communities: 

1. Walking groups
2. Fitness programs, including dancing
3. Crafts activities
4. Activities especially geared toward the Asian and Latin community
5. Senior transportation
6. Nutritional services – lunches three times a week; Meals on Wheels deliveries; access to the Kirkland Food Bank, Kenmore Food Pantry, and the Northshore Senior Center Food Pantry.

Kirkland Senior Council initiatives and advocacy

The Kirkland Senior Council advocates for seniors 50 years and older and is a major resource for Kirkland’s elder population. All seniors are welcome to attend meetings or meet with council members on Fridays at the Art Outreach Table at the Juanita Farmers Market.

The council actively promotes affordable housing and public transportation for seniors and advocates for “aging in place” for disabled seniors – which translates to having seniors remain in their familiar surroundings instead of being placed in an elder or assisted living facility.

Transportation assistance programs in Kirkland

The Peter Kirk Community Center van offers transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, the local food pantry, and the community center itself. The suggested cost is $2.00 for each one-way ride.

If the community van is unavailable, seniors can call the Senior Services Volunteer Transportation Program. Volunteer drivers take seniors to medical appointments, the markets, and other places they may need to be.

Healthcare navigation resources for Kirkland seniors

• Evergreen Health helps seniors navigate all aspects of their healthcare from preparing for a hospital stay, to making the stay more comfortable, including meals and providing an interpreter, to post-visit services and billing.
• Aging in King County provides funding for seniors who require community assistance such as adult day services, abuse prevention, help with legal issues, transportation, support for caregivers, and referrals to senior centers.

Social engagement opportunities to combat isolation

Social isolation can be a serious problem for seniors over 50. The Kirkland Senior Council offers programs that enable seniors to learn new skills, embrace recreation, and provide opportunities to socialize. The staff is bilingual. 

Redmond Senior Programs and Support Systems

Redmond Senior Center’s comprehensive service offerings

The Redmond Senior Center caters to Redmond’s older population in helpful ways, including getting together for special events. Here, seniors can join art and fitness classes, and get together for outdoor lunches. The lounge and library allow seniors to relax, read, and connect.  

For active seniors, the center has sports courts for volleyball, pickleball, basketball, and more. For seniors not in the Meals on Wheels program, the center delivers its own meals to their homes.   

Technology access and training programs for seniors

WATAP, the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program, is committed to bringing technology to older and disabled citizens. Disabled individuals, including the deaf and blind, all too frequently lack fundamental tools to succeed in today’s digital world. WATAP specifically states it provides “services and resources to individuals with disabilities as well as older adults. Our mandate is statewide. We serve from birth through adulthood and aging.” Classes are held at the University of Washington campus. 

Cultural events and recreational activities

The Redmond Senior and Community Center has fun classes for seniors, such as sketching, driftwood sculpture, crocheting, acrylic painting, watercolor, and poetry classes. Here, seniors can release the artist within them. 

The artists can continue the fun over exercise and lunch at the center.

Redmond’s aging-in-place initiatives and home modification resources

The Redmond Senior Center has the resources to guide seniors and their families on aging in place safely.

From strategies on how to prevent falls and how to maintain a safe, hazard-free home, the center can help create an environment designed for a senior and his or her caregiver. 

The center in Redmond offers information about the importance of personal well-being as it advises seniors to remain active, make regular doctor visits, and stay well-nourished.

Safety always makes for a happy aging-in-place environment.

Caregiver support resources in the Redmond area

Aging in King County understands the stress that caregivers for the elderly can experience, and they are there to help those who help others by being caregiver-focused. They refer caregivers to counseling and provide training for specific duties and illnesses and on the use of specific equipment. 

Renton’s Unique Senior Resource Network

Renton Senior Activity Center programs and special events

The Renton Senior Activity Center offers tranquil surroundings with a river, manicured grounds, and picnic areas. It’s an invitation to socialize while enjoying fitness classes, arts and crafts activities, and billiards. The daily lunches are affordable. Anyone can visit the center and join others at the sunroof coffee bar for a free snack and a cup of coffee for a quarter or a game of billiards in the game room.

Healthcare coordination services specific to Renton

Community Living Connections in Seattle and King County helps seniors and their families:

1.     Obtain the needed community resource information to provide needed help to seniors.
2.     Consult on how to arrange long-term senior care.
3.     Provide resources for local community caregivers. Access to family caregiver support services 

Housing assistance and home maintenance programs

The Renton Housing Repair Assistance Program helps eligible residents with up to $6,000 in annual home repairs. The deed to the home must be in the name of the resident, who must be in residence for at least 12 months. The annual household income is also taken into consideration when determining eligibility.

Culturally diverse services catering to Renton’s senior population

Age-Friendly Renton’s Recreation Division, located at the Renton Senior Activity Center, reaches out to non-English speaking seniors, who, due to language barriers, are at risk of isolation. Everyone is brought together through the efforts of the FitLot Outdoor Fitness Park with its equipment, 18 physical fitness classes, and outdoor charm. Nature’s loveliness requires no language. Renton is one of five State of Washington cities to earn the age-friendly designation. It’s a city that values its seniors.

Transportation solutions in and around Renton

• TAP – Transportation Assistance Program – offers transportation to low-income seniors over the age of 55 who don’t live in the Dial-A-Ride (see below) designated area. TAP handles rides to employment, senior dining facilities, healthcare facilities, senior centers, and shopping. It enables disabled seniors to enjoy tremendous independence.
• Dial-A-Ride vans are available in King County. They have a fixed route and schedule, but they offer greater flexibility than regular transit buses.

Community Resources for Seniors in Mukilteo

Mukilteo’s senior-friendly community spaces and programs

• For a small fee, join the Mukilteo Senior Association and get invited to their monthly luncheons, advocate for seniors at the monthly board meetings, receive invitations to senior outings, and take advantage of their volunteer opportunities.
  • Being a member of the Mukilteo Senior Association provides contact with other, local seniors and helps expand your interests. 
• The Mukilteo Recreation Division The Mukilteo Recreation Division offers a variety of programs and services such as exercises specifically designed to enrich the quality of life of active seniors.

Transportation options connecting Mukilteo seniors to resources

Mukilteo Transit in Snohomish County invites seniors to use their system and provides training for those unused to public transportation.

Wellness and fitness programs specifically for seniors

As described above, the Mukilteo Recreation Division offers exercise classes and an opportunity for seniors to work out together. 

Emergency preparedness resources for Mukilteo’s senior population

Seattle Emergency Management covers Snohomish County and raises alerts during power outages and earthquakes. The SNAP Program offers online disaster skills workshops relating to preparedness. 

Mukilteo residents who wish to be notified of potential emergencies via the internet or their cell phones can sign up with the Snohomish County’s Department of Emergency Management.

Community engagement opportunities unique to Mukilteo

Some out-of-the-ordinary community engagements in Mukilteo are available at the Mukilteo Kiwanis: 

1. Members of the Kiwanis Club volunteer at the Mukilteo Food Bank and help deliver food to needy families
2. Members also clean up roads and sidewalk debris within the city. The Kiwanis Club takes pride in its city.
3. Members work in the Mukilteo Community Garden annually to restore the garden’s fresh bloom. Any produce grown in the garden is delivered to the food bank.
4. Each year, members collect children’s clothing and deliver them to Clothes for Kids.
5. Each Christmas, members take qualified Mukilteo residents shopping for their children.

Woodinville Senior Resources: A Local Guide

Northshore Senior Center Woodinville branch offerings

The Woodinville  branch of the Northshore Senior Center offers seniors a venue to socialize with uplifting recreational activities. The center also addresses the health and social needs of seniors.

Wine country activities adapted for senior participation.

Tranquil yet legendary Woodinville has more than 130 distinguished wineries visited by wine lovers worldwide who wish to partake in wine tastings accompanied by tasty meals followed by strolls through the beauty of Sammamish River Valley. Wine Passes are available for a visit-as-many-wineries as possible at one price, a treat for all seniors.

Visitors and residents can participate in a private Snoqualmie Falls and Woodinville Wine Day tour from Seattle.

Local volunteer opportunities specifically for seniors

Woodinville seniors can work with the local AARP and advocate on federal and state policies affecting seniors, including meeting with state legislators.

The AARP also has Postcard Volunteers, caring members who send monthly postcards to seniors in each state of the US.

Healthcare navigation specific to Woodinville area providers

Seniors in Woodinville can take advantage of the healthcare offered at the University of Washington Primary Care at Woodinville Mondays through Saturdays. The care includes internal medicine, preventive medicine, heart diseases, chronic diseases, nutrition, and primary care. The clinic is in the Towne Center and offers same-day appointments.

Seasonal events and community gatherings for seniors

• Woodinville is wine country, and each season has its special music and wine offerings.
• Summer brings art walks, farmers markets, wine and yoga at neighborhood wineries.
• During the Fall Woodinville, and specifically Chateau Ste. Michelle, is abuzz with music and wine tastings. The season is celebrated at the annual Sammamish Valley Harvest Celebration.
• Winter brings more music, the Woodinville Winterfest, and seasonal celebrations at Chateau Ste. Michelle.
• Spring is the time for the Sammamish Valley Pollinator Fest, art walks, and wine and yoga at selected wineries.