Join AARP Washington by phone for a live tele-town hall with Governor Bob Ferguson on Monday, December 15th at 1:30pm Pacific time. We'll talk about a wide range of topics, including the state of Washington's economy, the rising cost of health care, new protections for consumers and more. Plus, Gov. Ferguson will take questions from the listening audience.
“The age wave is here,” says Cathleen MacCaul, Senior Advocacy Director at AARP Washington. “By 2030, more Washingtonians will be age 65 and older than under 18. That demographic shift will impact every part of our economy—from health care to housing to gaps in our long term care workforce.”
WA State is seeking your input as it considers new programs and policies that could better support older adults and people living with dementia across the state.
AARP Washington recently asked members what issues are important to them, and the answers form the backbone of an on-demand Zoom series to help adults age with confidence and comfort.
Think you’re savvy enough to avoid being ripped off? Think again. Last year, Washington consumers lost more than $135 million to fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That’s nearly double the amount lost in 2020.
AARP Washington announced four organizations throughout the state will receive 2022 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.4 million awarded among 260 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and over.
Changes to the new WA Cares Fund also include allowing employees who live out of state and certain other groups to apply for exemptions. And the program, which was initially set to begin this year, will launch in mid-2023.
Over the course of the pandemic, using technology to connect with family and friends was a lifeline for so many, but a switch away from 3G - third-generation wireless - could leave loved ones in a lurch.
It was a race to the finish, as AARP advocates and volunteers worked tirelessly to pass legislation during this year's 60-day legislative session. Several priority bills received most of our attention, as AARP focused on legislation to help older Washingtonians hold onto as much of their income as possible.