AARP Washington

AARP Funds Age-Friendly Hackathon to Make Communities More Livable

By Vanessa Ho

You get a call from someone who says they’re from the IRS, and you owe back taxes. But do you? A pop-up on your computer warns your machine is infected and you need immediate technical support. Should you be worried? You get a call: “Grandma, I need money for bail.” But is it really your grandchild?

[SEATTLE, WA] – Washington ranks #1 when it comes to meeting the long-term care needs of older residents and people with disabilities, but AARP warns more must be done, at an accelerated pace, to meet changing demographic demands. Specific areas of concern in Washington include the need for more job opportunities for adults with disabilities who need assistance with activities of daily living. This, according to a new, comprehensive state-by-state Scorecard from AARP with support of the nation’s leading organizations behind quality long-term care, The Commonwealth Fund and SCAN Foundation.

Want to work for the Seahawks? AARP, the Seattle Seahawks and CenturyLink Field are teaming up on a mission to fill hundreds of event and game-day jobs at Seahawks and Sounders FC games, major concerts and other events at CenturyLink Field and the WaMu Theater.

America’s Vets Have a New Enemy: Scammers!

By Dana E. Neuts

Explore the secrets of ancient China when the Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor exhibition premieres April 8, 2017, at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. This exclusive exhibit will have a five-month run, ending September 4. Seattle and Philadelphia are the only two U.S. cities that will host the display.

Over 100,000 people in Washington state live with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, and that number continues to grow. For many people with memory loss, social stigma and barriers to inclusion can lead to shame, fear, and isolation. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. We recognize that people with memory loss are a vital part of our communities, retain remarkable strengths and stories, and deserve the right to fully participate. Here in Washington state, we’re joining the worldwide movement to build dementia-friendly communities.

A state law enacted last year can keep family caregivers better informed when a loved one receives hospital care. Even so, many Washington residents are unaware of the Caregiver Advise, Record, Enable (CARE) Act and how it affects their lives. The AARP state office aims to ensure that Washingtonians understand the law and is distributing a wallet card summarizing the basics.