Community

After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009 at the age of 57, Bill Meyer of Spokane went on the offensive using his love of the outdoors to help others. In 2016, he founded PasstoPass, a non-profit helping people with Parkinson’s to continue backpacking and hiking as a form of symptom mitigation. Starting with just one hike in 2016, the effort has grown to six regional chapters and a total of 7,549 cumulative miles hiked.

After a hiatus triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, AARP Washington’s Day with the Seattle Mariners is back.

Washington state had a wild winter this year. And although it’s now history, have you ever thought about how weather has shaped history? That’s just one topic on deck at the next One Day University in Seattle.

AARP Chapter #384 members, pictured left to right, Herb Daul, Vice President; Gerry Giles, Treasurer; Bob Seamons, Secretary; and Kathy Fleming, President.

The pandemic has taken an extremely heavy toll on residents of nursing homes and other long term care facilities. This period of prolonged isolation has caused declines in physical, cognitive, and emotional health. There is an antidote!

No matter where you are in the caregiver journey, these local agencies and organizations can help make the process easier

I encourage anyone who wants to feel better to simply get into the water—whether it is your local pool, a lake, or the ocean. You will find that water heals and refreshes like nothing else.

AARP Washington is part of a Social Isolation Work Group trying creative approaches to reaching lonely people, including a laptop lending library, virtual coffee klatches, and robotic pets.

This Black History Month and beyond, it’s important to look for and celebrate the little things that bring us joy, as well as the big achievements and accomplishments. The joy of resilience. Of caring for others and ourselves during trying times. Of sharing our stories and our assistance. Of connecting with others, even if at a distance. This is a Joy Supreme.

While 2020 was a year filled with uncertainty, municipalities and community organizations across Washington still managed to put older residents’ needs front and center. We welcomed two cities - Tacoma and Renton - to the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, joining our previous cities of Seattle and Puyallup. Several non-profit agencies also received grants to address crucial pandemic-related issues, such as food insecurity and telehealth.