Welcome to the August 2009 Seniors Digest!

Cathy VonWald, Chair, ADS Advisory Council

We all look forward to summer! But during periods of extreme heat, seniors should take extra precautions to avoid heat-related illness.

As we publish the August issue, we are coming out of a record heat wave in the Seattle-King County area. As the Seattle Times reported, high temperatures can be very dangerous for older adults, and seniors are encouraged to take precautions if we have another period of extreme heat. (We are hoping it won't be soon!) Many family caregivers and people in the eldercare community worked diligently to be sure that seniors and people with disabilities were safe during the hottest hours.

In this issue of Seniors Digest, we take a look at the newly expanded Snoqualmie Valley Transportation Program, which provides rides for seniors and others throughout that region.

We also invite you to comment on the draft 2008-2011 Area Plan on Aging. The plan is open for comments through August 14. You can respond online, or attend one of two upcoming public hearings.

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Also in this issue…

• The National Sleep Foundation Offers Suggestions for Sleeping in the Heat
  
  
• The Eyes Have It: Three Great Lifestyle Choices to Protect Your Vision
  
  
• It's No Joke! Humor Promotes Healthy Aging
  
  
• Vestibular Disorders: a Lesser-Known Cause of Senior Falls
  
  
• "Comic Catch Phrases" Trivia

For More Information…  

See "Links You Can Use" for local websites that can direct you to services for seniors. And check out SeniorsDigest.org, our national companion website, which includes the new, improved Online Information Center, where you will find resources and information about issues of interest to older adults and their families.

We hope you will refer to our electronic pages often—to obtain advice, to learn of new and exciting services, and to offer us your constructive feedback.

Read Seniors Digest and tell us what you think. We are here to help.

Cathy VonWald, Chair
Seattle-King County Advisory Council
on Aging and Disability Services