Welcome to the January 2010 Seniors Digest

Cathy VonWald, Chair, ADS Advisory Council

Incoming Advisory Council Chair Timmie Faghin is welcomed by United Way sponsor David Okimoto. ____________________

This will be my final month to host Seniors Digest, as I complete my term as Chair of the Advisory Council. I am turning the reins over to a familiar face for long-time Digest readers: Timmie Faghin will once again be serving as Chair, and I leave you in her capable and experienced hands.

This month we want to alert you to potential cuts to the Senior Citizens Service Act (SCSA) that would have a devastating impact on many of our most vulnerable area seniors. The ongoing hope was that funding would be restored to the 1998 levels—so these deep further cuts are a blow that many will feel. We would like to introduce you to three seniors who are typical of those served by SCSA. 

On a more positive note, we would also like to introduce the new website for the Northwest Universal Design Council. NWUDC aims to increase awareness of the idea of designing all aspects of the built environment—homes, landscapes, commercial development—with the goal of making them accessible to every person, regardless of age or ability.

Also in this issue:

• It's census time! The U.S. Census Bureau reminds us that an accurate count is vital as decisions are made about senior services and many other programs.
  
  
• Learn how to apply for Social Security online, and how Social Security survivors insurance benefits families.
  
  
• A study from UCLA suggests that Baby Boomers may not, contrary to popular belief, be healthier than previous generations—a fact that could have important consequences for our senior support programs in years to come.
  
  
• Give your brain a workout and learn more about the SCSA with "The Senior Citizens Service Act" wordfind!

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 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