Welcome to the July 2011 Seniors Digest!

Kaylene Moon, Advisory Council Chair

Economic security, financial empowerment, money...it's probably no surprise that these issues are on the minds of older adults in King County. Along with health care and housing—or should we say affordable health care and affordable housing—people who responded to Aging and Disability Services' Area Plan on Aging questionnaire (see the March 2011 Seniors Digest) were clear that the cost of living is on their minds.

As Aging and Disability Services prepares the first draft of the Area Plan on Aging for Seattle-King County, 2012–2015, due later this summer, we begin to examine the cost of living in this area, along with a wealth of resources:

• The first article provides detail on the cost of living in Seattle-King County, as determined by the Elder Economic Security Standard Index for Washington, released in March.
  
  
• Jerry DeGrieck, a City of Seattle Human Services Department strategic advisor, shares some of the financial planning solutions produced by the Seattle-King County Asset Building Collaborative and its 60+ partner organizations.
  
  
• For readers who are still working, Kirk Larson from the Social Security Administration provides their online Retirement Estimator to provide insight on future retirement benefits.

Also in this issue…

• Author Richard Lemieux will speak about his moving new book, Breakfast at Sally's.
• ADS Planner Doug Ricker asks, "Can we help you care for your loved one?"
• The Hyde Shuttle is now serving Queen Anne, Interbay and Magnolia
• This month's events calendar includes ADS Council meetings, the Sound Steps Lake Union Walk and Half-Marathon, the Dancing Under the Stars World Dance Party, and more!
• Give your brain a workout with the "Juice Bar Scramble" puzzle

 For More Information 

See "Links You Can Use" for local websites that can direct you to services for seniors. And check out 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.

Kaylene Moon, Chair
Seattle-King County Advisory Council
on Aging and Disability Services