Welcome to the September 2011 Seniors Digest

Kaylene Moon, Advisory Council for Aging & Disability Services

Mobility—the ability to move, or be moved, freely or easily—is on the minds of many older adults these days. Transportation costs, transit service cuts, and traffic congestion issues are in the news nearly every day.

Earlier this year, the Advisory Council for Aging and Disability Services issued a questionnaire to inform development of the draft Area Plan on Aging for 2012–2015. Not surprisingly, mobility and transportation issues were the highest concern of adults with disabilities in Seattle and King County.

At the 2005 White House Conference on Aging, mobility and transportation options was cited as the third most critical issue facing older adults, right under reauthorization of the Older Americans Act and affordable and accessible long-term care.

This issue of Seniors Digest focuses on transportation options and opportunities available to older King County residents, and lets you know how to access them. Mobility allows each of us to maintain independence, engage in essential and life-enhancing activities outside the home, and live healthier lives.

In this issue, you'll read my colleague Berta Seltzer's article about the broad range of transportation resources available to King County residents, Alina Aaron's and Michelle Zeidman's articles about the good work of county and sub-regional mobility coalitions, and Volunteer Transportation coordinator Cindy Zwart's article about the benefits of sharing your time and vehicle with those who cannot drive.

Also in this issue...

• Mayor's Council on African American Elders member and nursing home administrator Helen Sikov discusses advocacy for people who are unable to navigate the health care and long-term care systems on their own.
• The "food pyramid" has been replaced with a far more useful tool called My Plate, which reminds us that vegetables and fruits should make up half of every meal.
• September 17–23—the first day of fall—is Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
• Save the Date for Upcoming Events

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