Announcements: Adopt a Senior Pet Month, Caregiver Counseling, Flu Shots

Seattle Animal Shelter offers Older Pets FREE to Seniors and Adults with Disabilities for Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month

In recognition of November as “Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month,” the Seattle Animal Shelter waives the adoption fee for seniors and adults with disabilities who adopt a dog or cat aged six years or older. If you are considering adding a pet to your household and you are eligible, consider the shelter’s “Golden Pets for Golden Years” program.

Anyone holding the city of Seattle’s “Gold Card” or “FLASH Card” is eligible to adopt a dog or cat aged six years or older, free of charge, and receive a 50-percent discount on a pet license. This offer is in addition to another program offering cardholders a 50-percent discount on adoption fees for cats aged 2 years or older. Click here to learn more about this opportunity!

Says Mayor Greg Nickels, “Through this special offer from the shelter, we have a win-win situation. We help senior dogs and cats by placing them in loving homes, and cardholders can bring a sparkling companion into their lives.”

Caregiver Counseling Program Expands

Evergreen Healthcare has recently received additional State Family Caregiver Support funding to expand Caregiver Support and Counseling Services.  The program provides up to six outreach visits to caregivers anywhere in King County for no charge. The focus is on problem solving, self-care, stress management and positive change. Additional funds from United Way of King County are targeted to people caring for LGBT adults and for people with developmental disabilities or dementia. For further information, please call 206-923-6300 and ask for Intake.

Are You at Risk of Influenza (“the Flu”)?

• Are you 50 or older?
• Do you have a chronic health condition like diabetes, heart disease, or asthma?
• Do you live in a nursing home or assisted living center?
• Do you live with or take care of a child who is younger than five years old? 
• Do you live with or take care of a person who is 50 or older or has a chronic health condition?

If you fit any of these descriptions, you are at higher risk of getting the flu. This is why it is important for you to get a flu shot every year. When you get vaccinated, you help prevent the spread of flu to people around you too.

Here are some quick flu vaccine facts that you may not know…
 
Flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The flu shot is made from a killed virus and the nasal spray vaccine is made from weakened virus. You cannot get the flu from either type of vaccine. You may get a mild fever, feel achy for 1-2 days, or have a congested (“stuffy”) nose after getting your flu vaccine. These are normal symptoms that happen when your body starts protecting you against the flu.

Flu vaccine changes every year. The most common types of flu virus change every year and so does the vaccine. You need to get a flu shot every year to be protected against changing flu viruses.   
 
If you can’t get a flu shot from your regular doctor, call your local:

• Health Department. Click here for contact information or look in the government section of your phone book.
• Senior Information and Assistance. Click here for contact information or call 2-1-1.
• Pharmacy or grocery store
• You can also check the online Flu Clinic Locator.