Welcome to the January 2011 Seniors Digest

Timmie Faghin, Advisory Council Chair

Happy New Year! January is the traditional time for making resolutions. In our area, organizations that serve seniors and family caregivers are looking ahead to some innovative developments to come. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region 10 Director Susan Johnson tells us about senior-focused provisions of the Affordable Care Act that came into effect this week. Aging Your Way invites visionary, forward-looking citizens to participate in planning the future of aging. And learn about Healthy Aging Partnership projects in our area.

Also in this issue:

• Aging and Disability Services will be accepting applications for state-funded home care services and family caregiver support services.
  
  
• Food columnist Katy Wilkens of Northwest Kidney Centers reassures sausage lovers that following a low-salt diet doesn't rule out their favorite treat.
  
  
• Give your brain a workout with the "Fitness Resolutions 2011" wordfind.

January also marks my final month serving as host of Seniors Digest and Chair of the Advisory Council. I will be turning the gavel over to Kaylene Moon. With her longstanding interest in issues affecting older adults, Kaylene is an excellent choice for this position! She received her BA in Social Welfare/Gerontology at Western Washington University, and her Master's degree in Applied Behavioral Science from Whitworth College. She has worked in the field for 25 years. During her career, she was employed with Senior Services as a case manager, and later supervisor of case managers for older adults. She is a former employee of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) where she worked as Supervisor in the agency's Case Management Program for 18 years. Her experience gives her a unique perspective on the needs of older adults in King County and the services available to them. Though retired, she is active in her community and is a member of the Mayor of Des Moines' Leadership Summit.