Welcome to the October 2006 Seniors Digest

Don Moreland

October is Book Month! Seattle was recently named the "Most Literate City," and the seniors of our area are no exception to that achievement. In this issue, we take a look at King County Library System's Traveling Library Center. Read on to find out more about how "Reading Is Good for Your Brain." And see "Links You Can Use" to access information about how to use the Seattle Public Library's user-friendly, high-powered online catalog. Did you read an intriguing book review in the Sunday Seattle Times? Rush to your computer to be the first to put it on reserve!

This month we also focus on the idea of "Aging in Place"—making modifications to our homes to enable us to grow older without having to move. In "How to Convince Your Children That You Should Stay In Your Home," Advisory Council Member Art Mussman (right), who is active in promoting the Aging in Place concept, takes a lighthearted but information-rich look at this topic that comes up in many families. And ADS Planner Margaret Casey gives us a heads up about upcoming special events for National Aging in Place Week (October 8-14).

Also in this issue....

• "October is National Book Month" Scramble Puzzle
  
  
• Links You Can Use: Reading, Aging in Place, Nursing Home Residents' Rights Month

For More Information....

Check out SeniorsDigest.org, our national companion website. The Seniors Digest Resource Center is a great place to begin your search for information about issues of interest to seniors 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.

Don Moreland, Chair
Seattle-King County Advisory Council
on Aging and Disability Services

 * More About Art Mussman

Art Mussman is passionate about Aging in Place—the idea of growing older without having to move.  "People don't want to move," Art says. "For example, Kirkland has many houses built in the 40s and 50s that just need simple modifications so that seniors can remain in their own homes."  

As part of his work on the Kirkland Senior Council, Art is helping to create a video to advocate Aging in Place. The video will be available for viewing on the City of Kirkland's cable TV channel and through their online Video on Demand programming. He is also working on the upcoming Baby Boomers & Beyond, Healthy Living Expo on October 21.

Art retired from the Air Force, and then from a second career at Boeing in 1992. He has a full calendar of volunteer work, and does not let hemiplegia (partial paralysis from a stroke) slow him down. He recently joined the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging, where he has been described by co-council members as "extremely smart and focused...he gets the job done."

Art is the Treasurer of both the local Air Force Association Chapter and the Puget Sound Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association—two organizations which support efforts related to both aerospace and science education. He has also served as a Community Advisor at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center for 10 years, providing community input on healthcare issues, and sits on Evergreen's Home Health Care Advisory Committee. He is active in his church, serving on several councils and as a Stephen Minister.

A lifelong learner, Art has audited classes over the past 10 years through the UW's Access program. Says Art, "No tests, no papers, no major, no prerequisites—truly a great way to attend school."