Welcome to the June 2008 Seniors Digest

Michael Miller, Advisory Council Chair

Countdown until summer! We’ve had a few tantalizing tastes of warmer weather, but surely we will soon be out and about more enjoying the great Seattle climate. If a road trip is in your summer plans—across country or just a day in the mountains—you will want to read “Too Cool for Driving School?” by AARP-WA’s Jason Erskine. Did you know that driver’s ed isn’t just for teenagers?

Also in this issue, meet Virginia Galloway (seen at right), who was one of the first African American teachers in Seattle and has served in many important positions since then. Virginia, 92, is now the primary caregiver for her husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease. She and two other seniors were recently honored at the Second Annual Heroes Celebration, an event sponsored by the African American Elders Program recognizing contributions made by local trailblazers.

“Real Men Wear Gowns.” Hospital gowns, that is! June 9 - 15 is National Men’s Health Week, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is encouraging men to learn about the importance of preventive medical testing.  And “Real Men. Real Depression” examines the way men experience and react to depression. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but an act of courage!

Also in this issue…

• Check out this month’s book review of An Uncertain Inheritance, which collects personal essays by 19 different writers who describe their experiences with family caregiving
  
• Just for fun, give your brain a workout with “State License Plates Trivia Quiz”—how many can you identify?