Welcome to the February 2009 Seniors Digest!

Cathy VonWald, Chair, ADS Advisory Council

The Nurse Care Managers with King County Care Partners help their clients navigate the health care system and take charge of their own health. (Pictured, Tia Hallberg, MaryPat O'Leary, and Jeanette Choate.) See "King County Care Partners" in this issue to learn more!  ______________________

Greetings! I am pleased to host my first issue of Seniors Digest as the incoming Chair of the Advisory Council! Since the last issue, so much has happened—we witnessed the inauguration of a new president, County Executive Ron Sims has just announced that he will be leaving to accept a position at HUD…and it seems that all that snow has finally melted!

The economic crisis is in the forefront of the news, of course. As we saw in the December issue of Seniors Digest, seniors are especially hard hit by current conditions. But looking at the national picture, there are some promising signs, thanks to the new stimulus package making its way through Congress. According to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A), the following key initiatives will see increased funding if the bill passes as written:

• Older Americans Act Senior Nutrition Programs
• Title V Community Service Employment for Older Americans
• Medicaid Aid to States 
• Digital TV Conversion Coupons

These increases will help Washington state fill some of the gaps in the state budget. However, it is important that the state maintain its current long-term care funding in order to receive the full federal stimulus.

Make your voice heard! We invite you to attend Senior Lobby Day on February 17. Read on to find out how you can join seniors and advocates as we descend on Olympia to speak out for older adults.

Also in this issue….

• King County Care Partners—A New Approach to Care Management for High Risk Clients
   
• AARP Takes the Sting Out of Tax Time
  
  
• Information Technology and Your Health
  
  
• Save the Date for Upcoming February Events
  
  
• Cardiac Rehabilitation: What You Should Know
  
  
• "Heart Smart Shopping Cart" Wordfind

For More Information….