December 2005
Welcome to the final 2005 issue of HAP Happenings!The Healthy Aging Partnership, a coalition of 40 nonprofit and government organizations dedicated to improving the lives of older adults in the Puget Sound region, is pleased to share news, insights and activities with you in this new quarterly newsletter. To forward news items for future issues, add more recipients to the distribution list, or to unsubscribe, email info@4elders.org. |
HAP gears up for another successful year Looking back on 2005, HAP accomplished another year of success in healthy aging. Doing together what we could not do alone, each partner agency contributed to making the Puget Sound area a more aware, motivated and healthier community. HAP conducted a workshop with over 120 participants, a third of them non-English speaking, about civic engagement, the importance of community involvement and how to make you voice heard! HAP continued an information campaign on nutrition, promoted numerous messages to help older adults live well and developed an even greater number of relationships to strengthen the partnership as a whole…and much more! The next HAP meeting takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Senior Services of Seattle-King County. The agenda includes an update from the workshop planning committee about plans and ideas for the next Healthy Living workshop set to take place sometime in March. The 2006 news release topics will also be announced along with other exciting news about our partners and the year ahead. For more information or to suggest another agenda item, please contact Teresa Moore at info@4elders.org. Most holiday depression occurs after Jan. 1 Although many older adults become depressed during the holiday season, even more respond to excessive stress and anxiety after the holidays have passed. The post-holiday letdown after January 1 can be a result of emotional disappointments or physical stress due to fatigue. According to the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP), all people feel sad or unhappy at times during their lives, but persistent sadness may be depression. If negative emotions occur before the holidays, chances are they will continue. The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) published a manual with 10 warning signs to look for if an older adult may need your help. Some signs include a change in diet, neglecting their usual activities or a change in relationship patterns. Post holiday blues are treatable if proper steps are taken. For a full list of warning signs, click here. KCTS presents The Ties That Bind, a co-production of the National Film Board of Canada and Force Four Entertainment on January 19. The first part of the two-hour program is about a 28-year-old man named Chris who lives with multiple disabilities, longs for independence and dreams of moving out of the family home. This is a first-hand look at a family's struggle to let go, when every instinct compels them to hang on. It reveals, with raw emotion and humor, the complexity of one man's journey. The second part of the program airs at 10 p.m. and features KCTS moderator Enrique Cerna who will continue the conversation with film participants, family members, individuals with disabilities, and others from Washington and British Columbia. For more information visit www.kcts.org. Oral health training for professionals Seniors are at great risk for oral diseases such as root cavities and periodontal disease which has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and poor nutrition. “Healthy Teeth, Healthy Bodies: Oral Wellness for Elders” is an interactive and informative workshop for professionals working in the field of aging. Become a champion for seniors’ oral health! The Washington Adult Day Services Association is offering a 4-hour continuing education course in Seattle on March 10 and Tacoma on May 17. Through sponsorship with the Washington Dental Service Foundation, the course is offered at a reduced rate of $25 per person. Call 206-461-3899 or go to www.adultday.org to register or for more information. Jacqueline Marcell to speak in Seattle Author of Elder Rage…How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents will speak at an event in Seattle regarding many topics such as long-term care insurance, elder law attorney, dementia and elder abuse. Jacqueline was compelled to write her book after giving up a 15-year career as a television executive to care for her parents, both living with Alzheimer’s. She endured physical abuse from her father and went through a year a misdiagnosis before knowing what was wrong. Jacqueline also launched a radio program to help caregivers. The presentation takes place on March 9 at the Unity Church of Seattle located at 200 8th Avenue North. You can see her speak that day from 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. or from 6-8 p.m. that evening. Upcoming events in healthy aging! · The Mayor’s Council on African American Elders presents The Plight of the Older Black Woman. The presentation takes place Friday, February 17 from 1-4 p.m. at the University of Washington School of Social Work located at 4101 - 15th Avenue. NE in Seattle. Dr. Maxine Hayes, State Health Officer of Washington State Department of Health is the keynote speaker. · Washington Alliance for Healthy Aging presents the Healthy Aging Summit, Active Aging in Livable Communities, What could be better? Summit will take place on May 18 at the Tukwila Community Center, from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Keynote address given by Nancy Whitelaw, PhD, Director of National Council on Aging’s Center for Healthy Aging. · Invest in Aging, Strengthening Families, Communities and Ourselves. The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) and the American Society on Aging (ASA) -- are collaborating again to offer the most dynamic educational conference and networking opportunity in North America for professionals in the field of aging. Click here for more details HAP meets monthly at Senior Services’ offices Members of the Healthy Aging Partnership continue to benefit from collaboration and communication around issues related to healthy aging. To get the most value from HAP, we encourage partner agency representatives and other friends and interested parties to attend HAP monthly meetings. Our meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of each month from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Senior Services, 2208 2nd Avenue. Plenty of metered parking is typically available or, for those working downtown, Senior Services is accessible via the free bus zone. Stay in touch Don’t hesitate to contact us with any ideas, suggestions, comments, etc. Email info@4elders.org or call Teresa Moore or Pam McGaffin at 206-721-9540. For more information about the Healthy Aging Partnership, or to unsubscribe to this newsletter, call Teresa Moore or Pam McGaffin at 206-721-9540 or email info@4elders.org. |
