Welcome to the April 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 to host 'A Taste of Healthy Living' Workshop

As we age and our bodies change, our nutritional and fitness needs change too. The Healthy Aging Partnership will host a healthy living workshop in May to help older adults make wise food choices, stay physically active and lead healthier lives. The workshop will be a full day, culminating with a trip to the nearby Columbia City Farmers’ Market.

A Taste of Healthy Living will be Wednesday, May 24, at the Rainier Community Center, 4600 38^th Ave. S., Seattle. The workshop begins with a HAP welcome at 8:50 a.m. (Registration and a continental breakfast starts at 8:15 a.m.) and ends at 3 p.m. with a tour of the Columbia City Farmers’ Market.  Presentations will cover nutrition basics, practical and low-cost cooking strategies for healthy eating, the importance of oral health, and simple exercises to stay active and independent. Speakers will include Mary Podrabsky, consultant with the National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition, Aging and Physical Activity; Janet Kapp of Public Health-Seattle & King County; Diane Lowry Oakes, of the Washington Dental Service Foundation; and Brenda Barkey, an EnhanceFitness instructor.

Space is limited, so register today by calling 206-832-1900, ext. 1970. Shuttle service to the farmers’ market will be provided, thanks to Senior Services of Seattle-King County. For more information on the workshop, call Pam McGaffin at 206-721-9540.

AARP Washington Legislative Session wraps up

AARP Washington kept its focus on health care funding and reform in the 2006 session, with several successes.

• With the new Medicare prescription drug law, dual-eligibles – those seniors who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid – were facing new or higher co-pays for prescription drugs.  Thanks to AARP’s advocacy, Governor Gregoire and Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, a negotiation of $14 million in federal funds was dedicated to pay the co-pays for the elderly and disabled poor in 2006.
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services warns seniors to be aware of a scheme that asks Medicare beneficiaries for money and checking account information to help them enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan. This scheme is called the “$299 Ring” for the typical amount of money Medicare beneficiaries are talked into withdrawing to pay for a non-existent prescription drug plan.  Consumers can report these cases to their local law enforcement agencies or 1-877-7SAFE RX (1-877-772-3379).
• An important health care reform bill, HB 2573 has been passed to encourage Washington’s hospitals to implement health information technology systems.  Studies show that these systems save money and lives by eliminating duplicative paperwork and dramatically reducing medical errors.  About 40 percent of the state’s hospitals are now using electronic medical records.
• Medical malpractice bill, HB 2292 reached a significant compromise this session that will take two important steps toward patient safety.  First, it increases the number of serious medical errors that must be reported to the state – from just eight categories, to more than 20.  Secondly, it requires the state to analyze all the reported data for best practices and patterns of error.  AAPR says the more we can understand about patients being injured in a hospital setting, the more we can prevent medical mistakes in the future.

For a full article about AARP Washington’s Legislative Session, click here.

Columbia City Walks, a fitness and health celebration

Columbia City Walks, sponsored by UW Health Promotion Research Center, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Sound Steps, King Co. Public Health, and more will give area residents and local businesses a chance to join together in support for better health. 

Columbia City Walks is scheduled Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The event includes a loop walk around the neighborhood from the Columbia City Library to Hudson Street.  Along the way, participants will stop and get ‘passports’ stamped at various venues, including businesses sponsoring the event, health education seminars/screenings and fitness demonstrations.  Organizations can set up tables with health information on the sidewalk.

Ultimately, the event hopes to motivate everyone involved to join a community walking group or other fitness/nutrition program.  And the benefit doesn’t stop after the event.  There are plans to start a quarterly health coalition, create a listserve to post community health opportunities, and support continued neighborhood health and fitness development.

Please contact Ruth Egger at 206-760-6236 or eggerr@u.washington.edu or Mari Becker at 206-684-4664 or sound.steps@seattle.gov if you want to get involved.

HAP co-sponsors Healthy Aging Fair

The Healthy Aging Partnership will co-sponsor the first Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens Healthy Aging Fair. The Healthy Aging Fair will provide senior citizens and baby boomers with information and resources related to aging. Topics will include nutrition, fitness, health promotion, home safety, prescription benefits, hospice, meaningful social and volunteer opportunities and more.

The Fair will be Thursday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens at 810 Third Ave., Seattle.  Other sponsors include: Public Health of Seattle-King County, Senior Services, Pinnacle and Seattle Parks and Recreation Senior Adult Program.

For more information or to get involved, call Cynthia Ellison at the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens at (206) 233-2781.

Older adults at risk for Tetanus or Diphtheria

In the spring, older adults tend to be more active indoors and out, which puts them at higher risk of coming in contact with tetanus.  Tetanus is everywhere in the environment.  It can enter the body through cuts, scrapes and even splinters. 

The following activities can expose you to tetanus or diphtheria:

• Gardening or doing other yard work;
• Working around wood or wood products;
• Living or working with animals, including pets, that can bite or scratch you;
• Traveling to other countries.

Immunization is the most effective way to protect yourself and others.  Adults need a tetanus–diphtheria (Td) booster shot every 10 years.  Over time, our bodies’ ability to protect against tetanus and diphtheria decreases.  More than half of adults aged 20 years and older are not protected against tetanus and diphtheria; even fewer adults over age 70 are protected.  Immunization is the most effective way to protect yourself and others.  The Td booster shot allows adults to enjoy their everyday activities without the threat of getting these serious diseases.

You may need a Td booster shot if you:

• Cannot remember when you got your last Td booster;
• Are not sure you ever had a Td vaccination;
• Are aged 60 years or older.

Talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider to find out whether you are due for your Td booster.

Upcoming events in healthy aging!

·   WAHA Washington Alliance for Healthy Aging presents the Healthy Aging Summit, “Active aging in livable communities, what could be better?”  The summit is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, May 18, at the Tukwila Community Center. The keynote address will be given by Nancy Whitelaw, PhD, director of the National Council on Aging Center for Healthy Aging. To download a registration form, click here.  For more information, contact Karen Lewis at karenl@chef.org or 206-824-2907.

·         Join the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens and Seattle Parks Senior Adult Programs for the seventh annual Senior Day at the Seattle Aquarium Sunday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Admission and a box lunch are free. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Make your reservation starting 8 a.m., April 17, by calling Seattle Parks and Recreations Senior Adult Program at 206-684-4951. Transportation is not provided and parking is limited. For bus schedule information, call Metro at (206) 533-3000.

·      Senior Care/Connections at Overlake Hospital, the City of Bellevue and the King County Journal will present the 18^th annual Eastside Senior Residence Open House Saturday, April 22.  This free, day-long event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the North Bellevue Community Senior Center at 4063 148^th Ave. in Bellevue.  A resource fair follows until noon, featuring exhibits and information from more than 55 participating residences.  The fair will end at 4:30 p.m. following several open houses at various senior residences.  A full range of housing options will be showcased, including senior apartments, retirement communities, assisted living, continuing care communities, nursing homes and adult family homes.  Call Senior Care at 425-688-5800 for more information.

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.