Eighty-six-year-old Olympia resident Helga Teske thinks a lot these days about all the things she still wants to teach her son. How to clean the two-bedroom house where they’ve lived for 45 years. How to take care of her garden, an 80-by-225-foot plot that she tends most days. How to cook – oats for breakfast,…
Sound Silver Living
Sponsor spotlight: Home for the holidays — elder law considerations
As the holiday season approaches, families often gather together to celebrate and spend time with each other. For many, this may be the only time of year when everyone is in the same place. Yet, amidst the laughter and joy, it’s not uncommon for certain concerns to surface. We often hear from our clients that…
Homage Holiday Gift Catalog benefits Snohomish County seniors
Lynnwood-based Homage, a nearly 50-year-old organization that provides critical services to more than 25,000 Snohomish County seniors and adults with disabilities each year, has launched its annual Holiday Gift Catalog. The catalog offers various levels of donations that will provide nourishing meals, safe transportation, mental health services, and more for area seniors. “The holiday season…
Edmonds Waterfront Center, Mountlake Terrace Senior Center join forces
After months of working together to reboot the Mountlake Terrace Senior Center — doing business as the Lake Ballinger Center — the Edmonds Waterfront Center (EWC) and the Lake Ballinger Center have entered into an operating agreement. “The LBC will always maintain its unique identity, serving the Mountlake Terrace community,” said Daniel Johnson, Edmonds Waterfront…
‘A pragmatic, modest step’: Making the case for Washington’s new long-term care program
In Washington and across the U.S., the number of people in need of long-term care is on the rise as the population ages. Seven out of 10 Americans will need this type of care – which can span weeks or years depending on the situation – at some point in their lifetimes, according to AARP….
Sponsor spotlight: 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is over on Dec. 7 — don’t delay!
Medicare information is saturating the media, resources for the ABCs of Medicare or the pros and cons between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare are everywhere. I believe the challenge with anything as a consumer today is trusting your source. The facts about Medicare are the facts. My role as an independent insurance agent is to…
Sponsor spotlight: Hike in Social Security benefits announced for 2024
The Social Security Administration announced a 3.2% boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2024, a big drop from last year’s increase of 8.7%. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2023. For those contributing to Social…
Free vision, hearing screenings at Edmonds Waterfront Center Nov. 7
The Edmonds Waterfront Center in partnership with the Edmonds Lions Club is offering free vision and hearing screenings from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 7. The screening is free for Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds residents. This is a drop-in event — no registration required. Check in at second-floor reception. The Lions Club will provide…
Sponsor spotlight: Medicare’s three-day qualifying stay
Medicare’s open enrollment period is in full swing and can be quite confusing. Using the services of a Medicare insurance specialist can make all the difference in choosing the right plan for the specific needs of each person enrolling. Once enrolled in the plan that is best for you, understanding the Medicare’s 3-Day Rule for…
Older adults in Snohomish County face ongoing challenges, county survey finds
A new survey has found that older adults in Snohomish County are still facing a number of challenges, including financial insecurity and housing costs. The report is based on a survey conducted with residents 55 and older in January-February 2023 and shows the extent of COVID-related challenges still impacting seniors. Conducted by Snohomish County’s Human…
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Sponsor spotlight: Medicare’s 2024 Annual Enrollment Period starts Oct. 15
Are you on Medicare or approaching that timeline? If yes, keep reading! I am excited to introduce myself and share relevant information regarding Medicare’s 2024 Annual Enrollment Period in the coming weeks (AEP 10/15/2023-12/7/2023). First, I want to take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself and the work that I do. My…
South County Fire staffers give valuable safety advice for Falls Prevention Week
One out four adults age 65 and older in the U.S. will likely experience at least one fall, according to the Center for Disease Control. While women are more likely than men to seek treatment for fall injuries, they are also more likely to talk to their doctors about falls and ask about fall prevention…
Medicare open enrollment period coming up
The open enrollment period for people with Medicare health coverage can feel daunting, but it is also an opportunity get the plan to best meet a person’s needs. During open enrollment, recipients can make changes to their current plan. The open enrollment period lasts from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Nearly 1.5 million Washingtonians were…
Sponsor spotlight: Senior pet fosters help both sides
Last year I wrote an article on the power of pets and the benefits of pet ownership for all pet owners, especially for those over the age of 65. However, there are many seniors who may be hesitant to take on pet ownership due to their age, health, or the unknown number of years that…
Homage kicks off second annual Engage Mind and Body campaign
Hundreds visited Lynnwood-based Homage Senior Services Saturday to celebrate its second annual Engage Mind & Body campaign with an in-person kickoff. The event featured music from Chinese senior musicians, dance for anyone feeling up to it, activities for all ages and of course, delicious free food. Engage Mind & Body is Lynnwood-based Homage’s biggest fundraising…
Sponsor spotlight: Community Wellness Challenge to benefit local low-income seniors
Register Yoday For Homage’s “Engage Mind + Body” Sept. 2 – 23, 2023 For nearly 50 years, Homage has provided critical services, including mental health support, food & nutrition services, health care coordination, transportation and minor home repair for low-income older adults and people with disabilities in Snohomish County. “Each year, the cost to care for…
30 years running: Devoted participants, generous donations fuel the success of Creative Retirement Institute at Edmonds College
For 30 years, the Creative Retirement Institute (CRI) has been a member-driven, self-supporting organization at Edmonds College that aims to provide affordable, quality lifelong learning opportunities to adults in a supportive environment. CRI offers classes in the arts and entertainment, health and science, history and current events, literature, nature, philosophy, technology, and everything in between….
DelBene presents $250K to Homage Transportation Assistance Program aimed at helping county’s seniors
Congresswoman Suzan DelBene delivered a $250,000 ceremonial check Monday for Homage’s new Transportation Assistance Program, which is designed to improve transit for Snohomish County’s seniors and those with disabilities. DelBene, the representative for Washington’s 1st Congressional District, visited Lynnwood-based Homage to present the check to Homage CEO Keith Bell. With Bell were Homage’s senior director…
Sponsor spotlight: Understanding elder law — a comprehensive overview of legal protections for seniors and their families
Aging brings a unique set of challenges and considerations, both legal and otherwise, which necessitates the “elder law” field. Elder law is a legal practice area that focuses on addressing older adults’ unique needs and concerns. It encompasses a wide range of legal areas that are essential for ensuring the well-being, protection, and dignity of…
Meals on Wheels for local seniors faces $50K deficit after pandemic relief ends
A $50,000 cut in federal funding for its Meals on Wheels program has left Lynnwood-based Homage Senior Services scrambling to continue feeding local seniors in need. Homage received notification June 23 that its funding for Medicaid Meals on Wheels recipients was being cut by 20% — due to the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency….
Re-Imagining Retirement: Loneliness
In all truth, I’ve never struggled with feeling lonely over the years. I liked being unique and had a strong authentic streak in me. And felt I dealt with it once and for all, in my early 20’s. One Friday evening I was crocheting a new ripple afghan when this critical voice in my head…
Sponsor spotlight: Why an Elder Law Attorney?
I’m often asked, “What is an Elder Law Attorney?” and “What’s the difference between an Elder Law Attorney and an Estate Planning attorney?” The quick Google answer is that is that elder law focuses on what happens to you while you’re living, and estate planning is about what happens after you die. A will, for…
MLT senior center gets new life as Lake Ballinger Center — to serve seniors and all residents
Ten years ago, the Mountlake Terrace Senior Community Center was launched, finding a home at Ballinger Park’s Mickey Corso Clubhouse, owned by the City of Mountlake Terrace. Like many small businesses and nonprofits, however, the center struggled during the pandemic, and its doors were closed for more than two years. While a commendable effort was…
Sponsor spotlight: Emergency preparedness for seniors – are you ready for what may come?
Natural disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires, have been at the top of the news reports for the past few months. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we don’t need to worry about hurricanes but we have our own unique disaster possibilities with wildfires, the usually dormant volcanoes in our backyard in the Cascade Mountains, and the…
Homage hosting Cinco de Mayo luncheon, resource fair May 5
Lynnwood-based Homage, which provides services for older adults and people with disabilities in Snohomish County, and Homage’s Hispanic/Latino group members are hosting a Cinco de Mayo luncheon and resource fair open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 5. Enjoy a taco and chip bar luncheon donated by Brookdale Senior…