Spotlight
Bridging the generational divides
On a Saturday morning at the Olympia Senior Center, Linda Terry, the founder of Sharing Teens and Elders Project (STEP), is welcoming longtime and new participants for the day’s events. Committed volunteers are putting out snacks and coffee while sneaking in praise for Linda’s unwavering dedication to bridge generations and foster a bond between elders and a caring group of local teens. STEP, well into its fifth year, is a perfect example of intergenerational engagement — the primary reason why the program is featured as an Inspiring Community Connection in the 2018 edition of AARP’s “Where We Live: A Community for All Ages.”
[continue reading...]
News
A new minimum-wage of $15 an hour for unionized in-home caregivers in Washington has started showing up in their paychecks. SEIU 775, the union that negotiated it as part of a 2019-21 contract with the state, said the salary boost will benefit approximately 45,000 state-paid homecare providers and caregivers at private homecare agencies. The starting
[more…]
Through mid-April, volunteers from AARP Tax-Aide and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will provide free one-on-one tax consultations at four Pierce County Library System locations. Similar service is available at branches of King County Library System. The schedule for Pierce County libraries: Sumner branch, 1116 Fryar Ave., Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; March 2, 9,
[more…]
A new state law requiring landlords to increase the notification process for tenants being displaced from their homes due because of redevelopment or remodeling is on its way to being approved by the Washington Legislature. House Bill 1462, approved March 6 by the House of Representatives and now awaiting passage by the Senate, “allows additional
[more…]
By 2030 Pierce County will look substantially different than it does today – especially for older adults and individuals with disabilities. How we embrace the future and plan for it will dictate whether the future guides us or we guide the future, according to experts on aging-related issues. Many of those issues will be addressed
[more…]
Lifestyles
Survey reveals attitudes, desires about retirement When you envision your retirement lifestyle, do you picture yourself relaxing in a hammock, or do you want to hit the open road in an RV, seeing as many sites as you can all over the country? Do you plan on retiring early, or do you have a job that you love and want to
[more…]
Senior Eats
The keto diet: Is it as good or bad as some say? You’ve probably heard about the popular “keto” diet in the news. What’s it all about, and is it healthy? “Keto” is short for ketogenesis, which is the production and build-up of ketones. Ketones are a byproduct of fat metabolism, and they are increased when carbohydrates are restricted and the body is forced to rely more
[more…]
Senior Adventures
New year, new adventures abroad and closer to home It is the beginning of a new year with new hopes, dreams and adventures. Trump hopes and dreams of his wall. I dream of the house I am wanting to start building. Colin O’Brady is thankful that his Antarctic is over and he has accomplished something that others can only dream about Taking a cue
[more…]
Health & Fitness
Ditch the myths and keep (or start) exercising While it’s expected that most older people tend to slow down with age, the notion that seniors and soon-to-be seniors should trade in exercise and their active lifestyles for bingo and rocking chairs is definitely antiquated. So says Chad McCann, a Tacoma physical therapist who maintains that when it comes to exercise for the 55-and-older
[more…]
Business/Personal Finance/Products
Right moves with Social Security can save thousands The rules and strategies for how and when to claim Social Security benefits are so complex that many an uninformed and/or overeager retiree has lost thousands of dollars — even tens of thousands — by making the wrong choice. According to the Social Security Administration, nearly nine out of 10 individuals 65 and up receive
[more…]
