Services for seniors
Senior Services of Seattle/King County
A nonprofit agency offering services to promote independence.
206-448-5757
TDD: 206-448-5025
www.seniorservices.org
Senior Information and Assistance
Help with transportation, housing, caregivers, home sharing, home repair, wellness and nutrition, social work, adult day health programs and senior centers.
206-448-3110
www.seniorservices.org/ina/i&a.htm
Meals on Wheels
Assists homebound residents of King County age 60 and older, delivering prepared hot meals.
206-448-5767
www.seniorservices.org/nutrition/nutrition.asp
Healthy Aging Partnership
Provides confidential information and assistance on almost any topic related to aging.
888-4Elders or 888-435-3377
www.4Elders.org
Lifetime Fitness exercise program
Offers strength training, aerobic exercise to improve function, mental health, social interaction.
206-727-6259 (or call the senior center nearest to you)
AARP Washington State
A nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. Volunteering, events and news/information.
800-424-3410
www.aarp.org/states/wa/
UW Medical Center Geriatric Services
Specializes in Alzheimer's disease and depression.
206-598-8750
e-mail: Soob@u.washington.edu
Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens
206-684-0500
TDD: 206-233-2778
www.cityofseattle.net/humanservices/mosc/default.htm
Aging & Disability Services Administration
State organization offers services ranging from housing assistance to an adult-abuse hotline.
800-422-3263
www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/
The National Council on the Aging
202-479-1200
www.ncoa.org/index.cfm
National Institute on Aging
Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NIA conducts medical and behavioral research on aging. For the free NIA publication "Aging Under the Microscope," call 800-222-2225.
www.nia.nih.gov/
Help for medical conditions
Arthritis Foundation, Washington
Focuses on the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Funds research, provides programs and services.
206-547-2707
http://www.volunteersolutions.org/uwkc/volunteer/agency/one_188399.html
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
A support group for people with mental disorders and their families.
NAMI Greater Seattle:
206-783-9264 or 800-782-9264
www.nami-greaterseattle.org
or www.nami-wami.com
NAMI Eastside:
425-885-NAMI (6264)
www.nami-eastside.org
King County Crisis Clinic's 24-hour Crisis Line
866-4CRISIS or 206-461-3222
Alzheimer's Association Western and Central Washington State Chapter
A not-for-profit health-education and consumer-advocacy organization offering services to those living with Alzheimer's disease and their families.
206-363-5500
www.alzwa.org
Alzheimer's support groups
206-363-5500
800-848-7097
Search for support groups at: http://www.alzwa.org/support_group_list_files/support_group_list_intro.htm
American Diabetes Association
800-DIABETES or 800-342-2383
www.diabetes.org
American Cancer Society
A private organization providing patient information and support.
800-227-2345
www.cancer.org
American Heart Association
Heart info: 800-242-8721
Stroke info: 888-478-7653
www.americanheart.org
American Lung Association of Washington
A private organization providing patient information and support.
206-441-5100 or 800-732-9339
www.alaw.org/
e-mail: alaw@alaw.org
National Cancer Institute
A federal research agency that provides cancer information.
800-422-6237
www.cancer.gov
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
For information on hearing loss.
Voice: 800-241-1044
TTY: 800-241-1055
www.nidcd.nih.gov
National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center
For information on osteoporosis, or "brittle-bone disease."
800-624-2663
www.osteo.org
American Foundation for the Blind
Information and resources for those with vision loss.
800-232-5463
Helpful reading
"Strong Women Stay Young," by Miriam E. Nelson, Wendy Wray (illustrator), Sarah Wernick (contributor)
"Healthwise for Life," by Molly Mettler, Donald W. Kemper, Jody Bower.
"Successful Aging," by Robert Louis Kahn and John Wallis Rowe
"Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Harvard Study of Adult Development," by George E. Vaillant, M.D.
"Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions," by Kate Lorig (editor), Halsted Holman, David Sobel, Diana Laurent, Virginia Gonzalez and Miriam Minor
General Web resources
National Institutes of Health senior-health Web site
Topics include Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, exercise and hearing loss. Features general background information, quizzes, frequently asked questions (FAQs), photos and illustrations, and open-captioned video clips.
www.nihseniorhealth.gov/
Drug Digest
A consumer-health site where you can check for potential interactions among 5,000 drugs and herbal remedies. Also contains treatment information for about 50 common medical conditions as well as news about free health screenings and a drug library.
www.drugdigest.org
FirstGov for Seniors
A U.S. government portal for information and resources.
www.seniors.gov
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging
A Seattle-based advocacy group for Asian-Pacifican Americans in their senior years.
www.napca.org
e-mail: web@napca.org