Organizations

Statewide or regional organizations whose main purpose is to advocate for Senior Citizens.  Each organizational member shall have one vote through their delegate or alternate serving on the Board.

Adult Family Home Council of Washington State

The Adult Family Home Council is a mission driven member organization formed in 1995 providing adult family home providers with resources and training covering all aspects of their business. The Adult Family Home Council supports 11 regional chapters that conduct regular meetings, continuing education and networking opportunities. The Adult Family Home Council  also advocates on behalf of AFH providers with the state legislature, the Department of Social and Health Services, as a member of the Washington State Senior Citizen’s Lobby, and is the exclusively recognized representative of adult family homes for purposes of collective bargaining.

Aging and Disability Services 

Aging & Disability Services plans, coordinates, and advocates for a comprehensive service delivery system for older adults, family caregivers and people with disabilities in King County.

ADS is a division of the Seattle Human Services Department.  ADS partners are City of Seattle, King County, and Public Health—Seattle & King County,  which collaborate to improve the health and quality of life for older people and adults with disabilities; provide help and support for caregivers; and connect individuals and families to Aging Network and other community resources.

  Alzheimer’s Association – (ALZWA)

Alzheimer’s Association was started by family caregivers who came together around a common need of getting support and help for their loved ones with dementia. This Chapter was one of seven founding chapters of the National Alzheimer’s Association, headquartered in Chicago. Today this Chapter serves individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease (and related dementias), their families, health care professionals and administrators, and the general public throughout a 23 county service area that runs from the Canadian to the Oregon borders.

Our Mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.   You can call us any time of the day or night and get advice and information about the many issues and challenges of care giving and about dementia.  A call to our Help Line is all it takes 206-363-5500 or 1-800-848-7097.

American Association Retired Persons, Washington Chapter(AARP)

Founded in 1958, AARP is nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organizations that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.  AARP has grown to 40 million members and has offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the nation’s largest membership organization for people 50+, AARP is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50.

AARP’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all as we age, leading positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service.  We believe strongly in the principles of collective purpose, collective voice, and collective purchasing power, and these principles guide all organization efforts.  AARP works tirelessly to fulfill its vision: a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams. AARP speaks with one voice – united by a common motto: “To serve, not be served.”

Arcora Foundation
New name – Still dedicated to improving oral health

Washington Dental Service Foundation has a new name. We are now Arcora Foundation, which better reflects our determination to change the arc of oral health so that everyone enjoys good oral health.

Funded by nonprofit Delta Dental of Washington, we believe everyone deserves good oral health, with nobody left behind. Equity drives our work. We are improving oral health by partnering with communities and boldly transforming systems.

We are rational radicals, using evidence-based approaches and promising practices to effect change. We leverage our partnerships, technical expertise, and grant funding to transform health systems, promote prevention, and improve access to care.

Everyone is healthier with a healthy mouth. Oral health affects employment opportunities, well-being, and quality of life. That’s why everyone should have good oral health and a life free from oral disease and pain.

Catholic Community Services of Western Washington (CCSWW)

Catholic Community Services believes the elderly should be able to live in security and dignity. Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services provide a variety of services to seniors and to people with disabilities that dignifies each individual while providing the needed tools to help extend independent living and promote physical and mental well being.

As the senior population continues to grow, CCSWW is constantly looking for new ways to provide solutions to a variety of care challenges and opportunities. Historically, CCS has provided home care services that enable seniors and people with disabilities to remain in their own homes. In addition, they provide this to people with low or no income, as well as to people who are able to pay for the service.

An outgrowth of their home care programs has been the recognition that low income seniors who are not homebound need nutritional meals and socialization. To this end, numerous senior meal sites as well as Meals on Wheels have been established in Pierce County.

Other services to seniors and people with disabilities include referrals through Volunteer Chore Services, a vast network of help that matches volunteers to the needs of seniors and others; low income housing, Foster Grandparents Program, and volunteer transportation.

CONSUMER DIRECT CARE NETWORK

Consumer Direct Care Network Washington, part of the Consumer Direct Care Network, is committed to providing care and support for people in their homes and communities. We are proud to bring our services to Washington and serve as the Consumer Directed Employer (CDE) for the state’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Consumer Direct Care Network Washington (CDWA) will serve as the CDE for Individual Providers (IP) of in-home personal care and respite services. Working closely with DSHS, the Aging and Long Term Support Administration, the Developmental Disabilities Administration, and the Area Agencies on Aging, we anticipate beginning services in early 2021.

Department of Social and Health Services(DSHS) Aging and Long Term Care Support Administration (ALTSA)

Serving adults with chronic illnesses or conditions and people of all ages with developmental disabilities.

Seniors and people with disabilities living with good health, independence, dignity, and control over decisions that affect their lives.

Adult/Senior Services & Information

Find in-home services, residential care (assisted living, nursing home), resources to pay for care, possible state and federal benefits, legal and financial planning, and aging health information.

Disability Rights Washington (DRW)

DRW is a private, non-profit organization that protect the rights of people with disabilities statewide.  Their mission is to advance the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities.  DRW works to pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights.  DRW provides free advocacy services to people with disabilites.  Contact DRW for: Disability rights information and referrals; Problem solving strategies for disability issues; Community education and training; Legal services for disability discrimination or violation of rights.  We focus our legal resources on major cases which will improve service systems for people with disabilities.

Hearing Loss Association of America – Washington State Association

We are the Washington Sate Association of the Hearing Loss Association of America.  HLAA is the nation’s voice for people with hearing loss.  HLAA is the leading membership and advocacy organization for people who cannot hear well but who remain committed to participating in the hearing world using spoken language.  We provide information, education, support and advocacy for those adults of  all ages who are Hard of Hearing (HOH).  All HLAA state organization and chapter leaders are volunteers who have direct experience with hearing loss.  Attending our state and/or local HLAA meetings helps individuals who do not hear well learn more about coping with hearing loss and learning principles of self-help.

HOMAGE SENIOR SERVICES

Homage Senior Services, formerly Senior Services of Snohomish County, was created in 1974 in response to the ‘great society’ programs of the 1960s and specifically the Older Americans Act with the goal of bringing millions of older adults out of poverty.

Homage Senior Services is the largest provider of services for older adults and people with disabilities in Snohomish County. Each year more than 23,000 individuals benefit from Senior Services’ core programs in food and nutrition, health and wellness, home repair, social services and transportation. The majority of people receiving our services live on limited incomes, are frail, and in need of services that help them maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.

Home Care Association of Washington (HCAW)

Established in 1968, the Home Care Association of Washington is celebrating 40 years of promoting their members and the quality services they provide to Washington State Residents in the setting they prefer, their homes.

HCAW Members include Home Health, Home Care, Hospice, and Hospice Care Centers and provide an array of health-related services.  Please enter the consumer section for details about home services and to locate an HCAW member provider. HCAW supports these care providers, providing advocacy, expertise, training opportunities and community support.

Kaiser Permanente

The Senior Caucus advocates for seniors’ needs; works on care delivery, health care coverage, and legislative issues; and plans local meetings with health-related programs.  The Senior Caucus also helps with many wonderful programs, including the Senior Outlook newsletter. All members age 65 and older are automatically members of the Senior Caucus.  There are local chapters throughout the area.  For information, contact the Resource Line.

The League of Women Voters

is a nonpartisan political organization. We encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League acts in support of, or in opposition to, selected governmental issues which its members have studied. It does not support or oppose candidates, factions or political parties. League members, as individuals, may support candidates of the political party of their choice. In order to protect the League’s nonpartisanship policy, guidelines regarding the political activities of the Board of Directors are reviewed frequently.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.

We will actively work to remove barriers to full participation in this organization regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socioeconomic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.

LONG-TERM CARE FOUNDATION OF WASHINGTON STATE

The Long-Term Care Foundation of Washington State (LTCF) will be working to operationalize an Adult Family Home Training Network (AFHTN) as prescribed in Second Substitute Senate Bill 5672, enacted during the 2019 Legislative Session.

The Adult Family Home Training Network will provide training, workforce development and other services to adult family home operators and staff. Funding for the training network comes from a specific negotiated training benefit outlined in the collective bargaining agreement between the Adult Family Home Council and the State of Washington. Funding will begin in 2020 and be ongoing to support the maintenance and enhancement of the network.

In advancing the work of the LTCF, input from adult family home operators and staff will be solicited, welcomed and appreciated. We are hosting stakeholder engagement sessions online via webinar and survey to all bargaining members. We are also reaching out to certified trainers and training companies to gather their perspectives on the development, availability, cost and delivery of the necessary training.

LTC Ombudsman Program

The Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman advocates for residents of nursing homes, adult family homes, and assisted living facilities. Our purpose is to protect and promote the Resident Rights guaranteed these residents under Federal and State law and regulations.

We are trained to receive complaints and resolve problems in situations involving quality of care, use of restraints, transfer and discharge, abuse and other aspects of resident dignity and rights.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE)

The Washington State Federation of Chapters is a nonprofit organization which provides leadership in advocating the interest of current and former federal employees at federal and state levels, provides support and assistance to NARFE chapters throughout the state, and coordinates with strategic partners in accomplishing its work. The Federation is led by a board of directors composed of elected officers and appointed members.

Office & Professional Employees International Union Local 8 (OPEIU)

OPEIU Local 8 is a progressive, democratically run union working for social and economic justice since 1945. Local 8 represents more than 5,000 members all over Washington state working in many settings including offices, health and home care, housing, social services, the insurance industry, legal services and the public sector.

Local 8 members join together for health benefits and wages we can count on, for respect and dignity on the job, and for protections of our workplace rights. Local 8 also organizes non-union employees to raise standards for all working families, and to protect the hard-won rights and benefits of our current members.

Local 8 belongs to the 100,000 member strong Office and Professional Employees International Union, which is one of the larger AFL-CIO unions. However, members from Local 8 vote on our local leaders from the membership, vote on important union decisions at Membership Assemblies that are always voluntary and govern the union based on the desires of our local membership.

Local 8’s over 5,000 members work at  Group Health Cooperative, Providence Everett Medical Center, Kennewick General Hospital, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, City of Ellensburg, Union and Law Offices, Willapa Harbor Hospital, King County, Seattle and King County Housing Authorities, Valley Medical Center, Solid Ground, Tri-Cities Community Health Center, Visiting Nurse Services, Coastal Community Action Program, Waterfront Credit Union, Low Income Housing Institute, Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP) and many other workplaces all over Washington.

Pierce County Community Connections – Aging and Disability Resources 

The mission of Aging and Long Term Care is to ensure that Pierce County residents have available a range of community-based services that promote dignity and maximize individual choice. Pierce County Aging and Long Term Care (ALTC) is one of thirteen designated Area Agencies on Aging in Washington State. Their job is to speak for the rights of elders and to plan and manage long-term care programs that help older and disabled people to remain secure and independent. Long-term care services provide needed help when disability or illness makes it difficult to meet all of your own care needs. The help is provided by several agencies working together; to make sure you receive the services you need.

Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA)

For more than a quarter century, we’ve been a forceful advocate for older Americans, their children and their families.

Today, we’re an active affiliate of the national Alliance for Retired Americans, born in 2001, 3 million strong, and growing. We’ve worked hard all our lives, and in retirement, we deserve: A lifelong, adequate, dependable income; Comprehensive, affordable health care, including prescription drug coverage; Taxes and utility bills we can handle; Access to affordable housing, transportation, and social services; Support for our family caregiving responsibilities, and Quality time to relax and enjoy life with family and friends.

Retired Public Employees of Washington (RPEC)

The Retired Public Employees Council of Washington (RPEC) was formed in 1971 as an organization to promote the interests of retired public employees (state, county and municipal).

It was formally incorporated in July 1978, under the laws of the state of Washington as a non-profit corporation, to operate for charitable, social and educational purposes.

In September 1979, the organization became affiliated with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME, AFL-CIO). We are also affiliated with the Washington State Labor Council. The RPEC has membership in the National Council of Senior Citizens and the Washington Senior Citizens’ Lobby. RPEC currently has 42 Chapters statewide with over 12,000 members from state and local governments.

Purpose: (Mission Statement)

Our mission is to unite public employee retirees for their mutual benefit and welfare. We do this by promoting legislation to improve financial and medical benefits, providing information to and otherwise supporting members, and working closely with other organizations.

SEIU 775

SEIU  775 was formed in 2003 when home care and nursing home workers from several different SEIU locals united together to form a union focused specifically on long-term care workers and issues. SEIU  775 now represents almost 34,000 home care and nursing home workers in Washington state and Montana. SEIU 775 is one of the most effective grassroots advocacy organizations both nationally and here in the Northwest.

We’re named after Initiative 775, the Quality Home Care Initiative which voters overwhelmingly approved in 2001 and which gave 23,000 Individual Provider home care workers the right to form a union in the largest union election ever held in Washington state.

Wages have improved by 40% throughout Washington home care as over the last five years, SEIU 775 has won more than $400 million in improved wages and benefits for Washington home care workers, including affordable health care including dental, prescription drug and vision coverage, paid vacations, and wage scales with guaranteed increases based on experience. Our grassroots advocacy efforts and union contracts have also increased the number of hours of care for both clients and hours of work for caregivers. We are now engaged in state and national efforts on workforce development, to recognize home and community-based care as an emerging healthcare profession.

SOUND GENERATIONS

Senior Services is now Sound Generations,  the most comprehensive non-profit agency serving older adults and their loved ones in Washington State. Established in 1967, we promote positive aging for thousands of seniors and their families each year through our integrated system of quality programs and senior centers. More than 3,000 volunteers, together with 250 employees, make our work possible and efficient.

Half of our $15 million annual budget comes from taxpayer-based sources, including federal, state, city and county government. We also receive significant funding from the United Way of King County, fees, client and individual donations, corporations, foundations and civic organizations. We are grateful to all those who so generously support us.

With vastly improved longevity and health in recent decades, our nation is becoming more mature. Those 85 and up and the Baby Boomer generation are growing very rapidly. The outlook for aging is both exciting and challenging. Senior Services expects to lead our community into a future where its older residents can remain healthy and productive longer. We are similarly committed to providing a much-needed helping hand to family caregivers, many of whom care for aging parents and children simultaneously.

Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (WAELA) Washington Chapter

The Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (“WAELA”) is a non-profit association of attorneys who devote      a significant part of their practice to working with older clients and their families.  The Academy was established      in 1987 to provide resources and assistance to attorneys who deal in the highly specialized issues which its members encounter on a daily basis in providing legal services to elderly clients and those with special needs.  You may visit the National site (NAELA) web site by clicking here: www.naela.org.

The Washington Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (WAELA) consists of Washington members of NAELA, who not only practice elder law, but are also especially aware of and concerned with the special issues pertaining to the practice of elder law in Washington State.  Many of our members assist clients with estate planning, planning for incapacity with durable powers of attorney for financial and health care decisions, Medicaid qualification and asset protection matters, guardianships and probates. Our members are very concerned with access to justice issues and have participated in many efforts to ensure that seniors, their families and persons suffering from various incapacitating conditions receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

Washington Alliance for Retired Americans (WSARA) 

Washington Alliance for Retired Americans: Protecting Social Security and ensuring social justice for all Americans.The Alliance for Retired Americans is a nationwide organization, founded in May 2001, with now over 4.2 million members working together to make their voices heard in the laws, policies, politics, and institutions that shape our lives.  For 13 years, we have enrolled and mobilized retired union members and other seniors and community activists into a nationwide grassroots movement advocating a progressive political and social agenda that respects work and strengthens families.

    Washington Education Association – Retired

WEA began as a state wide education organization in 1889. For more than 80 years, membership included teachers and administrators. In the 1970s, following passage of a collective bargaining law for teachers, WEA evolved into a pro-active teachers union. Public schools have, of course, undergone tremendous change since statehood, but many of the greatest strides for school employee rights are relatively recent. Today, our members include teachers, librarians, counsellors, higher-ed faculty, school psychologists, bus drivers, occupational and physical therapists, cooks, coaches, custodians, curriculum specialists, speech and language pathologists, nurses, secretaries, office assistants, classroom paraprofessionals, preschool specialists and technology experts.

Purpose

WEA Retired supports public education and the enhancement of the quality of life for WEA’s active and retired members.

Goals

• To be the primary voice for public-education retirees in the state of Washington
• To work in partnership with WEA members to achieve public confidence in public education.
• To make the retirement years the best they can be for WEA/NEA Retired members.
• To secure legislation that fully supports our purpose.

WEA Retired elects officers, board directors and delegates at its own annual meeting and also elects delegates to the WEA and NEA Representative Assemblies. WEA Retired has representation on the WEA and NEA Board of Directors.

Washington State Association of Senior Centers (WSASC)

Leadership Opportunities, Networking, Collaboration, Travel & Tours, Front & Center Newsletter and Resources & Support are some of the benefits to joining the Washington State Association of Senior Center.  “Networking is the key to any organization. The valuable information shared between colleagues is worth more than a nominal membership fee.  This organization is generous, fun and provides a wealth of knowledge”.  H.P. Member

WASHINGTON STATE CONTINUING CARE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (WACCRA)

Formed in 2015, our association is the only Washington organization
founded by CCRC residents to promote the security and welfare of
this group of elders. While CCRCs have operated in Washington for over 40 years, our state has been   one of a few lacking adequate legislation to protect those CCRC residents with independent living status. These residents felt the need for consumer legislation to be so urgent that, in just a few months, we went from 35 to over 550 members, in eight different CCRCs.

Washington State Council on Aging (SCOA)

The Washington State Council on Aging (SCOA) is a unified voice across Washington for senior citizens. SCOA is a unique advocacy group in the arena of senior issues.

• Members are appointed by the Governor and Area Agency on Aging Advisory Councils and are charged with advising the Governor, the DSHS Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of ALTSA. (RCW 43.20A.695)
• This connection brings the State Council on Aging inside perspective on matters concerning seniors and people with disabilities.
• We have a statewide perspective and speak as one voice.
• Members are made up of representative of local communities, from Area Agencies on Aging Advisory Councils, cities & counties, the legislature, and the long-term services and supports field.
• The makeup of the membership provides the Council with a built-in communications and outreach platform that reaches all corners of the state.

Washington State School Retirees Association

The Washington State School Retirees’ Association (formerly the Washington State Retired Teachers’ Association) is often referred to as WSSRA. More than 16,000 members belong to WSSRA.

WSSRA aims to enhance the security and vitality of your retirement years. We welcome all present and future TRS, PERS and SERS retirees. We provide pro-retiree and pro-education advocacy and leadership to the Washington State Legislature. We have representatives on governmental bodies that impact retirement and pension issues, and we collaborate and advocate with other groups that share our vision, values, and aims.

WSSRA aims to enhance the security and vitality of your retirement years. We welcome all present and future TRS, PERS and SERS retirees. We provide pro-retiree and pro-education advocacy and leadership to the Washington State Legislature. We have representatives on governmental bodies that impact retirement and pension issues, and we collaborate and advocate with other groups that share our vision, values, and aims.

We also sponsor pre-retirement seminars throughout the state, award (in cooperation with the PEMCO Insurance Company) substantial scholarships to future teachers, provide classroom grants to active teachers in local schools, and foster volunteer activities with Washington’s school children

WSSRA provides access to many members-only benefits through the Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA). Special insurance rates, travel discounts and product savings are available to our members.

We consider ourselves educators for life. If you are or have been a certificated or classified school district employee in the state of Washington–from superintendent to school nurse or behavioral psychologist to bus driver–you are welcome at the Washington State School Retirees’ Association.

Washington State Hospice & Palliative Organization (WSHPCO)

WSHPCO is an organization committed to taking a leadership role in improving end-of-life care through education and advocacy efforts.

While we are not an actual hospice or palliative care program, we are dedicated to promoting and maintaining quality, compassionate care for those facing life-threatening illnesses. We do this by providing information and referral services to the public and by providing professional services for Washington State’s hospice and palliative care programs.