Now recruiting people age 60+ to join the Aging and Veteran Services Advisory Council (AVSAC)

Washington County is deeply committed to racial equity, inclusion and representation on our advisory councils. If you are a resident of Washington County and want to be involved in improving services for older adults in our community, we invite you to apply.

Learn more at an upcoming meeting:  

Thursday, September 19, 9-11 a.m. 

In person at 5240 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 300 in Hillsboro 

Or join on TEAMS 

We welcome guests and invite public comment on the issues facing older adults, people with disabilities and veterans in our community. For more information or to apply online, email Sandra Castaneda or call 503-846-3093.

Are you on or about to be on Medicare? 

Every year, Medicare holds their annual enrollment period from October 15 through December 7. This is a time for Medicare beneficiaries to review current plans, learn about any changes to your plans, and decide if you want or need to make a change. In September, insurance companies send out a Plan Annual Notice of Change to inform participants about what will be changing in each plan for the upcoming new year. Be sure to review those documents if you get them!  

During open enrollment, you can change your Part D plans, change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, return to Original Medicare from a Medicare Advantage plan, or change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another. It can be confusing! Trained and certified volunteers with Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) can help! SHIBA volunteers help you review and compare plans for the upcoming year so you can make an informed decision. Help is available at various locations across the county, including at DAVS’ office in Hillsboro. Find all of the dates, times and locations on our flyer, or call 503-846-3094 to request assistance.  

2024 Elder Abuse Prevention Forum  

The 10th annual Elder Abuse Prevention Forum will take place on Wednesday, November 20 and is co-sponsored by DAVS and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. As in years past, the forum focuses on training law enforcement, Adult Protective Services, and social service personnel on how to recognize and prevent elder abuse, as well as how best to bring crimes against older adults to trial. Topics will include financial scam prevention, interpersonal violence in older adult populations, and criminal case reviews that concentrate on how law enforcement and social service agencies can better work together to prosecute crimes of elder abuse. For more information on this year’s forum, please contact Randy Mifflin at 503-846-3084. 

Technology offers comfort and companionship  

The ADRC has partnered with Access Technologies, Inc., to promote a new program in which older adults (55+) who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ can qualify to receive the gift of connection through electronics. To qualify, the consumer answers a brief three question survey related to loneliness and isolation. Based on their answers, that person can qualify for a tablet, computer or robotic pet. 

Many older adults use computers or tablets to stay connected to their family and community, but robotics can also enrich the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with various types of dementia. Robotics pet therapy can effectively provide structure, comfort and companionship. An animated pet is a tool for social interaction and fosters a warm and engaging way for someone who would otherwise depend on others to find purpose by successfully caring for another.  

DAVS staff are committed to capitalizing on this opportunity. From loneliness screenings, to expanding partnerships with agencies serving the LGBTQIA2S+ community, we want everyone who qualifies to find this technology at their fingertips. To learn more, call the ADRC of Oregon at 1-855-ORE-ADRC (673-2372) toll-free.

Older Adult Behavioral Health in Washington County 

Community Projects to Reduce Isolation and Loneliness 

Tuesday, September 17, 2-4 p.m. (Virtual) 

Learn more about how you can receive funding to bring innovative projects to Washington County older adults that will foster meaningful intergenerational connection and belonging. This year's projects will focus on older adults with the greatest economic and social need as outlined in 2021-2025 DAVS Area Plan. Email Kera Magarill for a link to attend.

End of Life Planning and Resource Fair 

Wednesday, October 23, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Beaverton City Library 

Join DAVS, the library and a variety of exhibitors to get information and resources on hospice care, funeral/memorial planning, legal and financial issues, options for end of life and more.  

Older Adult Behavioral Health is on TV 

Check out the first episode of Age Well Washington County to learn about Marjorie Stewart Senior Community Center's behavioral health services available to older adults in Sherwood and beyond! It's been airing on Comcast/Ziply channels 28 and 30 and can also be viewed on YouTube or by clicking the video below. 

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 

Get trained to help

According to a January 2022 article in Nature Aging, older adults have the highest rates of suicide in the world, despite a global decline in suicide rates overall. Join us for a skills-based training that will help prepare you to support an older adult in crisis. The training takes place on Monday, September 17, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Washington Street Conference Center, Hillsboro. Learn more and register. 

Combat veteran offers support to veterans and their dogs

In 2021, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among veterans under the age of 45. The average number of deaths by suicide among veterans was 17.5 per day. 

Keys to suicide prevention include access to mental health and community resources, being in community, and gun safety. To help veterans access these key prevention measures, Washington County has teamed up with K9 Kavalry for our 4th Annual Dog Training Summit. Veterans, their families, friends, and leashed pets are invited to find community with other veterans and meet local community resource providers. It all takes place on September 21 at Champions Park in Beaverton, and on September 28 at Shadywood Park in Hillsboro. Both events are from 10 a.m.-noon. 

Dan Regester, combat veteran and founder of K9 Kavalry, will share his story and journey toward positive mental health with help from his dog, Ranger. There will be community service providers, veteran community groups, dog and cat food pet supplies, and more!  Registration is not required.

Conversations in Caregiving: A Family Caregiver Conference  

October 16, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.  

Laurel Parc at Bethany Village, 15850 NW Central Drive 

Join Washington County Family Caregiver Support Program, Providence ElderPlace, and Laurel Parc for a day dedicated to connecting, learning and sharing experiences with other unpaid family and friend caregivers.

Workshops at this free event include:  

• Connection in caregiving: Connect with your care partner when providing care, reducing adverse behaviors, and accomplishing daily tasks.  
• Medicare, Medicaid and PACE: Learn the difference between these different programs and gain a better understanding of the PACE model of care.  
• Functional home safety: Learn how to reduce wandering risks, prevent hazards, and improve physical strength, from an occupational therapist and physical therapist’s perspective.  
• Creating mindful self-care: This workshop will discuss the impact of the caregiver, the importance of caring for ourselves, and realistic ways to accomplish this.  

Register on Eventbrite. Contact Jenn Fifer at 971-271-2027 to register or ask questions.

Leaders gather in Salem with a focus on older adult emergency preparedness  

On July 30, leaders from FEMA, Administration for Community Living, AARP, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging, American Red Cross, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and others gathered for a regional Preparedness Roundtable focused on Older Adults and Disasters. DAVS Supervisor Rebecca Miller participated in a panel presentation at the event. Participating in these kinds of activities is helping DAVS to better advocate for needed systems improvements and resources. Age is one factor of many that can increase older adults’ vulnerability to a natural disaster. Physical impairment, lack of access to transportation, financial constraints, dependence on home-based medical equipment, caregiving responsibilities, and other factors can decrease the likelihood of timely evacuation or the ability to safely shelter in place. Miller states, “By working together, we can build awareness, spur individual and organizational action, share resources and ultimately, save lives.”  

Nancy Flores-Sanchez is the coordinator for the Washington County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). She attended the Preparedness Roundtable alongside Rebecca. Together they hope to increase awareness of a preparedness presentation focused on older adults that the MRC has available to our community. This roughly one-hour presentation is largely based on the Take 5 To Survive program but specifically caters to older adults. Our MRC volunteers strive to ensure equitable access to important information for our most vulnerable communities. If you are a local group, organization or a part of an older adult community that might benefit from this resource, please reach out to Nancy via email at nancy_flores@washingtoncountyor.gov or by cell phone during regular business hours at 971-409-7622. 

Additional resources for older adults to prepare for an emergency are available on Ready.gov's website.

Please visit DAVS event page to learn about upcoming events.