Your voice matters: Tell us what you need!

DAVS is collecting public input about the needs of veterans, people with physical disabilities, and older adults in our community. The survey is one part of a larger community needs assessment we are conducting to help identify gaps, leverage resources and prioritize services in our next strategic plan (2025-2029 Disability, Aging and Veteran Services Area Plan). This is a requirement under the Older Americans Act. We especially want to hear from Washington County community members who are:

• Ages 55+, particularly:
• Black, Indigenous, and people of color
• Immigrants and refugees
• LGBTQIA+ older adults and veterans
• People who are homebound or isolated 
• Older adults with low income
• Unpaid family and friend caregivers 
• Veterans of all ages and their families
• Adults with physical disabilities

The survey is available online in Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), English, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese through July 22. We also have hard copies of the survey in these languages if you prefer to fill out a paper version. Stop by the DAVS office during regular business hours at 5240 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 300, Hillsboro. If you would like to take this survey by phone, in another language or need any other accommodation or assistance, please call 503-846-3060. Download and share our flyers: English/Spanish or multiple languages.

Proud and effective advocacy for LGBTQIA2S+ people 

Rebecca Miller, Washington County Area Agency on Aging director, was appointed by the governor in April 2024 to the nine-member official state board LGBTQIA2S+ subcommittee. The subcommittee is administered by the Oregon Department of Human Services and was established in Senate Bill 99 (2023) to:

• Improve state agency support, interactions and communication with the LGBTQIA2S+ community.
• Create advocacy opportunities and support equity for LGBTQIA2S+ older adults throughout state government.

Senate Bill 99 (2023) also established an LGBTQIA2S+ Bill of Rights to help provide protections from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and HIV status in long-term care settings. This important civil rights legislation was developed as an outcome from the 2021 Oregon LGBTQ+ Older Adult Survey and through extensive input by stakeholders, consumers, individuals with lived experience, and individuals who identify with this community. Survey findings included:

• Sixty percent of respondents experienced discrimination within the last year, higher among people of color (up to 94%).
• Twenty-one percent of respondents do not disclose their sexual or gender identity to health care, aging or other service providers.
• Twenty-four percent of respondents have experienced abuse in the past year and 76% did not report it to the authorities.

“I’m honored to work alongside such tireless advocates for the rights, health and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender elders in Oregon,” Miller said. “I am committed to ensuring the most inclusive, respectful and affirming care and services possible across our state and right here at Disability, Aging and Veteran Services. I especially encourage LGBTQIA2S+ people to get involved with DAVS. We need advocates from Washington County to inform our work and tell us how we can do better.” 

Two ways to get involved! Complete the 2024 DAVS Community Survey and/or consider joining the Aging & Veteran Services Advisory Council.

Learn more about the LGBTQ+ older adult survey results. 

For both pins, come by our office or visit us at any of our outreach opportunities around Washington County.

Visit DAVS at these upcoming events

• June 10: Resource Fair, Hillsboro Senior Center, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• June 20: AARP Aging Well Expo, Reser Center for the Arts, 2:30-7:30 p.m.
• June 29: Pride Festival, Tigard High School, 2-5 p.m.
• June 30: Pride in the Park, Beaverton City Park, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
• August 9: Virginia Garcia Health Fair, Cornelius VG Wellness Center, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• August 17: THPRD Tri-Together, THPRD - HTC 158th and Walker, 9 a.m. -12:45 p.m.

Funding available for organizations to provide older adult education

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six in 10 adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease, and four in 10 adults have two or more. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. They account for 90% of the nation’s $3.5 trillion in annual health care costs. Additionally, it is estimated that chronic diseases are responsible for 7 out of 10 deaths across the U.S. each year. 

When we conducted our 2020 Community Needs Assessment, 25% of respondents age 60+ indicated they wanted to receive information and services to help manage chronic illness and pain. To meet this need, we are accepting letters of interest from community-based organizations to provide evidence-based health promotion classes: 

• Living Well with Chronic Conditions
• Living Well with Chronic Pain
• Diabetes Self-Management Program
• Tomando (Living Well with Chronic Conditions)

The submission deadline is June 14. For more information and to apply, please visit the County’s website. Download flyer.

Wear purple on June 15 for elder abuse awareness

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is commemorated each year on June 15 to highlight one of the worst manifestations of ageism and inequality in our society — elder abuse.

Elder abuse is any act that causes harm to an older person and is often carried out by someone they know and trust, such as a family member or friend. The abuse may be physical, social, financial, psychological or sexual and can include mistreatment and neglect.

One in ten adults aged 60+ in the U.S. experiences some form of abuse each year. In many parts of the world, elder abuse occurs with little recognition or response. However, it is a global social issue that affects the health, well-being, independence, and human rights of millions of older people worldwide and deserves the attention of all in the community. Visit the National Center on Elder Abuse to learn more.

Wear purple on June 15 in recognition of WEAAD, and if you suspect someone is being abused or neglected in Washington County or anywhere in Oregon, please call 1-855-503-SAFE (7223). To schedule a training for your organization to learn more about recognizing the signs of and preventing elder abuse, call DAVS at 503-846-3060. 

Project Visibility: Older adult LGBTQ+ inclusion and care

In this interactive training, learn common terms and definitions including sexual orientation, gender identity, biological sex and everything in between. Learn about the "hidden" history of LGBTQ+ older adults and other issues that shape how older adults access care and support today. Get ready-to-implement tools and best practices for aging service providers that help create an inclusive and welcoming environment for this often invisible population. Training will take place on Thursday, July 11, 1-4 p.m. in Hillsboro. Continuing education credits available for adult foster home providers. Address provided upon registration. Register at Eventbrite.

Older adult recreation program highlight:

Café La Muerte at Centro Cultural

Café La Muerte, or Death Cafe, is an open and welcoming space for people to gather and discuss death without fear of judgment or agenda. DAVS has been partnering with Centro Cultural to hold Death Cafes in Spanish for their Edad de Oro program for older adults (recent session pictured above). One participant said, “I am really liking being able to talk about death in a sense that is respectful. I have a daughter who I haven’t seen in 25 years. I’d like to see her and let her know that when I die, I will be at peace and that I’m not afraid.” 

With the support of many trusted partners, DAVS will continue to promote Death and Age Cafes across Washington County. Join us at the next Death Cafe (in English) on June 12, July 3, and July 24 at 11 a.m. at the Beaverton City Library. 

PNW Veteran Sisters co-hosts first event on June 15

Currently there are more than 2,000,000 United States armed services women veterans. Women are the fastest growing group in the veteran population and experience unique challenges related to their military service, including readjustment, multiple roles to coordinate, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleeping difficulties, and physical injuries.

Last year, while filming our four-part series on women in the military, participants bonded over their tales of past military service. They yearned for an ongoing opportunity that would foster togetherness after service — a sisterhood. This resulted in the formation of PNW Veteran Sisters, an informal group of community members and organizations who aim to offer regular opportunities for social connection among women veterans. 

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge graciously agreed to include PNW Veteran Sisters in their planning of an event to celebrate Women Veterans Day. Please join us at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The day will include space for women veterans to connect with one another in a beautiful setting. There will also be organizations tabling at the event. Enjoy light refreshments, trail walks and family-friendly activities while honoring the 76^th Anniversary of the signing of the Women Military Service Integration Act by President Truman in 1948. RSVPs appreciated.

PNW Veteran Sisters will offer ongoing events, typically on the third Saturday of the month. Join the PNW Veteran Sisters Facebook group to get involved and stay informed.

Get help with utility bills and stay cool with AC

Did you know that Community Action can assist income-qualified residents with their electric, water and sewer bills? To read more about this program and see if you are eligible, please visit Community Action’s website. In addition to the year-round utility assistance programs, this summer Community Action will assist older adults who don’t have a cooling system at home in getting a portable air conditioner at no cost. The AC program is due to start in June and will be specifically for older adults 65 and older. More details on the program, who qualifies, and how to apply will be posted on their website in the weeks to come, so be sure to check it periodically. 

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. You can also download and share our flyer. Learn more at an upcoming meeting: 

Thursday, July 18, 9-11 a.m. 

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

Or join via Zoom 

Meeting ID: 882 7128 6596

Passcode: 388523 

Call in (audio only): +12532158782, 88271286596#

We welcome guests and invite public comment on the issues facing older adults and veterans in our community.