Washington State Senior Citizens' Lobby

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.

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 and works in partnership with King County and United Way to:

The Western and Central Washington State Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association were incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization in Washington State in 1978. It 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.

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.”

The Association of Manufactured Home Owners (AMHO) is a state-wide non-profit organization of manufactured homeowners in Washington State. Our mission is to provide technical assistance and referral services, enroll members and help them organize homeowners‘associations, and policy advocacy.

AMHO was formed in 2007, and has grown to a membership of over 500 residing in manufactured home communities’ state wide. AMHO has helped many manufactured housing communities to form their own home owners associations which can work to preserve their communities. AMHO actively works with Manufactured housing is affordable housing which is vital to Washington State’s senior citizens and lower-income families and individuals.

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.

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.

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.

Washington State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program - A place for protecting loved ones in residential care. An ombudsman listens to residents’ complaints or questions, and works with staff, local and state agencies and other organizations, to solve problems and answer questions. In addition, an Ombudsman provides the following:

· Effective means for the receipt, investigation, and resolution of complaints and concerns regarding such residents

· Monitors laws, regulations, and policies which affect those in long-term care

In fiscal year 2007-2008 Statewide, over 3,526 complaints by residents / relatives / friends/ staff were resolved. 19,141 routine volunteer visits were made to 1,528 of Washington’s nursing homes, adult family homes and boarding homes. Approximately 81% of the complaints were resolved; only 13% were referred to an outside agency for resolution. 443 Volunteers provided 69,081 hours of services.

The purpose and objective that guides MHOA was designed with a concern for improving the quality of life for all manufactured/mobile home owners and promoting the health, safety and welfare of the owners of manufactured/mobile homes. Our major activities center around the include; wncouraging residents to join our association, encouraging residents in a park to form a chapter of MHOA centering on the importance of how this allows the residents to speak united when dealing with park problems when they arise.

In addition, offer guidance and provide information and resources to member chapters or individual members, when issues arise between residents and park management or park owners. Educate residents of manufactured/mobile home communities as the rights afforded them by the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 59.20 Mobile/Manufactured Home Landlord/Tenant Act.

Speaking as an organized voice for owners of manufactured/mobile homes to state government, provide park purchase information assistance to community residents for various forms of park buyouts. Maintains communications with agencies and groups involved in manufactured/mobile home affairs. Monitor, initiate and promote legislation relating to manufactured/mobile home living and keeping abreast of legislation proposed by others and reporting these proposals to all members through the Manufactured Home Living newsletter.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (“NAELA”) 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 NAELA web site by clicking here: www.naela.org.

The Washington Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys 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.

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.

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.

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 care giving responsibilities, and quality time to relax and enjoy life with family and friends.

The Resident Councils of Washington (RCW) is an education and service organization serving all long term care residents in Washington State. Resident Councils of Washington has been working with the residents of nursing homes and assisted living (boarding) homes since 1978.

The Resident Councils of Washington is the only independent, consumer-based membership, non-profit organization in Washington State committed:

To promote quality of life for all residents of residential care settings in Washington State.

To educate, consult and promote quality of life issues and needs of the stakeholders in residential care communities

To advocate for residents' rights, needs, interests and priorities. Residents have rights and the rights of residents are protected by federal law in long term care facilities.

Although residents have services available in long term care facilities, many have limited services available to continue to be a contributing member to society.

Many residents although limited by their physical abilities, still desire and need the opportunity to actively contribute to their quality of living. Many would like to expand their leisure time choices to be an advocate for themselves and the other 80% that cannot. Many are looking to attain their highest level of life satisfaction. Many simply would like the opportunity to make a difference inside and outside their residential care setting.

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.

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 Healthcare 775NW 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 Healthcare 775NW now represents almost 34,000 home care and nursing home workers in Washington state and Montana. SEIU Healthcare 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.

Since 2002, thousands of home care workers at private agencies like ResCare/Armstrong, Addus Healthcare, Chesterfield Healthcare, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Korean Women’s Association, Amicable, Unique, AAA Residential Services and Home Care Services of Montana have united with SEIU Healthcare 775NW and gained new raises and improved benefits.

Since 2006, more than 1800 workers at 22 nursing homes across Washington state have joined with SEIU Healthcare 775NW, quadrupling the number of nursing home workers in our union, and winning raises of 6-14% each year. Nursing home workers are advocating for improving the quality of care through public policy and a voice in care delivery within union facilities.

Wages have improved by 40% throughout Washington home care as over the last five years, SEIU Healthcare 775NW 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. In Montana, we are opening up options for more seniors and people with disabilities to live in their own homes with quality long term care, and we passed legislation "Healthcare for Healthcare Workers". We are now engaged in state and national efforts on workforce development, to recognize home and community-based care as an emerging healthcare profession.

Senior Services is 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.

The State Council on Aging was established under RCW 43.20A.680 as an advisory council to the Governor, the Secretary of Social and Health Services, and the Office of Aging or any other office solely designated as the state unit on aging. The State Council on Aging may be designated by the Governor to serve as the State Advisory Council to the State Unit on Aging with respect to federally funded programs as required by federal regulation.

The State Council on Aging has the following powers and duties:

1. To serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor, the Secretary of Social and Health Services, and the State Unit on Aging on all matters pertaining to policies, programs, and services affecting older persons;

2. To create public awareness of the special needs and potentialities of older persons; and

3. To provide for self-advocacy by older citizens of the state through sponsorship of training, legislative and other conferences, workshops, and such other methods as may be deemed appropriate.

AdultDay.org is a service of the Washington Adult Day Service Association, (WADSA), the coalition of adult day care and adult day health care providers throughout the state of Washington. Adult day care and adult day health care professionals provide quality services to individuals and their families and caregivers throughout the State of Washington.

Adult Day Centers are an invaluable resource for individuals and families dealing with chronic health care concerns by offering health care services along with recreational and social events on a daily basis. Adults of all ages in need of functional support attend Adult Day Centers to spend their days in a safe place while remaining at home in the evenings. Adult Day Centers provide needed comfort for participants, family members and caregivers.

Adult Day Centers provide safe, quality care for frail and vulnerable adults. This site will help you learn more about Adult Day Services and find a center that is right for your loved one.

The Washington Adult Day Services Association is the coalition of adult day centers in Washington. Incorporated in 1981 as a not-for-profit corporation, WADSA's mission is to increase access to quality, availability, accessibility and cost-effective adult day services in Washington. Our members serve a diverse population of adults and are committed to making sure that individually tailored programs are offered in a safe, health-enhancing environment.

Our members believe that life should include joy, passion, fun, family and friends...and aging should be no exception. WADSA champions living arrangements and supportive services that are safe, well-chosen and integrated into the community.

WADSA is driven by our commitment to, provide comprehensive social and health care support to those living with chronic illness, provide caregivers with accurate information about long-term care and other supportive services, support formal and informal family care giving and encourage aging in place.

The Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging (W4A) works with local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to create communities that support people as they age. The organization seeks to enhance the effectiveness of each AAA through a strong agenda of information, debate, advocacy and education.

AAA's provide a range of services to elders and adults with disabilities. Contact your local AAA or Senior Information & Assistance to find out about available services.

The Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging (W4A) is a membership organization made up of 13 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in Washington State. The organization seeks to enhance the effectiveness of each AAA through a strong agenda of information, debate, advocacy and education.

W4A is an affiliate of n4a (www.n4a.org), its national resource for information and education.

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.

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

· 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.

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

Mission Statement

The mission of WSDHA is to increase awareness of and access to quality oral health care, to promote the highest standards of research and education, licensure and practice for dental hygienists, and to represent and promote the interests of the dental hygiene profession, as a means to improve the public's health.

WSDHA Goals

WSDHA is part of a Tri-part Organization

In Early 1979, the newly minted CDM Services responded to the first ever request for proposal for agency in-home care through the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging. Previously, all in-home care was done by family members serving as Individual Providers (IP’s). This new service allowed substitute workers, supervision of the workforce, and care for clients who were not able to serve as the employer. Respite services were born. CDM was granted the right to serve Clark County and was referred its first state-funded client soon after.

In 1979, the only funding for agency home care services was through the federal Older Americans Act and state Respite funding. This all changed in 1983, with the introduction of Community Options Program Entry System (COPES), the first “waiver” program where nursing-home level clients could receive care at home. This put Washington State far ahead the rest of the nation. Medicaid Personal Care followed in 1989.

In 2006, CDM responded to an RFP to become the Home Care Referral Registry (HCRR), which matches Independent Providers of home care to Medicaid clients who wish to serve as the employer of the home care aide.

CDM Services has always been an innovator, from meeting the fledgling need for agency home care in Southwest Washington, forming the Chore Coalition, fighting for legislative changes such as health insurance, and training for caregivers, expanding beyond agency home care and, now, creating a community partnership model to meet the increasingly complex needs of our areas most vulnerable citizens.

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.

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.

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 Dental Service (WDS) Foundation is a non-profit funded by Washington Dental Service, the leading dental benefits company in Washington State. Washington Dental Service is committed to improving oral health and delivers high-quality dental benefits to more than 2 million people. Washington Dental Service and WDS Foundation are recognized leaders both locally and nationally in identifying and executing long-term, lasting approaches to improving oral health.

WDS Foundation’s mission is to eliminate oral disease to improve overall health for everyone. The Foundation works closely with partner organizations to develop and implement innovative programs. It advocates for policies that produce permanent changes in the healthcare arena and improve the public’s long-term oral health.

Associate Members

Individuals and organizations interested in senior issues. They have a voice and may vote in general open Lobby meetings, but do not have vote, in Lobby Board of Directors meetings.

Columbia Legal Services (CLS) is a nonprofit law firm that protects and defends the legal and human rights of low-income people. CLS represents people and organizations in Washington State with critical legal needs who have no other legal assistance available to them. For information about CLS’s mission and work for clients, please see About CLS and Our Work.

CLS is part of the Alliance for Equal Justice, a coalition of legal services providers working to address the critical legal needs of low-income people. Please see Partners for more about the Alliance for Equal Justice.

CLS accepts referrals from Alliance for Equal Justice partners, community organizations and social service providers in areas of our expertise. Please see Legal Help to find out how to obtain legal assistance

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

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.

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:

The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance leads the movement to ensure that all our residents thrive in safe, healthy, affordable homes. We do this through advocacy, education and organizing.

Our vision is that all Washington residents have the opportunity to live in safe, healthy, and affordable homes in thriving communities.

The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance is a powerful coalition working together to build and protect safe, decent and affordable homes for everyone across Washington state.

Founded in 1985, the Housing Alliance is a trusted leader and expert on housing and homelessness. Along with a strong combination of housing and homelessness organizations, funders, services providers and individual advocates, we work closely with elected officials to turn good ideas into sound policy.

The Housing Alliance has a significant impact on state housing policy. Twenty years ago, members played a pivotal role in founding one of the nation's first state housing trust funds and today the Housing Alliance has secured the most public funding for affordable housing in state history. These funds have helped many thousands of previously homeless families, home health care aides, teachers and firefighters be able to live in an affordable home.

Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.

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Senior Lobby

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Mission Statement

WSDHA Goals

WSDHA is part of a Tri-part Organization

Associate Members