Positive Aging
SENIOR SERVICES IS NOW SOUND GENERATIONS
WINTER 2017
Finding the
Power to
Change
A year ago, 67 year-old Karla Nuss was not in
a good place—physically or emotionally.
While she’d lived for many years with
facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy,
she had always had an active lifestyle. But
when a new health issue developed causing
excruciating pain in her shoulders, it threw
her life off course.
“I felt terrible,” Karla said. “Even after the
pain went away, I’d gained weight, I was
sleeping poorly, and I’d become pre-diabetic.
When you can’t stand for long periods,
you don’t have a lot of energy. I’d end up
snacking on whatever was within reach, or
eating out of stress, which was not healthy.”
Determined to feel better, Karla signed up for
Sound Generations’ EnhanceWellness—an
evidence-based program that helps people
accomplish their health goals. Counselor
Nikki Bagli helped her develop a plan to
improve her life.
“Working with Nikki was life changing,” Karla
said. “She gave me a sense of accountability,
and helped me break my big goal of losing
weight into small goals such as starting a
food journal.”
Another important lesson she learned: the
power of forgiving herself.
Senior Services is now Sound Generations
“I used to fixate on my failures,” she said. “Nikki helped me
re-direct my focus to the successes I’d had.”
These days, Karla feels like herself again. She’s lost weight,
sleeps better and has more energy. She is also less
dependent on medication, has normal cholesterol levels and
is no longer pre-diabetic.
To stay active, she takes Sound Generations’ Hyde Shuttle.
“I want to ride Hyde all the time,” she said. “They have a
lot of compassion for their clients and go out of their way to
make sure they’re taken care of.”
Karla is very grateful for how these programs have improved
her health and happiness.
“I feel like a success,” she said. “I know now I can make
positive changes in my life.”
EnhanceWellness helps people accomplish their
health goals by pairing them with counselors who
help develop personalized health action plans.
To learn more, call 206.448.5725.
Hyde Shuttles provide door-to-door van service for
older adults and adults with disabilities throughout
many communities in King County. Rides are free
but donations are welcome.
To schedule a ride, call 206.727.6262
WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER
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Positive Aging is a publication of
Sound Generations, a 501 (c) (3)
nonprofit organization. To learn
more, visit soundgenerations.org.
Or, call 206.448.5757.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR:
Dear Friends,
Welcome to 2017, our 50th anniversary year.
Since 1967 we have continued to evolve to
meet the ever-changing needs of elders in our
communities. Throughout this year, we’ll share
more of our history and celebrate the milestones
that marked our journey over the past decade.
SOUND GENERATIONS PROGRAMS
• Community Dining
• Family Caregiver Support
• Health & Wellness
• Hyde Shuttle
Today, we look at the future and introduce new partners to you,
our loyal supporters.
• Meals on Wheels +
Mobile Market
Dr. Paula Houston resigned last month as our Chief Executive
Officer. We thank her for three years of strong leadership.
• Minor Home Repair
The Sound Generations board is committed to maintaining
our mission and services that help older adults and adults with
disabilities in our communities. Your support is critical to our
success on their behalf. Thank you.
• Pathways Information
& Assistance
• Senior Rights Assistance
• Statewide Health Insurance
Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
• Volunteer Transportation
COMMUNITY PARTNER SITES
• Ballard NW Senior Center
• Central Area Senior Center
• Lake City Seniors
• Shoreline-Lake Forest Park
Senior Center
• Sno-Valley Senior Center
• Southeast Seattle Senior Center
• Senior Center of West Seattle
Connect with Us
To stay in the loop about special
events, volunteer opportunities
and other news, visit us at
soundgenerations.org to sign up
for our email newsletter and follow
us on Facebook and Twitter.
As we’ve explained over the past few years – in this newsletter,
the media and other communications – traditional support for
these programs for some of our most vulnerable neighbors has
shifted dramatically.
In November 2016, the Board contracted with the Third Sector
Company and its community partner, Jan Glick & Associates, to
help us clarify our financial situation and develop a plan for the
future. These two firms are highly skilled and have a history of
working successfully with non-profit organizations.
With the change in leadership, we decided to retain two members
of the Third Sector Company’s team to serve in key interim
executive roles. Susan Doerr, with many years of experience
in health and long term care, will serve as our interim Chief
Executive Officer. Patty Grossman, a seasoned financial expert,
will serve as our interim Chief Financial Officer.
In this time of opportunity and change, we believe that the
strong, collaborative relationship between the board leadership,
our interim executives and senior management will allow us to
develop a clear and stable plan in the months ahead. We look
forward to sharing more information with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Mark Stensager
Chair, Sound Generations Board of Directors
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Senior Services is now Sound Generations
WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER
S U P P O R T E R S P O T L I G H T: M I C R O S O F T
More than a
donor, Microsoft
is a true champion of our region’s
seniors. This past holiday season,
the company mobilized more than
1,000 employees to donate gift cards
to local seniors, who use them to
buy necessities such as warm coats
and groceries. As Holly McNeill, our
social worker at Senior Center of West
Seattle, told us, “The gift cards are
always so appreciated by people who
often struggle to get by each month.
One of our seniors couldn’t pay her
heating bill. The Safeway gift cards you
donated helped her with her groceries,
just before the holiday!”
Adding to the impact of the gifts,
Microsoft matches employee
donations, providing much-needed
funds for our programs.
In addition, Microsoft Philanthropies
recently provided Sound Generations
with a $10,000 grant and a donation
of software valued at more than
$400,000--support that makes a huge
difference in our ability to serve King
County seniors. We’re grateful to call
Microsoft a partner!
Above: Distributing gifts at Park Place Assisted Living
DID YOU KNOW…
Sound Generations’ Pathways Information & Assistance provides
free, personalized support for King County residents of all ages?
The next time you need help navigating local resources, call, email or visit
our website to find a full range of information for King County’s seniors,
people with disabilities and those who care for them. We are available
Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM, and can help with issues such as
housing, in-home support, Medicaid, transportation and many other areas.
206.448.3110 | 888.435.3377 | TTY: WA Relay 7-1-1
[email protected]
Interpreter services are available
Senior Services is now Sound Generations
WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER
Kay Jun,
Community Support Specialist
“Thank you for calling me
back quickly and answering
all of my questions. I feel
much more prepared and
know where to turn if I have
questions and need support.”
– A King County resident
who called Pathways after
his mother began showing
signs of dementia.
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Nominations Now Open for the
12th Annual Inspire Positive Aging Awards
Since 2006, Sound Generations has granted the
Inspire Positive Aging Award to local seniors
who uplift those around them and exemplify
what it means to age well. This year, for the
first time, we will recognize recipients in seven
different categories: Advocacy + Activism,
Community Service, Health + Wellness,
Intergenerational Impact, Lifelong Learning,
Defining Inspiration and Outstanding Team.
All nominees will be honored at the Inspire
Positive Aging Awards Luncheon on April 20,
2017, and receive complimentary tickets to this
celebratory event.
To nominate someone, visit inspire-award.org.
Or, call 206.727.6267 to request a paper form.
We can’t to hear about who inspires you!
HELP US
SPREAD
THE
WORD
The back of this page
is a flyer that you can
post at your workplace,
senior center, place of
worship, or anywhere else
in your community.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
Nominees must be 60 years of
age or older and live in King
County. The nomination process
is free and open to the public.
NOMINATION DEADLINE:
March 1, 2017
The 2016 Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon brought
together more than 300 people from across King County.
We hope to see you at this year’s celebration!
Tickets available at: inspire-award.org/registration.
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Senior Services is now Sound Generations
WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER
Is there an older adult who inspires you?
Is there an older adult who inspires you?
Nominate them
them for
for Sound
Sound Generations’
Generations’
Nominate
Now in its 12th year, IPAA
celebrates older adults in
King County who inspire us
to age well.
Nominate someone today at:
inspire-award.org
Deadline: March 1, 2017
This event is brought to you by
Non-profit Org
US Postage
PAID
Seattle, WA
Permit No. 1148
2208 Second Ave, Ste 100
Seattle WA 98121-2055
soundgenerations.org
Positive Aging
IT’S OUR
th
50
SENIOR SERVICES IS NOW SOUND GENERATIONS
Since 1967,
Sound Generations
has provided King
County’s seniors with
care, compassion
and community…
and we couldn’t have
done it without you!
Thank you for your
ongoing support.
WINTER 2017
ANNIVERSARY!
LOOKING FOR FUN WAYS TO GET INVOLVED?
We have many volunteer roles for upcoming special events. Help
make the magic happen behind the scenes, welcome guests as a
greeter, or lend your creativity to promotion. Opportunities include:
• Ongoing Birthday Lunches and ‘Rainbow Bingo’ events
at our Community Partner Sites throughout King County
• The Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon,
April 20, 2017 at The Hilton Bellevue
Individuals and corporate groups are welcome.
To learn more, email [email protected]. Or, call 206.448.5757.
Senior Services is now Sound Generations
WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER
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