NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
"AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age."
The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities
For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
ACLU
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York NY 10004
212-549-2500
Amer Geriatrics Soc
40 Fulton Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Phone: 212-308-1414
Fax: 212-832-8646
Am Soc Aging
575 Market Street, Suite 2100
San Francisco, CA 94105-2869 USA
(415) 974-9600 or (800) 537-9728
fax: (415) 974-0300
The mission of the Death with Dignity National Center is to promote Death with Dignity laws based on the model Oregon Death with Dignity Act, both to provide an option for dying individuals and to stimulate nationwide improvements in end-of-life care.
Death with Dignity
520 SW 6th Avenue #1220
Portland, OR 97204
503-228-4415
1707 L Street NW, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20036
Contact us or call 202-457-5811 / 800-854-3402 | Mon-Fri, 9:00-5:00 ET
A documentary about physician-assisted suicide.
In 1994, Oregon became the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. As a result, any individual whom two physicians diagnose as having less than six months to live can lawfully request a fatal dose of barbiturate to end his or her life. Since 1994, more than 500 Oregonians have taken their mortality into their own hands. In How to Die in Oregon, filmmaker Peter Richardson gently enters the lives of the terminally ill as they consider whether – and when – to end their lives by lethal overdose. Richardson examines both sides of this complex, emotionally charged issue. What emerges is a life-affirming, staggeringly powerful portrait of what it means to die with dignity.
Ms. Karnes "is an internationally respected speaker, educator, author and thought leader on matters of end of life. She is a renowned authority to explain the dying process to families, healthcare professionals and the community at large."
228 Seventh Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-547-7424
Fax: 202-547-3540
The National Coalition for Sexual Health (NCSH) aims to improve sexual health and well-being by encouraging productive and sustained conversations about sexual health and promoting high quality sexual health information and health services. Established in 2012, the NCSH is managed by Altarum Institute in conjunction with the Coalition Steering Committee, consisting of the Center of Excellence for Sexual Health at Morehouse School of Medicine, National Association of Community Health Centers, The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, Project Inform, and Communications Consultant Tom Beall.
The NCSH aims to make sexual health a common part of our national discourse and promote high quality sexual health care services. The NCSH brings together organizations and individuals who have a stake in not just advancing sexual health, but in advancing the overall health of our nation. We believe that sexual health includes awareness of human sexuality; the ability to enjoy intimate relationships that are fulfilling; respecting the rights and choices of others; knowledge of and access to high quality sexual health services throughout life; and understanding the family, community, and societal factors that influence sexual health.
1731 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Telephone: 703-837-1500
FAX: 703-837-1233
"Informative and yet intimate, Speaking of Dying captures the importance of individuals and groups speaking openly about all aspects of the dying process.
Viewing this film will inspire and encourage you to talk to your friends, family, health care agents and medical providers about your own end of life choices and wishes. It will motivate you to become more informed regarding life supports, hospice, palliative care, and other options—long before a crisis. The film also demonstrates the value of end of life planning in groups—one of the best ways to become comfortable speaking openly about this subject. Most of all, Speaking of Dying will help you believe that your life can have a peaceful and meaningful ending that will be a gift to yourself, and to your loved ones."
This film stars Julianne Moore in the role of Alice Howland: "Alice Howland, happily married with three grown children, is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a diagnosis of Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Alice and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. Her struggle to stay connected to who she once was is frightening, heartbreaking, and inspiring."
Teepa Snow, an occupational therapist with forty years of clinical practice experience, is one of the world’s leading educators on dementia and the care that accompanies it. In 2005, she founded Positive Approach® to Care (PAC), a company that provides dementia care training, services, and products around the world. A core principle of PAC is that, in order to obtain the relationships and outcomes that are desired, the first and most important shift must originate with each person’s own willingness and ability to change. Join PAC in helping to change the culture of dementia care, one mind at a time.
Positive Approach® to Care (PAC) provides a wide variety of services to enhance awareness and increase dementia care skills, including PAC Speakers, Trainers, Teepa Talks, and Certifications. We are now offering an array of virtual options, too! Click below to find the service that fits your needs.
Terra Nova Films creates, produces, distributes, and presents films and videos on aging and elderhood. When the company started in 1981, it was dealing with mainly one film; now it handles more than 300, with a client base of more than 10,000, ranging from colleges and universities to community groups and senior centers. And now, as the aging population in many countries is rapidly expanding, Terra Nova continues to be a leader in the use of visual storytelling to help people understand, value, and traverse the human experience of elderhood.
Washington State Resources
AHAT Homecare provides help to people with HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C in Washington State. We offer affordable housing and access to healthcare for residents and the community in three programs – Three Cedars, Project Open Door and Healthy Living.
AHAT Homecare
301 North L
Tacoma, WA 98403
mailing address
AHAT Homecare
P.O. Box 2251
Tacoma, WA 98401
253-272-5533
info@ahathomecare.org
Funding to cover AIDS treatment for anyone who makes under 400% of the poverty level. Detailed information from the ADAP directory, as well as links to the direct DOH page.
877-376-9316
ask.EIP@doh.wa.gov
End of Life Washington – formerly Compassion & Choices of Washington – guides people in planning for the final days of their lives.
We provide free end-of-life counseling and client support services statewide to qualified patients who desire a peaceful death.
We encourage advance planning and set a new standard in Washington for advance planning documents with our End of Life Washington Advance Directive.
We promote the use of Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) for those with serious illnesses. We provide these and many other documents at no cost.
We created and played a key role in leading the coalition that passed Initiative 1000 (the Washington Death with Dignity Act) into law in November, 2008 with nearly 60 percent of the popular vote. We now steward, protect, and uphold the law.
We advocate for better pain management, patient-directed end-of-life care, and expanded choice for the terminally ill. We do not suggest, encourage, or promote suicide or euthanasia.
There is never a fee for our services.
End of Life Washington
PO Box 61369
Seattle WA 98141
Phone: 206-256-1636
Fax: 206-256-1640
info@endoflifewa.org
A tool for finding transportation options throughout Pierce, King and Snohomish counties.
Honoring Choices Pacific Northwest is a joint initiative between the Washington State Hospital Association and Washington State Medical Association.
We inspire conversations about the care people want at the end of life. This comprehensive initiative uses a variety of approaches, such as an advance care planning program, community engagement, physician education, advocacy, and a central repository.
We help the public make informed choices about end-of-life care. We help health care organizations and community groups discuss, record and honor people’s end-of-life choices.
We are a philanthropic endeavor so all who want to participate can.
Honoring Choices Pacific NorthWest
999 Third Avenue, Suite 1400
Seattle, WA 98104-4041
206-577-1803
www.honoringchoicespnw.org
Our Mission:
To eliminate unlawful discrimination through education, mediation, and enforcement that is responsive to a diverse King County.
206-263-2446
civil-rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov
https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice/civil-rights.aspx
Legal Voice is a progressive feminist organization using the power of the law to make change in the Northwest. We use that power structure to dismantle sexism and oppression, specifically advocating for our region’s most marginalized communities: women of color, lesbians, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, immigrants, people with disabilities, low-income women, and others affected by gender oppression and injustice.
Legal Voice produces the Handbook For Washington Seniors: Legal Rights and Resources - http://www.legalvoice.org/handbook - "a comprehensive quick-reference guide on the full range of legal issues facing Washington seniors." In English and Spanish.
Legal Voice
907 Pine Street, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98101
206-682-9552
info@LegalVoice.org
Lifelong has always been an organization that stands up for communities facing discrimination and marginalization.
In the 1980’s, elected officials and other local and national leaders displayed unspeakable cruelty and bigotry when they refused to support the services and research needed to combat the early surge of the HIV epidemic. A handful of volunteers witnessed their friends, partners, and neighbors neglected and left to die.
They were compelled to fight back, and mobilized the community to unite against injustice. They made a lifesaving difference in the lives of thousands through assembly of chore wheels, hospital visitation calendars, and the establishment of new non-profit organizations. They helped create us, Northwest AIDS Foundation, Chicken Soup Brigade and Evergreen Wellness Advocates, which became Lifelong.
Lifelong
210 South Lucile Street
Seattle, WA 98108
206-957-1600
As part of an initiative to create not only a Dementia Friendly Pierce County, but one that is age and disability friendly, Lutheran Community Services Northwest is offering free, virtual, information sessions on becoming a Dementia Friend. A Dementia Friend is simply someone who has an understanding of what dementia is, and how to communicate and help in an effective manner. This information also translates to helping those who are aging or have a disability, as it is based on respect of the individual person.
It is not clinical training; it's very low key and in layman's terms so works for everyone, including your office, food services and maintenance staff; anyone, who interacts with the public, some of whom may have dementia. We can do a session for any size group and we are flexible on days and times - just about anything works!
Here is a link to a very short video about Dementia Friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9g0oK2G9x8.
In Health, Justice and Hope
Wendy Morris
Pronouns: she/her
Dementia Services Program Manager
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
3848 S. Junett, Tacoma WA 98409
Direct: 253-722-5691 or wmorris@lcsnw.org
Dementia Friends Champion
A grassroots movement empowering persons with memory loss and their loved ones to remain connected and active in the community.
The Puget Sound region is home to a variety of dementia-friendly opportunities offered by a growing number of community members and organizations.
The Seattle Chapter of the National Organization for Women was founded in 1970. Originally named the Seattle-King County Chapter, it was the 36th chapter of NOW chartered in the United States. The founders’ intent was to work “peacefully and within the system, through the courts, through all of the constitutional means available to effect the changes that our system has channels for.” In 1972 our then president, Elaine Day Latourell, expanded upon that intent by stating, “NOW is dedicated to working within the system and when that doesn’t work, to raising hell.” For 35 years Seattle NOW has not strayed from the commitment made by our founding mothers to pushing buttons, breaking barriers, and opening doors for women and girls.
NOW Seattle
3720 Airport Way South
Seattle, WA 98134
206-632-8547 (Message Only)
nowseattle@gmail.com
NEST is a “virtual village” located in Northeast Seattle that also serves as the area’s senior center. We serve the 13 neighborhoods east of I-5, north of the Montlake Ship Canal and south of NE Northgate Way/NE 110th St. Villages are vibrant, intergenerational communities building connections between neighbors. With 180 members, 170 volunteers, over 400 member gatherings and 200 events open to the public each year, NEST is one of the nation’s most active villages.
NEST
POB 51009
Seattle, WA 98115
206-525-6378
info@nestseattle.org
Bringing daytime respite to local communities: Old Friends Clubs are active social clubs for people living with dementia and respite for the friends and family who care for them. Locations are expanding. See the website for current program locations, or to get on the mailing list to be notified of a Club opening near you!
Old Friends Club
2950 Newmarket Street #210
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: 425-681-9776
welcome@oldfriendsclub.org
Peer Seattle is a non-profit organization that builds community and cultivates powerful, healthy lives by providing peer to peer support and other services to the LGBTQ and greater Puget Sound communities.
Peer Seattle
1520 Bellevue Avenue, Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: 206-322-2437
info@peerseattle.org
Simpler funerals, a natural choice.
More and more people are choosing simpler options for their final arrangements–It just makes sense. People’s Memorial Association (PMA) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1939 to help the residents of Washington state avoid the confusion, sales pressure and high expense often associated with cremation and burial arrangements. We also provide education and advocacy for all consumers regarding end-of-life matters.
People's Memorial Assn
1801 12th Avenue, Suite A
Seattle, WA 98122
206-325-0489
info@peoplesmemorial.org
We build, engage, and support our diverse community through programs, services, and activities that connect neighbors and foster civic engagement.
PNA
6532 Phinney Avenue North
Seattle WA 98103
Telephone: 206-783-2244
Fax 206-783-2246
pna@phinneycenter.org
For more than a quarter century, Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) has been active in fighting for older Americans, their children and their families.
PSARA
321 16th Avenue S
Seattle, WA 98144
206-254-4910
Rainbow Bingo
First started at the Senior Center of West Seattle, Rainbow Bingo is now offered at multiple locations: Mt. Si Senior Center (North Bend), Senior Center of West Seattle, Ballard Northwest Senior Center, SE Seattle Senior Center, Sno-Valley Senior Center (Carnation) and the Wallingford Senior Center.
Seattle has adopted the Age-Friendly Communities framework---developed by the World Health Organization to address the environmental, economic, and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. In an effort to ensure all older adults experience stable health and can age in place, the Human Services Department invests $39.8 million in a combination of direct services and in funding agencies that serve our older adults. Program and service investments are managed by the Aging and Disability Services division that supports older individuals, those living with a disability, and their families.
1-844-348-5464
Since 1967, Sound Generations (formerly Senior Services) has connected older adults and adults with disabilities in King County with vital resources to help them thrive. We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization providing Meals on Wheels and free rides to medical appointments, fitness programs and opportunities for meaningful engagement with others. We alleviate stress by connecting seniors and those who care about them to whatever they need to remain safe, active and healthy and we are committed to helping all people — especially those in low-income communities and communities of color — feel included and respected.
Sound Generations
Downtown Admin Offices
Lillian Rice Bldg
2208 Second Avenue, Suite 100
Seattle WA 98121-2055
1-888-435-3377 (Toll Free)
206-448-5757
info@soundgenerations.org