skip to main content

Thursday, June 8, 2023

play newscast audioPlay

Alabama must redraw its Congressional maps, CNN reports a former official told the feds Trump knew the process for declassifying documents, and Canadian wildfires affect the health of humans and wildlife.

play newscast audioPlay

The Supreme Court upholds a key provision of the Voting Rights Act over Alabama redistricting, smoky skies could spell EPA trouble for some states, and President Biden calls on Congress to pass LGBTQ+ protections.

play newscast audioPlay

Rural communities launch projects with funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a study says rural transgender adults feel less supported than those in urban areas, and a summer road trip could mean majestic scenic byways or a sprinkling of donut shops.

Washingtonian Helping People with Dementia Receives Volunteer Award

play audio
Play

Thursday, December 1, 2022   

A Bellingham man who supports people with dementia has received one of the most prestigious awards for volunteerism in Washington state.

The Washington Andrus Award for Community Service recognizes volunteers who are age 50 or older. This year, AARP Washington has selected Tom Oliver, lead volunteer of Project Lifesaver for Dementia Support Northwest.

The project provides tracking devices for people with dementia, and Oliver works with the Whatcom County Sheriff's Department, which is able to track the devices.

He said people with dementia can take off at any moment, so it's great to be able to ease the burden on their caregivers.

"This program does give us the ability to find the missing person very quickly, like half an hour," said Oliver, "instead of 12 to 16 hours like a conventional people search."

Oliver said he traveled more than 3,000 miles last year to deliver these devices and provide maintenance for them.

About 35% of Washington state residents volunteer, according to AmeriCorps.

Marguerite Ro is the AARP Washington state director. She said the Andrus Award is given to people who give back to their communities.

"The Andrus Award recipient this year, Tom Oliver, is an exceptional volunteer in what he has provided to his community," said Oliver. "But also he serves as a role model for others, of what can be accomplished."

The Andrus Award for Community Service is named after AARP founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus.



Disclosure: AARP Washington contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
A case before the California State Supreme Court looks at whether a person who has been named a health care agent in an advance directive has the legal standing to sign an arbitration agreement requested by a skilled nursing facility. (Shishkin137/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

This week, four advocacy groups have filed an amicus brief in a case before the California Supreme Court involving allegations of elder abuse and the …


Environment

play sound

The New York State Senate has passed the HEAT Act, which now goes to the Assembly. The legislation aims to phase out gas-line extension allowances…

Social Issues

play sound

As hostility toward Jewish people continues to spike in Arizona and nationally, the Biden administration has issued a National Strategy to Counter …


George Floyd's murder brought such issues as generational wealth disparities to the forefront. Even prior to his death, awareness was growing in Midwestern states about a host of racial disparities, including economic. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

The upcoming Juneteenth holiday marks the kickoff of a new wealth building grant program for Black residents who are decedents of slavery in a few nor…

Environment

play sound

As more research emerges about the chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, government agencies are faced with the task of figuring …

Portland Police will move forward initiatives including Portland Ceasefire and Cure Violence to tackle gun violence. (4kclips/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Portland has nixed plans to bring gunshot detection technology to the city. The technology - designed by a company formerly known as ShotSpotter…

Health and Wellness

play sound

This week, Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed Senate Bill 239, which would have allowed medical aid in dying in Nevada. The bill would have given mentally …

Environment

play sound

An experimental nuclear technology project slated for testing in Idaho is raising concerns about the potential for nuclear weapons proliferation…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021