Washington has received designations highlighting the state's efforts to become more age and dementia-friendly.

Washington is the 12th state to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

Susan Engels, Unit on Aging office chief for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, said the designation builds on work the state is already doing to support people of all ages.

"Age-friendly communities consider goals that promote high quality of life for each person regardless of their age, allowing older people the opportunity to remain active in their community," Engels pointed out. "The designation begins a book of work that we're very excited to do."

Some cities in the state have already joined the AARP network, such as Puyallup, Renton, Seattle, Tacoma and White Salmon. Some of the goals for age-friendly communities include ensuring people can age in place and building walkable communities to ensure people can maintain both their independence and connection with others.

Washington is also joining U.S. Aging's Dementia-Friendly America network. Engels noted the state is already supporting people with dementia.

"Developing more community opportunities for families living with dementia," Engels explained. "Things like zoo walks and cafes where people can come and not worry about being judged if their loved one behaves differently."

Family caregiving is another important area as the population ages. According to AARP's statistics, the ratio of family caregivers per adult over 80 available in Washington will decline from about 4.5 to 1 in 2030 to less than 3 to 1 in 2050.

Engels added the state has support in caregiving as well, such as through respite and counseling to help people maintain the sometimes difficult roles.

"We have innovative programs, both state funded and federally funded, where we are able to support family caregivers regardless of income levels," Engels stressed. "With services that help those family caregivers be able to maintain their role."

More people over the age of 64 are being targeted by scams through social media and are more likely to lose money.

According to AARP, around half of American adults report having been a victim or a target of financial fraud.

Judy Dollison, president of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, said the most common and dangerous scams for seniors involve investments, romance, and home improvement.

"Scammers oftentimes go door to door, looking for victims," Dollison pointed out. "Sometimes we see this after a big storm or, you know, hail or tornado comes through the neighborhood, and they tell them that, oh, you know, we got up on your roof, and there's hail damage."

People who suspected they have been scammed or their personal information has been compromised should contact their local police department and their financial institution to get help stopping the payment or disputing the charge. Report scams at BBB.org/ScamTracker or call 614-486-6336.

Dollison explained warning signs include asking for payment immediately and unusual payment types such as debit cards, Zelle, and Venmo, along with claims of a free or unrealistic low-cost product or service.

"Some of the big red flags are, you know, a pressure to act," Dollison emphasized. "So often we see scammers try to really convince you to do something urgently, because they don't want you to ask your friend or family. They don't want to you to research."

A decline in cognitive functioning, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, social isolation, and a lack of financial literacy tend to make older adults more susceptible to scams and fraud. Dollison stressed it is important to remind loved ones and neighbors scammers are out there.

"We always encourage just vigilance," Dollison added. "Empower the seniors to be suspicious of things, to question, to pause and seek guidance. Discuss telemarketing and email fraud. Just really highlight how much is out there."

Elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion each year and more older adults are becoming victims of financial scams, according to the Department of Justice.


get more stories like this via email

Researchers in Iowa say changes in an Alzheimer's patients' brain can occur at least 20 years before they are diagnosed with the disease and they are calling for more education about early warning signs of dementia during Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.

There are at least 7 million people age 65 and older in the U.S. living with Alzheimer's and 62,000 of them are in Iowa.

Abby Miesner, development manager for the Alzheimer's Association of Iowa, said despite time and money being spent on research, the risk is going up at a younger age and the numbers are discouraging.

"The lifetime risk for Alzheimer's at age 45 is one in five for women, and one in 10 for men," Miesner pointed out.

Miesner noted the numbers hold true across the board for Blacks and Latinos as well. She adds as doctors have learned signs and symptoms could start to occur at an earlier age, they are paying attention to signs sooner.

Miesner explained occasionally misplacing your keys or forgetting why you went into a room are not always cause for concern but repeatedly forgetting things as part of your everyday life could be.

Meisner added earlier detection gives doctors a chance to intervene sooner in a patient's life.

"As many as 40% of dementia cases may be attributed to modifiable risk factors," Meisner emphasized. "Things like having too high of blood pressure or not enough physical activity, lack of exercise. Things like that, getting good sleep. All of those things are so important."

All can be controlled by developing healthy habits. A 2022 report from the Alzheimer's Association showed 60% of people will put off seeing a doctor if they develop symptoms early on, waiting until the symptoms worsen, or family and friends encourage them to seek treatment.

The Association is holding educational events statewide all month.

Kentucky is set to spend $12 million over the next three years to boost internet access in communities across the state. The funding will go toward more resources to make devices affordable, and improve digital literacy skills and cybersecurity awareness.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved the state's digital equity plan earlier this year, unlocking more federal dollars to address broadband barriers.

Beth Brinley, deputy secretary of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, said the plan will help ensure residents have the technology skills needed to improve economic opportunity and quality of life.

"We want to make sure that all of those populations are empowered to fully participate in Kentucky's economy and to develop meaningful relationships through civic engagement and other activities," she explained.

She said more than 500 local partners, including libraries and advocacy groups, will participate in the digital equity initiative. The effort comes as the Biden administration ends its Affordable Connectivity Program. The federal program, which expired on June 1, helped more than 450,000 Kentucky households pay for monthly internet service.

Gary Adkins, volunteer state president of AARP Kentucky, added that for many of the state's older residents, high-speed internet is not a luxury, but an essential tool for navigating modern life.

"In order to access government services, participate in virtual medical services, maintain employment, find employment, just the daily needs and being able to connect socially," Adkins said.

According to federal data, 59% of people age 65 and older living in poverty use the internet in their homes, compared to 98% of low-income adults ages 18-49.