Senior advocates host legislative candidate forum

Senior-citizen advocates, including Snohomish County’s Long Term Care and Aging Division, AARP Washington, the ElderCare Alliance, the Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the Washington State Senior Citizens’ Lobby, are hosting a legislative candidate forum dedicated to aging policy issues and the state’s readiness to meet the needs of the growing numbers of seniors in the state.

This free event, to be held Oct. 9, is one of five similar aging policy forums being held across the state. The forums will include a brief presentation from local seniors, family members and consumer advocates, followed by a moderated discussion with invited legislative candidates and audience question and answer. Among the local candidates who are committed to attend are state Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe (District 1), state Rep. John McCoy (District 38), and state Rep. Hans Dunshee (District 44).

“Declining revenue at the state level has forced deep cuts to long-term services and support programs available to seniors,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. “Yet it is estimated that Washington will need an additional 440,000 paid home-care workers between now and 2030 to meet the rising need for long-term services and support.”

In 2009, persons age 65 and older represented about 12 percent of the state’s population. This is expected to increase to 20 percent by 2030. Washington’s population over age 85 is expected to double by 2030.

This event is free to the public and will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Weyerhaeuser Room, Everett Transit Station, 3201 W. Smith Ave., Everett. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Seating is limited and the public is encouraged to RSVP in advance of the event to Joyce Frasu at 425-388-7377 or j.frasu@snoco.org.