Category: Programs

Workforce educational trainings that specialize in older adult mental health

Posted on by Aaron Jin

The healthcare system is facing a crisis in older adult care.

The United States has an increasingly large population of older adults, which is only projected to continue rising in the years ahead. Yet the number of healthcare professionals specializing in geriatric care is in sharp decline. Those who specialize in mental health care for older adults present an even smaller number.

Even in graduate programs, emphasis on working with older adults is limited, creating knowledge gaps across all disciplines in the healthcare industry. As a result, aging care professionals across specialties are reporting a need for more training now, before the crisis escalates.

The Elder Education Institute steps in to fill the gap

Sound Generations’ Elder Education Institute provides professional-level trainings for clinicians and service providers who work with older adults’ unique mental health concerns.

While Sound Generations is based in King County, EEI reaches professionals nationwide with virtual workshops throughout the year, all taught by experts in the geriatric mental health field from around the country.

One of the few programs of its kind in the U.S., EEI helps to fill critical knowledge gaps and provides CEUs to maintain licensure for healthcare professionals.

Upcoming Elder Education Institute workshops

EEI runs numerous programs for older adult mental health training, from working with older adults with personality disorders to supporting those dealing with loss and grief.

One highly specialized program, a 24-credit decision-making-capacity assessment program, is the only training of its kind in country.  While in graduate school, healthcare workers typically learn only one or two basic assessment tests to help determine a person’s capacity to make important decisions about their lives. More in-depth assessments help to better identify a person’s true capacity for decision making and can help prevent elder abuse and exploitation.

In September, EEI is offering a vital workshop series called Older Adults on the Margins, focusing on working with two highly marginalized groups – older adults who are unhoused and older adults in re-entry after incarceration. Both groups experience significant and unique mental health challenges that most often go unrecognized and untreated.

Ultimately, EEI draws both a spotlight to one of our largest healthcare shortfalls and equips healthcare professionals and other service providers to successfully meet the demand.

Learn more about the Elder Education Institute at soundgenerations.org/eldereducationinstitute/

Meals on Wheels is More Than a Meal

Posted on by Aaron Jin
a Meals on Wheels driver smiles with a client

For seniors, ready-to-eat meals provide more than just nourishment

In King County, nearly 40,000 people 60 or older experience food insecurity. The reasons behind this scarcity are numerous and varied. Seniors may have financial challenges, health conditions that render them homebound, transportation difficulties or a lack of consistent energy to shop for and prepare meals. On top of that, food security issues often compound, leaving seniors more vulnerable to health concerns, cognitive degeneration and social isolation.

But it’s not all bad news. For many of these aging adults, Sound Generations’ Meals on Wheels program is not just a life-altering resource, it’s a cup-filling lifeline for social engagement, holistic wellness and care.

Nutritious meals help aging adults thrive

Meals on Wheels is designed to tackle the many intersectional issues of food insecurity. Their ready-to-eat meals are not only accessible through consistent, organized home deliveries, they are nutritious, balanced and tailored to the recipient (and their caregivers). Their effective nutritional programs provide meals with ingredients that are healthy as well as culturally relevant to the individual. As a result, the meals not only provide a needed boost to overall vitality, they are truly enjoyed. With specialized options like vegetarian and kosher meals, the program provides seniors with a reliable, convenient way to maintain their independence and enjoy a healthy diet.

King County Meals on Wheels delivers more than food

Another important factor is the social lift meal deliveries can provide. Meals on Wheels both fosters relationships between drivers and recipients and creates opportunities for more connection across other Sound Generations community-based services. Crucially, Meals on Wheels also provides a consistent wellness check for those over 60, so participants remain healthy, safe and secure while living independently in their own homes.

Meals on Wheels would not be possible without the generous support of local donors. To make a major impact on the quality of life for older adults in King County, volunteer or donate to Sound Generations’ Meals on Wheels today.

Caregiver Support Gives To Caregivers

Posted on by Noah Thomas

Having support is key to maintaining your own emotional & physical health.

Our Caregiver advocates offer free, confidential and personalized services to unpaid caregivers residing in King County who are caring for an adult 18 years old or older.

Whether you do the grocery shopping for your parents, run errands for a neighbor, or are caring for a spouse with a chronic condition, we are here for you. We listen to you and your family, and help you identify goals to improve your caregiving experience.

Sound Generations: Inspiring Positive Aging Since 1967

Posted on by Noah Thomas

Sound Generations supports people on their aging journey through community connections and accessible services.

We are the most comprehensive non-profit agency serving older adults, people with disabilities and their loved ones in Washington State. Established in 1967, we promote positive aging for thousands of seniors and their families each year through our integrated system of quality programs and senior centers. Our work is made possible by more than 200 employees and 2,300 volunteers.

Building Community One Meal at a Time

Posted on by Noah Thomas

Community Dining is comprised of 19 dining sites that pre-pandemic, were congregate meals sites to increase socialization and peer connections. Most of them now function as congregate AND delivery or to-go meal service sites. What makes this program so unique is that each site’s meals cater to the cultural or ethnic group represented by the individuals that frequent the site.

That said, we have seen a huge increase in marginalized and underserved populations of older adults accessing the meals while showing and needing more than just a meal. Currently, there are no senior centers that make assisting East African Seniors a priority. We see a need to expand our robust senior programming for those who present seen and unseen needs beyond a meal in this community. With your support we hope to raise over the $225,000 needed in seed money to launch phase one of programming. Support us today at https://app.mobilecause.com/f/1o3y/n?vid=s4a2c

Celebrating National Senior Center Month

Posted on by Noah Thomas

September is National Senior Center Month, and Sound Generations is celebrating our senior center partner sites that stepped up and continued to deliver these vital connections and for older adults during the pandemic. Sound Generations’ affiliated senior centers connect older adults, their friends, and their families to their local community. Members and visitors are invited to partake in range of activities including wellness classes, arts and crafts, card and board games, community dinners, special events, and holiday celebrations. In addition to enrichment activities, the senior centers provide older adults access to warm nutritious meals and healthcare resources. For more information, head to: https://soundgenerations.org/senior-centers.