“I used to fixate on my failures,” she said. “Nikki helped me re-direct my focus to the successes I’d had.”

These days, Karla feels like herself again. She’s lost weight, sleeps better and has more energy. She is also less dependent on medication, has normal cholesterol levels and is no longer pre-diabetic.

To stay active, she takes Sound Generations’ Hyde Shuttle.

“I want to ride Hyde all the time,” she said. “They have a lot of compassion for their clients and go out of their way to make sure they’re taken care of.”

Karla is very grateful for how these programs have improved her health and happiness.

“I feel like a success,” she said. “I know now I can make positive changes in my life.”

A year ago, 67 year-old Karla Nuss was not in a good place—physically or emotionally.

While she’d lived for many years with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, she had always had an active lifestyle. But when a new health issue developed causing excruciating pain in her shoulders, it threw her life off course.

“I felt terrible,” Karla said. “Even after the pain went away, I’d gained weight, I was sleeping poorly, and I’d become pre-diabetic. When you can’t stand for long periods, you don’t have a lot of energy. I’d end up snacking on whatever was within reach, or eating out of stress, which was not healthy.”

Determined to feel better, Karla signed up for Sound Generations’ EnhanceWellness—an evidence-based program that helps people accomplish their health goals. Counselor Nikki Bagli helped her develop a plan to improve her life.

“Working with Nikki was life changing,” Karla said. “She gave me a sense of accountability, and helped me break my big goal of losing weight into small goals such as starting a food journal.”

Another important lesson she learned: the power of forgiving herself.

Finding the Power to Change

Positive AgingSENIOR SERVICES IS NOW SOUND GENERATIONS WINTER 2017

EnhanceWellness helps people accomplish their health goals by pairing them with counselors who help develop personalized health action plans. To learn more, call 206.448.5725.

Hyde Shuttles provide door-to-door van service for older adults and adults with disabilities throughout many communities in King County. Rides are free but donations are welcome.To schedule a ride, call 206.727.6262

Senior Services is now Sound Generations WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER 1

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR:

Welcome to 2017, our 50th anniversary year. Since 1967 we have continued to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of elders in our communities. Throughout this year, we’ll share more of our history and celebrate the milestones that marked our journey over the past decade.

Today, we look at the future and introduce new partners to you, our loyal supporters.

Dr. Paula Houston resigned last month as our Chief Executive Officer. We thank her for three years of strong leadership.

The Sound Generations board is committed to maintaining our mission and services that help older adults and adults with disabilities in our communities. Your support is critical to our success on their behalf. Thank you.

As we’ve explained over the past few years – in this newsletter, the media and other communications – traditional support for these programs for some of our most vulnerable neighbors has shifted dramatically.

In November 2016, the Board contracted with the Third Sector Company and its community partner, Jan Glick & Associates, to help us clarify our financial situation and develop a plan for the future. These two firms are highly skilled and have a history of working successfully with non-profit organizations.

With the change in leadership, we decided to retain two members of the Third Sector Company’s team to serve in key interim executive roles. Susan Doerr, with many years of experience in health and long term care, will serve as our interim Chief Executive Officer. Patty Grossman, a seasoned financial expert, will serve as our interim Chief Financial Officer.

In this time of opportunity and change, we believe that the strong, collaborative relationship between the board leadership, our interim executives and senior management will allow us to develop a clear and stable plan in the months ahead. We look forward to sharing more information with you in the future.

Sincerely,

Mark Stensager Chair, Sound Generations Board of Directors

Dear Friends,Positive Aging is a publication of Sound Generations, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit soundgenerations.org. Or, call 206.448.5757.

SOUND GENERATIONS PROGRAMS• Community Dining

• Family Caregiver Support

• Health & Wellness

• Hyde Shuttle

• Meals on Wheels + Mobile Market

• Minor Home Repair

• Pathways Information & Assistance

• Senior Rights Assistance

• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)

• Volunteer Transportation

COMMUNITY PARTNER SITES• Ballard NW Senior Center

• Central Area Senior Center

• Lake City Seniors

• Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center

• Sno-Valley Senior Center

• Southeast Seattle Senior Center

• Senior Center of West Seattle

Connect with UsTo stay in the loop about special events, volunteer opportunities and other news, visit us at soundgenerations.org to sign up for our email newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Senior Services is now Sound Generations WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER2

DID YOU KNOW… Sound Generations’ Pathways Information & Assistance provides free, personalized support for King County residents of all ages?

The next time you need help navigating local resources, call, email or visit our website to find a full range of information for King County’s seniors, people with disabilities and those who care for them. We are available Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM, and can help with issues such as housing, in-home support, Medicaid, transportation and many other areas.

206.448.3110 | 888.435.3377 | TTY: WA Relay 7-1-1info@soundgenerations.org

Interpreter services are available

“ Thank you for calling me back quickly and answering all of my questions. I feel much more prepared and know where to turn if I have questions and need support.” – A King County resident who called Pathways after his mother began showing signs of dementia.

Kay Jun, Community Support Specialist

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: MICROSOFTMore than a donor, Microsoft

is a true champion of our region’s seniors. This past holiday season, the company mobilized more than 1,000 employees to donate gift cards to local seniors, who use them to buy necessities such as warm coats and groceries. As Holly McNeill, our social worker at Senior Center of West Seattle, told us, “The gift cards are always so appreciated by people who often struggle to get by each month. One of our seniors couldn’t pay her heating bill. The Safeway gift cards you donated helped her with her groceries, just before the holiday!”

Adding to the impact of the gifts, Microsoft matches employee donations, providing much-needed funds for our programs.

In addition, Microsoft Philanthropies recently provided Sound Generations with a $10,000 grant and a donation of software valued at more than $400,000--support that makes a huge difference in our ability to serve King County seniors. We’re grateful to call Microsoft a partner!

Above: Distributing gifts at Park Place Assisted Living

Senior Services is now Sound Generations WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER 3

The back of this page is a flyer that you can

post at your workplace, senior center, place of

worship, or anywhere else in your community.

HELP US SPREAD

THE WORD

The 2016 Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon brought together more than 300 people from across King County.

We hope to see you at this year’s celebration! Tickets available at: inspire-award.org/registration.

Since 2006, Sound Generations has granted the Inspire Positive Aging Award to local seniors who uplift those around them and exemplify what it means to age well. This year, for the first time, we will recognize recipients in seven different categories: Advocacy + Activism, Community Service, Health + Wellness, Intergenerational Impact, Lifelong Learning, Defining Inspiration and Outstanding Team.

All nominees will be honored at the Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon on April 20, 2017, and receive complimentary tickets to this celebratory event.

To nominate someone, visit inspire-award.org. Or, call 206.727.6267 to request a paper form. We can’t to hear about who inspires you!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Nominees must be 60 years of age or older and live in King County. The nomination process is free and open to the public.

NOMINATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2017

Nominations Now Open for the 12th Annual Inspire Positive Aging Awards

Senior Services is now Sound Generations WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER4

Is there an older adult who inspires you?

Nominate them for Sound Generations’

Now in its 12th year, IPAA

celebrates older adults in

King County who inspire us

to age well.

Nominate someone today at:

inspire-award.orgDeadline: March 1, 2017

This event is brought to you by

Is there an older adult who inspires you?Nominate them for Sound Generations’

2208 Second Ave, Ste 100 Seattle WA 98121-2055

soundgenerations.org

Non-profit OrgUS PostagePAIDSeattle, WAPermit No. 1148

Positive AgingSENIOR SERVICES IS NOW SOUND GENERATIONS WINTER 2017

50thANNIVERSARY!

IT’S OURSince 1967, Sound Generations has provided King County’s seniors with care, compassion and community…and we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for your ongoing support.

LOOKING FOR FUN WAYS TO GET INVOLVED?We have many volunteer roles for upcoming special events. Help make the magic happen behind the scenes, welcome guests as a greeter, or lend your creativity to promotion. Opportunities include:

• Ongoing Birthday Lunches and ‘Rainbow Bingo’ events at our Community Partner Sites throughout King County

• The Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon, April 20, 2017 at The Hilton Bellevue

Individuals and corporate groups are welcome.

To learn more, email development@soundgenerations.org. Or, call 206.448.5757.

Senior Services is now Sound Generations WINTER 2017 NEWSLETTER 6