Washington State DSHS

We want to hear from you about how Washington can build Age- and Dementia-Friendly communities. These communities promote high quality of life for each person regardless of age, allowing older people the opportunity to remain active and engaged. Take our Age- and Dementia-Friendly WA Survey to help us create communities that support dignity, independence, and connection for all. Find the survey at the link in the comments.

With outstanding support from our community, Washington state applied for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) this week. Thank you all for sharing your ideas and excitement for this work, and thank you to our partners at Washington State Department of Health and Washington State DSHS for their collaboration.

You can read some of the key documents from our application on our RHTP webpage: https://www.hca.wa.gov/rhtp

The October edition of Caregiving in Action is now available—and it’s packed with updates, inspiration, and resources for Washington’s caregiving community.
This month’s issue features:
• Caregivers Supporting Client Choice
• Helping Caregivers Stay Well During the Darker Fall Months
• Blindness Awareness Month
• Ways to get involved and share your story
Whether you're a caregiver, partner, or advocate, there's something in this issue for you. Find a link to the newsletter in the comments.

More people are needing personal caregiving to remain at home, but the number of available caregivers isn’t keeping up. That’s where remote caregiving comes in.

Using screen-based technology, certified caregivers can support people virtually with medication reminders, daily routines, and friendly check-ins.

- Great when in-person caregivers aren’t available.

- Perfect for those who prefer virtual support.

- Works seamlessly alongside in-person care.

Remote caregiving is helping Washington residents get the care they need with flexibility, reliability, and a personal touch.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

Today kicks off the annual Tribal Initiative Learning Collaborative Summit at the Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center. More than 150 people from five states (Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin) are gathered to represent tribes and state partners working together to strengthen long-term services and supports and home and community-based services for the tribal nations they serve. This event uplifts tribal voices, honors sovereignty, and ensures our Elders and relatives with disabilities receive care that reflects traditional knowledge and access to modern care. The relationships built over the next three days will help create systems of care to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Remote caregiving helps with daily tasks through live video with a caregiver. There's no need for someone to come inside your home.

Certified caregivers from Catholic Community Services offer assistance, equipment, and tech setup. It's a service available to people who qualify for in-home personal care through Washington state’s Medicaid programs and don’t need hands-on assistance, or when hands-on care can be supplemented with remote caregiving.

Learn more at the link in the comments.