Northwest Public Health Fall/Winter 2007

Volume 24, Number 2

Public Health Serves the New Elderly

Viewpoint. The Changing Expectations of Aging
Denise Klein
The director of Senior Services in Seattle suggests that although the Baby Boomers expectations of old age differ from those of earlier generations, their concerns remain the same—family, purpose, choice.

Bracing for the Boomers
Pamela Piering
A look at what the demographics suggest public health can expect from the coming wave of aging Baby Boomers.

Caring About the Rural Elderly
Sheryl Lowe
A rural Washington county assessed the needs of its elderly and found a new direction for creating age-friendly communities.

Maintaining Mobility for an Aging Population
Nathan D. Johnson and Uwe Reischl
When physical or mental changes make it difficult to drive safely, many seniors find themselves isolated from the services they need and the activities that once filled their lives. The authors look at short- and long-term solutions.

Quelling a Norovirus Outbreak
Christine Gray, John Felton, and Ellen Wangsmo
In spring 2006, the largest reported outbreak of norovirus sickened more than 1,100 people in the Billings area, particularly in long-term care facilities. A local health department describes its interventions.

Interpreting Elder Abuse Among Alaska Natives
Kathleen Graves, Brian Saylor, and Louise Shavings
Little is known about the scope and nature of elder abuse and neglect among Alaska Natives. The authors report on the comments of a focus group of Alaska Native Elders about perceptions of elder abuse and points to consider when communicating with Native clients about abuse. Resources related to this article.

Partnering for Healthy Aging in a Small Town
Amelia Knopf
A small town in Washington State participated in the AdvantAge Initiative and developed ways to improve the elder friendliness of the community.

Walking the Talk, Together
Maggie Jones
In Seattle’s Asian community, an intergenerational program brings youth and seniors together for fun and community activism.

Enhancing Healthy Aging
Susan Snyder and Basia Belza
Improving health depends in part on regular exercise and managing chronic diseases. The Enhance Project offers research-supported activities for the elderly to increase their exercise and improve their pysical and mental health.

Regional Preparedness Efforts for Seniors:

Seniors Reaching Out to Seniors. Idelle Badt
Puget Sound Windstorm 2006 Teaches Lessons. Cynthia Dold and Carlos Dominguez
Anchorage Disaster Registry: A Lifesaver for the Vulnerable. Nathan D. Johnson

From the Dean: Not Your Grandparents’ Golden Years

From the Editor

Northwest Region at a Glance. Northwest Elders: Selected Demographics and Health Indicators

Web Special: Public Health’s Aging Workforce, Aging Leaders Hilary Heishman

Web Special: Annotated Resources on the Elderly Laura Larsson

Complete Fall/Winter 2007 issue (low resolution PDF)

Spotlight on Research

Info Northwest Public Health Fall/Winter 2007 Volume 24, Number 2 Public Health Serves the New Elderly Viewpoint. The Changing Expectations of Aging Denise Klein The director of Senior Services in Seattle suggests that although the Baby Boomers expectations of old age differ from those of earlier generations, their concerns remain the same—family, purpose, choice. Bracing for the Boomers Pamela Piering A look at what the demographics suggest public health can expect from the coming wave of aging Baby Boomers. Caring About the Rural Elderly Sheryl Lowe A rural Washington county assessed the needs of its elderly and found a new direction for creating age-friendly communities. Maintaining Mobility for an Aging Population Nathan D. Johnson and Uwe Reischl When physical or mental changes make it difficult to drive safely, many seniors find themselves isolated from the services they need and the activities that once filled their lives. The authors look at short- and long-term solutions. Quelling a Norovirus Outbreak Christine Gray, John Felton, and Ellen Wangsmo In spring 2006, the largest reported outbreak of norovirus sickened more than 1,100 people in the Billings area, particularly in long-term care facilities. A local health department describes its interventions. Interpreting Elder Abuse Among Alaska Natives Kathleen Graves, Brian Saylor, and Louise Shavings Little is known about the scope and nature of elder abuse and neglect among Alaska Natives. The authors report on the comments of a focus group of Alaska Native Elders about perceptions of elder abuse and points to consider when communicating with Native clients about abuse. Resources related to this article. Partnering for Healthy Aging in a Small Town Amelia Knopf A small town in Washington State participated in the AdvantAge Initiative and developed ways to improve the elder friendliness of the community. Walking the Talk, Together Maggie Jones In Seattle’s Asian community, an intergenerational program brings youth and seniors together for fun and community activism. Enhancing Healthy Aging Susan Snyder and Basia Belza Improving health depends in part on regular exercise and managing chronic diseases. The Enhance Project offers research-supported activities for the elderly to increase their exercise and improve their pysical and mental health. Regional Preparedness Efforts for Seniors: Seniors Reaching Out to Seniors. Idelle Badt Puget Sound Windstorm 2006 Teaches Lessons. Cynthia Dold and Carlos Dominguez Anchorage Disaster Registry: A Lifesaver for the Vulnerable. Nathan D. Johnson From the Dean: Not Your Grandparents’ Golden Years From the Editor Northwest Region at a Glance. Northwest Elders: Selected Demographics and Health Indicators Web Special: Public Health’s Aging Workforce, Aging Leaders Hilary Heishman Web Special: Annotated Resources on the Elderly Laura Larsson Complete Fall/Winter 2007 issue (low resolution PDF) Spotlight on Research

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Northwest Public Health Fall/Winter 2007