Pike Market Senior Center, one of the Senior Hubs funded by the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL), launched a program called AgeWise TV that will bring learning and fitness opportunities directly to senior’s homes. With senior centers pivoting services during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pike Market Senior Center and other senior centers throughout King County were concerned that seniors without access to the internet or smart devices would be missing out on the many web-based programs that were being offered. Through collaboration with other centers the idea for AgeWise TV was born.
Connecting seniors through their TVs
Supported by VSHSL senior hub funding and funding through the Seattle Human 
Services Department and Aging and Disability Services, Pike Market Senior Center partnered with The Seattle Channel to air customized programs for seniors on TV, making content more accessible for seniors. Concerned that some elders who may greatly benefit from web-based social engagement may lack internet access or devices to connect to the internet, and realizing that many older adults have television access regardless of whether they have internet access, The Seattle Channel became a perfect avenue to bring programs offering learning, fitness and connection opportunities directly to seniors.
“We wanted a way to serve older adults who are missing out on learning and fitness opportunities while our center and senior centers throughout Seattle are serving seniors remotely due to COVID-19,” said Pike Market Senior Center director Jeanne Falls.
Seattle film producer and director Kay D. Ray along with editor Susan Merrill created ten one-hour TV programs with The Seattle Channel. Older adults will be able to enjoy and take an active part in Yoga and Tai Chi classes from senior center instructors, arts projects from Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA), and watch documentaries by local filmmakers.
Senior centers and organizations across King County joined together to contribute video content to be aired on The Seattle Channel.
AgeWise TV premiere
The first AgeWise TV episode will air on The Seattle Channel (channel 21 on Comcast and Wave) on Thursday, June 25th at 1 pm. The episode will air again on Saturday, June 27th at 1pm. The first episode will feature Pike Market Senior Center yoga and fitness instructors, BIMA Art In Action – Making Heart Maps and documentary films by Seattle filmmaker Patricia Boiko ”The Corporal’s Boots,” and “Living With Memory Loss; In Our Own Words” created by the Greenwood Senior Center. Programs will air at 1 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.
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