Every May, the nation observes Older Americans Month (OAM) to recognize the contributions of older adults, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to helping older adults thrive in their communities.

The 2025 OAM national theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes, dispel misconceptions, and to approach aging with innovative solutions to meet the needs of older adults.

The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) invests in an innovative approach to supporting seniors to age well in their communities of choice and to remain stably housed, even if they live alone. The investment, called Housing Stability Strategy 5: Senior Villages, is a comprehensive strategy to support diverse and low-income seniors to age in place by fostering models that promote mutual support, resource sharing, and social connection among members. These geographically or culturally focused communities enable seniors to remain stably housed and thrive through tailored services and opportunities for meaningful engagement.

Senior Villages

King County’s senior population is growing rapidly. Currently, seniors aged 55 and older make up 25% of the King County population, and by 2050, seniors are expected to represent 35% of the total population. Low-income seniors are at an increased risk for housing instability, houselessness, and displacement due to the rising cost of living in our region and the lack of sufficient affordable and accessible housing. In addition to housing instability, seniors are at an increased risk for loneliness and in particular, social isolation, which is characterized by having few social interactions, relationships, and social roles or group memberships. Social isolation has been linked with a significant increase in premature death from all causes and is most common among people with disabilities, people who are financially insecure, and those who live alone.

The VSHSL Senior Villages investment funded eight partners, starting in January 2025, to establish senior villages or to build upon existing senior villages.

The previous VSHSL demonstrated the effectiveness of the senior village model, which encourages neighbors to help neighbors in creating a network for social connections, supports, and intergenerational volunteer opportunities that allow King County residents to remain in their communities and homes. The current VSHSL, which was renewed in 2023, built upon that success and redefined the village concept as a housing stability strategy, to reflect the benefits of King County residents aging in place and remaining stably housed in their communities. This model enables older adults to receive informal care and support from neighbors and fellow village members, helping people stay connected, active, and living where they choose, potentially delaying or preventing institutional care or displacement from communities.

“Our story is about one volunteer, Jane*, who impacted multiple Village members. Jane is herself a ‘young’ senior, over 55 but still active and vibrant. In 2024, she gave 127 rides, compared with 55 from the next highest driver. Over the course of these rides, she endeared herself to every one of her many passengers. They always asked for her and were disappointed if she was not available to drive them. Besides the round trips to medical care, she’d take them on errands or out to lunch. She helped people in their homes, often going beyond the expected or reported hours. One member had at least 26 visits from her. She delivered food when she saw the need. She’d comfort people who were infirm, including those whose lives were in decline. At least a dozen seniors repeatedly expressed appreciation for Jane. One was hospitalized and then in rehab and then had no one looking after her needs upon returning home. Jane checked in on her, brought her supplies, and most importantly, helped to keep the Village member’s spirits buoyed in difficult times. Another Village member was spiraling into the depths of dementia. Jane made more than 26 visits to her. Most were weekly and lasted for at least 2 hours. These visits provided respite for both family and paid caregivers as well as helping the Villager. Village members trust that Jane has their back,” shared, Fran Brooks, Village Manager, Vashon Senior Center Village.

*Not her real name

Senior villages can also organize programs that look like “senior centers without walls,” which means offering the kinds of activities senior centers provide but not necessarily within a single physical location. These activities may include food access, health and wellness supports, lifelong education, system navigation, and connections to social services. Villages may also offer culturally specific and in-language programs that other senior programs or centers aren’t offering, filling gaps in the senior services system within King County.

“One of the first areas where we saw a positive impact from our services was sharing resources as many of our seniors were unable to navigate the resources available for them because of a language barrier, here we jump to navigate the system and inform seniors about their rights and help them to get these rights. N, a senior with impaired vision, was unable to work and struggled to afford his rent and bills. We assisted him in applying for Social Security Income (SSI) and continued to follow up with the Social Security Administration to ensure his application was completed. Language barriers also continue to be a big issue to our seniors, so we continue our partnership with Highline College, which includes offering ESL classes to our seniors. One of our seniors who initially felt frustrated when shopping alone due to the language barrier. After attending these classes, she gained the confidence to shop independently and meet her needs,” shared Hamsa Aljwahri, Program Coordinator, Iraqi Community Center of WA.

In 2024, 1,154 individuals engaged in Senior Village programs and 84% were “actively engaged” by participating in activities in two or more quarters of 2024.

Within this challenging federal landscape, community members are relying even more heavily on Senior Villages, and other locally funded providers, for access to essential resources, services, and supports. The work of Senior Villages is more critical than ever to help ensure that older adults in King County can age well with health, independence, and dignity.

Older Americans Month 

King County Executive Shannon Braddock issued a proclamation acknowledging the important role older adults play in our community and the responsibility we have to ensure the continued health, happiness, and engagement of older adults in King County. Executive Braddock proclaimed the month of May 2025 to be Older Americans Month.