For older adults, access to programs and services that help them maintain their independence is crucial. But more often than not, resources aren’t readily available, and barriers like financial limitations, a lack of transportation, or health conditions keep older adults from thriving.
A recent article published in Prevention Science highlights a local model for senior health and wellness that has been quietly changing lives across King County. And while the journal feature is an exciting milestone, the true headline is the story behind it: a successful partnership funded by the King County Department of Community and Human Services’ Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) that proves how structured support can break down barriers and connect older adults to programs that support health and wellness.
Investing in proven, culturally specific senior health programming
The voter-approved Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy introduced a landmark investment in senior health promotion, helping older adults sustain and improve their physical and mental health.
This investment funds 14 community partner organizations that are helping address critical aspects of healthy aging, including physical activity, chronic disease prevention, fall prevention, and mental health care for communities experiencing significant health disparities, including low-income communities, Black and brown communities, and immigrant and refugee communities. Programs like EnhanceFitness for physical activity and fall prevention programs like SAIL and Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance have helped seniors get connected to the care they need.
Improving senior health in King County
Across King County, these efforts have reached more than 4,600 older adults, offering life-changing programming in over 19 languages. In 2025, nearly 2,000 older adults were served. In total, 76% of older adults experienced improvements in health and wellbeing including improved physical fitness, ability to manage health conditions, cognitive abilities, depression symptoms, ability to self-manage hypertension and more. Behind these figures are real individuals finding renewed strength, confidence, and connection every single day.
One example is Ethiopian Community in Seattle (ECS). This organization’s Promotion of Seniors Health Program (POSH) empowers local seniors with health and wellness education, health fairs with medical screenings, classes designed specifically for senior mobility and wellness, and nutritional support. Participants in this program have shared how the programs have impacted their health and well-being:
Restoring Mobility and Confidence
Physical activity can feel daunting when managing chronic conditions. One participant recalled being initially hesitant due to pain and stiffness, but joining the POSH program changed her perspective. “Exercising with others my age showed me that movement is possible and safe,” she shared. “Now I walk more and feel stronger.” Another POSH participant agreed, noting that working out alongside peers turned exercise into a welcoming community experience.
Honoring Cultural Heritage in Wellness
Culturally relevant nutrition education respects participants’ backgrounds rather than asking them to give up traditional foods. Seniors learned to make impactful health tweaks—like using less oil or adding more vegetables—while preserving meals that were familiar and culturally significant. As a POSH participant noted, “I learned how to eat better without losing our culture. That made it easier to continue at home.”
Empowering Health Literacy
Greater health knowledge has helped participants shift from feeling anxious to advocating for themselves. Instead of fearing their diagnoses, seniors report feeling informed and prepared during medical visits. “Now I understand my health better,” a POSH participant explained. “I know what questions to ask my doctor and how to take care of myself.”
Healing Isolation Through Connection
Beyond physical health, the program has offered a vital remedy for isolation. Having a weekly routine and sharing meals with people from similar backgrounds has restored a deep sense of belonging. As one senior reflected, “this program changed how I see aging. I feel more active, more informed, and more hopeful. It’s not just about health—it’s about belonging and feeling valued.”
Power of partnership
No single organization can solve complex community health challenges alone. To provide additional support to the 14 community partner organizations, the levy also enlisted a partnership of two organizations in a special support role:
- Sound Generations is a local multi-service non-profit that is a national leader in evidence-based fall prevention and health promotion programming.
- The University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center (UW HPRC) conducts community-based research promoting the health and well-being of middle-aged and older adults in collaboration with local, regional, and national partners.
Together, these organizations advised on evaluation tools, provided hands-on supports and coaching, and facilitated regular gatherings to share successes and navigate challenges. The organizations also supported community providers in implementing culturally tailored health programs and capacity building. This collaboration established a national model that could be replicated across the country.
Moving Forward: A proven blueprint for the future
The national journal feature in Prevention Science highlights what we observe locally every day: the entire community benefits when you invest in partnership infrastructure, technical assistance, and grassroots capacity.
By pairing community expertise and cultural wisdom with strategic institutional support, King County has established a sustainable blueprint for healthy aging. Because the levy funded the right foundational support, thousands of King County elders are living with greater dignity, health, confidence, and community connection.