Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging

06/12/2026

Near retirement? Work part-time?

You may be contributing to, and earning, WA Cares Fund benefits.

Already retired?

Pro-rated benefits may be available as well as other long-term care options.

LMTAAA offers local support for planning long-term care. Give us a call to talk it over at no cost: 360-664-2168.

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[Photo description: Older adult restaurant worker stands behind the counter holding a tray of used dishes. Two co-workers can be seen in the background.]

06/11/2026

Are you an older adult or an adult living with disability who can't get to the doctor? Whether its unreliable transportation, difficulties getting around, or the lack of a ride, challenges can feel overwhelming.

Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging is here to help! We connect community members with public, private and volunteer transportation options near them.

Services near you could include:

✏️ Travel Training (learn how to use public transportation, including out of your county, for free)

🗺️ Trip Planner (plot dates, times, and routes ahead of time)

👥 Bus Buddies (people who will ride with you)

Find a complete online directory of resources available in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties at [link]: https://lmtaaa.org/transportation-for-myself. Many are free.

[Photo description: A man using a wheelchair navigates onto a shuttle lift.]

06/05/2026

Fraudsters trick people into signing up for hospice by offering “free” services like house-cleaning or medical equipment. Never give out your Medicare Number and never sign anything in exchange for “free” services — it’s a scam!
Always talk to your doctor before signing up for any medical-related service or supplies. If you suspect fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or go online: https://go.medicare.gov/4x4SPdI.

06/04/2026

Memory Cafes give people living with dementia and their care partners a place to enjoy time with others.

Join us on June 12th for a free, in-person session on how to start one in your community. The presentation will be given by the UW Brain and Wellness Center.

You’ll learn the basics and hear what makes these gatherings work.

Spaces are limited. Show your interest today through this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/AuXu3fXiqX?origin=lprLink

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[Photo description: Two older adult women sit side by side. One reads a book aloud to another.]

06/02/2026

Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging (LMTAAA) is using community feedback to shape its 2027-2030 Area Plan, which sets local priorities for aging services and supports. Recently, LMTAAA asked people who live, work, or help someone in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties to share what it takes to age well.

📝 Nearly 300 people responded, the strongest showing yet for the agency’s Area Plan process which happens every four years. People shared what life looks like as they age, care for others, or try to stay independent. Their answers reveal communities in need of support:

💵 47% say the top issue facing older adults is having enough money to live on.

🫂 37% provide unpaid help or care for a family member, friend or neighbor.

👥 25% of those participants are providing 40+ hours of care a week.

🍎 17% find it challenging to eat nutritious food.

💵 86% of those respondents say cost is the top reason why.

🏠 51% are worried about being able to make repairs that allow them to stay at home.

📖 The Area Plan is finalized by October then published on the LMTAAA website. The plan is a guide to building supports like meals, caregiving and transportation that solve real community needs.

💻 Your feedback can still be heard. A draft 2027-2030 Area Plan is available for online comment from June 1-30 at LMTAAA.org.

👥 LMTAAA will also hold a hybrid public hearing on Thursday, June 18 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. It will take place at 2404 Heritage Court SW in Olympia. This will be a chance to provide a public comment in real time.

📍 Want to attend from where you are? A Zoom link will be found on the LMTAAA website. Your participation in the hearing will keep the plan grounded in real life.

(Photo description: An older woman sits in a wheelchair against a brick wall backdrop.)

06/01/2026

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) benefit cards will begin arriving at the homes of approved older adults this week.

The program provides $80 for fresh produce at local farmers markets to seniors who meet age and income guidelines.

If you're expecting a card, remember that all funds must be spent by the end of October. Program dollars will not roll over to next summer. Check your balance in the app or call the number on the back of your card. Using your full benefit helps show there's strong need for the program. It also supports continued access to as many local seniors as possible.

If you are expecting a card and do not receive one this week, please give the mail service one more week before reaching out.

If you have not yet applied, this year's program has reached its limit. If you'd like to place your name on the waitlist in case more funds become available, visit [link]: lmtaaa.org/farmersmarket.

This year, benefit cards were claimed faster than ever, with seniors filling over half the spots in week one.

[Photo description: A hand holds a Washington Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefit card against a forest backdrop.]

05/31/2026

Seven in ten of us will need long-term care.

A network of qualified service providers will partner with WA Cares Fund to empower communities with choice.

Learn how to join the WA Cares provider network today [link]:

Local guidance to contract for WA Cares-eligible services in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties. Start your application and find help.

05/30/2026

LMTAAA is a proud partner of Family Education and Support Services.

Each year, FESS holds a statewide contest called The Voices of Children. The event offers a welcoming creative outlet for youth raised by grandparents and other relatives, as well as their caregivers, to express their journeys through poetry, essays, and art.

LMTAAA staff had the privilege to judge submissions for the 13-19 age group. As Contracts Manager Caren Paintner describes:

"The submissions I reviewed were full of love, heartbreak, and appreciation, and really focused on how living with a relative has made a positive difference in their lives ... It was a true honor to hear these stories at an event that was deeply moving, emotional, and inspiring."

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[Photo description: Children and family members attend the 2026 Voices of Children event in Olympia.]

05/29/2026

At the 2026 Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging conference, Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging leadership partnered with our peers at Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington to share lessons learned from our WA Cares pilot and discuss what’s ahead as the program moves toward full launch in July.

WA Cares is Washington’s long-term care benefits program. It helps eligible workers access support when they need long-term care, including services that can help people stay safe and supported at home.

LMTAAA can help community members in Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties explore available options for long-term care, understand the WA Cares benefit, and get no-cost help with the application process.

Learn more at [link]: lmtaaa.org/wa-cares-for-the-public

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[Photo descriptions: LMTAAA leadership are seen in a meeting space setting as they attend and present at the 2026 W4A conference.]