Respiratory illness is on the rise in Oregon. Talk to your health care provider about the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines available to you. 

Call 503-988-8939 for the latest information on how and where to get a vaccine. Phone interpreters are available. 

Call or check the website of your healthcare provider or local pharmacy to learn if they offer the vaccine. 

If living in assisted living or a care home, ask the facility staff how to get a vaccine. 

Visit multco.us/winter-illness for the latest updates. 

Remember this rhyme: Take it slow when there's rain and snow

Winter has arrived, and along with it comes wet and sometimes icy pathways, sidewalks and streets. One in four older adults falls every year, so it’s a good time to learn how to prevent falls from happening.

• Wear appropriate footwear, such as slip-resistant shoes or boots with a treaded sole.
• Take your time. 
• Use a backpack instead of a bag. Keeping our hands free helps us to keep our balance and gives us a chance to grab ahold of our surroundings for support if we begin to slip. 
• Look down for slippery floors. As we go indoors, we can track snow and water onto the floor. Remember to glance downward, wipe your feet and step carefully as you enter a building. 
• Use extra caution getting in and out of vehicles. Before you step out, tap the pavement with your foot to check if it’s slippery. Hold on to the car for support as you get in and out. 
• Consider using walking sticks, a cane or a walker. While we may not need them all the time, it can be a good idea to bring walking aids with us when we venture outside during the winter.

Learn more about falls and falls prevention. 

Community Action offers utility bill assistance

As the weather gets colder, most people will experience higher energy and heating bills. Community Action Organization (CAO) continues to provide assistance for heating expenses, including electricity, natural gas, propane, oil, pellets and wood. They can also assist in no-heat situations to repair or replace existing heating units that no longer work.

CAO’s Weatherization program also allows for repair or replacement of existing air conditioning and heating units (not window or portable), or for new installations. Both the cooling and the heating program operate year-round. There have also been some changes to income guidelines. Details can be found on the Community Action website.

All WWII veterans are now eligible for VA health care

On November 17, 2023, the Department of Veteran Affairs announced that all World War II veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA inpatient and outpatient health care. Under this expansion, all WWII veterans who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, are now eligible for VA health care, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These veterans will not have to pay inpatient or outpatient copays, enrollment fees or monthly premiums. 

VA is reaching out by phone and mail to encourage WWII veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA care to apply today. Veterans who enroll may also keep their private providers, Medicare and most other insurance to meet their health care needs. 

To apply for VA health care, visit VA’s health care enrollment website, call 1-800-698-2411, or visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic. 

If you are a veteran or know one who needs assistance with their benefits, please contact DAVS at 503-846-3060 to schedule an appointment with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO).

Not sure what a VSO does? Watch our video, “How VSOs Help Veterans Access Their Benefits.” 

Stand Down a success

The fifth annual Washington County Veteran Stand Down was held on November 3. This one-day resource fair for veterans provided access to critical housing, health care and employment services. County programs attending were Veteran Services, SHIBA, Aging and Disability Services Housing Advocacy, and Public Health.

This year’s employment services component was enhanced with a job fair that included 12 employers as well as job assistance programs. Additionally, medical services were provided on site including a dental van, foot care, high blood pressure screenings, general health screenings and screenings for traumatic brain injury. More than six pallets of clothing and outdoor gear were distributed to veterans in attendance, including sleeping bags, folding cots, jackets, shirts, hats, gloves, hygiene kits and thermal clothing.

In total, 50 service providers offered a broad range of services including health care, housing, legal assistance, peer to peer support, pet supplies, and much more.



Many people commented on the positive atmosphere and number of resources available. The event was well attended with more families and younger veterans participating.

Relatives as Parents Program partners with The Angels in the Outfield

We partnered with the all-volunteer nonprofit organization The Angels in the Outfield to provide holiday gifts for families participating in our Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP). Their mission is to brighten the lives of children who have been impacted by crime, abuse or neglect. With the support of The Angels in the Outfield, we provided 28 children from 13 families with holiday gifts this year!

Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative activities

Health Online: Finding information you can trust  

Wednesday, January 10, 3-4:30 p.m. 

Tigard Public Library 

13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard 97223 

There is nothing wrong with going online to search for information. Technology is a big part of today’s world and is only going to be used more and more. What is important is how we use the information we find online to maintain our health and help us make health care decisions. Learn how to use technology to find reliable and credible information.

Be the Connection 

Thursday, January 25, 10-11:30 a.m. 

Hillsboro Community Senior Center 

750 SE 8th Ave., Hillsboro 97123

Learn about the impact of loneliness and isolation on older adults, who is at risk of loneliness, and how to support meaningful connections for older adults. 

Healthy living for your brain and body  

Tuesday, January 30, 1-2:30 p.m.  

Aloha Community Library 

17455 SW Farmington Rd. Ste 26A, Aloha 97007 

Join us to learn how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Get hands-on tools that help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.  

Aging attitudes 

Wednesday, February 14, 3-4:30 p.m.

Tigard Public Library  

13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard 97223



What comes to mind when you think of aging? Research tells us that our beliefs about aging impact how well and how long we live. In this program, learn where our ageist beliefs come from and how to identify them in our lives. Start to uncover and reset your own internalized negative age beliefs by debunking age myths. Get an easy-to-use tool to become a positive champion of aging for yourself and future generations.

Aging and Veteran Services Advisory Council (AVSAC)

We are recruiting for volunteers to advise and support Disability, Aging and Veteran Services, the designated Area Agency on Aging for Washington County. In the year ahead, we will be engaging in a community needs assessment and developing our 2025-2029 Area Plan. If you live in Washington County, are over the age of 60, and want to advocate for quality services and supports that enable older adults to thrive in community, participation on the Aging & Veteran Services Advisory Council may be for you!  

Visit the DAVS Advisory Council web page for more information and to apply today!

Next AVSAC meeting

Thursday, January 18, 9-11 a.m. 

In person at 5240 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 300 in Hillsboro 

Or join via Zoom  

Meeting ID: 891 5444 3490



Passcode: 388523 

Call in (audio only): +12532050468,89154443490# 

We welcome guests and invite public comment on the issues facing older adults and veterans in our community.