The Seniors Program is an essential part of the India Association of Western Washington (IAWW). Its participants are retired, or of retirement age (or younger who have aging relatives and friends), and are interested in the activities and events relevant to the seniors.

Our Mission is: "To provide and facilitate civic, recreational, cultural and educational services and opportunities for cultural integration to the elders of the community."

Since its inception in 1997, the Seniors Program has evolved into a very active organization within IAWW and provides the following programs:

• Annual Health Fair (started in 1998)
• Biannual Music Programs (started in 1998)
• Day Field Trips and Senior Picnic/Walk (started in 2000)
• Monthly Lunch Program (started in 2001)
• Annual Grandchildren's Program (started in 2004)
• Crafts Bazaar, Flea Market and other fun activities (started in 2004)

Additionally, we hold workshops on senior-related services such as Medicare, Social Security, Prescription Drug Programs, Nutrition, etc. We also provide resources for the elderly through liaison with CMS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid), SSA (Social Security Administration), SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors), KCSS (King County Senior Services), and NAPCA (National Asian Pacific Center on Aging).

The Seniors Program is in its 10th year of existence. We are happy with the success of the program and its growth over the years. In addition to sustain the current programs, there is a need to add a few new ones such as transportation for the seniors, hotline, and advocacy. To continue and build on the success, we need more resources - dedicated volunteers, increase in funding through donations, and in-kind support from membership and local senior service agencies.

The Senior Board would like help from the community.
Please contact Pran Wahi, IAWW Seniors Program Coordinator at (206) 838-8157 or E-mail: iawwsenior@hotmail.com

SENIOR PROGRAMS PAST AND FUTURE

Almost ten years since it started, the Senior Program has evolved into an active organization that serves the elderly in the greater Seattle area. Mr. and Mrs. Jay and Sudha Surati and Dr. and Mrs. Pran and Santosh Wahi saw the need for an organization to serve the seniors of Indian origin. Thanks to their foresight and the help from the community, the IAWW Seniors organization has grown in number of members and variety of services offered.

Surati and Wahi, along with Mr. and Mrs. Sat and Urmila Kapahi, Dr. Ashok Bharucha and Dr. Dhaval Dhru, organized the first senior event, a Health Fair, in 1998. It included screenings, free check ups and informative age-related lectures from doctors, expert in their fields. From the initial gathering of 35 people, it has now grown into a major event attended by over a hundred participants. For the attendees it has become an annual ritual of bonding, learning, enjoying and eating together. Many physicians have taken on the responsibilities of organizing the fair. Other physicians and care providers volunteer their time for check ups, screenings and presentations. Several volunteers (even young ones) help with set up, cleaning and serving food.

Seeing the need for entertainment and reminiscing the "good old days of Hindi cinema", the Senior Board organized its first music program by the seniors and for the seniors in 1998. Later, Nirmal Jaidka, an accomplished performer for All India Radio, started helping organize the Fall Music Program by talented senior members, and the Spring Music Program by guest artists. For the past three years she has organized Grandchildren's Variety show. In each program, the attendees are treated not only to melodies and wonderful performances but also delicious tea and snacks.

The Senior Lunch Program, which started once a month in a small room at the Redmond Senior Center in 2001, joined the KCSS aggregate senior lunch program in 2002. Now it is offered in the main hall to all the seniors on the second Thursday of each month (except in December, when it is the first Thursday). It is a good opportunity for the seniors to meet other Indians, and acquaint the senior community at large with Indian culture. Besides "breaking their bread or naan" with non-Indians, the participants are treated to folk and classical music and dances, cooking demonstrations, and informative talks such as: long term care insurance, nutrition, and estate planning.

The "extra curricular activities" of seniors include field trips to Tulip Festival and Tulalip Casino, family walk and picnic, visit to museums, participation in Asian Pacific Health Fair, craft fairs and flea market. In addition, workshops and resources are provided for Medicare, Prescription Drug Program, Social Security, through liaison with agencies such as: CMS, SSA, SHIBA, KCSS, NAPCA. In March 2005, Dr. Wahi received national recognition from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and from the Administration on Aging (AoA) for his outstanding work on Medicare Discount Card Outreach to help the local community. (Dr. Mahalingam had prepared the winning nomination and Mr. Ramchandra Rao had submitted it.).

Recently, in December 2006, Pran and Santosh Wahi were recognized as “top contributors to the Asian community” by the Seattle’s Northwest Asian Weekly Newspaper.

Many activities are planned for 2007. The program has been thriving because of the dedicated planners, enthusiastic volunteers, generous financial supporters, and most of all eager participants.

(Submitted by Hemlata Vasavada)