Aging and Independent Living

Assisting aging foreign-born adults to live fulfilling lives

Refugee Older Adults Program
Lutheran Community Services Northwest is committed to assisting our aging foreign-born adults in attaining the necessary skills to obtain their citizenship and to live fulfilling lives. We provide classes that are designed to help individuals improve and practice English, adjust to the US system and prepare for the US naturalization process.

*All classes are on-line and taught by multilingual staff/volunteers.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes:
ESL Beginner Class (virtual) – Mixed Languages
When: Friday from 11am 12pm
Eligibility: Foreign-born, King County residents aged 50+

ESL (virtual) – Arabic-Speaking
When: Tuesdays 2pm 3pm
Eligibility: Refugees, granted asylees, humanitarian parolees, SIV holders (may have a Green Card). King County residents aged 60+.

ESL (virtual) – Russian and Ukrainian-Speaking
When: Tuesdays 11:30am 12:30pm
Eligibility: Refugees, granted asylees, humanitarian parolees, SIV holders (may have a Green Card). King County residents aged 60+.

US Citizenship Preparation Classes:
US Citizenship Preparation Class (virtual) – Arabic-Speaking
When: Fridays 2pm – 3pm
Eligibility: Refugees, granted asylees, humanitarian parolees, SIV holders (may have a Green Card). King County residents aged 60+.

US Citizenship Preparation Class (virtual) – Russian and Ukrainian-Speaking
When: Thursdays 1pm – 2pm
Eligibility: Refugees, granted asylees, humanitarian parolees, SIV holders (may have a Green Card). King County residents aged 60+.

For more information, email us at [email protected] or call 206-602-1347.

Family Caregiver Support Program
Lutheran Community Services Northwest is committed to helping the family caregivers of foreign-born elders. We provide educational and social activities for family caregivers as well as assisting in obtaining durable medical equipment (DME) for their care recipients. This program is designed to help caregivers connect with resources, practice their English and meet other people from the community.

Support Groups (virtual) – Arabic, Dari/Pashto, and Russian/Ukrainian Speaking
When: Monthly
Eligibility: Family caregivers (spouse, sibling, child, etc.) of the foreign-born elders at the age of 55+ who live in King County. Elders can have any immigration status and caregivers can be at any age (elders have to be 55+). Caregivers who receive pay from DSHS/other agencies also qualify.

For more information, email us at [email protected] or call 206-602-1347.

Durable Medical Equipment
This includes medical equipment for care recipients such as walking canes, walkers, blood pressure monitors blood sugar meters, shower chairs, etc.

Eligibility: Must have a family member who is foreign-born and age 55+. King County residents.

*Care may include meal preparation, ordinary housework, medication reminders, physical assistance with walking and dressing, companionship, etc.

For more information, email us at [email protected] or call 206-602-1347.

Understanding Community Priorities Assessment
The Understanding Community Priorities Assessment was conducted by the LCSNW Aging and Independent Program (formerly the Senior Services Program) that surveyed several populations and communities across King County for three major language groups: Ukrainian and Russian speakers (Slavic communities), Arabic speakers (primarily Iraqi communities) and Pashto and Dari speakers (primarily Afghan communities). Funding for this project was provided by the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) of King County, Washington. With our strong connections to those language groups through a network of services and partnerships, our aim was to gather direct feedback on their needs, wants, success, challenges and hopes, to help prioritize future resources and services that align with these communities’ voices and reflect local priorities and values. After surveying 100 people, we developed a report based on the data we received. The report is available in Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Russian, and Ukrainian.

View all reports here:
English: Understanding Community Priorities
Russian: Понимание приоритетов сообществ
Ukrainian: Розуміння пріоритетів спільнот
Dari: شناسایی اولویتهای جامعه
Pashto: د ټولنې د لومړیتوبونو درک کول
Arabic: فهم أولويات المجتمعات

For more information, email us at [email protected] or call 206-602-1347.