Thirteen candidates from the 1st, 41st, 45th and 48th legislative districts gathered at the North Bellevue Community Center on Oct. 10 to discuss a problem that all Washingtonians will have to face sooner or later, how the state can better support its aging population.

With the first of the baby boomers already entering old age, Washington’s senior citizen population is projected to skyrocket in coming years. Between the years 2000 and 2025, the population of those 65 and older is expected to increase by more than double, and the 85 and older population is slated to grow by 190 percent.

The candidates focused in particular on addressing the issues of financial security for the elderly (especially in regard to fighting scams), on long-term support services for seniors (such as how to keep people in their homes for as long as possible, and how to provide financial support for unpaid caregivers), on creating livable communities for seniors (with a focus on transportation options, as one-fifth of people over 65 do not drive) and on protecting vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect.

Affordable housing has been a much talked-about issue on the Eastside this election season, and making housing affordable for seniors on a fixed income was one of the hot topics at the forum as well.

Rep. Larry Springer (D-Kirkland) of the 45th District promised to work on “making sure we do the best job locally to preserve and create affordable housing.”

“In Seattle and the surrounding area, rent gets raised,” said Guy Palumbo (D-Maltby), who is running for the 1st District Senate seat. “On a fixed income, that’s a huge [burden].”

Michael Appleby (R-Bellevue), who is running for the 41st District Pos. 2 House seat, suggested changing zoning laws to “allow for in-law apartments … and the ability to live at home.”

“Once you go to a nursing home, you’re not home,” Appleby said.

John Pass (R-Bellevue), who is a candidate for the 41st District Pos. 1 House seat, shared that after his mother broke her back and needed expensive medical treatment, she was forced to move out of state because the cost of living was too high for seniors.

“I miss my mother. I want her back,” Pass said.

Personal experience

Nearly all of the candidates had personal experience taking care of an elderly parent or relative, many of whom suffered from types of dementia. The candidates said that their own experiences had greatly influenced their thinking on the issues presented.

“I have dealt with aging parents and being a caregiver,” said Lisa Wellman (D-Mercer Island), who is running for the position of 41st District senator. “The cost of medical [treatment] when you’re on a fixed income is horrendous.”

Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island) expressed a strong desire for a “state plan for Alzheimer’s,” which he called a “terrible disease that leaves a huge impact on those around them.”

Sammamish Deputy Mayor Ramiro Valderrama (R-Sammamish), who is running for 45th District, House Pos. 1, said that caring for both of his parents, who are in their 90s, has made him determined to bring support to seniors and their families.

“I fight and advocate every day for all of these issues. I will fight for you as I fight for my parents,” Valderrama stated.

Out of the 800,000 unpaid caregivers in Washington, 82 percent are caring for an elderly family member. Kirkland Councilmember Shelley Kloba (D-Kirkland), a candidate for the 1st District, House Pos. 2 seat, suggested “increasing and training the numbers of professional caregivers” and starting a “paid sick and leave program to maintain employment while taking care of [parents].”

“How can we spend the money we have in the most effective way?” Kloba questioned.

How to pay for it

How to generate enough revenue to provide for seniors was much debated. Ideas of establishing a capital gains tax, a state income tax and a carbon tax were tossed around.

However, some candidates also had strong ideas of what they did not want to do. Rep. Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue), of the 48th District, vowed not to take money away from seniors to fully fund education.

“I’m unwilling to cut funding to the most vulnerable, the most deserving [people] to fund an emerging need,” Kuderer stated.

Incumbents talked of what they had accomplished so far in their careers to promote seniors’ needs.

“As transportation committee chair, what I was fighting for was buses, vans … allowing people who didn’t have cars to have options,” 41st District Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island) said.

45th District Rep. Roger Goodman (R-Kirkland) referenced House Bill 1499 for protecting vulnerable adults, a bill that he co-sponsored in this year’s session.

“I will re-introduce legislation for vulnerable adults,” he promised.

Goodman and his opponent, Valderrama, both agreed that older citizens are suffering by not being hired due to their age. Goodman said he has met victims of ageism while campaigning, referencing women in their 50s and 60s he has met who have “lost their jobs … and no one is going to rehire them.”

Valderrama said that 6 percent of people at food banks are seniors.

“How do we incentivize employers to hire the elderly?” Valderrama asked.