About

Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW) is a social service agency that helps older adults and adults living with disabilities discover the resources needed to plan, prepare for and support living independently. This agency provides services such as case management for people needing a caregiver, information and referrals, answers to questions about Medicare and Medicaid, and more. ALTCEW is the local Area Agency on Aging for Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Whitman Counties.

What is an Area Agency on Aging?

In 1965, Congress enacted the Older Americans Act to organize community-based programs for older adults. Amendments to the Act added a nutrition program for the elderly and required states to form Area Agencies on Aging. These Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) direct local efforts around federal and state programs. About 700 AAAs exist nationwide. Their purpose is to help seniors find services to remain living independently in their homes for as long as possible.

Aging & Long Term Care receives state and federal funds to manage a large coordinated system of home and community-based services to support older persons, adults over 18 living with a disability, and their caregivers. The Agency works with community organizations to offer a wide range of these support services. The goal is to help these individuals live in their homes and communities for as long as possible, and to reduce premature or unnecessary residential care placement (such as nursing homes). Through appropriate levels of care for our clients, we can postpone or eliminate these placements.

To learn more about our history, check out our ALTCEW History page.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to provide the best home and community-based services to support healthy living and aging in place.

We listen… to our community to understand individual needs.
We adapt… to our changing world.
We provide solutions… using innovative services to improve quality of life.

Mission Statement

The mission of Aging & Long Term Care is to promote well-being, independence, dignity, and choice for all older persons and for all individuals needing long-term care in Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Whitman Counties.

Our mission is achieved by:

  • Collaborating with others to create coordinated and comprehensive service delivery systems
  • Providing planning, program development and administration, public information, advocacy, and direct service
  • Emphasizing that the above functions and services are targeted to those with the greatest social, economic, and health needs and to culturally diverse individuals
  • Promoting a long-term care system through integrating acute and chronic care services
  • Creating innovative outreach and information mechanisms to reach isolated vulnerable individuals

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

ALTCEW endeavors to embrace and promote a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace and community. We demonstrate this commitment by seeking out and listening to diverse viewpoints, looking intentionally and critically at data, and using feedback to improve policies, services, and practices to be inclusive and equitable. We strive to be a safe and productive environment that promotes a sense of fairness and belonging for our staff and the community we serve. We foster a workplace where everyone feels welcome to be their authentic selves.

Demographics and Trends

The number of individuals in Aging & Long Term Care’s service area has grown significantly, from 580,080 persons in 2010 to 604,392 in 2018. The number of persons 60 and older has grown as well, from 110,543 persons in 2010 to 145,615 in 2018. This significant regional change will continue over the next several decades due to the aging baby boom population. For more demographic information, graphs, and detailed trends information on each county in ALTCEW’s service area, please see our ALTCEW Demographics page.

Area We Serve

Aging & Long Term Care works to provide a wide range of services for people living in its five-county region. ALTCEW’s service area consists of Washington state’s Ferry (except for the Colville Indian Reservation), Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman Counties.

Areas we Serve map

Governance

Aging & Long Term Care was formed in 1978 through an interlocal agreement between local governments. Its Governing Board represents the members of this interlocal agreement, and provides oversight to make sure the agency is working to meet the needs of local communities.

The Agency’s Planning and Management Council is made up of volunteers from ALTCEW’s service region. This council advises both the agency and the Governing Board. To learn about joining the Planning and Management Council, visit our volunteer webpage.

Governing Board Membership List 2024 —  made up of one County Commissioner from each county, two representatives from the City of Spokane (one from the City Council), one representative from the Spokane Valley City Council, and the Planning and Management Council Chair.

Planning and Management Council Member List 2024— made up of between 27 and 35 volunteers from the five-county area.