Our Elders, Our Selves: Visiting the Past, Planning for Our Future

video stillClick above to watch Our Elders, Our Selves: Visiting the Past, Planning for Our Future, a 40-minute documentary about the evolution of aging programs and services in Seattle-King County, produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act of 1965 as well as the 80th anniversary of the Social Security Act of 1935 and the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. NOTE: Click on the CC box for captioning.


List of video participants, videographer, project leads, and special thanks.The film features interviews with former Seattle mayors Wes Uhlman and Norman B. Rice as well as then-Mayor Ed Murray; then-Seattle City Councilmember and former Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens director Tom Rasmussen; then-ADS director Maureen Linehan and former directors Mark Stensager, Denise Klein, and Pamela Piering; current and past ADS Advisory Council members George Dicks, Kaylene Moon, and Diane Snell; and a host of other leaders in the Aging Network. In addition, several senior centers appear in the film.

ADS planner Karen Winston served as project coordinator. ADS planner Irene Stewart researched local history and developed the script. The film was produced by Edgar Riebe, Captive Eye Media.

Viewing Opportunities

Past Screenings

Aging program development timeline for King County

Click on the image above to open a larger timeline image.

Premiere Screening: The documentary’s first public screening was held on February 19, 2015 in the Bertha Knight Landes Room at Seattle City Hall. Everyone who attended received a commemorative history timeline and an opportunity to complete an Area Plan on Aging survey. Photos from the event are available online (click here).

Public Screenings:

  • May 24, 2015—Screening at Seattle Public Library—Green Lake Branch (double feature with Young@Heart) in celebration of Older Americans Month
  • May 2, 2015—Screening at Seattle Public Library—Green Lake Branch (double feature with Age of Champions) in celebration of Older Americans Month
  • February 19, 2015—Premiere public screening, Seattle City Hall
  • January 9, 2015—Preview by Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services
  • Multiple broadcasts on The Seattle Channel and King County TV.