Lewis County Forum to Bring Together Residents, Decision-Makers on Senior Housing

– Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging (LMTAAA) will host a community-wide forum on senior housing in Lewis County on August 19, 2026. Residents 60 and older are Lewis County’s largest age group. Many struggle with housing. Challenges range from rising costs, limited availability and long commutes to care, to simply being able to make the repairs needed to age in place.

The forum will bring residents, advocates, and officials together to share information as well as lived experience. Open conversations will explore all of the challenges around senior housing needs in support of community efforts. A recent community survey by LMTAAA found many concerns about aging well in Lewis County connect to housing.

• Thirty-eight percent shared that having enough money to live on was the top issue facing older adults in Lewis County.
• An equal percentage (38%) felt the same about the ability to live in your own home or community.
• Access to healthcare (26%) and food (23%) were also chosen as top issues of concern.

Hosted by LMTAAA’s all-volunteer Advisory Council, the August 19 forum will take place from 2 pm to 5 pm at Harrison Square Presbyterian Church (1227 Harrison Avenue, Centralia, WA 98531). It will include presentations by representatives from Lewis County Community Development and Lewis County Public Health & Social Services.

The Lewis County housing forum is open to all. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Share your plans to attend by registering online at [link]: LMTAAA.org/lewis-county-senior-housing-forum. Light refreshments will be available.