About

Our agency, values, mission, and more

We are an agency focused on assisting older adults, unpaid caregivers, and adults with disabilities in our area.

In 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The amendment of the OAA in 1973 formally established the Area Agencies on Aging across the country. Shortly thereafter, in 1976, the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging started its journey to become a strong pillar and local resource in the community. Since then, the aging and disability network has continued to evolve as we account for the changing and complex environment in which we operate in today.

The agency is funded both by state funds through our partnership with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Aging and Long Term Support Administration (ALTSA), and is designated to receive funding from the Older Americans Act (OAA) through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and through the Center for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS).

Our team is composed of highly dedicated and experienced people who value service, excellence, empowerment, and collaboration. Together, we accomplish our goals and live our mission and vision -- enriching lives and supporting people to live fully and with dignity.

In Memoriam: Gary Stamper, Lewis County Commissioner+

Gary Stamper, Lewis County Commissioner

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper.

  
Gary served on the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency governing board from 2015 - 2020. He was elected chair in 2019. Among many other notable contributions, Gary’s service with the LMTAAA helped create jobs, supported Veteran Directed Home Services, and helped expand home meal delivery programs for the aging population and people living with disabilities. He also supported a Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program that enabled those vulnerable populations to buy nutritious, locally grown products, thereby sustaining local and family owned farms. 


Gary’s kindness and friendship will be greatly missed. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and support of our work. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and communities. May the flame he left in the incalculable number of hearts he touched glow ever brighter in his memory.

Gary Stamper

In Memoriam: Dennis Mahar+

Dennis Mahar joined LMTAAA in 1979 and was Executive Director from 1981 – 2016. He brought to the organization extensive experience with juvenile offenders, developmentally and mentally disabled, and elderly individuals.

Dennis contributed extensively to the community working directly with multiple community organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association of Western and Central Washington, Thurston-Mason Senior News, Washington State Senior Games, United Way of Thurston County, and Thurston County Food Bank, among others. Dennis also served on multiple Legislative Long-Term Care work groups and worked closely with Washington State Senior Citizen’s Lobby.

 

Dennis
Top of page