D.C. Office on Aging: Latest E* News

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May 4, 2015

DCOA E*News At-A-Glance

Get Into the ACT: Happy Older Americans Month!

Older Americans Month

Each May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) celebrates Older Americans Month to recognize older Americans for their contributions to the nation. This year, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA), ACL will focus on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. The theme for Older Americans Month 2015 is Get into the Act.

Older Americans Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of community engagement as a tool for enhancing the wellbeing of older adults. Now is the time to Get into the Act to make the benefits of community living a reality for more older Americans. Together we can promote healthy aging, increase community involvement for older adults, and tackle important issues like the prevention of elder abuse. Read more about Older Americans Month here.


Get Into the Act: Submit a Story or Picture for Older Americans Month

Get into the act

Every May, the Older Americans Act (OAA) celebrate Older Americans Month in order to acknowledge and recognize the contributions older Americans make to the nation. In order to spotlight the difference older people make for their families and communities, American Society on Aging will be sharing stories and pictures submitted to them that show the impact of community engagement on the well-being of older adults, and on all members of society. Submit a story or photo today!


Turning Foodwaste into an Edible Landscape

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National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH), has partnered with DCOA to put a fork in food waste and promote composting as an environmental solution that improves soil health and addresses senior hunger. On last Wednesday, NFESH and the seniors at Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center planted veggies in compost from foodwaste. Composted food waste returns to the senior nutrition programs as nutrient-rich soil where it can be used to create gardens. This gives seniors the opportunity to produce nutritious foods while they engage in healthy physical activity. The food they grow can be distributed to others in the community who suffer from hunger, so that What A Waste is a project that ends senior hunger while seniors end hunger.


DPR's 32nd Annual DC Senior Games

senior

The DC Senior Games is a yearly competition, hosted by The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) that brings together seniors from across the District to participate in athletic activities, while promoting healthy living for a longer, more robust life. Over 80 athletes competed in the 2014 DC Senior Games. Each year, the DC Senior Games features activities including: basketball, bowling, horseshoe toss, pickleball, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field.

Athletes who participate in the 2015 DC Senior Games may qualify to compete in the National Senior Games, which are held every odd numbered year. In 2013, over 30 seniors represented the District of Columbia at the National Senior Games in Cleveland, OH. The 2015 National Senior Games will be held July 3 – 16, 2015 in Bloomington/Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

For additional information about the DC Senior Games, including how to volunteer, please call (202) 664-7153.


SOME Senior Summer Camp 2015

District senior citizens 65 years of age are invited to attend SOME SENIOR SUMMER CAMP 2015.  The camp is for seniors who need a vacation and cannot afford it on their own.  This five-day experience is filled with excellent accommodations, meals, arts & crafts, activities, and time to relax in nature.

WHEN? July 13-17, 2015 OR    July 20-24, 2015

WHERE?   West Virginia – Seniors are transported via charter bus to and from the air conditioned retreat center, 90 minutes from Washington, DC

HOW? Vacationers submit a completed Application, Proof of Monthly Income and a Medical Form signed by a doctor who gives approval for participation in the program.  Applications are due by June 1, 2015.

REMEMBER that there is no “fee” to attend camp.  SOME raises funds for the support of the camp.  We do invite you to make a donation of whatever you can afford when you get to camp but no one is ever denied admission because of inability to contribute.

To request an application or if you have any questions, contact: SOME Senior Summer Camp, (202) 797-8806 ext. 1018  / tperanich@some.org.


White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: Registration NOW Open!

white house

Please join the White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on May 12, 2015 at The George Washington University in Washington, DC!

Held during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, this Summit will be an unprecedented and historic all-day convening of senior federal officials and community leaders. The day will include conversations with federal officials and AAPI leaders, performances by distinguished AAPI artists, and interactive sessions on diverse issues including economic growth, education, health care, civil rights, and immigration. The Summit will celebrate President Obama’s leadership, showcase Administration policies and programs that have supported the AAPI community over the past six years, and outline priorities for the next two years and decades to come.

As a participant, you will have the opportunity to Connect, Share, and Mobilize

  1. Connect. Interact with federal and community leaders from across the country working on various issues to advance the AAPI community.
  2. Share. Discuss your own experiences, stories, and priorities with leaders and other participants. 
  3. Mobilize. Gain tools to mobilize your communities to expand opportunity for AAPIs everywhere.

Your participation in the Summit will be vital as we continue our work together to improve the quality of life for AAPIs. The Summit is free of charge and open to the public.

For more information please e-mail WhiteHouseAAPI@ed.gov


DC Healthy Communities Collaborative Needs Assessment

The DC Healthy Communities Collaborative is a coalition of four hospitals and four community health centers that came together in 2012 to address the health needs of the Washington, DC community: Children’s National Health System, Howard University Hospital, Providence Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital, Bread for the City, Community of Hope, Mary’s Center, and Unity Health Care. The Collaborative is developing a citywide community health needs assessment. To make sure that the community’s voice is heard, we are conducting a series of focus groups, interviews, surveys, and forums with DC residents, community-based groups, and stakeholders as part of the needs assessment process. We will use the assessment findings to develop a community health improvement plan that is responsive to the needs identified in the assessment. We request your participation in this process by attending a 60-minute focus group.

We want to learn about your perspective on what facilitates health in our city and, likewise, what the barriers are to health. As you represent a community organization that serves the DC community, we value your opinion! Thank you in advance for participating in our truly collaborative process that not only identifies the health needs of our city, but also creates a plan for advancing health outcomes.

We plan to conduct the focus groups in May. If you are interested, please contact Kimberle Searcy at ksearcy@childrensnational.org for focus group dates.

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Spotlight on Aging Newsletter

Spotlight on Aging
 

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Click here to view full edition of The Beacon Newspaper


Spotlight on Community Living Newsletter

Link to Spotlight on Community Living Newsletter
 

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Click here for the DCOA Calendar of Events!

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DCOA in the Media

Mayor's Third Annual Senior Symposium
May 7, 2014

Video: DCN-16 Coverage on YouTube

The Washington Informer, May 15, Pg. 20

28th Annual Salute to DC Centenarians
March 24, 2014

WJLA-TV article and video

FOX5DC article and video

VIDEO DCN-16 on YouTube

Age-Friendly DC Forum, 9/21/13

Washington Times article 9/26/13

Washington Post InBrief 9/19/13

Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant 2013

Washington Informer, June 26, 2013

The Washington Post Brief, July 3, 2013

The Washington Sun

Video: DCN-16 Coverage Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant 2013

Mayor's Second Annual Senior Symposium

Video: DCN-16 Coverage Senior Symposium

WJLA-TV article

Washington Informer Symposium article

27th Annual Salute to DC Centenarians media coverage links

Washington Post article and photo gallery

WJLA/News Channel 8, article, video and photo gallery

WJLA video coverage

Fox5DC article and video coverage

WTOP article and photo gallery

WAMU 88.5FM How to Live to be 100 in DC

Other Media Links

VIDEO: DCN-16 Did You Know? Overview of DCOA

Washington Post article DC Program Reflects National Trend Toward Moving Older Americans Out of Nursing Homes 1/2/2014

Washington Post article Alzheimer's First State Plan 11/19/2013

Washington Post Brief Smart911 Presentations 11/20/2013

DCOA Interview WHUR 96.3 FM Insight Segment on the  "Daily Drum" 2/19/13

Video: DCN-DCOA Performance Oversight Hearing 2/21/13 Part I

Video: DCN-DCOA Performance Oversight Hearing 2/21/13 Part II

Video: DCN-DCOA Performance Oversight Hearing 2/21/13 Part III

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