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

DCOA ENews Header

June 15, 2015

DCOA E*News At-A-Glance

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Office on Aging and members of the Elder Abuse Committee encourage residents to recognize the signs and report abuse to authorities.

Elder abuse can be physical, financial, emotional, neglect or abandonment; but, financial abuse is highlighted as the most common form of abuse experienced by elders, costing its victims an estimated $2.9 billion a year.

"Older adults are victimized financially by strangers, professionals and even family members every day, said John M. Thompson, Ph.D., CPM, FAAMA, executive director, D.C. Office on Aging. “Too often many of these offenses are unreported. 

To combat elder abuse, DCOA is closely working with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to bring more awareness to seniors through Money Smart; an initiative designed to provide seniors with information and tips to help prevent common frauds, scams and other types of elder financial exploitation in your community. 

If you are interested in conducting a Money Smart class for your church or community group, please contact DCOA at 202-724-5622. For more information on Money Smart, visit www.consumerfinance.gov.


Senior Fest 2015

Senior Fest 2015 senior performers and volunteers during the event

Nearly 1500 seniors attended Senior Fest 2015 presented by the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation and the D.C. Office on Aging.  The event featured great information exhibits with more than 30 government agencies, organizations and businesses offering resources and services for older residents.  The main stage featured entertainment from local senior centers and two live bands. Those in attendance were able to beat the heat with snow cones and fun activities under the tents.

Special thanks to the volunteers from PEPCO and the Office on Aging Senior Service Network who assisted with serving meals, led games and assisted with loading and unloading the buses.


June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month – Go Purple!

Photo for Go Purple for Alzheimer's at Iona

Iona Senior Services staff members proudly sported their purple, the official color of the Alzheimer’s movement, for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Go purple to raise awareness to those who struggle with this disease and other dementias every day by taking your own purple photo and using the hashtag #GoPurple or #ENDALZ. Together, we can lighten their load by forming a supportive community around them. For more information, visit alz.org.


Free Screening of Still Alice

AARP is hosting a Free film screening of Still Alice, a movie about renowned linguistics professor Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) who fights to stay connected to her family, friends, and herself after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.  Julianne Moore received an Oscar for Actress in a Leading Role for her part in the movie which also stars Alec Baldwin.  Please click this link to register to attend the free screening: http://states.aarp.org/free-screening-of-still-alice-followed-by-alzheimers-discussion/.


Saturday Respite Available for Caregivers

DCOA’s Saturday Respite Program is actively enrolling at the following locations!

Locations:

Washington Seniors Wellness Center (Ward 7)
3001 Alabama Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Coordinator: Katrina Dale
katrina.dale@dc.gov

Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center (Ward 8)
3500 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20032
Coordinator: Aisha Bailey
aisha.bailey@dc.gov

DCOA’s Saturday Respite Program provides a 4-hour break each Saturday for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer ’s disease and related disorders, including, people with dementia and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Participants in this pilot program engage in interactive and stimulating activities with other participants and program volunteers. To enroll individuals, please contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center’s I/R&A unit at (202)724-5626.


Smart911 Presentations in the Community

Smart 911 Logo

The D.C. Office on Aging has partnered with the Office of Unified Communications to make more residents aware of Smart911.  Smart911 is a free service available to District residents and a great way to prepare for emergencies.  Residents are encouraged to set-up this free online safety profile which will provide first responders important information that will assist when you dial 9-1-1 for assistance. 

Smart911 can speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself because of injury, medical condition or other reason.

To arrange for a presentation for your church, group or organization, call 202-724-5622.

Grade DC

Take a minute and tell us what you think!


DCOA Ambassador Logo

Sign up to become a DCOA Ambassador today!


Spotlight on Aging Newsletter

Spotlight on Aging
 

       (Click image to view)

Click here to view full edition of The Beacon Newspaper


Spotlight on Community Living Newsletter

Link to Spotlight on Community Living Newsletter
 

      (Click image to view)


Click here for the DCOA Calendar of Events!

Flip Calendar Image

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

Facebook
 
Twitter
 
Instagram
 
Flickr DCOA Photo Gallery
 
Link to DCOA You Tube Page