DCOA E*News At-A-Glance
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.
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.
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.
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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/.
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.
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.
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