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

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September 15, 2014

DCOA E*News At-A-Glance

Photo of the Week: Wishing Corporal Alyce Dixon a Happy 107th Birthday

Corporal Alyce Dixon

DCOA Executive Director John M. Thompson and Chief of Staff Camile Williams helped celebrate Corporal Alyce Dixon's 107th birthday. 


ICYMI: Senior Wellness Center Town Halls

Dr. THompson

Last week, D.C. Office on Aging Executive Director John M. Thompson, Ph.D. hosted his quarterly roundtable discussions with seniors at Hattie Holmes, Congress Heights, Hayes and Model Cities Senior Wellness Centers to ensure that seniors have an opportunity to weigh in on issues that directly impact their lives.

Few major topics of discussion included:

  • New hours for DCOA’s senior wellness centersBeginning October 1, 2014 the hours of operations for the Senior Wellness Centers will expand.  This will provide more options for working seniors. Additionally, evening hours could allow for increased social programming, educational workshops, additional fitness options and allow for community meetings.
  • DCOA new “Code of Conduct": The Code of Conduct is designed to help communicate with the public certain expectations when utilizing DCOA and affiliated facilities, services, and programs. On August 29, 2014, the proposed Code of Conduct was published in the D.C. Register and will remain open to public comment until September 27, 2014. DCOA highly encourages everyone to read through the proposed code and offer feedback by clicking here.
  • DCOA launches Club Memory: DCOA is partnering with Sibley Hospital to establish the Club Memory Program on the East End of the City. Club Memory is a stigma-free social club for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s, mild cognitive impairment or other forms of dementia, and their spouses, partners and caregivers and will take place at the Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center.  

For live coverage of each town hall meeting, follow us on Twitter!

Upcoming town hall meetings:

October 2nd, at 11:00 a.m. 
Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center
3531 Georgia Avenue, N.W.


Hunger & Food Waste: Two Problems, One Solution

End Senior Hunger

The National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH) has launched What a Waste™, a new initiative to combat senior hunger by reducing and recapturing food waste in the District of Columbia.

Under contract to D.C. Office on Aging (DCOA), NFESH will develop and lead DCOA in implementing the two-year high-tech pilot study in three senior wellness centers that operate nutrition programs to serve meals to seniors. All kitchens, regardless of size and type, experience some food waste. This innovative project is designed to help senior nutrition programs identify and categorize it, so that unnecessary waste can be reduced and waste that cannot be eliminated can be recaptured and turned to good use.

Read full article here.


Next Discussion for Caregivers

Let's Chat

The next topic of discussion for the D.C. Caregivers Online Chat at Noon is "Part 1 of a two part series of the four stages on caregiving." The chat will be for individuals 18-59 and 60+ held on Tuesday, September 16th at 12 p.m., visit www.dcoa.dc.gov/caregiver-chat to join the discussion.

The D.C. Caregivers Online Chat at Noon is designed to provide resources, tips and other information to assist persons caring for older adults informally. If you miss the noon chat, retun to www.dcoa.dc.gov/caregiver-chat and press replay to view the conversation. For more information, contact Linda Irizarry at 202-535-1442.


Falls Prevention Week

Falls

Did you know our annual Falls Prevention Week will be observed on September 22-25, 2014  to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults? Register today to learn more about staying upright and safe:

September 22, 2014

Ward 1
Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center
3531 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 727-0338

Ward 4
Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center
324 Kennedy Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
(202) 291-6170

Ward 5
Model Cities Senior Wellness Center
1901 Evarts Street, NE
Washington, DC 20018
(202) 635-1900

Ward 7
Washington Seniors Wellness Center
3001 Alabama Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20020
(202) 581-9355

Ward 8
Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center
3500 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 563-7225

September 23, 2014

Ward 2
George Washington University  Hospital
900 23rd St. NW  Washington D.C. 20037
Kenyatta Hazlewood, RN BSN MPH
kenyatta.hazlewood@gwu-hospital.com
(202) 715-4210

Ward 3
Iona Senior Services Satterlee Hall
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church
3001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 895-9448 or e-mail info@iona.org

September 24, 2014

Ward 6
Hayes Senior Wellness Center
500 K Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 727-0357


Are You Social Media Savvy?

Social MEdia Savvy

On October 1, Bernice Founteneau Senior Wellness Center will host a free six week course on social media. Classes will be taught by Life by Ashley Joy Executive Editor, Ashley Jefferson. The primary objective of the course is to bolster understanding and usage of 1) internet search engines and email; 2) Facebook and Twitter; and 3) Skype and Facetime. DCOA’s hope is to increase access to technology and empower seniors to utilize the various social media tools that improve connectivity to family, friends, community members and health care providers. To learn more and to sign up, make sure to attend Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center’s Monthly Town Hall on September 24 at 1 p.m. For additional details contact the Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center at (202) 727-0338.  


OTR Mails Eligibility Letters To Property Owners Who May Qualify For The 50% Senior Citizen Property Tax Benefit

The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) announced that it has begun mailing more than 800 notices to senior property owners who may qualify for the Senior Citizen/Disabled Property Tax Relief. The benefit provides qualified property owners with a 50 percent discount on their real property taxes.

This notice to seniors of the benefit is a key component of Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt’s strategic plan.

 “The senior deduction is a critical tool in the District’s effort to enable our older citizens to remain in their homes and to continue to contribute to the communities and neighborhoods they helped to create,” said Jeffrey DeWitt.  “I hope that relatives, friends and neighbors will ask seniors if they are receiving the senior deduction, and, if they are not, helping them to apply for it.”

To qualify for the credit, property owners must:
 1) Be age 65 or over
 2) Own 50 percent or more of their residence
 3) Have less than $125,000 in household federal adjusted gross income
 4) Legally reside in the District of Columbia

To have the benefit applied as a credit to 2014 second half real property taxes, a completed application must be submitted to OTR on or before September 30, 2014.

Income qualification is controlled by the income tax return filed for the year prior to the beginning of the real property tax year in question. Therefore, income reported on a taxpayer’s 2012 income tax return controls entitlement for the 2013-2014 real property tax year and income reported on a taxpayer’s 2013 income tax return controls entitlement to the 2014-2015 real property tax year.

To obtain an application or additional information about the tax relief visit OTR’s Web site at www.taxpayerservicecenter.com under “Real Property Tax” or call OTR’s Customer Service Administration at (202) 727-4TAX (4829).

 FP-100 Homestead Deduction, Senior Citizen, and Disabled Property Tax Relief Application/Reconfirmation 


Eating Well Over 60

Eating Well

For adults over 60, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems. As we age, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced. But healthy eating doesn’t have to be about dieting and sacrifice. Whatever your age, eating well should be all about fresh, colorful food, creativity in the kitchen, and eating with friends.

Few healthy tips for seniors:

  • Live longer and stronger – Good nutrition keeps muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong for the long haul. Eating vitamin-rich food boosts immunity and fights illness-causing toxins. A proper diet reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, bone loss, cancer, and anemia. Also, eating sensibly means consuming fewer calories and more nutrient-dense foods, keeping weight in check.
  • Sharpen the mind – Key nutrients are essential for the brain to do its job. People who eat a selection of brightly colored fruit, leafy veggies, and fish and nuts packed with omega-3 fatty acids can improve focus and decrease their risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Feel better – Wholesome meals give you more energy and help you look better, resulting in a self-esteem boost. It’s all connected—when your body feels good you feel happier inside and out.
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Spotlight on Aging Newsletter

Spotlight on Aging Newsletter
 

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Click here to view full edition of The Beacon Newspaper


Spotlight on Community Living Newsletter

View Spotlight on Community Living Newsletter
 

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Click here for the DCOA Calendar of Events!

DCOA Calendar

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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