28 More at TheBeaconNewspapers.com J U LY 2 0 1 7 — WA SH I NG TON B E A CON

VOLUME XXVIII, ISSUE 7 A newsletter for D.C. Seniors July 2017

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging

We are hot! And I’m not talkingabout the hot July temperatures. Atthe DC Office on Aging (DCOA), weare celebrating this month after win-ning two prestigious awards — theCafritz Foundations Team Award forInnovation and the n4A Aging Inno-vations Award for Home and Com-munity-Based Services. I am so proud of my team for work-

ing hard each and every day to en-sure that our programs and servicesfor District residents are working!And it feels great to be acknowl-edged.In June, DCOA and the Depart-

ment of Health Care Finance (DHCF)received the 16th Annual Morris &Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation TeamAward for Innovation. The award isdesigned to honor the achievementsof teams in one or multiple DC Gov-ernment agencies who implement on-going customer-focused initiativesthat drive innovation and producemeasurable and sustainable results.DCOA and DHCF were recognized

for creating a new enrollment processfor the Elderly and persons withPhysical Disabilities Waiver (EPDWaiver) Program. The EPD Waiverallows people who would otherwisereceive care in a nursing home to re-ceive care in their own homes and re-main in their communities. In 2014, we began working together,

brainstorming ideas on how to reducewait times, increase transparency, andimprove customer service for vulnera-ble District residents in need of long-term services and supports. We creat-ed the Medicaid Enrollment Special-ists team to conduct home visits andassist applicants throughout the enroll-ment process. Due to this successfulinteragency collaboration, significantimprovements were made to the Medi-caid enrollment customer experience.Later this month, DCOA and its

Safe at Home Program will be hon-ored at the n4a Annual Conference inSavannah, Georgia, with the 2017 n4aAging Innovations Award in Home &Community-Based Services. The n4a

award recognizes the most innova-tive initiatives in the field of aging.We know how great the Safe at Homeprogram has been in enabling Dis-trict residents to continue living intheir own homes and communities asthey age. Now, Safe at Home is a na-tionally-recognized program and amodel for aging in place. DCOA partnered with the Depart-

ment of Housing and Community De-velopment (DHCD) in January 2016to create the Safe at Home Program— a program that provides home ac-cessibility adaptations to reduce therisk of falls and reduce mobility barri-ers in the home. We started the pro-gram with a projection to serve up to100 clients. In its first year alone, wecompleted projects for nearly 200residents, and this year, we’re pro-jecting to serve an additional 450!In June 2017, the program expand-

ed to provide increased safety both inand around the home through thePrivate Security Camera Program,which enables eligible Safe at Homeclients to receive private securitycamera systems at no cost. It’s a huge honor to be recognized

for these initiatives because they areboth examples of how District agen-cies work together towards the com-mon goal of serving our residents,whether it’s making important pro-grams like the EPD Waiver more ac-cessible, or developing innovative so-lutions to promote aging in place. But it’s not about the awards and

accolades — it’s about you!Since Mayor Muriel Bowser took of-

fice, she has made it clear that “Dis-trict government is the people’s gov-ernment.” That means our agenciesneed to work for our citizens. We’re ac-countable to you, and we are responsi-ble for ensuring all Washingtoniansare on the path to inclusive prosperity. When my team and I think about

our programs, we keep these values atthe core of all of our decisions — howcan we work better, smarter, and moreeffectively to respond to your needs? Thanks to Mayor Bowser’s com-

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’SMESSAGEBy Laura Newland Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging

mitment to making D.C. the best city inthe world to age, we’re working togeth-er every day to ensure all residentshave access to supports and services.As I like to say, growing older doesn’tmean getting old. Aging is living. And

we want to help you thrive! Those areour D.C. Values.For more information on the EPD

Waiver Program or Safe at Home, con-tact DCOA at 202-724-5626.Be well!

e

The D.C. Office on Aging ElderAbuse Prevention Committee(EAPC), together with the Dis-trict’s Collaborative Trainingand Response to Older Vic-tims (DC TROV), the Of-fice on Aging and ourSenior Service Net-work, partnered to com-memorate World ElderAbuse Awareness Day(WEAAD) on June 15,2017. Many attendees wore

purple to symbolize thegrowing problem of elderabuse around the world. Othersshared posts through social media,taking photos that included how theyfinished this sentence: “We buildstrong supports for elders by...”Here are a few of the pictures that

were post-ed to help commemorate World ElderAbuse Awareness Day. To find outmore about elder abuse, visit our web-site at dcoa.dc.gov.

Boosting Awarenessof Elder Abuse

WASH I NG TON B E A CON — J U LY 2 0 1 7 Say you saw it in the Beacon 29

D.C. OFFICE ON AGING NEWSLETTER

SPOTLIGHT ON AGINGSpotlight On Aging is published by the In-formation Office of the D.C. Office on Agingfor D.C. senior residents. Advertising con-tained in the Beacon is not endorsed by theD.C. Office on Aging or by the publisher.

500 K St. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002

202-724-5622www.dcoa.dc.gov

Executive DirectorLaura Newland

EditorDarlene Nowlin

PhotographerSelma Dillard

The D.C. Office on Aging does not discrim-inate against anyone based on actual or per-ceived: race, color, religion, national origin,sex, age, marital status, personal appear-ance, sexual orientation, familial status,family responsibilities, matriculation, politi-cal affiliation, disability, source of income,and place of residence or business.Sexual harassment is a form of sex dis-crimination which is prohibited by the Act.In addition, harassment based on any ofthe above protected categories is prohibit-ed by the Act. Discrimination in violationof the Act will not be tolerated. Violatorswill be subjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the District ofColumbia Recycling Program.

July events3rd • 6 to 8 p.m.Attend a talk on Safer, Stronger DC Com-

munity Partnerships at Woodland Terrace,located at 2311 Aigner Pl. SE. For more in-formation, email marvin.gay2@dc.gov.

5th and 18th • noonJoin the D.C. Caregivers online chat at

noon to discuss “11 Ways to Stop Caregiv-er-Related Depression” on July 5 and “Tipsfor Making Family Caregiving Easier andMore Rewarding” on July 18. To partici-pate, visit http://dcoa.dc.gov/page/care-giver-chat at noon, or visit at your conven-ience and hit replay to see the chat. Formore information, contact linda.irizarry@dc.gov or call 202-535-1442.

8th • 1 to 3 p.m.Come to a presentation by community

outreach specialist Alice Thompson, onthe services and resources offered bythe Office on Aging. Takes place at TheARC, 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE. Formore information, call (202) 724-5626.

10th • 6 to 8 p.m.Attend a talk on Safer, Stronger DC

Community Partnerships at Garfield El-ementary School, located at 2435 Ala-bama Ave. SE. For more information,email marvin.gay2@dc.gov.

12th • 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.DC Office on Aging is holding a re-

source fair at Fonteneau Senior Well-ness Center, located at 3501 GeorgiaAve. NW. For more information, contactMichelle Singleton at (202) 727-0338.

13th • 6 to 8 p.m.Attend a talk on Safer, Stronger DC

Community Partnerships at FerebeeHope Recreation Center, at 8th andYuma St. SE. For more information,email cameron.shields2@dc.gov.

20th • 10 a.m. to noonWant to make a difference in your

community? Train to become a DCOAAmbassador with the Office on Aging.Learn information about our programsand services for persons age 60 andolder and adults with disabilities andtheir caregivers, and help us connect topersons that need our help. For more in-formation or to register, call 202-724-5626 or visit dcoa.dc.gov.

27th • 6 to 8 p.m.Attend a talk on Safer, Stronger DC Com-

munity Partnerships at Langston Dwellings,located at 667 24th St. NE. For more infor-mation, email cameron.shields2@dc.gov.

28th • 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.Enjoy happy hour at Model Cities Sen-

ior Wellness Center, located at 1901Evarts St. NE, and dance to music by DJTyzer. A $10 donation includes a lightbuffet and non-alcoholic frozen drinks.For more information, call 202-635-1900.

Community Calendar

Senior Symposium 2017Mayor Muriel Bowser greeted nearly

900 attendees at the Sixth Annual Sen-ior Symposium themed “Enrich.Em-power.Engage.” Since taking office in 2015, Mayor

Bowser has launched a range of in-novative initiatives and programsthat support DC’s senior residents,including Safe at Home, a programthat helps seniors age in place. Since launching in 2016, the Safe at

Home program has already installedsafety adaptations in the homes of near-ly 700 DC seniors and residents withdisabilities, reducing the risk of fallsand other injuries. This month, theMayor also announced that eligibleSafe at Home clients can also apply tohave private security cameras installedon their property, free of charge.The event also featured guest speak-

ers including Dr. Patricia Davidson,who spoke on “Matters of the Heart,”and Rawle Andrews, Jr., Regional VicePresident with AARP, who shared “Re-claiming Your Inner David: FindingPurpose and Promise in a World of Go-

liaths.” Attendees received greathealthy-heart and living tips and infor-mation, as well as being empowered toovercome their Goliaths.More than 80 exhibitors provided

information, senior resources andhealth screenings. Seniors also tookphotos in photo booths to commemo-rate the occasion.

Team Rayceen led a lunch time perform-ance with a classical guitarist, singer andperformer before his workshop onEverything you Wanted to Know ButWere Afraid to Ask About LGBTQ.

The results are in! The District has anew queen representing her seniorpeers, Ms. Senior DC Frances CurtisJohnson. The 67-year-old Ward 4 residentwas crowned at the Ms. Senior DC Pag-eant held at the UDC Theater of the Arts.Johnson was among eight women to

compete for the title of Ms. Senior DC.She will represent the District in the Ms.Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City,New Jersey from October 15 to 20, 2017.The Ms. Senior DC winner also won

the Best Interview and Best Salesper-son titles during the annual contest. First runner-up was Dr. Judyan An-

drews, also of Ward 4. Second runner-up was Patricia Ragland,

a participant of Model Cities Senior Well-

ness Center. She also won the BestEvening Gown and Best Talent titles. Forthe latter, she danced to Michael Jackson’s“The Way You Make Me Feel.” Contestants were judged on their el-

egance, grace and poise during an in-terview, their talent and gown presen-tations, and their philosophy of life. Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant contest-

ants voted Hadiyah Muhammad Ms.Congeniality.The pageant was presented by the Of-

fice on Aging, Senior Service Networkand the DC Seniors Cameo Club. Photosare available on the DCOA Flickr Pageand its other social media pages.See http://bit. ly/MsSeniorDC

Pageant2017

Deputy Mayor HyeSook Chung (left), First Runner-up Dr. Judyan Andrews, Ms. SeniorD.C. Frances Curtis Johnson, Second Runner-up Patricia Ragland and D.C. Office onAging Executive Director Laura Newland, after the winner announcement.

This year’s eight Ms. Sr. DC contestants, shown with their escorts.