Adult day care programs providespecialized care for dependent individ-uals who are at risk of nursing homeadmission. Services may include med-ical, social, therapeutic and recreation-al support in a supervised setting.Meals and transportation are provid-ed. There is no fee for service; howev-er, donations are encouraged.The Office on Aging funds the Down-

town Cluster’s Day Care Center,Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care

Program, and the Weinberg Wellness &Arts Center to provide adult day healthservices for persons age 60 and older.We also have worked with our sisteragency, the Department of Health CareFinance (DHCF), to enroll Medicaid eli-gible participants who are age 55 andolder into adult day care programs.The programs provide nursing staff,

social workers and others to create asafe environment where mental stimu-

District seniors took Atlantic City bystorm during the Ms. Senior AmericaPageant activities held at the ResortsHotel Superstar Theater, Oct. 16-21.Ms. Senior D.C. Billie LaVerne Smith

was among 46 contestants to competeduring the pageant. Wearing an elegantapple red gown, adorned with rhine-stones on flesh tone netting in the frontand back that mirrored her tiara, Ms.Senior D.C. presented her philosophyof life, challenging the audience toshare their gifts with others. Playing a jazz number on the piano

during the talent segment, Ms. SeniorD.C. gave you a taste of Duke Elling-ton’s “Don’t Get Around Much Any-more” from the Broadway musical So-phisticated Ladies.Ms. Missouri Senior America Peggy

Lee Brennan was crowned the winnerof the contest that celebrates the ageof elegance for women age 60 andolder. Brennan is an actress, dancerand singer, and is most known for herrole as Radar’s girlfriend in the hit tele-vision series M*A*S*H. Representing the state of Maryland,

Sherri McGhie, was selected first run-ner-up, and Elaine Willingham fromAlabama was selected second runner-up during the contest.District dance sensations the MC

Steppers danced during the first andsecond preliminaries and the pageantfinals. Each day they donned glitzy, se-

quined costumes and performed a dif-ferent dance number to the sounds ofStevie Wonder. Their final perform-ance culminated with “Uptown Funk”by Bruno Mars.Congratulations to Ms. Senior D.C.

Billie LaVerne Smith and the MC Step-pers, led by choreographer MonicaCarroll, for representing their peersduring the Ms. Senior America Pag-eant 2016. We may not have capturedthe crown, but they definitely knowthat we have talented seniors here inthe District of Columbia!

VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE 11 A newsletter for D.C. Seniors November 2016

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging

Happy Thanksgiving! This is myfavorite time of the year. Not only dowe take time out to give thanks withand for our loved ones, but it’s also atime to show appreciation for thosewho dedicate their lives to caring forothers. November is National Fami-ly Caregivers Month and NationalAdoption Awareness Month.Many of you have heard me share

stories about my childhood and myparents, but you may not know that Iwas adopted as a child. So I am espe-cially appreciative of those who arecommitted to providing a safe, sta-ble and loving environment to oth-ers in need.During this past year, I’ve had the

opportunity to speak with many ofyou about your lives. I’ve realizedthat there’s a particular segment ofour senior population who may feeloverlooked — grandparents caringfor grandkids. Recently at one of ourTown Hall meetings, I was askedwhat types of resources the Office onAging provides for seniors who areraising a second generation. WhileDCOA provides assistance and sup-port specifically to relatives who arecaring for their loved ones with vari-ous needs, I’ll admit that there’smore work to be done to supportgrandparents raising grandkids.

According to the 2010 Census,there are more than 2.7 millionhouseholds in the U.S. with grand-parents raising their grandchildren.There were more than 6,000 chil-dren under the age of 18 living ingrandparent-led households in D.C.as of 2014, according to the Annie E.Casey Foundation Kids Count DataCenter.The District of Columbia Child and

Family Services Agency (CFSA) runsa Grandparent Caregiver Program.District residents who qualify for thisprogram may receive monthly finan-cial assistance to help care for chil-dren living with them. You can call202-442-6100 or visit www.cfsa.dc.govfor more information. You can also contact DCOA at 202-

724-5626 or www.dcoa.gov for moreinformation on the caregiver supportservices available for seniors. Ifyou’re interested in adoption or fostercare, please contact CFSA at 202-671-LOVE or visit www.adoptdckids.org. I hope every one of you has a won-

derful Thanksgiving. And a veryspecial thank you to caregivers andgrandparent caregivers — your con-tributions are vital to our communi-ty. Next time you see me in the com-munity, I’d love to hear from youabout how we can serve you better!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGEBy Laura Newland Executive Director, D.C. Office on Aging

44 NOVEMBER 2 0 1 6 — WA SH I NG TON B E A CON

Ms. Senior AmericaPageant

SAVE THE DATE!Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration

Thursday, December 8 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.D.C. Armory

2001 East Capitol Street SECall 202-724-5622 to reserve your ticket today.

Ms. Senior D.C. Billie LaVerne Smith is picturedwith Ms. Florida Senior America Rose Tydusafter the crowning of Ms. Senior AmericaPeggy Lee Brennan.

Adult Day Care

See ADULT DAY CARE, page 45

lation and various enriching activitiesmaintain adults with varying levels andforms of dementia.Music and art therapy, recreational

activities and, in most cases, physicaltherapy are used to stimulate brain ac-tivity, socialization, verbalization andencourage interaction with others.Physical therapy, in most cases, is alsoused to strengthen balance, enduranceand gait of participants. Our programs are also using Linked-

Senior — computer software that helpsattendees stay mentally engaged. The

software offers tools to help them rem-inisce through songs and movies. Participants can also work inde-

pendently or in groups on games likeArmchair Travel or Jeopardy. You areprobably familiar with Jeopardy, wherethere are categories or clues, but Arm-chair Travels allow participants toshare thoughts and memories ofplaces and helps those around them tofeel as if they have traveled to thesedestinations themselves.Each center also offers activities

that are unique to that location. If you are looking for a place to send

your loved one during the day, or a wayto keep them from being sent to a nurs-

ing home prematurely, check out one ofthree DCOA-funded centers to providethat break or solution you need.

Downtown Cluster’s Day Care Center

Asbury Methodist Church926 11th St. NW, DC 20002

202-347-7527

Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care Program

4817 Blagden Ave. NW, DC 20011202-723-8537

Weinberg Wellness & Arts Center

4125 Albemarle St. NW, DC 20016202-895-0238

WA SH I NG TON B E A CON — NOVEMBER 2 0 1 6 45

SPOTLIGHT ON AGINGSpotlight On Aging is published by theInformation Office of the D.C. Office onAging for D.C. senior residents. Adver-tising contained in the Beacon is not en-dorsed by the D.C. Office on Aging orby the publisher.

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

202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.govExecutive DirectorLaura Newland

EditorDarlene Nowlin

PhotographerSelma Dillard

The D.C. Office on Aging does not dis-criminate against anyone based on ac-

tual or perceived: race, color, religion,national origin, sex, age, marital status,personal appearance, sexual orienta-tion, familial status, family responsibili-ties, matriculation, political affiliation,disability, source of income, and placeof residence or business.Sexual harassment is a form of sexdiscrimination which is prohibited bythe Act. In addition, harassment basedon any of the above protected cate-gories is prohibited by the Act. Dis-crimination in violation of the Act willnot be tolerated. Violators will be sub-jected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging is in partnership with the

District of Columbia Recycling Program.

November8th • 10 a.m. to noonA Health Benefits and Wellness Fair

will be held at 111 Massachusetts Ave.NW. To learn more, contact Linda J.Greene at 202-233-2586.

12th • 4 p.m.Iona is hosting a ukulele jam and sing-

a-long led by Maureen Andary, an ac-claimed ukulele and guitar teacher in theWashington, D.C. area. Bring your ownmusic stand and instrument to join in.Sheet music and light refreshments willbe provided. Iona is located at 4125 Albe-marle St. NW. RSVP to 202-895-9407.

15th • 2 to 3 p.m.You can honor your loved one without

spending more than you can afford — ifyou know how to do it. This free 45-minute talk titled, “What EveryoneNeeds to Know about Planning Funer-als,” and Q&A will be presented by theFuneral Consumers Alliance of Mary-

land and Environs (FCAME) and spon-sored by Iona’s Take Charge/Age WellAcademy. The talk will take place at theTenley Friendship Library, 4450 Wiscon-sin Ave. NW. Pre-registration is appreci-ated. Contact Elizabeth Frick at commu-nity@iona.org or 202-895-9420.

16th • 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.The D.C. Office on Aging, in Collab-

oration with Community Preservation& Development Corporation and theOverlook Senior Apartments, presentthe 2016 Community Health, Wellnessand Informational Fair. It will be held at3700 9th St.SE. For more information,contact Katrina Polk at 202-870-6974 orJeanette Covington at 202-907-2324.

16th • 11 a.m.The Center for the Blind & Visually

Impaired’s Low Vision Support Groupmeets every third Wednesday of themonth. The next meeting will be Nov.16 at 2900 Newton St. NE. For more in-formation, contact G. Duckett at 202-529-8701.

17th • 5 to 9 p.m.The Seabury Resources for Aging

fundraiser will be held at Madam’sOrgan restaurant. For more informa-tion, contact V. Grayton at 202-529-8701.

19th • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The 12th annual community fair and

pre-Thanksgiving dinner will take placeat First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church,602 N St. NW. To learn more, emailfrmz.communityfair@yahoo.com.

20th • 2 p.m.A free film viewing and Q&A with

the filmmakers featuring AdoptionShorts by Nicole Burton and Friendsand Adopted: For the Life with Me byJean Strauss will be held at Iona SeniorServices. The latter film follows Daveand Joe as they embark on journeys tofind their origins. Their heartwarmingsagas, with their unexpected and mov-ing conclusions, illuminate the impactsecrets can have over an entire life-time. Iona is located at 4125 AlbemarleSt. NW. To RSVP, call 202-895-9407.

21st • 6 to 7 p.m.A presentation on resources and

services provided by the District ofColumbia Office on Aging will bemade to the Capitol View Civic Associ-ation at Hughes United MethodistChurch at 53rd and Ames Streets NE.For more information, call Alice A.Thompson at 202-535-1321.

22nd • 10 a.m.The Center for the Blind and Visual-

ly Impaired will tour the National Mu-seum of African American History andCulture. For more information, con-tact V. Grayton at 202-529-8701.

24th • 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Unity Health Care is partnering with

Safeway, Salvation Army and othercommunity-focused organizations tohost the Annual Feast of Sharing atWalter E. Washington Convention Cen-ter, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW. To learnmore, contact Caroline Kuo at 202-717-7984 or ckuo@UnityHealthCare.org.

Community Calendar

Adult day careFrom page 44

D.C. OFFICE ON AGING NEWSLETTER