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

DCOA E News

September 23, 2013

DCOA E*News At-A-Glance

Hundreds Attend Age-Friendly Forum

Age-Friendly DC Forum Photo

Mayor Vincent C. Gray addressed more than 200 residents who attended the Age-Friendly DC Forum at the Howard Theatre. The Mayor spoke of the ways the District is moving towards becoming an age-friendly city by 2017.

The Office of Planning and the Department of Transportation are working on city infrastructure including streets, sidewalks and buildings. The Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of General Services are making sure that playgrounds are inclusive to all regardless of their abilities.  Improvements have been made to libraries, and the taxicab and transit network.  The Mayor also added that affordable housing has been expanded and we are working on creating communities where neighbors help one another which is the essence of senior villages. The District is working hard to improve the quality of life of all residents by making neighborhoods safer, greener and more livable.   


Creating Community Solutions DC

As a follow up to the White House Conference on Mental Health held this past June and President Obama’s call for a national dialogue on mental health, Mayor Vincent C. Gray will host a citywide discussion on mental health.  Creating Community Solutions DC will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Square, NW. The forum will educate District residents about important mental-health issues – especially those affecting youth between the ages of 12 and 24– and help foster collaboration and coordination among local service providers, associations, schools, community organizations and government agencies. The event is for residents of all ages and service providers.  For registration or for more information click here.


Legal Assistance for District's Seniors

DCOA provides funding annually to the Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) in support of LCE’s program areas assisting seniors 60 years of age and older.  LCE educates older District of Columbia residents on their legal rights and provides individual legal representation on discrete legal problems through our Lead Agencies as well as at seven neighborhood self-help offices; it engages in systemic advocacy assisting large segments of the D.C. older population including predatory lending cases, systemic improvements to the real property tax system, and residents transitioning from long-term care facilities back into the community.  LCE also advocates legislation before the Council of the District of Columbia on issues that affect the quality of life of senior residents of the District.

Legal Counsel for the Elderly works with DCOA on various policy and legal issues including efforts made by DCOA to address the real property tax issue. DCOA has modified its intake processes to include information concerning payment of real property taxes, and will also remind clients of the need to make semi-annual tax payments. 

If you are in need of Legal Counsel for the Elderly services, D.C. residents can call the LCE free 24-hour hotline at 202-434-2170.


Hearings on Pepco Rate Increase

The D.C. Public Service Commission has announced Community Hearing dates for Pepco's latest $52.1 million rate increase request. The Office of the People's Counsel encourages all consumers concerned about the reliability and cost of Pepco's services to voice their concerns. Hearing dates include:

Monday, September 30, 2013, 10:00 am
D.C. Public Service Commission Hearing Room (Ward 2) 
1333 H Street, NW, 7th Floor East Tower | Washington, D.C. 20005

Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 6:30 pm
Deanwood Recreation Center (Ward 7)
1350 49th Street, NE | Washington, D.C. 20019

Those who wish to testify should contact the Commission Secretary by the close of business three (3) business days prior to the date of the hearing by calling 202-626-5150. If an organization or an individual is unable to offer comments at the community hearings, written statements may be submitted to:

Brinda Westbrook-Sedgwick, Commission Secretary
Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia
1333 H Street, NW, Suite 200, West Tower, Washington D.C. 20005

For more information and to view the notice click here.


Escort Transportation Service

CREST transportation escort services provides certified home health aide escorts to accompany District of Columbia residents, age 60 and over to and from their medical appointments.  This “door-through-door” service provides valuable assistance to the elder and relief to family caregivers requiring an escort. Please call the CREST program at 202-638-0736 to find out how they can assist you or your loved one.


Free Flu Shots

The Department of Health is offering FREE flu shots at participating Giant, Rite-Aid, Safeway and Walgreens pharmacies in the District on Sunday, October 6, 2013 from 1-3 pm. To pre-register to receive your vaccination, call 202-671-0673 or email cynthia.harris2@dc.gov.

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September issue of the Spotlight on Aging Newsletter

September Spotlight on Aging 2013
 

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Click here to view full edition of The Beacon Newspaper


September issue of the
Spotlight on Community Living Newsletter

September Spotlight on Community Living 2013
 

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Click here for the DCOA Calendar of Events!

DCOA Calendar

DCOA in the Media

Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant 2013

Washington Informer, June 26, 2013

The Washington Post Brief, July 3, 2013

The Washington Sun

DCN-16 Coverage Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant 2013

Mayor's Second Annual Senior Symposium

DCN-16 Coverage Senior Symposium

WJLA-TV article

Washington Informer Silver Alert 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

Fox5DC article and video coverage

WTOP article and photo gallery

Other Media Links

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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