DCOA E*News At-A-Glance
 Today's older and younger generations have limited opportunities for meaningful interaction segregated by age and marked by long distance grandparents and grandchildren. These generations are divided emotionally, physically, and socially while missing exciting opportunities to learn, engage and share. Last week, Anacostia Senior High School students learned the importance of sharing new ideas, challenges, and experiences with seniors at Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center in Ward 8.
Anacostia STARS Intergenerational Program provides opportunities for young adults to learn and interact with seniors as well as for seniors to share their talents and enjoy being with children for meaningful experiences. STARS had the opportunity to participate in many activities with the seniors such as:
- Educational Reading Assessments;
- Tai Chi;
- Manicure Treatments; and
- Billiard Competitions.
Education, friendships and unforgettable memories were created. Intergenerational at its BEST!
Did
you know that for adults 65 years or older statistics
show that 60 percent of fatal falls happen at home, 30 percent in
public places and 10 percent in health care institutions? [Cornell University] According to D.C. Chief Medical Examiner, in 2013, 87
accidental deaths among seniors in the District of Columbia were due to
preventable falls.
DCOA has launched
new assessments to reduce the number of falls to ZERO through our new Falls Prevention initiative.
During this initiative, DCOA will dispatch occupational therapists to a
senior’s home to conduct a falls assessment and seniors
will receive a report identifying fall hazards and recommendations on how to
eliminate them.
For more information on preventable falls
and/or to schedule a falls assessment, contact our office at
202-724-5626 or visit our website at www.dcoa.dc.gov.
Are you interested in volunteering to be a part of D.C. Office on Aging's Intergenerational Program? Do you have what it takes to make an impact?
DCOA is currently seeking seniors interested in volunteering to build relationships with, mentor, and guide the District's youngest learners in District of Columbia Public Schools’ (DCPS) early childhood classrooms. For more information on volunteering, please contact us at 202-724-5622 or send us an e-mail at DCOA@dc.gov.
Before the
Age-Friendly DC Strategic Plan is Finalized in September, Get Involved!
1.
Attend
a Community Meeting. During
the month of August, there will be a series of community meetings across the
city. It’s your chance to give input and feedback on the draft Age-Friendly DC
Strategic Plan.
2.
Volunteer
to Walk your neighborhood.
Beginning on the first day of spring, DC residents have participated in the
2014 Block-by-Block Walk all around the city. Make sure your neighborhood has
its strengths and needs regarding walk-ability, amenities and services recorded
as part of this citywide effort. Neighborhood Ambassadors – residents familiar
with their Single Member District (SMD) – are needed to guide volunteers completing
the neighborhood surveys. Sign up today by registering at www.surveymonkey.com/s/agefriendlydc walk0914 or call Gail Kohn, Age-Friendly DC Coordinator, at 202-727-2736.
Date: Saturday, August 2, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Lamond-Riggs Library
5401 S. Dakota Ave N.E.
Meeting Room 1
Date:
Tuesday, August 5, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cleveland Park Library
3310 Connecticut Ave N.W.
Auditorium
Date:
Saturday, August 16, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
1100 4th Street S.W.
Room E200
Date:
Wednesday, August 20, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Savoy Elementary School,
2400 Shannon Place S.E.
Gymnasium
Date:
Tuesday, August 26, 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Location: John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave N.W.
Room G-9
 On July
21st, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton hosted
nearly 150 D.C. seniors to discuss pending bills and other congressional
actions.
Special greetings came from Dr. John M. Thompson, Executive Director,
D.C. Office on Aging, Solomon Keene, President of the Hotel Association of
Washington, D.C., and AARP DC. Seniors also enjoyed the music of Clarice Labbe Karter, a
well-known violinist and instructor of the violin, who is also a senior, and an
exercise presentation from William Yates, Associate Coordinator of Older Adults
at the YMCA.
Additionally, seniors were able to take a
tour of the newly constructed Paul Laurence Dunbar High School where
Norton and many of the D.C. seniors went to school.
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 DCOA is excited
to announce the addition of self-serve salad bars at each of the six senior
wellness centers, to provide seniors with more variety and choice. These
salad bars offer numerous options, including a make-your-own salad section, a
healthy premade salad, and freshly cut fruit. The hot meal options will
still be offered daily.
For a list of participating
wellness centers or for more information, visit www.dcoa.dc.gov or call 202-724-5626.
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