WASH I NG TON B E A CON — NOVEMBER 2 0 1 2 23

VOLUME XXVIII, ISSUE 11 A newsletter for D.C. Seniors November 2012

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE ON AGING

Spotlight On Aging

My column this month is aboutfood insecurity. The United StatesDepartment of Agriculture definesfood insecurity as the state of being“unable to afford balanced meals,cutting the size of meals because ofinsufficient money for food, or beinghungry because of insufficientmoney for food.” As you are aware, seniors are on a

fixed income and are constantly de-ciding between prescription medica-tion purchases, transportation todoctors’ offices and other places,and food. Unfortunately, seniorsoften are left in a tough situation ofhaving to do without sufficient nutri-tious food.I recently gained a new perspec-

tive about food insecurity when Ijoined D.C. Hunger Solutions in itsFood Stamp Challenge. On thischallenge, I was restricted to eatingonly $30 worth of groceries thatwould sustain me for seven days. AsI reflect on my experience, I realizedthat I purchased an abundance ofcarbohydrate-loaded items, rice andnoodles; insufficient vegetables andfruits; very little meats; and nosnacks. Consequently, I was ex-tremely sluggish in the afternoonbecause of no additional foods to eatuntil dinner time. Moreover, I waseating the same food for lunch anddinner. Although this was only a seven-

day challenge, where I lacked vari-ety in food choices, many Districtseniors and other residents fre-quently experience a lack of suffi-cient food to maintain a healthylifestyle. According to the D.C.Hunger Solutions’ website, hungerand a lack of access to healthy foodsare contributing factors to obesityand poor health outcomes. Such re-

sults lead to more visits to emer-gency departments, admissions tohospitals, and for some, admissionsto nursing homes. Trips to a medical facility can be a

traumatic experience for our sen-iors, and we must make every effortin assisting those experiencing foodinsecurity to overcome this barrier.To combat this plight, we are part-

nering with D.C. Hunger Solutionsto increase the public’s awarenessabout the unfortunate impact thatfood insecurity has on the District’sseniors and other people. Moreover,we have partnered with the CapitalArea Food Bank to administer theCommodity Supplemental FoodProgram and the Seniors Farmers’Market Program, which provideseniors with a monthly bag of gro-ceries and an annual issuance ofcoupons to purchase fresh produceat local farmers’ markets. Through these two programs —

our congregate meal/homeboundmeal programs and the SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program (for-merly known as Food Stamps) — wehave an opportunity to tackle food in-security. This is our best approach inassisting every impacted senior. We challenge our partners in the

community, local churches, civic as-sociations, and other community-based organizations, to host fooddrives and grocery coupon clubsthat could give seniors a helpinghand in their communities. If you or someone you know is ex-

periencing food insecurity or if youwould like to help us tackle food in-security, please contact us at 202-724-5622. Through a collective ef-fort, we can ensure that all Districtresidents have access to adequatenutritional meals.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGEBy Dr. John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA Mayor Vincent C. Gray, other District of-

ficials and representatives of the D.C. Officeon Aging (DCOA) released the D.C. SeniorNeeds Assessment and a Strategic Plan forCommunity Living in an Age-Friendly City.The multi-year plan highlights four maingoals and strategies for serving seniors thatDCOA and other District agencies will im-plement through 2017.

“Ensuring that the District’s residentshave the supports necessary to age in ourcommunity while living independently is acritical goal in my One City Action Plan, andmaking sure the District is an Age-FriendlyCity will benefit all of our residents,” MayorGray said. “The needs assessment gives usa roadmap for beginning to meet the cur-rent needs of our older residents, identify-ing service gaps and allowing DCOA to re-fine its service model.”

The District will convene a task force ofDistrict agencies and community partners,including AARP, to oversee the execution ofthe three-year strategic plan. The followingfour goals from the plan will be addressed:

• The District will be an Age-FriendlyCity — an urban community that is inclusiveand accessible, and encourages active andhealthy aging.

• Every senior will be linked to appropri-ate quality resources ensuring independent,productive living in the community.

• All seniors will have access to nutri-tious meals and physical and social activi-ties, and will be financially prepared for re-

tirement and their long-term-care needs.• The District will create and strengthen

partnerships to implement innovative prac-tices and improve senior services.

The District will join seven states as apilot for the AARP Network of Age-FriendlyCommunities through the World Health Or-ganization (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.

The goal of this program is to provide asystem to educate, encourage, promote andrecognize improvements that make cities,towns and counties more user-friendly notonly for their older residents, but for resi-dents of all ages. This represents Goal No. 1of the District’s strategic plan.

The strategic plan came in response tothe Senior Needs Assessment, whichMayor Gray commissioned DCOA to con-duct. It was the first such assessment theDistrict has conducted since 1978.

The study was designed to analyze thecurrent needs of D.C.’s older adults, howservices are delivered and what needs maybe unmet for senior citizens. Data providedthrough the report will allow DCOA and itsSenior Service Network to address the fu-ture needs of the District’s growing popula-tion of baby boomers as well as current con-sumers.

For more information or to get a copy ofthe Senior Needs Assessment or StrategicPlan for Community Living in an Age-Friendly City, visit DCOA’s website or callthe agency’s main number at 202-724-5622.

Mayor Gray Releases Report andStrategic Plan to Ensure the District

Becomes an ‘Age-Friendly’ CityOffice on Aging Plan Outlines Four Goalsto Ensure Livability for Aging Residents

Give us a grade on service!The Office on Aging is pleased to join

nine other agencies participating in Grad-eDC. Let us know about the service you re-ceive as you visit or call the Office on Agingor visit one of the six Office on Aging-fund-ed wellness centers across the city.

Log onto www.grade.dc.gov to rate us.We would love to hear how we can serveyou better! If you are on Facebook or Twit-ter, send us a post or a tweet to let us knowwhat you think. We are among the secondgroup of agencies to be rated.

Current agencies involved in the ratingprocess are:

• DC Public Library • Department of Consumer and Regula-

tory Affairs

• District Department of Transportation • Department of Motor Vehicles • Department of Parks and Recreation • Department of Public Works • Fire and Emergency Medical Services • Metropolitan Police Department • 311/911Visit www.grade.dc.gov and provide

your feedback today!

Tell Us What You Think! We Want To Know!

Four easy ways to give us your feedback:

text (202) 499-2529 tweet @dcagingnews facebook DistrictofColumbiaOfficeonAging

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

D.C. OFFICE ON AGING NEWSLETTER

A participant was bubbling withexcitement after attending a recenttraining of the DCOA Ambassa-dors. She thought of many waysthat she could engage her neigh-bors and assist the Office on Agingin getting the word out about theprograms and services providedby the office.

To find out more informationand ways you can help senior citi-zens, the disabled age 18 andolder, and their caregivers, call202-724-5622 to register.Upcoming dates:• Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to noon• Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to noon

Become a DCOAAmbassador

Ms. Senior D.C. Makes Finals in National EventAfter the announcement of the Top

10 candidates for the Ms. Senior Amer-ica Pageant, Ms. Senior D.C. Mary L.McCoy was joined by representativesfrom California, Colorado, Missouri,New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Caroli-na, Tennessee, Texas and Utah duringthe annual event held in Atlantic City,N.J. at Harrah's Hotel."I was shocked but so honored and

proud to represent the District of Co-lumbia," said McCoy after making thefinals. McCoy, a resident of Ward 8, isonly the second contestant from theDistrict of Columbia to make the fi-nals. The first contestant was SandraBears, Ms. Senior D.C. 2005.The finalists then performed their

talents one final time before the win-ner was announced. McCoy per-formed her dance with enthusiasm to“Let Your Mind Go Back,” by ShebaPotts Wright. Complete strangers fromthe audience came up to members ofthe group to say how much they en-joyed her dance and that they wereamazed by her high kick, even sug-gesting that she angle herself so thatthe audience could see the full extentof her kick.

McCoy, age 61, modified her danceslightly from her performance at thelocal pageant in June and changed hercostume, which she made. She woreblack shimmering leggings with agold, shimmering asymmetrical tunictop with fringe, topped off with a goldshimmering stingy brim hat with ablack band.Elisabeth Howard captured the

title of Ms. Senior America. Theopera singer and actress from Cali-fornia sang “Violetta's Aria” fromVerdi's La Traviata, Sempre Libera,in Italian. The rest of her court in-cluded Ms. South Carolina Laura Mc-Fayden (1st Runner Up), Ms. TexasLillie Madison (2nd Runner Up), Ms.Utah Boni Losee (3rd Runner Up),Ms. New Jersey Carol Dugan (4thRunner Up).This year 35 contestants competed

for the title of Ms. Senior America dur-

ing the national pageant. Each contest-ant, who must be 60 years or older, wasjudged on a private interview with thejudges, her philosophy of life, and hertalent and evening gown presenta-tions. Senior America Inc, produces the

pageant, and its philosophy is basedupon the belief that seniors are thefoundation of America and our mostvaluable treasure. It is upon theirknowledge, experience and resourcesthat the younger generation has theopportunity to build a better society.

Ms. Senior D.C. and the contestants wore red gowns during the opening number ofthe pageant. Representatives from 34 other states competed in the Ms. SeniorAmerica Pageant 2012. Locally, Ms. Senior Virginia Kat Fanelli and Ms. MarylandMahal May also were contestants.

Ms. Senior D.C. Mary L. McCoy picturedin her stunning gown during the EveningGown Presentation.

Ms. Senior D.C. Mary L. McCoy per-forms during the talent competition atthe Ms. Senior America Pageant.

Ms. Senior America Elisabeth Howard (center) poses with Gwen Moseley Coleman,District of Columbia State Director, and Ms. Senior D.C. Mary L. McCoy after thecrowning.

The D.C. Office on Aging has begunthe operations of the Commodity Sup-plemental Food Program (CSFP) andthe Senior Farmers Market NutritionProgram (SFMNP) after they weretransferred from the Department ofHealth last month. The CSFP provides nutritious food

to low-income pregnant, postpartumand lactating women, preschool-agechildren and residents 60 years of ageor older. In addition to providing nutri-tious food, the CSFP also provides nu-trition education to help participants

improve their health through betternutrition. The purpose of the SFMNP is to

provide fresh fruits and vegetables tosenior citizens of the District of Co-lumbia who are eligible for CSFP. Theprogram expands the awareness anduse of farmers' markets, and also sup-ports and promotes the daily con-sumption of fresh fruits and vegeta-bles. There are several distributionsites across the city.For more information, call 202-535-

1417.

Office on Aging Oversees Food Programs

WASH I NG TON B E A CON — NOVEMBER 2 0 1 2 25

D.C. OFFICE ON AGING NEWSLETTER

Community CalendarNovember events

5th • 10 a.m. to noonTake part in Seniors Going Green! Presentations

will be provided by Dept. of Public Works Recycling,DC Sustainable, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, Of-fice of the Peoples Counsel and the D.C. Office onAging and Aging and Disability Resource Center atBehrend Adas Senior Fellowship, 2850 Quebec St.NW.

6th • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Seniors Going Green will be repeated at St. Al-

bans Episcopal Church, 3001 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

8th • 5 to 8:30 p.m.D.C. Caregivers’ Institute National Family Care-

givers’ Month will sponsor a celebration reception atthe Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives,1201 17th St. NW. The theme is “Good Time Jazz.”R.S.V.P is required and seating is limited. Contactthe D.C. Caregivers’ Institute, 202-464-1513.

14th • 10 a.m. to 2 pmThe Office on Aging will exhibit during the Com-

munity Health and Wellness Fair at River Park Mu-tual Homes, 1311 Delaware Ave. SW. Walgreens willalso be onsite administering free flu vaccines.

14th • 1 p.m.The Model Cities Senior Wellness Center, located

at 1900 Evarts St. NE, will present a Gospel Explo-sion show featuring local talent and a special guestappearance. For more information, contact MonicaCarroll at 202-635-1900, x24.

19th+ • 6 to 7:30 p.m.Iona Senior Services and the Alzheimer’s Associa-

tion National Capital Area Chapter are providing twonew educational series, one for people caring forsomeone diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’sdisease and the other for people who have been di-agnosed with Alzheimer’s. The meetings run con-currently on Mondays, Nov. 19 and 26 and Dec. 3from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Iona, 4125 Albemarle St. NW.To register, call 202-895-9448 and select option 4.

25th • 3:30 p.m.The Choraleers of the Washington Seniors Well-

ness Center will present its annual concert at SaintJohn Christian Methodist Church, 2801 Stanton Rd.SE. For more information, call 202-581-9355.

28th • 12:45 p.m.The Model Cities Senior Wellness Center will

host a storytelling program. The center is located at1900 Evarts St. NE. For more Information, call Mon-ica Carroll at 202-635-1900, x24.

28th • 1:30 to 3 p.m.Iona Senior Services will sponsor a program

called “How to be an Effective Caregiver.” The work-shop covers the basics of legal and financial plan-ning necessary for aging in place and gives anoverview of the services available in the community.It will take place at Live and Learn Bethesda, atBethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Service Center,4805 Edgemoor Lane, Second Floor, Bethesda, MD.The cost is $10. Register at www.liveandlearnbethes-da.org or call 301-740-6150.

December1st • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.The Office on Aging will exhibit at the Family

Caregivers Forum at Providence Hospital, St.Catharine’s Hall, 10th and Varnum Streets NE.

5th • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.The Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration

will be held at the D.C. Armory, 2001 East CapitolSt., SE. The annual event will feature health, well-ness and safety demonstrations, health exhibits, liveentertainment, music and dancing to the greatesthits. Free flu shots will be administered on site. Afestive holiday lunch will also be served. To reserveyour free ticket, call 202-724-5626

Spotlight On Aging is published bythe Information Office of the D.C. Of-fice on Aging for D.C. senior resi-dents. Advertising contained in theBeacon is not endorsed by the D.C.Office on Aging or by the publisher.

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

202-724-5622 • www.dcoa.dc.govDr. John M. Thompson, Ph.D., FAAMA

Executive DirectorDarlene Nowlin,

EditorSelma Dillard, Photographer

The D.C. Office on Aging does notdiscriminate against anyone basedon actual or perceived: race, color, re-ligion, national origin, sex, age, mari-

tal status, personal appearance, sexu-al orientation, familial status, familyresponsibilities, matriculation, politi-cal affiliation, disability, source of in-come, and place of residence or busi-ness.Sexual harassment is a form of sex

discrimination which is prohibited bythe Act. In addition, harassmentbased on any of the above protectedcategories is prohibited by the Act.Discrimination in violation of the Actwill not be tolerated. Violators will besubjected to disciplinary action.

The Office on Aging isin partnership with the

District of Columbia Recycling Program.

SPOTLIGHT ON AGING

Providing Care for a Loved OneWhen Ward 1 resident Buddy Moore and

his wife Carolyn received her diagnosis ofAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), "it wasthe worst day of my life because it was adeath sentence," said Mr. Moore.

The disease started appearing in her feetfirst. Mrs. Moore tripped four or five times onher way home one day, which was not normalfor her. She went to her medical doctor, whobegan running tests to rule out various dis-eases that have similar symptoms. The doctoreventually referred the Moores to a doctor atGeorge Washington University Hospital, whodelivered the diagnosis of ALS.

Commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease,ALS is a fatal neuromuscular disease in whichmuscle control is lost, resulting in completeparalysis. Through all this, the mind remainssharp and alert. About 30,000 people are cur-rently living with ALS in the United States.This year, 5,000 people will be diagnosedwith ALS. The life expectancy of an ALS pa-tient is two to five years from the date of diag-nosis.

Later, the disease began affecting Mrs.Moore’s left leg and her knees. Through theALS Association, the Moores were able to geta wheel chair loan. The DC/MD/VA chapterof the organization is there to help, and loansout expensive equipment that many personswould never be able to afford on their own orwith their insurance coverage.

When Mrs. Moore later became bedriddenand could only move her eyes, the opticalreader on loan from the association helped theMoores communicate.

While they made home modifications, likebuilding a ramp into the house, the diseasebegan to wear on Mrs. Moore, and it tookhours just to prepare to leave the house. She

eventually said to her husband, “Buddy, whatgood am I to anybody?”

The family formed the Carolyn J. MooreCorporation, and she was named as CEO.Other family members were also appointedofficers in the corporation. This helped hertremendously and made her feel important.

The caregiving experience hit another ob-stacle, however. Buddy, who cared for hiswife almost entirely on his own, was able tolift his petite wife, and she was able to givehim some assistance. But one time he was not.

She fell on top of him on the floor, andthey were both unable to move. He was ableto reach for the phone and call a neighbor anda friend, David. Thinking back, Mr. Mooreremembered with a smile, “He was there inno time at all.” David was able to lift both ofthe Moores and to help get them situated.

The Moore’s experience only lasted abouta year, but their struggles with caregivingwere a lot easier because of the resources thatwere available that allowed Mr. Moore totake care of his wife in their own home.

Mr. Moore, who still remains very active,works with the ALS Association on variousprojects and is working to make more personsaware of the disease. He also is working withthe Office on Aging to help caregivers.

He recently was a guest host on the D.C.Caregivers Online Chat at Noon, sharing hiscaregiving experience and tips that he is shar-ing with others. In case you missed the onlinechat, you may log onto www.dcoa.dc.gov to re-play it.

For more information, call Linda Irizzaryat 202-535-1442. The bi-weekly online chatprovides caregivers with helpful tips, infor-mation and resources available to assist per-sons providing care informally.

Seniors — Come One, Come All”to the Hayes Senior Wellness Cen-ter. Enjoy fitness activities, excitinggames, hand dancing and walkingclubs that are offered at all seniorwellness centers in the District ofColumbia. Unique to this center is a

medical model to address the pre-ventive health needs of olderadults. Come out and join the fun.The center is open Mondaythrough Friday from 8:30 a.m. to4:30 p.m. For more information, call202-727-0357.

Hayes Senior Wellness CenterOpen for Business