Resource FA L L 2 0 1 6
TRANSPORTATION
AGE-IN-PLACE
HOUSING
CARE MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY RESOURCES & NUTRITION Financial Exploitation
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National Elections November 8
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Senior Living Open House
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Financial Exploitation 8 Warning Signs of Financial Abuse 1. Unpaid bills, notices to turn off utilities even though the senior should have enough money to pay them 2. Spending behavior that appears to be out-of-character 3. New “best friends” who are not promoting a senior’s best interests or are claiming a right to funds
The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and older has experienced some form of abuse in the past year. Among the elderly, financial abuse and exploitation are growing. The annual financial loss by victims of elder financial exploitation was estimated to be $2.9 billion in 2009, a 12% increase from 2008. Survivors of elder mistreatment suffer significantly higher levels of psychological distress than nonvictims. Below are some tips and resources to help you spot and report abuse. Financial abuse may start with family caregivers who borrow a little money from Dad’s bank account. The caregivers mean to pay it back but time gets away from them and they just forget or they just can’t get ahead enough to pay the money back. Sometimes a neighbor or “friend” asks for a loan from an older adult. Or perhaps a stranger tells Mom or Dad they have won a sweepstakes and all they need to do is send a small amount of money to cover processing costs. Elder financial exploitation can take these and many other forms including taking property, forging signatures, coercion or influencing a vulnerable older adult’s financial decisions. According to the Federal Trade Commission here are some signs of financial abuse: - Sudden changes in the older person’s financial situation. - Suspicious changes in wills or powers of attorney – Out of the blue, your grandfather wills all of his belongings to his new nurse. - Financial activity the person couldn’t have done herself – You discover repeated ATM withdrawals from your bedridden mother’s bank account. - Bills not being paid – you see mail piling up on your neighbor’s desk.
4. Sudden changes in a will, trust, insurance, power of attorney or other financial documents 5. Unusual bank account activity including abrupt or unexplained transfers of assets or more frequent withdrawals from accounts 6. ATM withdrawals when the older adult couldn’t have done so 7. Missing items or cash from the household 8. Confusion about recent financial arrangements or changes
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- Significant withdrawals or unusual purchases – You notice charges for fancy electronics on your thrifty aunt’s credit card bill.
If you spot any of these signs or are concerned that someone you know is being taken advantage of, consider one of the following actions: If someone is in immediate danger, call the police - dial 911. If the danger is not immediate, but you suspect that abuse has occurred or is occurring, please tell someone. Contact Adult Protective Services (APS). DC: 202-671-4200 MD: 1-800-917-7383 VA: 1-888-832-3858 If you suspect abuse in a nursing home, contact your Long-Term Care Ombudsman. DC: 202-724-5622 MD: 410-767-1100 VA: 804-726-6624 For areas outside of the DC metro area, you can find the APS and Long-Term Care Ombudsman numbers on the eldercare.gov website or by calling 800-677-1116. Seabury care managers also provide support to families who are concerned that a frail elder may be at risk of abuse and to older adults without family. Care Managers assess their clients, getting to know them well. They understand the signs of exploitation and can act as a protective barrier against exploitation. Contact Seabury Care Management’s free information and assistance HelpLine at 202-364-0020.
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NATIONAL ELECTIONS NOVEMBER 8
Voting is an important civic duty and amazing privilege.
Do you know when and where to cast your vote?
During the last presidential election less than 60% of eligible voters came out to make their voices heard. Register to vote, learn where to can cast your ballot, find out more about the election process, or sign up for an absentee ballot for the November 8th general election at your local elections office. Deadlines are confusing and may differ from state to state. The deadlines for registering to vote by mail are October 11 in DC, although qualified individuals may register and vote during the early voting period October 28-November 7 and on election day November 8. In Maryland, October 18 is the deadline for registering on-line but you can also register and vote during the early voting period October 27-November 3. Make sure you bring with you all the required identification information. In Virginia, the deadline for registering to vote is October 17. Virginia offers in-person absentee voting (ending November 5) at designated sites. Washington, D.C. District of Columbia Board of Elections www.dcboee.org 1-866-DC-VOTES
Seabury at Friendship Terrace residents participated in a voter registration drive with the District of Columbia Board of Elections earlier this year.
Maryland Maryland State Board of Elections www.elections.maryland.gov 1-800-222-8683 Virginia Virginia Department of Elections www.elections.virginia.gov 1-800-552-9745
Become an Age-In-Place® Volunteer Team Leader Age-In-Place® is rolling out a new program this fall where volunteers can take on leadership roles within the program and lead volunteer groups on service projects. Team leaders will receive training on volunteer management. To sign up, Age-In-Place® asks for a 6-hour commitment per month for a minimum of three months.
For more information call (202) 635-9384 ext. 105.
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SEABURY BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT BORING
Seabury at Friendship Terrace has a new administrator! Semira Negasi, seen here greeting residents, joined the Friendship Terrace team as Administrator in September, following the promotion of former administrator Eileen Anatra.
Support Seabury through workplace giving campaigns. Please designate Seabury in the United Way (#8904) and Combined Federal Campaigns (#63211) this year. Seabury is also available to exhibit at campaign fairs. For more information contact Greg Wagner at (202) 414-6313 or GWagner@ seaburyresources.org
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Meet Kay Rodgers, who is beginning her second year on Seabury’s board. Seabury is no ordinary organization and we don’t have ordinary board members. Kay is a motorcycle enthusiast, an adventurer, and a minister. She started riding motorcycles in her 20’s and likes to go on long cross-country trips. One of her goals, which she is pretty close to accomplishing, is to drive through all 50 states. Kay will often ride with groups but particularly likes riding alone because she finds that she can meet many more interesting people that way. Motorcycling isn’t her only passion. Whether it be outdoor activities like hiking and white water rafting or international travel, Kay is always up to the challenge. As a spiritual woman, Kay finds the outdoors to be its own type of cathedral. Kay grew up in Virginia, went to college at William & Mary and then received a Master’s of Library Science degree from Catholic University. For over 31 years, Kay worked at the Library of Congress in the Science, Technology and Business Division. For years she thought her vocation was the work she did at the Library of Congress and her faith was something else she did. It was only later in life that she came to realize that was not the case. It was a combination of happenstance and what some would call destiny that she became a minister. Her family tells the story of when she was four she used a knitting stool as her pulpit when she spoke to her imaginary congregation. As an adult, she was picking up a gift for a friend at Wesley Seminary when she met the recruitment director by accident and by the time she had left she was signed up for divinity school. Along with volunteering on Seabury’s board, Kay currently mentors a student in fifth grade and assists congregations part time with ministry. Look for more profiles on staff, volunteers, and board members in upcoming publications and on Seabury’s blog at https://seaburyresources.wordpress.com/
Washington DC Services & Programs
Metro Area Services
Senior Living
Seabury Programs and Services Seabury at Friendship Terrace offers retirement living for active, independent older adults in the Tenleytown area of Washington, DC. Phone: (202) 244-7400 Seabury at Springvale Terrace offers affordable personal care and assisted living in a community located near downtown Silver Spring. Phone: (301) 587-0190 Home First Residences* provides a shared-living home and support for older adults needing assistance with personal care and medication management. Phone: (202) 635-9384
Information and Referral Line (202) 364-0020 Call for free information, assistance and referral to the appropriate Seabury or other community program. Care Management provides professional guidance and support for older adults and their families. One time consultation and care management services are available. Call for information on fees and subsidies. Phone: (202) 364-0020 Congregational Resources provides guidance for Episcopal and United Church of Christ congregations as they develop programs, services, and share resources with older adults and caregivers. Phone: (202) 414-6316
Aging and Disability Resource Centers* services include: home-delivered meals and group meal sites; nutrition counseling and education; case management and support for caregivers; and social, recreational and wellness activities. Ward 5: Phone: (202) 529-8701 Ward 6: Phone: (202) 397-1726 Age-In-PlaceŽ coordinates volunteers to provide yard work and house cleaning service to older adults living in Washington’s Wards 4, 5 and 6. Phone: (202) 635-9384, ext. 105 Senior Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired* enhances the quality of life and independence of older adults who have lost or are losing their vision. Transportation is provided to and from the Center from anywhere in Washington DC. Phone: (202) 529-8701 Seabury Connector* provides referrals and information on transportation options as well as transportation services to medical and public benefit appointments for DC seniors 60 and over at no charge. Phone: (202) 727-7771
*A part of the Senior Services Network supported by the DC Office on Aging
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Snapshots of Seabury
Donate To A Community Dining Site! Seabury Resources for Aging has 17 community dining sites in Wards 5 and 6. Nutrition sites offer participants a chance to enjoy lunch, as well as activities, educational, health, nutrition, and wellness programs. Help make nutrition site programing more interesting by donating today!
Seabury staff spoke on two panels at the Mayor’s Senior Symposium and shared resources with community members at our booth. Thank you to everyone who joined us at this year’s event. Pictured above left is Christine Bitzer, Seabury Care Management Assistant Director, who led one of the panels.
The community dining sites are always looking for small items to enchance their programming. Here are a few donation ideas:
Bingo Prizes Toiletries, water bottles, stationery, greeting cards, gift cards and tote bags
Youth from St. Columba’s Episcopal Church helped residents at Seabury at Friendship Terrace with their information technology needs during a tech support/Genius Bar event over the summer.
Throughout the summer participants at Seabury’s Ward 6 community dining sites enjoyed themselves at circus-themed parties.
Art & Craft Supplies Crochet yarn, stationery, ribbons and tissue paper
Games Playing cards, puzzle books
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Friends, family, and staff enjoy an evening of fun at the Home First Residences end of summer Jazz & Garden Party. Music was performed by Rochelle Rice winner of the DC City paper’s “Best Jazz Vocalist” award. Listen to her at rochellericemusic.com.
Senior Living Open House Sunday, October 23, 2016 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm Seabury Resources for Aging invites you to explore four area residential communities designed for older adults. Stop by for tours, information, and refreshments. Groups are welcome! Collington 10450 Lottsford Road, Mitchellville, MD Seabury at Friendship Terrace 4201 Butterworth Place NW, Washington, DC Seabury at Springvale Terrace 8505 Springvale Road, Silver Spring, MD
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Boyd, eboyd@seaburyresources.org or 202-414-6316
Cedar Lane 22680 Cedar Lane Court, Leonardtown, MD
What Happens to Your Digital Footprint After You Die? From advanced directives to last will and testaments, end-of-life planning often focuses on medical and financial decisions. But what happens to our digital footprint -- data we create on the internet -- after we die? And how can we plan ahead to protect our online accounts and information? A deceased person’s (and family’s) financial information can be left vulnerable in inactive online social media and email accounts. Likewise, surviving family members may not be able to gain access to a relative’s account without prior planning, risking the loss of family photos, videos, documents, and other mementos. Learn about the options that you have on Seabury’s blog at seaburyresources.wordpress.com seaburyresources.org | page 7
Get Moving With ConnectorCard Seabury’s ConnectorCard program provides subsidized transportation funds for eligible residents of the District of Columbia through a prepaid visa debit card. Customers can use the ConnectorCard to pay for transportation-related expenses which include, but are not limited to, taxi services, public transit fare cards, private transportation services, and intercity bus and rail services.
Who can apply? Washington, D.C. residents, age 60 and older.
Contact the ConnectorCard office at: (202) 844-3000 connectorcard@seaburyresources.org
Become A Monthly Giver! Your donation makes a difference for thousands of older adults in our community. For as little as $10 a month become a Seabury Sustainer by enrolling in our monthly giving program. It is quick, easy, and affordable. You will receive a monthly statement acknowledging your gift as well as a year-end statement totaling your contribution. You control the time of the month, the amount, and can even designate which Seabury program you would like to support. Interested and need more information call (202) 414-6318. Our programs of meal service, housing, transportation, and care management reach thousands of people in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area every day. At Seabury, our solutions are innovative and flexible as we strive to meet each person where he or she is in life.
Enroll online at seaburyresources.org or use the envelope included in this newsletter. Contributions can also be mailed to: Seabury Resources for Aging 6031 Kansas Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20011
For a limited time all new Seabury Sustainers will receive a special Seabury thank you gift!
GIVE THROUGH WORKPLACE CONTRIBUTIONS! To give through the Combined Federal Campaign, use code #63211. To give through the United Way, use code #8904.
6031 Kansas Avenue N.W., Washington DC 20011 PERMIT 273 ANNAPOLIS MD
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