Resource WINTER 2016
Seabury ... Your Destination for Holiday Giving! Donate Today! Your Contribution Counts
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Tax-Related Identity Theft: Are You Covered?
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Celebrating the Holidays with a Family Member with Dementia
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A Letter from the CEO
Through a generous grant by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, your contribution to Seabury will be matched -- DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT and make your gift today.
Dear Friends: Chances are you know and love an older person who needs a little help. Maybe it’s your neighbor whose trash cans you bring in once a week. Perhaps it’s your grandparent who is getting a lot of mail and telephone calls and thinks they’ve won the sweepstakes. Or maybe your parents are struggling to keep their bills paid on time. Seabury is here to help and we need your support today. Longer life brings many rewards but it can also be a time of health concerns, rising cost of living, and modest incomes. And just when services are needed by older adults the most, access to transportation, food, and affordable housing is being cut. Aging with dignity and respect is at the core of Seabury’s mission - the ability to live life to its fullest in the place you call home, regardless of age, illness, or disability. Seabury needs your help more than ever to ensure that older adults in our community receive the services that they deserve. With your gift, Seabury is a safe, comfortable home for more than 250 older adults with modest incomes; a reliable ride to more than 100,000 critical medical appointments; an advocate through 23,000 hours of case management; and a daily meal for frail, homebound adults, as we provide nearly 300,000 meals each year. Please make your contribution today. We are grateful for your support and accept tax-deductible donations in the form that is most convenient for you: use the enclosed envelope; give online at give2seabury.org; phone our office at (202) 289-5690 with a credit card; mail a check made out to Seabury Resources for Aging at 6031 Kansas Avenue NW, Washington DC 20011; or donate through your workplace giving campaign. Together we make an impact. Thank you! Sincerely,
Deborah M. Royster Chief Executive Officer
THANK YOU TO OUR PAR TN E RS
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YOUR CONTRIBUTION COUNTS THE IMPACT OF YOUR DOLLAR 92%
Programs & Services
8 Programs 3 Housing options 100% Commitment to aging with dignity and respect
4%
Administration
4%
Fundraising
115,085 healthy meals served
626
intergenerational service projects
3,564
seniors received free medical transportation
346
homes for seniors
35,180 hours of community volunteerism
23,186
hours of counseling & case management
127,486
meals delivered to homebound seniors
Educated the community at on programs
268
& services for seniors
give2seabury.org seaburyresources.org | page 3
Washington DC Services & Programs
After a gas explosion destroyed the Flower Branch Apartment complex in Silver Spring, the residents of Seabury at Springvale Terrace donated over $500 of household items.
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 DC’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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Tax-Related Identity Theft: Are You Covered?
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen social security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. Be Aware of Identity Theft Tactics The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses social security numbers to ensure that your tax filing is accurate and complete. Identity thieves can also use your social security number to apply for jobs and to file for your refund. An unexpected notice or letter from the IRS could alert you that someone else is using your social security number. It is important to understand that the IRS doesn’t start contact with a taxpayer by sending an email, text or social media message that asks for personal or financial information. The IRS also will not call you unless it has already sent you a letter in the mail. If you get an email that claims to be from the IRS, do not reply or click on any links. Instead, forward it to phishing@irs.gov. If someone uses your social security number to file for a tax refund before you do, the IRS might think you have already filed and received your refund. When you file your return later, IRS records will show the first filing and refund, and you’ll get a notice or letter from the IRS saying more than one return was filed for you. If someone uses your social security number to get a job, the employer may report that person’s income to the IRS using your social security number. IRS records will show you failed to report all your income. The agency will send you a notice or letter saying you received wages but didn’t report them. The IRS doesn’t know those wages were reported by an employer you don’t know.
Safeguard Your Identity Mail your tax returns early in the season. An early filing increases the chances that you will file before anyone stealing your identity has the chance to do so. Mail tax returns from a post office. Do not put them in your mailbox. Use a secure network when filing electronically. Do not file from a public place such as a library or on an open Wi-Fi network. Store copies of your returns securely and shred any drafts. Protect your personal identity as if it were jewelry or cash. Do not carry your social security card with you. Also, do not carry your Medicare card except when you are visiting a health care provider for the first time. Most providers will want to make a photocopy of it for their files. Visit identitytheft.gov to report and recover from identity theft.
5 TIPS TO AVOID FRAUDS & SCAMS A study reported by the American Psychological Association(APA) revealed that older adults are 10 times more likely to remember false information than younger adults. The combination of not remembering correctly and being unwilling to admit there’s a problem can make older adults especially vulnerable to scam artists. A Detroit Free Press article reported that lonely seniors had an increased risk of being the victims of fraud, citing a national survey done by Wayne State University that found that one in 20 adults, 50 and older, reported being the victim of fraud. Those numbers are probably higher because fraud done by someone known to the older adult is often not reported.
So what can be done to limit your risk of being scammed? •
Get things in writing, including estimates and warranties.
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Register your phone with the national “Do Not Call” registry to avoid many telemarketing calls.
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Do not give out personal information on the phone or through email requests. If you get a request from your bank or credit card company asking for personal information, do not click on that link in the email. Instead, call the bank/card company directly.
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Don’t download an email attachment from someone you don’t know or click on a link in an unsolicited email.
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Consider a credit monitoring service for an especially vulnerable older adult.
seaburyresources.org | page 5
Sweet & Healthy Winter Treats
Celebrating the Holidays with a Family Member with Dementia:
Keeping It Simple
Straight from the kitchen of Springvale Terrace’s food services manager, Linda Smoodish, comes a sweet but healthy recipe perfect for winter get togethers. These Mini Date Nut Snowballs have no “added” sugar and are gluten free. They also require no cooking, making them the easiest thing you will make this season!
Mini Date Nut Snowballs Ingredients: 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut 3 1/2 ounces pitted dried dates (about 14) 15 small raw almonds 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of salt Directions: Spread the coconut on a plate. Put the dates, almonds, cinnamon and salt in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Form rounded 1/2 teaspoonfuls of the mixture into balls then roll in the coconut, pressing to coat. Place on a plate in a decorative pattern.
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For families who have a relative with dementia, holiday gettogethers often prompt a new way of celebrating. The key to a positive holiday experience is to simplify the tradition. The noise, visual stimulation and excitement that celebrations bring may have been enjoyable for your relative in the past, but can be disorienting or agitating now. Consider hosting a small gathering, tone down your decorations and try to focus on one task at a time. Involve your relative in activities that he or she can be successful with, such as setting the table or singing carols. Make sure that a caregiver is present at the event. It is important to ensure that someone is looking out for your relative.It is difficult, as well as stressful, to both entertain and be the caregiver. If your relative lives in an Alzheimer’s community, it may be more comfortable to visit her there. Maintaining your loved one’s routine and sense of familiarity will help everyone enjoy being together. Regardless of where you gather, be sure to celebrate one another. Reminiscing is a wonderful way to share a moment with your loved one. Also, it is an activity that the entire family can participate in. By making some adjustments to holiday traditions, you and your family can enjoy the season and create special memories together. Seabury Care Management offers care planning and counseling to help older adults and their families manage the health and lifestyle challenges associated with aging. For more information, contact Seabury’s Care Management office at (202) 364-0020.
Know a friend or family member who is losing their vision?
Gloria Duckett, Director of the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, was born blind in one eye, and later she lost her vision in the other. She explains that “I was devastated when I lost my vision. I thought my world had come to an end. It was particularly difficult because I had seen for 30 plus years.” As she was losing her vision, she began taking classes in how to live with vision loss, and eventually received her bachelors of science degree in Gerontology, as well as her masters in Education and Special Education. The education she received was so important in keeping her active, happy, and fulfilled. Her goal is to empower those at the Center just as she was. Ms. Duckett explains that she “makes sure there is at least one thing the center provides to help each person cope with vision loss.” The Center focuses on keeping people active and engaged. Participants share coping strategies and have built a community. Once someone joins here they are family.
who are losing or have lost their vision or friends and family of people who are losing or have lost their vision. The support group meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 11 am at the Woodbridge Library (1801 Hamlin Street NE Washington, D.C. 20018).
Don’t need vision support services but would like to help someone who does? Donate today at give2Seabury.org.
The Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired changes lives. This season as you think about friends, family, and neighbors that might need support, think about calling Ms. Duckett at (202) 529-8701 or email at gduckett@ seaburyresources.org.
To those that have not lost their sight, Ms. Duckett explains: “To lose your sight, it’s like you lost everything. You have to depend on people for everything. You have to think about how you would feel, what you would do, and how you can cope.” Seabury’s Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired has a new support group for people
Ms. Duckett, Director of the Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, has been with the program for the last 14 years.
Six Ways Congregations Can Support Older Adults and Their Families
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Create a caregiver respite ministry. Give caregivers a break and those in their care an outing to anticipate. Organize a drop-in respite program or sponsor a caregiver’s luncheon.
Become a dementia-friendly church. Join the movement to be open and welcoming to people with dementia and their families. Visit: http://spiritualityanddementia.weebly.com/ to learn how. Recognize life transitions. Use ritual to mark transitions associated with aging: retirement; the transfer of care of a family member; a blessing of a new home.
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Youth from St. Columba’s Episcopal Church assisting older adults with their tech needs.
Reimagine retirement. Harness retirees’ desire for purpose and capacity for leadership by engaging them in ministry. They lead, you support. Acknowledge wisdom. Reap rich rewards by practicing intergenerational worship. Try pairing youth with older adult mentors. Want to do more? Support Seabury by volunteering with us or by becoming a congregational sponsor of our work.
Want to learn how? Contact Elizabeth Boyd, Congregational Resources Coordinator, eboyd@seaburyresources.org or 202-414-6316. seaburyresources.org | page 7
Leadership In Aging Celebration Wednesday, May 27, 2017 6 pm - 8:30 pm AMP by Strathmore 11810 Grand Park Avenue North Bethesda, MD 20852 The Leadership In Aging Celebration is Seabury’s largest annual fundraiser, as well as a recognition of the great work that individuals are doing to support the senior community. This year, Seabury will be honoring Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett for his leadership in aging services. Your support is more critical than ever! For more information or to purchase a ticket, call Greg Wagner at (202) 414-6313.
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 or visit give2seabury.org. 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
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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