A Word From Shane
Honoring the Caregivers

Caregiver Appreciation Day is next week. On March 3, we honor the millions of family members, friends, and professionals who care to older adults, the chronically ill, and the disabled. It is a day to recognize the compassion and sacrifice involved in caring for our loved ones in need.

Every day at JCA, we are honored to be an organization that older adults and their families count on. When someone turns to us—especially a caregiver seeking

resources for a family member—we understand the trust, courage, and hope that come with that first step. Our team feels privileged to walk beside each person who seeks support, guidance, or simply a community that understands.

The team here at JCA is grateful to partner with caregivers at every step in their journey. Their strength and tenderness inspire us daily. Partnering with them—helping them care for their loved ones while also caring for themselves—is one of the most meaningful parts of what we do.

I am especially moved by the families of our program participants who, after losing someone dear, choose to honor their loved one’s memory through a gift to JCA. These acts of generosity are profound expressions of gratitude and trust. They help ensure that others can find the same comfort and connection their families once found with us.

You make our work possible. We are there for everyone who turns to us for help because of you— our community of volunteers, donors, and staff—who believe in the power of compassion and connection. Together, we are standing beside older adults and those who love them.

From all of us at JCA, thank you for being part of this caring community. Your partnership truly makes a difference.

With gratitude,

Shane

The 2026 Winter session of OMA (Opening Minds through Art) is well underway. OMA is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people living with dementia. OMA enables people living with dementia to assume new roles as artists and teachers and leave a legacy of beautiful artwork.

The OMA art show will be held on March 6. If you would like to attend, RSVP to LJohnson@AccessJCA.org by March 2. Please include the names of all the attendees in your party. For security reasons, we cannot accept walk-ins.

Lynn Fanaroff, Inspiration for Kesher Cafe 

About five years ago, Lynn Fanaroff, one of Joyce Schneider’s closest friends, was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (YOD). “It felt very different than when someone is in their late 80s,” Joyce told us. “If you are 58 or 62, your whole world just sort of falls apart.”

Lynn’s diagnosis and the desire to meet the unique needs of people with YOD drove the Kensington Clubs team to create the Kesher Cafe, which recently celebrated its second year. This social day club welcomes people like Lynn, who are in the prime of their lives and don’t feel comfortable sharing their concerns and

fears with people often 15 or 20 years older.

Lynn passed away earlier this month at the age of 62. She was in her fifties when she learned of her diagnosis. She participated in the Gorlitz Kensington Clubs and Kesher Cafe, where she felt most comfortable sharing time with people closer in age who had received the same dementia diagnosis. Lynn’s legacy will continue to give support and respite to care partners and provide meaningful social interaction for people with YOD.

Our February 18th Agency-Wide Volunteer Meet & Greet was filled with connection, gratitude, and joyful music — thanks to the talented student performers from MusicAid.

Founded in May 2023, MusicAid is a youth-led nonprofit organization with chapters in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Massachusetts. Their mission is to make a positive impact through music — and they certainly did that at our celebration.

Musicaid provides free services to communities, including piano accompaniment, basic music lessons, live concerts, and chamber music performances.

Their commitment to service is woven into everything they do. The organization serves as a Service Learning Partner of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland and Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, as well as a Community Service Partner for Lexington High School in Massachusetts. They also participate in the President’s Volunteer Service Award program.

Music builds bridges across generations — and on February 18th, those bridges were alive with harmony and community and emotion. One attendee said the music brought tears to her eyes. She was so moved.

The students’ performance brought warmth and vibrancy to the room, creating a beautiful atmosphere for volunteers from every JCA department to gather, reconnect, and celebrate their impact. It was especially meaningful to witness young people using their musical talents in service to older adults — a powerful reminder of how intergenerational connection strengthens our entire community. The musicians were aged 9 to 17, from fourth grade to eleventh grade.

We are deeply grateful to MusicAid for sharing their time, talent, and heart with us. Their music truly set the tone for an afternoon of appreciation and community.

JCA Named as New Benefits Enrollment Center

The NCOA Center for Economic Well-Being supports a network of Benefits Enrollment Centers (BECs) around the country to help low-income people with Medicare access programs that pay for healthcare, food, and more. Using web-based tools and person-centered approaches, the BECs help low-income seniors and people with disabilities find and enroll in all the benefits programs for which they are eligible, and create coordinated, community-wide systems of benefits access.

The BECs focus on connecting Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes to these core benefits:

BECs also help adults age 65+ and younger adults with disabilities to apply for other programs, such as Supplemental Security Income, State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs, local transportation assistance, tax relief, and more.

The BEC at JCA will be available by phone, online, and in person (by appointment). Keep an eye on your email and on this newsletter for the launch announcement.

On January 28, JCA held a webinar on preventing fraud, scams, and identity theft. This important webinar illustrated the many types of scams that target older adults and how we can safeguard our finances and personal information. You can read more on this troubling trend on the JCA blog.

You can view the video of the entire webinar below.

The webinar presented several resources on preventing and reporting scams and fraud in general and Medicare fraud in particular. You will find those resources below.

Maryland

Medicare fraud resources:

Montgomery County SHIP

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

Report fraud: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

For Medicare Advantage: Call the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379)

Maryland Attorney General

Scam/fraud resources:

Keeping Seniors Safe 

Frauds and Scams 

Fraud Reporting

Cyber Crime 

Influence and Fraud 

Victim Resistance  

Financial Crimes Section  

DC and Virginia

VICAP

Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (Virginia SMP)

DACL Health Insurance Counseling

DHCF Report Fraud and Abuse

Scam/fraud resources:

Virginia Office of the Attorney General  

National Elder Fraud Hotline

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division

DISB Financial Empowerment Booklet

Providing Answers for a New Stage of Life

When Elaine Abramson could not figure out how to help her aging brother, who lived out of state, she turned to JCA’s Senior HelpLine. After all, another one of her brothers had been a JCA board member and always spoke highly of the staff and volunteers and about how helpful they are.

“I am so very incredibly grateful that I did call,” she said.

Senior HelpLine Program Manager, Paula Riddle, led Elaine to a website where she typed in her brother’s zip code. “They had a lot of professional gerontologists who were licensed in that zip code,” she said.

She connected with Geriatric Care Management, and a geriatric care manager “who has just been outstanding, extremely helpful,” she said, adding, “It was a wonderful referral. The problem seems to be resolving,” Elaine said.

She praised Paula both for “recognizing the urgency in my voice” and for then following up later to see if things were working out. “She just really went out of her way.”

When Larry Joseph, Elaine’s brother who had served on the JCA board of directors, passed away, Elaine, together with other family members, established a memorial fund endowment and included a generous unrestricted gift.

“My brother spoke very highly of the agency,” Elaine said, adding, “My experience with your agency has been nothing other than very positive.”

The caring staff and volunteers at the Senior HelpLine address questions and concerns on a variety of topics for an aging population and for their care partners.

“The Senior Helpline is an information and referral program that helps connect older adults to needed resources. As individuals and families begin to experience changes and realize the need for help, they may be overwhelmed and unaware of how to start navigating the search for resources. The Senior Helpline can help identify needs and make referrals to appropriate providers and programs,” Paula explained.

“People call with all types of questions, and we will try to research it if it’s something we don’t know,” Paula said.

JCA’s Senior HelpLIne responded to 383 calls during the last fiscal year. Callers asked about housing, in-home personal care, legal resources, recreation, technical assistance, and how best to obtain food, furnishings, and transportation in the Washington, D.C. area.  

How to Be a Dementia Friend

JCA will be hosting a How to Be a Dementia Friend talk on Monday, March 2, at 3 pm on Zoom, given by two of the committee members of Dementia Friends Montgomery County, which is part of Dementia Friends Maryland and Dementia Friends USA.

Learning Objectives for the informational session:

By completing the session, you will help heighten awareness of dementia in the community and be equipped to respond warmly and effectively when serving people living with dementia and their families. Please feel free to share this with colleagues, friends, and family.

All participants receive a certificate of completion.

If you would like to participate, RSVP to Colleen Kemp.

Montgomery County Free Virtual 50+ Employment Expo

Register today for the JCA Montgomery County free virtual 50+ Employment Expo on March 10, 2026. Help us spread the word. If you know of any age-friendly employers, tell them about our expos and the accomplished, experienced, motivated candidates waiting to hear from them.

This month, the JCA blog offered more useful information about protecting yourself from scams. Imposter scams are consistently one of the top three types of scams in the U.S. Investment and romance scams, known as “pig butchering,” also continue to be widespread.

A video from Dementia UK reveals the early warning signs of dementia, and a news article reminds us of the importance of daily check-ins 

for our aging loved ones.

Keeping legal papers in order will protect older adults and their heirs. Refer to this checklist.

If you are considering or are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, upcoming budget changes may impact your healthcare. SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) is always available to answer your Medicare questions, and the JCA Senior HelpLine is here for all your aging concerns.

If you are a caregiver for an older adult, or you know one, check out the KC Blog as well.

Larry M Joseph Memorial Endowment Fund
Karen Miller in memory of Frederick Joseph Ridgway to Kensington Clubs
Shelley Hendler Lever in memory of Jeff Rhody to Kensington Clubs Kesher Café
Elaine & Sid Waldstreicher in memory of Jennie Neustadt

In memory of Lynn Fanaroff to Kensington Clubs Kesher Café

Janet & Eddie Aaronson
Ken & Tami Abramowitz
Wendi & Danny Abramowitz

Roberta & Ira Almeas
Beth Aronson
Samantha Atkin
Ian & Kim Band
Jonathan Beiser
Sheryl Bensimon
Chuck Bernstein
Diane Besner
Millie, Steve, Bonnie & David Besner
Roz & Rob Black
Ted Bloom
Sandra Brockman
Barb & Scott Brody
Robin & Larry Brown
Dahn & Mike Burke
Cristin Caine
Jennifer Cheadle
Steven Clever
Eileen & Derek Coen
Evalyn & Kenny Cohn
Joy Comer
Jillian Copeland
Miriam Cramer
Duabe Davis
Larry & Susan Davis
Lisa & Jim Denburg
Vicki & Jeff Dordick
Arlene Draiman
Marie Dromerick & Family
Ellen Eisenberg
Julie Eisenberg
Meyer Eisenberg
Elissa Eva
Barbara Faigen
Suzanne & Michael Fanaroff
Sherri & Scot Farrell
Kim & Rob Finkel
Jonathan Forster
Julie Fox, Debbie Weinman & the Kramer girl family
Jay Freschi
Barbara & David Friedman
Barbara & Steve Friedman
Karen Garber
Alicia Gasthalter
Jodi Glick
Stacy & Tim Gorin
Mark Green
Shari & Harvey Goodman
The Gutierrez Lehr Family
Paul Hack
Barry & Dani Haffner

Lisa & Jonathan Hamburger
Dawn Harris
Susan Harris
Tamara Haskin
Kelley Hawk
Lisa Hedgepeth
Pamela Heiber
May & Gary Heimberg
Shelley Hendler Lever
Steve & Gail Hubberman
Karen Jerome
Adina Kanner
Gayle Kaplan
Rhonda Kaufman
Richard & Barbara Kaufman
Andrea Kay
Lisa & Mark Kirsch and Family
Marlene Kirsch
Emily & Neil Kishter
Carolyn Kolben
Julie Krakower
Beverly Kramer
Rise Lavine
Robin Lawson
Amy Leonard
Janet & Christopher Lerner
Michael & Renée Lessans
Marla Levenstein
Giselle Light

Judi & Burt Littman
Lisa & Steve Lozinsky and Family
Barbara & Jack Luria
Amy Manela
Pam Marquez
Haley & Jesse Mates
Paula Mates and Family
Rochelle Mendelsohn
Nancy & Ned Merrill
Beth Meyer
Sherrie Mitchell
Donna & Mitchell Morris
Kelly Nicklas
Robert Norwitz
Adam Orchant
Brett Orlove
Cindy & Irnie Oser & Kim
Ivye Pazornik
Lori Peiser Kaufman
Meri Picard
Giuseppe Pintucci & Family
Pam & Dan Pisner
Lisa Platt
Linda & Bruce Pollekoff
Debbie & Brian Redman
Ellen & Cary Reines

Brian Resnick
Debra & Steve Robins
Julie Rosenthal
Fran & Steve Rotter
Nancy Rubin
Paul & Liz Sachs
Melanie Franklin, Jen Holzman, Shira Sandler, Jessica Cohen, Menucha Frischling, Alexa Picciotto, and Michelle Safferman
Kathy Savits
Hugh Schaefer
Randi & Paul Schweitzer
Linda & Darle Short
Ron & Abby Shumacher
Tammy Sickels
Lisa Siegel
Larry Silver
Gloria Silverberg
Maxine & Scott Silverman
Ellen Singer
Arlene Smadja
Barbara Small
Rachel Smith
Robyn Solomon
Lynn Stander
Allison Stein
David Stein
Howard & Leslie Stein
Ellen & Bill Sternberg
Jackie Stone
Dana Stutman
Sheri & Gary Sudhalter
Anne Sweeney
Sue & Gary Tabach
Linda Tashman
Amy Turow
Beth, Adam, Andy & Allison Van Wye
Kathleen Varga
Jani & Jeff Vinick
Ellen & Gordon Wase
Jennifer & Jonathan Weinberg
Norm & Audrey Weissberg
Daniel White
Ellen White
Marsha & Chris White
William & Madison White
Noreen & Scott Winkelman
Colleen Young
Randi Zifrony
Taryn Zimmerman
Mountaire Farms
Pete Pappas & Sons, Inc.
UniPro Foodservice Inc.