JCA Insights, July 2025

A Word From Shane
Starting the New Fiscal Year

JCA’s new fiscal year is off to a great start. I’m excited about the new initiatives our program teams are planning and looking forward to sharing more with you as we move from ideas to implementation in the coming months.

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a time to reflect on the future and take meaningful steps to protect the

people and causes that matter to you. We encourage you to embrace this important task and secure your peace of mind. At JCA, we know how important it is to have a plan that echoes your wishes and continues to build bridges across generations. While caring for your loved ones is paramount, your will is also an opportunity to ensure that your spirit of care and generosity will continue.

We invite you to take a moment to complete your will to secure what you cherish. And, if it resonates with you, I hope you will consider making a gift to JCA. By including a legacy gift in your will, you give lasting power to our community as we provide access, answers, and opportunities to older adults and family caregivers throughout Greater Washington, D.C. far into the future.

You can multiply the impact of your investment in our work with a monthly gift. You support as a sustaining donor helps us meet ongoing needs and plan for the future.

Baltimore author Richie Frieman enthralled members of the JCA’s Kesher Cafe on July 9 when he spoke about his latest book, The Optimistics. The book details the life of his friend and the club he started after being diagnosed with young onset dementia.

The Optimistics is a true story about three men, all battling the same disease, who joined together. Frieman followed their lives for two years.

“This is not a medical book. This is a book about love and joy, and optimism,” he told club members, who also have received that diagnosis. The club members in the book saved each other by forming a bond. “They were there for each other,” Frieman said.

Kensington Club Care Partner in the New York Times

In a recent New York Times article, “A Loved One Was Diagnosed With Dementia. Now What?” Don Siegel, a former Gorlitz Kensington Club member spouse and care partner, talked about the stress of caregiving and what a horrible disease dementia is.

“It’s the mental equivalent of death by a thousand paper cuts.” Families are “left with someone you can’t recognize, except in very brief moments.”

Read more about Don and Bette in JCA’s Aging Well email on Thursday.

Governor Wes Moore announced the launch of Maryland Benefits One Application, a new mobile-friendly tool that allows eligible residents to apply for multiple assistance programs—including Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, WIC, and energy aid—through a single, streamlined platform.

The application will make it easier to apply for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Women, Infants, Children (WIC) programming, and energy assistance in a single application from a computer or smartphone.

“Today, we take a big step forward in our work to ensure that Marylanders can access the basic services they need,” said Gov. Moore. “At a time when the federal government is walking back support for veterans, seniors, disabled residents, and working families, Maryland is proving there’s a better way.”

The new streamlined application is available through Maryland Benefits, the state of Maryland’s online benefits access platform. As the State’s largest IT asset, Maryland Benefits is now more efficient, accessible, and secure to better serve the needs of the 1.3 million Marylanders it serves. The improvements also make access more convenient, relieving the need to drive between state offices or wait in long lines to complete lengthy separate applications. On average, One Application takes 28 minutes to complete.

“All across the state, we’ve heard our customers loud and clear: it shouldn’t be so hard to sign up for benefits,” said Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López. “Using a mobile phone to access the help that a family deserves is critical. We must continue to move with urgency to innovate with our colleagues on behalf of the people we serve.”

The launch of Maryland Benefits reflects a new chapter for the platform, which recently transitioned operator responsibility from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Information Technology.

Career Gateway and 50+ Employment Expos Announce Schedules for the Upcoming Year

JCA’s Career Gateway and 50+ Employment Expos are set to launch a new year of helping jobseekers.

Career Gateway is a 30-hour intensive program for jobseekers. The program covers job search skills like resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, and developing a job-search plan. Each participant is matched with a long-term mentor.

The 50+ Employment Expos are free, 4-hour sessions comprised of two job-search workshops and networking  with age-friendly employers with openings in Montgomery County or Northern Virginia.

Both programs are run virtually.

Visit the Career Gateway and 50+ Expos pages for more information.

The public is invited to the Summer 2025 OMA Art Show
August 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
12320 Parklawn Dr., Rockville, MD 20852

OMA is an award-winning, evidence-based, art making program that aims to provide social engagement and creative expression for people living with memory loss.

RSVP by August 4 to karen.miller@accessjca.org

“Some Round of Colors”, by OMA artist George (right)

Imagine a place where brushstrokes and colors become a bridge—connecting young volunteers with older adults living with memory loss in moments of true connection and understanding. At JCA Kensington Clubs and Interages®, Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) breaks down barriers of age and cognitive challenges through the transformative power of creativity.

This unique program unites JCA youth and members of JCA Kensington Clubs, spark genuine friendships as they co-create meaningful art, culminating in an art show. Join us at the Art Show to experience these powerful stories told through art — and know that every purchase supports the continuation of this inspiring journey.

Discover how art can open hearts and minds, one masterpiece at a time.

As SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program) participants are furloughed, JCA is working to help them secure employment. A polished, professional looking LinkedIn profile is a valuable asset for jobseekers. We are seeking a volunteer to take headshots of the furloughed jobseekers to help them present their best image.

Please contact cnestoriak@AccessJCA.org if you can offer your photography skills.

Marylanders Online Anti-Scam Webinar Series

Do you know how to recognize and avoid today’s most common scams? With cybercrime and digital fraud on the rise, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and empowered.

UME (University of Maryland Extension) Marylanders Online is hosting a free, virtual Anti-Scam Webinar Series designed to help individuals across Maryland protect themselves and their loved ones. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started online, these sessions will provide you with practical strategies

and essential resources that you can use immediately to protect yourself from scams.

About the Webinars

Scams 101 – Tuesday, August 5 – 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Learn the basics on how to identify and prevent today’s most common scams – from fake calls, spoofed numbers, and suspicious text messages, as well as the tell-tale red flags of phishing emails and fraudulent websites. Get practical tips to secure your devices, protect your privacy, and safeguard yourself from scams – both online and in the real world.

AI Scams – Tuesday, August 12 – 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Learn how scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create more convincing frauds—and how you can spot and avoid them. Discover real-world examples, prevention tips, and tools to protect yourself in the age of AI-driven deception.

SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) provides health insurance counseling to Montgomery County seniors and adults under 65 with long-term disabilities. SHIP volunteers help older adults, their family members, and caregivers understand Medicare health insurance plans and learn about programs that may help them cover their medical costs. Outreach ambassadors help prepare and conduct presentations, offer information at health expos, and engage with people in communities. Medicare Counselors receive technical training, enabling them to answer questions on Medicare plans, claims and appeals, and plan analysis tailored to clients’ circumstances.

Regardless of their income or level of education, many new and current Medicare beneficiaries (and their families) are confused by their Medicare options and choices. Medicare programs can be very complicated, and some people do not understand the differences in coverage in Medicare Parts A (Hospitalization), B (Physicians & Outpatient Procedures), C (Medicare Advantage Plans or PPO Managed Care Plans), and D (Prescription Drugs). For those with traditional Medicare, supplemental coverage is also a consideration.

For lower-income beneficiaries, there are Medicare Savings Programs which can provide relief from out-of-pocket costs, but without a call to the SHIP they may not know about them or understand how to apply. Moreover, due to the recent federal staffing cuts and services at the Social Security Administration, it has become even harder to find out what programs exist and to get advice from a trusted source.

Mary Woods is a retired healthcare administrator who worked at Kaiser Permanente for 40 years and served as Vice President of their Medicare Advantage Program over the past 15 years.

Mary enjoys her weekly volunteering with SHIP. She says that JCA provides 40 hours of excellent training to all the SHIP volunteers, most of whom already come with great experience. They are required to pass two final exams to become certified. They are constantly upgrading their skills with monthly training offered by JCA, the Medicare Rights Center, and the National Council on Aging.

Mary says, “It is so fulfilling to be able to help older adults and their families when they call SHIP. It is also very important for callers to know when they call JCA with a myriad of questions about Medicare, they can rely on the expertise and insights they receive.”

Sue Kirchhoff, another SHIP volunteer, retired after working for 15 years at the Library of Congress in the Congressional Resource Center and has 10 years’ experience working on Medicare Part D policy. Sue enjoys helping JCA provide community outreach in Montgomery County through presentations at public libraries. Attendees with a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds come to compare plans, learn about regaining losses in coverage, or understand the rules of eligibility for programs such as Medigap.

Sue commented that “Most people really want to know the facts and how the plan they are choosing applies to their circumstances. For that reason, timing is crucial because when you first enroll in Medicare, in some instances, if you don’t understand your options, you can make poor decisions.”

The Heyman Interages Center is accepting applications for Fall ’25 programs.

Volunteers work with Montgomery County public school children in elementary, middle, and high school.

Elementary School programs include support for students who are English learners, reading with 2nd graders, in-class support, and Reader’s Theater.

Middle and High School programs include discussions on current events and social studies topics, and virtual Book Club.

Visit the Interages webpage for more informaton.

Join us at the Interages Meet and Greet for volunteers and friends. Our afternoon together will include a program overview, Q&A, and a fun social hour.

August 27, 2025 | 2 – 4 p.m.
12320 Parklawn Dr.
Rockville, MD 20852

RSVP to Indira Dingledine at idingledine@accessjca.org.

In July, the JCA blog shared information on digital wills, job searching, planned giving, dementia, and the implications of the recent tax and budget bill.

A digital will informs your executor/heirs about your online presence. It enables them to access your only financial and social accounts.

If you find yourself looking for work after you turn 50, interview preparation is key.

Retirees will want to carefully consider their giving plan, and understand all the financial effects of the new tax and budget bill on safety net programs, taxes and long-term healthcare. 

Recognizing the signs of dementia and understanding the first steps after a diagnosis are vital in maximizing the quality of life for both the person with the diagnosis and their care partners. Also, be aware of the limitations in mental-health services under Medicare.

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

In memory of Edna Hendler, to Kensington Clubs Kesher Café

Leslie Allen
Ron & Lisa Alper and Family
Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services
Mark Barnea
Robyn Bernitt
Jan Cardin
Sally Davis
Gail & Stanley Eisen
Cynthia Finder & Family
Yvonne & Mitch Fishbein
Marla Flecker
Rhona & Sonny Freiman
Scott Freiman

Ann Harris
Sheri & Alan Heller
Howard & Gayle Goodman
Sherri Gotts
Nina Gurman
Vicky & Steve Hoffman
Jin Jordon
Leland Jordon
Bonnie Katz
Marcia Katz

Rhonda & Jeff Kaufman
Lisa & Aaron Kenigsberg
Lisa & Mark Kirsch
Susan & Harv Kramer
Betty & Ed Leikin
Diane Lieberman & Cheryl Wilen
Barbara & Jack Luria
Nancy Klein Marcus
Susan Pereles
Hilary Raizon
Noel & Marica Rosenthal
Nancy & David Sall
Louise Schneider
Joan & Paul Segal
Larry Silver
Diana Sipe
Alana Snyder, Jeff, Kenzie, & Avery
Robyn Solomon
Debra Taylor
Ilene Vogelstein
Ellen & Charlie White
Carol Zuckerman, Barry Goldstein and Family

Lynn Stander in memory of Edna Hendler, to Interages Grandreaders
Julie Cantor-Weinberg in honor of Fred Cantor

Claire & Steven Weiner in honor of All the Interages Volunteers