JCA Insights, March 2025

A Word From Shane
JCA’s Commitment to Supporting Older People in Turbulent Times

Each day seems to deliver reason for growing anxiety for many older adults in our community. Uncertainty about retirement investments, Social Security benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, and the local economy all contribute to unease and worry for many.

As essential federal, state, and local government services are threatened, the role of nonprofit social

service organizations like JCA become more critical and vital. While JCA cannot make up for potential cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, our services do offer essential resources and support for older adults and their families that are critical for financial stability and quality of life. We are working to scale our programs and services to serve the growing demand for employment training and placement, transportation options, information and referrals, intergenerational opportunities and support, and social day early-stage dementia sessions. We offer stability and support for older adults and their families in this time of great uncertainty for our community. Read on to learn about ways JCA is responding to the new stresses in our community. We are counting on your help in ensuring that all older adults in our community thrive.

Read Across America was celebrated throughout Montgomery County early in March. Jewish Council for the Aging volunteers from our Heyman Interages® Center shared reading time at Gaithersburg, Wheaton, and Brigadier General Charles McGee Libraries.

County Executive Marc Elrich joined the group and spent quality reading time with two young reading enthusiasts.

What the Trump Administration’s Policies Mean for Older Adults:
A Conversation With Howard Gleckman

Thursday, April 3, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
In-person or virtual

Our conversation with Howard Gleckman will examine the rapidly changing landscape of aging under the Trump administration and the long-term repercussions of those changes, as well as the uncertainty they bring. This program is presented in-person at JCA for up to 35 attendees and virtually for all others.

Howard Gleckman is a past president of JCA, the author of Caring for Our Parents (St. Martin’s Press) and a Senior Fellow at The Urban Institute, where he is affiliated with both the Tax Policy Center and the Program on Retirement Policy. He is the author the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center’s fiscal policy blog Tax Vox and a weekly blog on aging issues for Forbes.com.

Mr. Gleckman speaks and writes frequently on long-term care and tax policy. His recent Forbes blog articles include Trump Backs Special Tech Worker Visas, What About Nurses And Care Aides?, Medicaid Cuts Still Are On The Table. Here’s How They Could Affect Older Adults, The Price Of Slashing Social Security’s Staff, Musk Vows To Cut $700 Billion in Social Security, Medicare, And Medicaid Fraud. He Can’t., and What Will The Trump Administration Do With Medicare Advantage?  

Attendees of the live event will have the opportunity to ask questions, and the Q&A portion will be included in the virtual program. There is a 35-person limit for the in-person event, and seats will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Program schedule:
5:30 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. – reception for in-person attendees
6:00 p.m. – presentation and virtual session begin

You are invited to the

OMA Art Show
Sunday, March 30, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
12320 Parklawn Drive
Rockville, MD 20852

OMA, Opening Minds through Art, is an award-winning, evidence-based, art-making program for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of neurocognitive disorders. Its failure-free program provides opportunities for creative self-expression and social engagement for people with dementia.

Over four sessions, volunteers were paired with Kensington Clubs participants as they created abstract art projects that engaged the mind and broke through cognitive barriers. As one volunteer put it, “It’s inspiring to watch the artists get in the flow. Their engagement brings smiles to their faces as well as smiles to the volunteers. The artists bring joy to the day.” Their art reflects that joy. Come and see for yourself! RSVP to karen.miller@accessjca.org.

Career Gateway Workshops Responding to Federal Government Transition

The Career Gateway is presenting two free virtual workshops in April 2025 to support former federal employees and others impacted by recent changes in the federal sector. The workshops, for people age 50+, will enable participants to create a powerful professional image, network, tap into available resources, and transition successfully. Registration is free, and you must register separately for each workshop you would like to attend.

Workshop #1: Focused and Steady: Coping and Career Tips for Uncertain Times

Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Build your resilience and critical tools to navigate this transition successfully. Reframe your skills and experience, create a powerful professional pitch, and learn to network strategically, strengthen your online presence, and expand your opportunities.

Workshop #2: Using AI and Other Tools to Reshape and Reinvigorate Your Transition from Federal to Private Sector

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – noon

Learn the essential skills and tools needed to transition successfully into the private sector or start your own consulting business. Translate your federal experience into private-sector opportunities using modern tools and strategies.

Is Retirement Right for You?

When Joe Biden left the presidency, he was 82 years old. He was followed by President Donald Trump, who started his four-year term at the age of 78. Dick Van Dyke is still dancing, and he recently turned 99. He sure puts on a happy face. Warren Buffett is still going strong at the age of 94. Harrison Ford at 82 currently is starring as ”Thunderbolt” Ross in the superhero film “Captain America: Brave New World.” In May, his movie, Thunderbolts,” will debut.  

According to a recent article in The Washington Post’s Aging Well section, working part-time and full-time during former retirement ages has become the norm. There is no right or wrong day or age to retire, but there are some things to consider when deciding whether to take the plunge.

Many people find value in working and identify with their job. They tend to be healthier and more active than earlier generations, and they often believe they can fit in a job along with grandparenting, hobbies and a more active social life.

Read the full Senior Resources Guide

JCA’s free Virtual 50+ Employment Expos successfully link employers with job seekers age 50+ in an intensive, informative, and mutually beneficial format. The expos begin with two morning workshops covering current hiring trends and practices. The afternoon portions offers opportunities to network and virtually meet eight to twelve employers hiring 50+ jobseekers.

Registration is free and required for each Expo. If you are an age 50+ job seeker, you won’t want to miss these Expos.

The next expo will be the Northern Virginia Expo on Thursday, April 10. Nhu-An White, Fairfax County Gov’t HR, will speak about the Fairfax County hiring process, and Shira Lotzar, CEO of Purposeful Hire, will present “Private Sector Resumes that Pop!”

Dates for the upcoming employment Expos: Northern Virginia, Thursday, April 10; Howard County, MD, May 1; and Montgomery County, MD, Tuesday, May 13.

Registration is open for all three Expos. Send your questions to EmploymentExpos@AccessJCA.org.

In March, the JCA blog featured several articles by Howard Gleckman, in anticipation of our upcoming event, What the Trump Administration’s Policies Mean for Older Adults: A Conversation With Howard Gleckman. All the articles explore new federal policies in the aging and senior healthcare space. Trump Backs Special Tech Worker Visas, What About Nurses And Care Aides?, How Medicaid Cuts Could Affect Older Adults, Musk Vows To Cut $700 Billion in Fraud. He Can’t. all raise concerns

about slashing services and protections older adults have relied on.

The phenomenon of “unretirement” is outlined in Turning Retirement on Its Head, which describes several ideas for post-retirement second careers.

Everyone should carefully consider Who’s best to grant power of attorney to. These kinds of decisions are better to make sooner rather than later while there are no added pressures of health or cognitive concerns.

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

Nancy Fiedelman, to Kensington Clubs, in memory of Harlan Rock
Paul & Leslie Gnatt in memory of Jean Raport
Dawn Grant in honor of Jean Tapper
Debbie & Terry Korth in memory of Harlan Rock
Bunny, Alan, Sammi, Joe & Jack, to Kensington Clubs Kesher Café, in memory of Peggy Sussman

Doris Povich and Family in memory of Eleanor Matzkin
Naomi Ronis in honor of Ann L. Herman
Sharlene Shugarman, to Kensington Clubs, in memory of Joanne V. Kennedy
Stuart Steingold in memory of Barbara Bunny Polmer