The Village of Takoma Park, a long-time participant in JCA’s VillageRides program recently credited VillageRides for supporting its success in addressing the transportation needs of seniors and adults with disabilities in the community who no longer drive.

The village of Takoma Park, is one of the 16 partner villages and community organizations that JCA supports so volunteer drivers can give the Gift of a Lift to older adults and adults with disabilities who no longer drive in Montgomery County and Northern Prince George’s County.

JCA’s VillageRides program provides volunteer training, ride-scheduling software platforms, marketing materials and, advertising to promote their free transportation services for seniors.

The VillageRides program is funded by the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments and Montgomery County.

JCA Interages® is currently recruiting student singers and one accompanist of any age to join Kensington Club members for the JCA’s first intergenerational Chorus. Participants from all backgrounds will learn songs from a variety of genres including musical theater, spirituals, and Jewish music. No experience or audition is necessary. Tuesday afternoon rehearsals will begin on January 14 and a performance is scheduled for February 23.

Contact Rachel Lanman for more information.

by Suzanne Pollak, senior writer for JCA, for the Washington Jewish Week

Feeling lonely or even socially isolated? You actually aren’t the only one. In 2022, three in 10 adults who were 65 years or older, lived by themselves, according to a US Census report.

Certainly, not all these adults are merely sitting in a chair, eating their meals with the television turned on wondering if the phone will ring. Many are finding companionship and a wide range of activities to fill their days regardless of their age

and health status.

You can too. This Senior Resources Guide, which is written by the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, is designed to show older adults that there is life after the death of a loved one, divorce, friends moving away or yet another birthday. Read the full Senior Resources Guide.

JCA is thrilled to announce it has been recognized by the Brookdale Foundation Group as one of 13 organizations across the United States to establish an innovative Early Memory Loss program.

JCA created Kesher Café to meet the unique needs of people who received a dementia diagnosis before they turned 65, also referred to as Young Onset Dementia (YOD), and their care partners. The Café members

began meeting once a month in December of 2023 with only three people and grew to 20 members, with as many as 12 (people with YOD and their care partners) attending a Sunday session, demonstrating the strong need for programs and providing connection and support for people with YOD.

Thanks to a generous seed grant from the Brookdale Foundation, Kesher Café Sundays will become a weekly program on December 11th. Kesher Café will continue meeting 2 hours with care partners on Sunday and four hours on Wednesdays.

“Kesher Café gives people with early memory loss a place to connect with similar-aged friends who have received the same diagnosis. The shock and devastation of receiving a definitive diagnosis of dementia is more easily shared with the people who are living through the same issues,” said Gorlitz Kensington Clubs Director Colleen Kemp.

“We at The Foundation appreciate how important it is for people with Early Memory Loss to remain active members of the community and to participate in programs that optimize functioning and independence,” said Stephen L. Schwartz, president of The Brookdale Foundation Group.

“We are delighted to assist JCA in establishing an Early Memory Loss program to complement the other services they provide to older adults and their families.”

Kesher, a Hebrew word for “connection,” started because JCA Kensington Clubs saw a need for services to support an increasing number of people with Young Onset Dementia. Kesher Café provides a place where people with this devastating diagnosis and their care partners can meet for support and resources, foster connections and relationships, and discuss and exchange ideas in a relaxed, understanding, and safe environment.

The emphasis is on creating a welcoming atmosphere conducive to social interaction, support, and community building. At any given Kesher Café session, members can be seen painting, singing with a guitarist, or relaxing during calm yoga sessions—in a judgement-free environment while care partners meet separately for support, connection, and ideas.

“Hearing the painful stories and struggles of the people who have been diagnosed under the age of 65 and those who care for them has been the most troubling,” Kemp said, noting some may have an active career, children living at home or at college, and significant financial commitments.

Kesher Café is the only social model adult day program in the Washington, D.C. region for people diagnosed with YOD.

Read more about Kesher Cafe in the Washington Jewish Week.

On December 3, JCA is participating in Giving Tuesday, an international day of generosity. This year, more than ever, we are counting on your support to help us provide programs and services to support older adults and their families.

In the last year, JCA experienced a 26% increase in the number of people turning to us for help. The demand for our essential services has never been greater.  

On Giving Tuesday we are aiming to raise $10,000 to help us continue to grow and expand our programs to meet the ever-changing needs of older adults. Your donation —in any amount— makes a meaningful impact.

Please consider making a Giving Tuesday gift.

JCA 2024 Annual Report

Learn about the ways JCA makes an impact, one person at a time. In the past year we have seen a 26% increase in the number of people served and a 37% increase in calls to the Senior HelpLine. “More than 50 highly skilled team members and hundreds of volunteers make it possible for JCA to serve older adults. Some are struggling physically, emotionally, and financially and turn to JCA to identify services that can assist them. Others are seeking connections and engagement through employment, volunteering, and other pathways that will lead them to purposeful activities,” says outgoing board president, Ronna Borenstein-Levy

The annual report includes heart-warming stories, photos, profiles of our award winners and tributes to two pivotal figures who shaped the history of JCA. Read the 2024 Annual Report.

JCA’s Senior HelpLine welcomes new program manager, Paula Riddle. Paula started at JCA in June 2023 as Escorted Transportation Program Manager. Previously, Paula worked at all levels of care for seniors including: long term care, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and memory care specific adult day care. She served in those roles as director of therapeutic recreation, activity director, volunteer coordinator, and resident services manager & risk manager. This extensive experience working in the older adult arena provides a great starting point for her role with Senior HelpLine. Paula will continue to manage Escorted Transportation.

“I’ve been working with older adults since 2006 and am excited about being able to connect seniors and their families with resources in the community through the Senior Helpline,” says Paula.

In November, the JCA blog, Information for the Sandwich Generation, shared a practical guide about bone density and actionable steps you can take to measure and protect your bone health.

How do you stay positive and active? Articles about what you do to lift your spirits and the benefits of group exercise can help answer that question.

Make sure to bookmark the NCOA BenefitsCheckUp®. Start browsing benefits by entering your ZIP code and choose the categories that you’re most interested in. And if you are a caregiver, learn about available financial assistance to ease your burden.

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

During the Medicare Open Enrollment period from October 15 through December 7 you can switch between different Medicare Advantage plans, change your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, move from Traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or move back from a Medicare Advantage plan to Traditional Medicare or simply review your current plan to ensure it still meets your needs. Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s a good idea to review it during open enrollment to see if there are better options based on your current health needs.

All changes made during this period will take effect on January 1st of the following year.

During this period the Montgomery County SHIP has assisted over 200 Montgomery County Medicare residents find the most cost-effective Part D prescription drug plan for 2025.

JCA wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving!

You are invited to the 10th Kensington Clubs art show on January 12, 2-3:30 p.m. at JCA. RSVP