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JCA Insights, October 2023

By JCA on October 26, 2023

Find Exciting Volunteer Opportunities Through the Interages^® Volunteer Portal

Discover the heartwarming world of intergenerational volunteerism through the JCA Heyman Interages Volunteer Portal. This webpage offers an ever-evolving collection of opportunities that bridge generations and enrich lives. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or a newcomer, our updates highlight up-to-date opportunities year-round. To prioritize safety and security, we require that all volunteers undergo a thorough application process and MCPS fingerprinting/background check, prior to volunteering.

Senior HelpLine: 240-290-3311 or 703-652-1515

In these difficult and stressful times please reach out to the J-CARING Community Support Line if you feel the need for emotional or mental health resources.
Call (703)-J-CARING (703-522-7464), and a J-Caring provider will connect you to community resources to address your needs.

In this issue:

➢ Community support resources

➢ Interages volunteer portal

➢ Medicare open enrollment

➢ JCA hosts vaccine clinic

➢ Sukkot at JCA

➢ JCA welcomes four new board members

➢ JCA Blog Highlights

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins

Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15th to December 7th. SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Director, Rafael Espinoza and his team of volunteer counselors have begun their drug plan analysis for Montgomery County beneficiaries. Visit the SHIP website – your free local resource for all things Medicare related.

JCA Hosts Vaccine Clinic

On October 6th, JCA hosted a vaccine clinic in conjunction with the North Bethesda Village, the Villages of Kensington, and Giant Pharmacy. 90 people came to JCA headquarters for the vaccines. The clinic offered the newly-formulated COVID and flu vaccines. In light of the CDC’s determination that older adults should protect themselves the clinic was offered for free to all registrants.

Sukkot Reception

On October 4th, JCA held a Sukkot reception in the sukkah on the Kensington Clubs terrace. The weather was glorious and no unwanted stinging insects came! Rabbi Marc Israel from Tikvat Israel Congregation opened the reception with words of welcome and blessings over the four species – palm, myrtle, willow, and citron. He explained how the items symbolize individuals who possess knowledge, and those who do good deeds, and how we welcome all types of people in building a strong community.

JCA Welcomes New Board Members

Leslie Fried has been an elder law attorney and advocate since 1985. For most of her career, she has worked for nonprofits advocating for improving access to public benefits for older adults. She directed a Medicare Advocacy Project identifying and addressing barriers to Medicare eligibility and coverage for individuals with dementia. She directed a national resource center for older adults, including providing technical assistance to SHIP programs regarding access to Medicare and Medicare Savings Programs.

Nancy Kaplan is the co-founder, former CEO, and Executive Chair of Conscient Strategies. There, she focused on working with executives to create sustainable change in rapidly evolving environments. As a trained mindfulness meditation teacher, she incorporated mindful leadership to help executives manage the constancy of change. Nancy is a former JSSA board member.

Lori Simon-Rusinowitz, is a recently retired Associate Professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, and a former faculty member in the Center on Aging. Her research has addressed aging and disability policy issues. She led a team in conducting a needs assessment of low-income, racially/ethnically diverse elders to inform the development of community services in PG County. She also led a Community Health Needs Assessment for two hospitals. She has worked as an evaluator of a federally-funded project addressing innovative programs for a “dementia friendly” community

Dr. Robyn I. Stone, a noted researcher and authority on aging and long-term policy, is the Senior VP of Research, LeadingAge. Dr. Stone had worked at the International Longevity Center, where she was executive director and chief operating officer. Previously, she worked for the Federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Dr. Stone also served the Clinton Administration as deputy assistant secretary for disability, aging and long-term care policy. Dr. Stone was on the staff of the Commission on Comprehensive Health Care and the Clinton administration’s Task Force on Health Care Reform.

JCA thanks our generous donors who made Honor and Memorial gifts
in the last three months.

Jill S. Eden in honor of Linda Dryden

Gerald Cooperstein in memory of Myrna Cooperstein

Terry Ellen Singer in honor of Ellen Malasky

Robert Cowen in honor of Howard and Sue Wilchins

Stefan Tucker in memory of Beverly Avadenka

Bernard Quinlan in honor of Dr. Fred Cantor

Adrienne Mandel in memory of Judy Horowitz

Toby Friedberg in honor of Sonya Gichner

Ann Goldensohn in memory of Bruce Goldensohn

Dorinda Jolles in memory of Pearl Jolles

Martin Hoffman in memory of Susan B. Hoffman

Anita Bollt in memory of Joseph Natterson

Joel Gallay in memory of Barbee Gallay

Jo Ann Cadeaux in memory of Barbara Gross

Carey Joseph in memory of Sam Wilder

Doris Povich in memory of Eleanor Goldman Lurensky

Carolyn Peyser in memory of Abby Levin

Rivka Yerushalmi in honor of Marcie Bayaz

Michael Rettinger in memory of Abby Levin

Phoebe Joseph in memory of Herb Ezrin

Andrew Joseph in memory of Larry Joseph

Stefan Tucker in memory of Doris Slavin

Edward Sondik in memory of Larry Joseph

Elaine Abramson in memory of Larry Joseph, Barbara Katz, and William Chaltas, and in honor of Avery Stone

October Blog Highlights

This past month, the JCA Blog, Information for the Sandwich Generation, responded to the stress and anxiety felt throughout the community in the aftermath of the brutal attacks in Israel on October 7. Anxiety in the Elderly: Symptoms and Restorative Strategies, described the sources, signs and coping strategies of anxiety. Other posts outlined resources for choosing a Medicare

plan and recommendations for vaccines to get this fall. Check back often for more useful articles and resources of particular interest to older adults.

Come learn about the impact JCA has in our community in a 45-minute Zoom “tour of our mission.” You might be surprised at what you hear as we introduce you to our CEO, board president, Career Gateway graduate, Interages volunteer, and Kensington Club activity leader. Reserve your spot for November 15 at 9:30 a.m., November 30 at 4:00 p.m., or December 14 at 4:00 p.m. We really would love to meet you!

Steer your car donation to JCA!

It’s easy to donate your car through CAR-J, a collaborative program of JCA and Makom (formerly Jewish Foundation for Group Homes). Get started by filling in the CAR-J form. CAR-J will pick up your car at no cost!