The Senior Zone
The Senior Zone is the DMV’s #1 weekly radio program dedicated to empowering adults 50+ to live fuller, healthier, and more informed lives — now available on demand as a podcast.
Hosted by Shawn Perry since 2012, The Senior Zone features thoughtful conversations with trusted experts, community leaders, advocates, and everyday people doing extraordinary work in aging, health, finance, caregiving, and purposeful living. From timely resources and consumer protections to inspiration, wisdom, and real talk — this is where experience meets opportunity.
Whether you’re planning your next chapter, supporting a loved one, or simply committed to thriving beyond expectations, The Senior Zone delivers insight, clarity, and encouragement — one meaningful conversation at a time.
🎙️ New episodes weekly
📍 Originally broadcast on WYCB 1340AM (Washington, DC)
The Senior Zone
Ep. 704 | Grow Through It. Honor the Journey. Celebrate the Impact.
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
This week on The Senior Zone, Shawn Perry brings you a powerful blend of insight, inspiration, and celebration.
We kick things off with The Beacon Newspapers’ May 2026 edition—helping you stay informed and ahead of the curve.
Then, longtime friend Dr. Valeria Edmonds joins us to share wisdom from her book Grow Through What You Go Through, reminding us that life’s challenges can become our greatest teachers.
And in Segment Two, we honor Denise Parker, recipient of the 2025 AARP DC Andrus Award, for her outstanding service and impact in the community.
Plus: Birthdays of the Week, Dear Grave Woman, and the Later Life Lowdown—your go-to for resources across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
🎧 Listen on demand wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.
Opening Remarks & Weekly Vitamin
SPEAKER_01Welcome to the Senior Zone, where we connect older adults with the organizations and resources that serve them.
SPEAKER_04Senior Zone's goal is to educate, empowered, enlightened, entertain, and engage older adults with the tools and information to stay healthy, happy, and secure.
SPEAKER_01Great guests, health tips, upcoming events, and useful information.
SPEAKER_04Get ready to take notes and have some fun.
SPEAKER_01It's now time for the senior zone.
SPEAKER_06Good morning, good morning, my good people, and welcome to the senior zone, the DMV's number one weekly radio program, proudly serving our 50 plus community since 2012. All thanks to you. I am your host, Sean Purry, and as always, I thank you for allowing me to be a part of your Monday morning rhythm. Now, listen, this morning I was in the kitchen. Nothing special, just starting my day. And I reached for a mug that I have had for many years. Same mug, same routine, but today I noticed a small crack along the side. The mug is still strong, it's still holding, still doing what it was made to do. And it made me pause for a moment for some reason. Because if we're being honest, a lot of us are carrying a few cracks too. Life has a way of leaving its marks. But here's the beauty of it all. We're still here. We're still standing, we're still pouring into others, and that leads us right into today's weekly vitamin. Here we go. Real life, real talk, real truth. Real life. Life doesn't always go as planned. There are moments that test us, stretch us, and sometimes shake us. But here's the real talk. Those moments aren't here to break you, they're here to build you. And now here's the real truth. You don't just go through life, you grow through it. So, whatever you're facing right now, don't run from it. Learn from it. Grow from it because your next chapter is being shaped by what you're willing to walk through today. And family, if you've ever missed a moment of this show, don't forget the Senior Zone Podcast is now available on demand. You can listen anytime on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and many, many more options. Just search the Senior Zone with Sean Perry and stay connected wherever you go. Now, family, coming up in segment one, we're getting real about life, growth, and what it means to come out stronger on the other side. I'm joined by someone who's not just a guest but a longtime friend, Dr. Val Edmonds, author of Grow Through What You Go Through. This is about turning life's moments into meaningful movement. And then in segment two, we shift into celebration and impact. We'll meet Denise Parker, recipient of the 2025 AARPDC, Andrews Award, recognizing a life of service and a heart committed to community. And family, as we round out today's show, we've got something for everybody. We have our birthdays of the week, then a smooth transition into Dear Grave Woman, featuring Joelle Simone, and of course, your later life lowdown, keeping you informed with news, resources across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. But before we move forward, I want to take a moment to thank our sponsors and partners, Legal Council for the Elderly, AARP of the District of Columbia, AARP of the State of Maryland, Compassion and Choices, Jewish Council for the Aging, and the DC Department of Aging and Community Living.
Beacon Newspapers (May 2026)
SPEAKER_06All right, family, I've got the May edition of the Beacon Newspapers right here in my hands. And you already know how we do. We're flipping through page by page talking about what stands out. Joining me as always is Margaret Foster, editor of the Beacon Newspapers. Margaret, it's good to have you back.
SPEAKER_00Great to be here, Sean. Thank you.
SPEAKER_06I'm so excited. Let's just jump right into the cover. I see Nationals Park is doing something special for Older Americans Month on May 21st.
SPEAKER_00Yes, Older Americans Month is May, and we sort of helped convince Nationals Park to reserve a special section for older adults. And um kickoff, or not kickoff. The first pitch is thrown at four o'clock on Thursday, May 21st. But we're gonna have some pregame networking starting at around three o'clock, so 2 45 or so.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, and you know, and that sounds like a great, great uh time. But I see that you also talked to some super fans who make the stadium the happy place.
SPEAKER_00Yes, yes. We spoke to um a lot of folks who remember the senators playing at Griffith Park at Griffith Stadium, um, and then had to wait, you know, almost a generation to get back uh a home team. So it's fun talking to them about their memories of Griffith Stadium and RFK and how happy they are to um to now go to Nats games and how they've really become diehard fans. One woman said, Um, whenever she goes to the first home game there, she starts saying to everyone, Happy New Year, happy new year.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, that sounds like a kind of joy that you just that you just can't uh beat. Uh I'm gonna flip over right now, uh Margaret, to the health section. I'm seeing this John Hopkins piece on digital twin hearts. What does that really mean for patients?
SPEAKER_00It's pretty amazing. So they can personalize and create a little model for uh the doctors can kind of work on this model and see what what kind of treatments help this particul your particular heart without actually going in and taking a look. So it's it's safer for us. Um and it's neat that it's all going on right at Hopkins. We're so lucky to live so near that that um wonderful research place.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, yeah, we absolutely are. And that's that certainly does sound like some next level uh stuff. I've never heard of it, but interesting uh article in the Beacon newspaper. I also see allergies and snoring in here. What should folks be paying attention to right now?
SPEAKER_00Well, it is the season for allergies, right? I this was interesting. I didn't realize that some foods you're eating could actually be making your allergies worse. They say some studies say maybe you should stay away from dairy. Just cut down during the spring season and see if it works. Chamomile is apparently something that will make your allergies possibly worse. Um and we have a list of a few others that it's worth a try. I mean, I know people who suffer from allergies are willing to try almost anything.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. And it's some sometimes it's those little things that we sometimes overlook that can make a big difference during this season. I'm also looking here in the beacon article on Lyme disease, vaccines, etc. How close are we?
SPEAKER_00Pretty close. So apparently there was a Lyme disease vaccine a few years ago, but people started complaining that it caused side effects, so it was taken off the market. I didn't I didn't know any of that. So there's a new one by Pfizer that's 73% effective. It's in its third stage of testing. So it's a it did so well in testing that they decided to um apply for FDA approval. So, you know, yes, Lyme disease is awful. You know, it can take it can knock you down, knock you out, and um, if you don't notice the bite right away, you're really in trouble, right? I know someone who had to be on that IV for months. So if you could have a vaccine, wouldn't that be a lot better than than just having to take antibiotics or yeah, like you, I've I I've I know of people that have had it and have gone through it.
SPEAKER_06It is not a pleasant uh experience, but this is something definitely to watch out uh for. I'm gonna keep it moving, my friend, with the time we have. I'm in the money section now, one of my favorite sections, health and wealth. I love them both. Uh, I see smartphone plans for seniors. Uh, what should people be looking out for right now?
SPEAKER_00Well, they we list some special plans. It's it's by our favorite guy, the savvy senior. He's a nationally known guy who's always looking for deals. Um we're actually planning to interview him for the first time on a live broadcast. Maybe you should interview him too, Sean. He's really nice.
SPEAKER_06Send him my way.
SPEAKER_00Well, he has a list of plans for people who might not, you know, want to be attached to their phones all the time. They just want the basics. You know, you don't need all these bells and whistles and all these apps. What if you just want a very basic smartphone that you can carry around? Anyhow, he has he's got a list there in the paper.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, and that can certainly save folks a lot of money, a few dollars at the very least, I'm sure. And and like this, you know, uh, there are tech tech classes with a coach, I know, that I see. How is that helping people get more comfortable with their devices?
SPEAKER_00She has this is a coach in Baltimore who works specifically. She's older and she works with older adults. She works with people who are smart folks, but then when they see a device like this, they just get so flustered. Like, I'll never learn this. So she works through how to approach learning technology through, you know, with the with a better mindset with a I'm not stupid, it's the device that's a little bit stupid, you know. And she teaches people a little bit at a time in ways that they'll understand. And she she has some tips there about how to kind of overcome your fear of of learning how to you know navigate your iPad without feeling dumb.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. I don't see how you do it each and every month, uh, Margaret, but just great stuff in the Beacon uh newspaper. I'm gonna flip one more time over to the travel section, Romania. I'm looking at, Greensboro, I'm assuming that's Greensboro, uh, North Carolina. What stood out to you this month?
SPEAKER_00I like the Greensboro story a lot. This is from a Baltimore writer who's got just such a good voice, and she's been going back and forth to Greensboro exploring not only the civil rights um sites there, and there are plenty, but just kind of the restaurants and getting a vibe for the nice folks down there. She's written a really nice story about it, and Greensboro is only four or five hours away, so it makes for a good trip. She even recommends some nice hotels downtown. And the Romania story is just all about castles and um a a place that isn't a crowded European city, you know. It's a it's a it's a better, more approachable place.
SPEAKER_06This is a fun edition of the Beacon newspaper uh uh this month, this May. Uh my friend, my last question, as always, before I let you go, let folks know where they can pick up a copy of the Beacon newspaper.
SPEAKER_00We are in almost every library, every senior center, a lot of CVSs, a lot of giants and safe ways. And if you can't find it, just give us a call or go to our website, thebeacon newspapers.com.
SPEAKER_06There you go, folks. Uh, make sure you grab yours. I have mine. Margaret Foster of the Beacon News Papers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is always good to flip through uh your pages there. We appreciate all that you do, my friend.
SPEAKER_00Thank you, Sean. I appreciate you.
SPEAKER_06All right, family. Don't go anywhere. We've got more coming your way right here on the senior zone. This first break is brought to you by Legal Counsel for the Elderly, providing free legal and social work services to DC residents most in need. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER_01Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of DC elders by providing free legal and social work services to those in need. Worried about eviction or foreclosure? Need help obtaining social security or veterans benefits? Call Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120. Income eligibility applies. LCE is an affiliate of AARP 2024-2120.
SPEAKER_03Attention, listeners, criminals are consistently developing new ways to steal your hard-earned money and personal information. But the AARP Fraud Watch Network is here to help you protect yourself and your loved ones. See or report scams in your area with our scam tracking map. Get guidance from our trained fraud specialists, and sign up to receive information on the latest scams. Knowledge is power. If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Get more tips and resources at aarp.org slash fraudwatch network.
Dr. Valeria Edmonds Interview
SPEAKER_06All right now, welcome back to the senior zone, and I am your host, Sean Perry. Now, family, every now and then I get the opportunity to bring someone on the show who isn't just a guest, but someone who's been part of my life journey. And today is one of those moments. I'm joined by a dear friend of over 20 plus years, someone I've seen grow, evolve, and walk through life with purpose and intention. Dr. Val Edmonds, author of Grow Through What You Go Through. And let me tell you, this isn't just a book title, it's a life philosophy. Dr. Edmonds, my friend, welcome to the scene to zone.
SPEAKER_08Thank you. Nice to be here, Sean.
SPEAKER_06It is an absolute pleasure to have you here, my friend. We won't go too personal now, okay? You know things my guests don't know. I digress, my friend. Let's just start, uh, Dr. uh Val Edmonds, uh, because we go back. For our listeners meeting you for the first time, tell us a little bit about your journey and what led you to write Grow Through What You Go Through.
SPEAKER_08Sure. Well, as you know, I spent 33 years working in global lead HR leadership roles at ExxonMobil. And I had the opportunity to work with people across different cultures, continents, and career stages. And over that time, I watched a lot of brilliant, very capable people get derailed, not because they weren't talented, but they hit roadblocks. They had adversity. And honestly, there were seasons in my own life where I also had challenges. And so I started thinking about am I gonna let the things that happened to me derail my career? Is it going to, you know, set me back or is it gonna I'm gonna let it develop me? And so that question really became the heartbeat and the story behind growth grow through what you go through.
SPEAKER_06Yeah.
SPEAKER_08So that's it.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. And I think that that a lot of our listeners, Dr. Val, will connect with that idea of uh, as I'm summing it up, a lived experience shaping one's uh purpose. Uh, but that phrase, that phrase, grow through what you go through, it really sticks uh with one. It's it stuck with me when I first uh heard it. What does that mean in real life, especially for someone who may be going through a tough season right now?
SPEAKER_08Well, it means that you don't let pain, struggle get wasted. You push through because we always been taught to just kind of get over and move on. But when you can grow through something, where you can learn as a result of going through something, then that's what this means. Uh it means push pausing long enough to ask kind of what is this situation teaching me? What's the lesson here? How am I being shaped? Especially for those of us who are 55 and older, we've been through a lot. And so hopefully that has created some wisdom in and we have something now that we can share with others, those become kind of those hard-earned lessons. Uh, and so this book honors that. It helps us to um not just kind of say we've been through a storm, but how about in the middle of that storm? How do you stay open? How do you keep growing in spite of the challenge?
SPEAKER_06Yeah, wow, I like it. I like it. You know, for many, especially in our community. By community, I mean our older adult senior community. Life has come with its fair share of chapters, up and down, left and right, you name it, many, many chapters in our life stories. Uh, but our audience, you know, uh has lived through decades of change, right? As well. Uh loss, transitions, reinvention. Why is it never too late to grow, even later in life?
SPEAKER_08Well, you know, it's all about being willing to learn. And uh some of the most kind of growing seasons happen in your later years, 60s, 70s, uh, and beyond. Um that's because kind of the noise from career and obligation, raising kids and all that kind of stuff kind of quiets down and you have the space to hear yourself. Um, so you can have more clarity, uh, more wisdom that when you're young, you just don't have access to. Uh, because you've survived things and now that accumulated wisdom gives you something to give back.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, and that's an important reminder. I've said here uh numerous times over the years, uh uh Dr. Val, that growth doesn't retire. Growth has no expiration uh date, right? We are constantly always growing in one direction or the other. But let's talk about mindset for a moment. How does the way we think about our challenges impact how we come through them?
SPEAKER_08So, you know, as humans, we are the only animals that can actually change our feelings with our thoughts. And your mindset is the lens through which you interpret everything that happens to you. You can have two people that face the same thing, and whereas one person might see it as a dead end, the other person just sees it as a detour, just kind of uh just a bump in the road. And so um I just encourage everybody to use these opportunities to learn and think about those challenges that we have as you know, opportunities. In my coaching, I use uh a metaphor uh for the tools that I think help us to keep a mindset that's uh growth mindset. I use a a mirror. So having somebody in your life that can reflect to you how you're showing up. Uh, they can tell you the things that you're doing really well, they can tell you the things where you might need to continue to work. Um, we all need a pulley, somebody that's gonna lift us up, not even not if you not just in a career perspective, but also lift us up to a higher way of thinking and being, if you will. So a pulley lifts people up and and they can advocate you, they can bless you. I have a lot of people that encourage me. Um a compass, kind of knowing your why, having some direction in life, some purpose. Uh, and then finally a backpack, uh keeping those lessons, those nuggets, uh, and picking up new ones, continuing to picking up new lessons and uh and tools as you as you continue to get older. You're never too old to learn.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, well, I now have a new uh toolbox uh to go through. Let me see if I can recall correctly, uh, Dr. Val. So mirror, compass, a pulley, and a backpack. Did I get those four correct?
SPEAKER_02Yes, that's the framework.
SPEAKER_06That's the framework. Folks, if you want to learn more about those tools and how to use them, you gotta get her book, Growth Through What You Go Through, and we'll share that with you uh towards the end of this uh discussion. Dr. Val, for someone who feels stuck, and we're in older Americans month as of now, it's May 3rd, so we're two days or three days in, and I wanted to have this sort of discussion for folks that may be feeling stuck, maybe overwhelmed by either health issues, financial stress, or even loneliness. What's one small step uh that they can take away to begin growing through it? What would what would you share with them?
SPEAKER_08I think it's important for us to get quiet enough to hear ourselves, to hear ourselves think. You know, so much about feeling stuck is the fact that we have all this noise um in our heads, whether it's fear or it's loss or a sense that your best days are behind you. You know, if we can just sit back and kind of have some honest reflection and maybe write down how you're feeling. I I I write as therapeutic therapeutic for me. Um, but how are you feeling? What are you where are you right now? And then where do you want to be? What do you still want out of life? Because that gap between where you are and and where you would like to be is not necessarily a problem. That's the space that you have for an opportunity for growth.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, I've said before as well. Another nugget I share with uh your folks is when we when we grow, we don't have to go from A to Z, right? We feel like we have to and we want to race to Z, right? But it's okay to go from A to B or from A to C. There's growth in that space there as you uh talk about uh in your book. I also want to cover purpose, Dr. Val. You talk about purpose in your work. How can someone reconnect with their purpose, especially after retirement or a major life transition?
SPEAKER_08Yeah, and we go through transitions, and retirement is a big one. Um losing uh someone that's really close to you in this stage in life can be a big transition, trying to learn how to live alone again. Um being Having an empty nest, you know, I deal with a lot of folks that are shifting from parenting young teenagers to parenting adults, and it's very different, uh letting go. And so those transitions can be disorienting because so much of our identity is tied to a role that we've had, whether it's a parent or a worker, what you know, what have you been doing. But instead of purpose being connected with a title, it can be connected with what is it that really makes you come alive? And what can you do? What problems do you notice around you where you get passionate about helping other people? Um what do people come to you for? What do your grandchildren come to come to you for? That that focus, that pull, uh, those are the clues that tell us what our purpose is. Because purpose lives at the intersection of your gifts, your experiences, and the need, what the world needs uh around you. So, and after 50 plus years of living, you have a lot to offer. Way more than you may realize.
SPEAKER_06I love it. And I'll just share a little personal about me when it comes to purpose, Dr. Val, and you may know this, know me for 20 plus years. Uh, you know, I didn't find my purpose, and I've shared this when I go out to speak with others until I was nearly 50 years old. I was a few months shy of turning uh 50, and that purpose was the senior's own, being able to give back and uplift and inspire and provide a platform for others so that they can grow uh in their purpose and in their space. It wasn't until that moment that I found my purpose. And I haven't worked. When you find your purpose, life becomes easy. It becomes a little slower, at least for me, right? You have greater perspective, you have greater appreciation for even the my the my the minutia of life, right? Those small things you take great pleasure in. And uh uh I'll digress because I can just go on that bandwagon with me and purpose in the scene to zone. I want to make this more about you to turn it back to you anyway, my friend. My my next question uh is how important is community as well as connection when it comes to healing and growing through difficult times?
SPEAKER_08Oh, I think connection is critical. It's it's not it's like air, it's like oxygen. We we need it. It's definitely a requirement because we were not built to live this life alone. And uh I feel particularly strongly about it for older adults because isolation is one of the greatest threats to well-being. Uh people retire and go to communities where they don't have friends, family, they don't know anybody, and and they they struggle. And so there's a lot of research out there that talks about how loneliness can affect our health, our cognition, our sense of um meaning in life. And so I think intentional, being intentional about creating community is one of the most powerful things um that we can do. Um, it's what happens when you feel seen, supported, and even have some accountability to other people. So um I think we should all find our people and let our people find us.
SPEAKER_06Absolutely. No one should walk this journey alone. You know, many of our listeners, uh, Dr. Val are also caregivers, pouring into others every day. How can they make sure that they are still growing and not losing themselves in the process?
SPEAKER_08Well, caregiving, whether it's for our grandchildren or our parents or a spouse, uh, that's a reality for a lot of people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. So um it is very important that we take care of ourselves. Uh, and I've watched a lot of strong people pour themselves until they just are empty. They they might call it love, but it depletes you because you know you can't pour from an empty cup, right? And so you have to take care of yourself, and it's not selfish, it's strategic. The more you can take care of yourself, the more healed and whole you are, the more you have to offer and give somebody else. Uh, so I think it's important to put it on the calendar, schedule some time for you, whether it's taking making those doctors' appointments that you need to do or a spa visit or vacation, put it on the calendar.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're right. You can't pour from an empty cup and it's it there's not self-care is not selfish. Uh I've also said uh as well. What role does uh reflection play in growth? Uh, do we need to slow, slow down to truly understand where we've been through?
SPEAKER_08Yeah, because you gotta process what you're going through. And that's what reflection is. Um you can't have you can have an experience without growing from it. People do that all the time. But if you're really trying to grow, that requires mean making meaning out of the experience that you have. And make that requires stillness. It requires for you to step back and and actually reflect on what is happening, you know, to look back and with new eyes and see how everything fit together. A lot of things I realized in retirement, you know, when I look back over my career, things that I thought were really bad, things that I thought were the worst times were actually the times when I learned the most. So we gotta just slow down and ask ourselves how did this season or whichever season make it possible for me to do what nothing else could have done?
SPEAKER_06Yeah, Dr. Val, we are approaching the end of our allotted time. Uh so my uh next to last question if someone could take just one message from your book and carry it with them this week, not next week, but just this week, what would that message be?
SPEAKER_08Well, I would say, particularly to your audience, you didn't make it this far by accident. Every hard thing that you walked through was walking you somewhere. And so this can be the most powerful season filled with God-given wisdom, and the world still needs who you are becoming. So keep growing. Your legacy is still unfolding.
SPEAKER_06Yep. And I know I'll speak for you. We didn't come this far just to get this far. We just got more traveling uh to go. Uh, and finally, my friend, how can our listeners get a copy of your book and stay connected with the work that you were doing?
SPEAKER_08Well, I do have a website. Uh, it's valeredmonds.org, www.valerieedmonds.org. And it's valerie with an A like valeriaedmonds.org. So you can get the book there along with other books that I've written. Uh, you can see the other things I'm doing with Masterful You. I'm coaching, speaking, and you know, have resources out there. So stay connected. You can also connect with me on social media.
SPEAKER_06So gotcha, gotcha. Folks, you got to get this book. Growth What You Go Through, Dr. Valerie Edmonds. And that's Valeria, she said, with an A. V-A-L-E-R-I-A, right? Valeria, sound right, but ValerieEdmonds.org. My friend, uh, I thank you so much, not just because of the message, but because of the messenger, right? You are a dear friend and someone who continues to remind us that no matter what life brings our way, we always have a choice to simply go through it or to grow through it. And I hope today you choose growth. All of you out there listening. My friend, again, thank you for blessing the senior zone with your presence as well as your purpose. Thank you.
SPEAKER_08Thank you. Thank you. Your purpose, there's purpose with your name on it.
SPEAKER_06Well, thank you, thank you, thank you. And family, don't go anywhere. We've got more coming right your way here on the senior zone. This next break is brought to you by Compassion and Choices, empowering everyone to chart their own end of life journey. We'll be right back. And life choices matter.
SPEAKER_10Compassion and Choices is here to support you on your journey. Our organization provides a wealth of resources to help you navigate difficult decisions with compassion and understanding. Need guidance on end-of-life choices? Visit our website at compassionatechoices.org for a range of informative articles, toolkits, and personal stories. Our compassionate team is just a call away, ready to assist you. Because, let's face it, talking about death is not gonna kill you. Compassionate choices, empowering you to make choices that reflect your values.
SPEAKER_12Hi, neighbor. I'm inviting you and your wife to my husband's 65th birthday party next week.
SPEAKER_05Great! Has he applied for Medicare yet?
SPEAKER_12Not yet. It's very confusing.
SPEAKER_05Call Montgomery County Ship. They help me with questions about my Medicare coverage.
SPEAKER_12What's Montgomery County Ship?
SPEAKER_05It's Ship, like a boat. Montgomery County State Health Insurance Assistance Program. They help seniors like us, or people with disabilities, or caregivers and families with Medicare insurance questions.
SPEAKER_12Can anyone call them?
SPEAKER_05Sure. As long as you live in Montgomery County. You can call them at 301-255-4250. Or check out their website at www.medicareabcd.org.
SPEAKER_12What's that number again?
SPEAKER_05Montgomery County Ship. 301-255-4250. Made possible with a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living through the state of Maryland and Montgomery County.
SPEAKER_11When you hear the chirp, it's time to do some work. Change the battery. Working smoke alarms save lives, including yours. For more information on smoke alarms and other fire prevention and safety tips, contact the DC Fire and EMS Department Fire Prevention Division at 202-727-1614. Or email us at FEMS.fireprevention at DC.gov.
Denise Parker Interview
SPEAKER_06All right, family. Welcome back to the Senior Zone. I am your host, Sean Perry. And listen, this next conversation right here, this is what it's all about. Every now and then we get a chance to sit down with someone who doesn't just talk about making a difference, they live it. Someone whose impact reaches far beyond titles, beyond recognition, and straight into the lives of people who need it most. And today I've got the honor of introducing you to one of those individuals. She is the 2025 AARPDC Andrews Award recipient, an award that recognizes the very best in volunteer service and community impact. Please help me in welcoming Miss Denise Parker to the Senior Zone. Hello, Denise.
SPEAKER_09Well, hello, Sean. How are you? Thank you for having me on your show. This has been a wonderful, wonderful opportunity and experience.
SPEAKER_06I'm excited to have you here, Denise. So we're going to run out of time quick, I know. So let's just jump right into it. First things first, congratulations again on receiving the 2025 Andrews DC uh award. But what went through your mind last week, uh, Denise, when you first heard the news?
SPEAKER_09Wow. Well, the first one was wow, I'm speechless. But it it confirmed for me that following my passion and God's mission for my life, I'm doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. And I get as much joy out of helping others as they get receiving my assistance. So it's blessings upon blessings.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, yeah. I'm just, I can only imagine that that moment, that moment uh last week just brought back a lot of memories and thoughts, just probably conjured up in you. For our listeners, uh Denise, who may not be familiar, can you share a little bit about the work that you've been doing in the community that led to this incredible recognition?
SPEAKER_09Okay, so with the AARP, I'm part of their fraud fighter team. So we go out and do community outreach and education uh events to help folks identify fraud and protect themselves from the folks taking their money. Um, I'm also a volunteer with food and friends. I help with their meal packing and food prep. Um dress for success is another one of my passions, and I serve as a personal stylist to help the ladies there get uh interview outfits and workplace uh wardrobes so that they can feel confident and succeed uh as they enter into a new job position. I'm also a special events volunteer with the Smithsonian's African American History and Culture uh Museum. And that is just a wonderful opportunity for me uh to stand uh, as I like to say, uh in a museum that uh shows uh our history, our truth uh in our words. And so, and the the the smiles and and all of the excitement that the visitors have uh entering and then the realization, excuse me, that this is an amazing exhibit. And they they vow to tell their friends and family and come back again. So it's it's it's a full circle for them.
SPEAKER_06Well, you know, because awards like this don't happen just overnight. What I'm just curious, what initially inspired you to get involved in service work? Was there a defining moment or experience that just set you on this path?
SPEAKER_09Yes. When I was 16, I um my dad signed me up to volunteer with the um childhood um, it was a nursery as a program. And I was feeding, helping to feed the kids and reading them stories and just keeping it was a nursery level. So it was keeping them happy and joyful. And I said, oh gee, this is fun. And you know, when it was nap time, um, they all had to go down and you know take a little nap. And some of them were more willing to do that than others. But I just felt like this feels really good for me. And what can what else can I do? And it just continued on and you know, with various levels up and down throughout my teen years, and then once I became an adult, you know, you become aware of other opportunities. And I just jumped right in.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, well, thank you, uh, Dad, for setting you on uh this path. You know, so many of our listeners are at a stage, you know, where they're asking, what's next for me, right? With that being said, how has your journey in service evolved over the years? And what keeps you motivated to keep showing up and giving back?
SPEAKER_09Well, for me, I am living out my passion to serve. And when I see opportunities, I walk up or call or text and say, I'm available, I have these skill sets, I'd like to help. And what do you need? And I let them tell me whether that's an option or not. I I go, I like to say that on the standpoint that I like to remain active and meeting and greeting and networking is is in my blood. So it's easy to identify. And once I think you have an idea of what drives you, what motivates you, you can find avenues to channel those um desires and and um assistance that you can provide to those in those areas and you can just move forward. And we may require training, you may have to do a background check, but it's all worth it in the end, because when you see the smiles on folks' faces, and when you see expressions of, oh yeah, you know, like a light bulb is is uh coming on, they're putting the information together so that they can move forward and be, you know, live healthier and happier in their lives, then that's what that's that's the payout.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, that's the payback. That's the get back, as we shared and talked about off air. Uh can you share a story, Denise, or a moment from your work that really touched your heart or reminded you why this work matters?
SPEAKER_09Sure. Um, I also worked with um Dress for Success when I was in Las Vegas, and we had a client come in and we we helped her, and she was looking fabulous, and she had a job interview in a couple of days, and so we were all set, and I helped her take her items to her car, and there was really no place where we could put the things in the car. And I said, So what's going on here? And she says, Well, I'm living in my car right now, and I don't have anywhere to go. Um, and I said, Okay, it's just stopped right there, and I said, Look, look, let's go back into the boutique and you have a seat in the waiting area, and I'm going to see what we can do. So I went and called the um the um dress for success executive director and the lead for uh client services, and we called a gentleman that has temporary housing available. And so we were able on that day at that moment to put her in touch with him to set up you know housing for the evening and then her steps forward. So I thought, oh yes, this is what we do at Dress of Success. We see something, we say something. And as um former Congressman John Lewis says, we get in some good trouble.
SPEAKER_06Absolutely. But it's those sorts of moments that stay with you, and I can see that one has stayed and remained with you. For older adults out there listening right now who may want to get more involved but don't know where to where to start, what advice would you give to them?
SPEAKER_09I would say find your passion. What drives you, what gets you up in the morning? What do you see yourself giving to someone or sharing to someone or doing for someone that can help them wherever they stand without any judgment or criticism? And be clear that your response to helping someone in need is going to need to have compassion and empathy because they want to feel that when they come in or in contact with you, that this is a safe place and that they can share and be honest and transparent and come away from your encounter feeling that someone saw them, that they heard them, and that they understood exactly what they needed and were able to assist them to go forward.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, you know, because purpose doesn't have an age limit, because it doesn't, uh what are some of the biggest needs you're seeing in communities uh right now, especially when it comes to supporting uh us older adults?
SPEAKER_09Oh, wow. Okay, so what in particularly in my work that I do with um the fraud fighting, I think the technical um glitch that some of uh us face uh with fosters, you know, the text messages, the calls, the emails, the uh actually paper mail that we get uh from these bad guys who want to separate us from our money. And for whatever reason, uh some of our seniors may feel isolated. And this gentleman calls and he sounds official and he's really nice, and you know, it it makes them feel again that someone cares. And the the the the problem is is that he really doesn't care. This is not a personal thing against the uh individual directly. This is more all I want is your money. So we encourage the seniors to uh in when they call or text, don't do anything, don't say anything. We we say reflect, protect, pause, okay? And so and and reach out to trusted friends and families to confirm that this information you're receiving is actually valid. Um, and you know, you may have to develop a sort of a safe net to safety net of friends that you know when they have questions, you can help them, you know, can figure it out, or family members just to say the the it doesn't have to happen right now, you don't have to act now, you don't have to send any money now, and keep all of your personal information to yourself. And when the time comes that you do, contact the information that's directly on the documents that you have, as opposed to calling numbers that they provide.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. Great, great advice. We talk about fraud and exploitation here on the CNZone all the time. I tell my mama don't even pick the phone up anymore. You know, if it's not if it's not a familiar number, don't even pick it up. I want to have you back here. But right now, when you reflect on your legacy, my new friend, not just the award that you received last week. What do you hope people remember most about in these cards?
SPEAKER_09That's what I want to remember.
SPEAKER_06That's a powerful uh question right there. Powerful response to my question right there, uh Denise. So thank you, thank you, thank you. And finally, I'm curious, right? What is next for you? How do you continue building on this incredible momentum of service as well as impact to our community?
SPEAKER_09Keep doing the same thing that I'm doing, keep moving forward because the needs are increasing, and I'm gonna be recruiting others to join me. Okay, because we need all boots on the ground. So I'm gonna keep going and keep doing as long as God provides the opportunities for me, and I don't see any. I mean, this is just this is all my life, this is one part of who makes up who I am, and that I am you know fully committed to following through on.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, a little birdie is telling me, something is telling me that you are just getting started, my friend.
SPEAKER_09Well, that little birdie has stopped over here first.
SPEAKER_06Well, we are out of time, my friend, but I want to say, Denise, I mean, I just gotta tell you that this was more than an interview. This was a reminder, a reminder that purpose doesn't retire, that impact doesn't have an expiration date, and that one person just like you, right, can truly make a difference in the lives of many. So I want to thank you for your service, Denise Parker, for your heart and for your example. And again, congratulations on being named the 2025 AARP DC Andreas Award recipient. You represent the very best of what community looks like. And to our listeners, if you've been wondering how you can give back, how you can stay engaged, and how you can make your next chapter meaningful, take a page out of Denise's playbook. Start where you are, use what you have, and never underestimate the power of showing up. Denise Parker, thank you, my friend. Thank you. All right, you take care and have a blessed day. We'll be right back after this, folks. Stay with us. You're listening to the Senior Zone. This next break is brought to you by AARP DC, your wise friend and fierce defender in Washington, D.C. When we return, it's birthdays of the week, followed by Dear Grave Woman and closing out with your later life lowdown. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER_10Today is your day to connect with AARP and DC. AARP is here in the District of Columbia working hard to make it an even better place to live, work, and play for people of all ages, and you can help. Put your skills and talents to good use as an AARP volunteer where you can help lead local events or become an advocate for the issues that matter in your community, like funding for programs that help district residents age with dignity and independence. AARP is also helping you get the most out of life. Check out their educational workshops where they can help you grow as a caregiver, find a job, and teach you about the latest technology, or enjoy a night out at any of their exciting local events, like their happy hours and free movie screenings. Today is your day to connect with your community and with AARP. So let's take on today and every day. Learn more at aarp.org slash DC.
SPEAKER_02Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday birthday.
Birthdays of the Week
SPEAKER_06If you hear your name or someone you love being called, just know it's all love from your senior zone family. First up, we have Nelsa Downs Brown, 78 today, Monday, May 4th from Annapolis, Maryland. Happy birthday, Nelsa, Pastor Gary A. Davis, 70 years young. Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 5th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Pastor Davis, Carmen Nelson, 68, on Tuesday, May 5th from New York City, New York. Happy birthday, Carmen. Terrence Williams, 62, Social Security eligible on Tuesday, May 5th from Harlem, New York. That's also New York City, New York. Happy birthday, Terrence. Linda Patton, 59, on Tuesday, May 5th from Baltimore, Maryland. Happy birthday, Linda. Lynette Singleton, 65. She is Medicare eligible on Wednesday, May 6th from Baltimore, Maryland. Happy birthday, Lynette. Linda Ivy Lewis is 76 on Wednesday, May 6th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Linda. Daryl Perry, my namesake, no relation, is 68 on Wednesday, May 6th from Sterling, Virginia. Happy birthday, Daryl. Michael Meuse, 60 years young. You made it. Wednesday, May 6th from Fort Washington, Maryland. Happy birthday, Michael. Cora Masters Barry. Icon here in the DC area. 81 on Thursday, May 7th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Miss Cora. Bridget Bailey Lipscom 63, my friend. Thursday, May 7th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Bridget. A few more here. We have Denise Holly Boone is 68 on Friday, May 8th from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Happy birthday, Denise. And last but not least, Marjit Novak is 76 on Saturday, May 9th from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Happy birthday, Marjit. Happy birthday again to each and every one of you. May your days be filled with joy, your nights with peace, and your year ahead with continued purpose as well as good health. And if you want to hear your name or celebrate someone special right here on the senior zone, send us the name, birth date, age, city, and state to the senior zone at info at the senior zone.com. That's INFO at the seniorzone.com. We love to celebrate
Dear Grave Woman featuring Joelle Simon
SPEAKER_06you. All right, family. Coming up next is a segment that continues to touch hearts as well as open minds every single week. It's time for Dear Grave Woman featuring Joelle Simone, where real questions meet thoughtful, heartfelt perspective. Joelle, the mic is yours. Take it away, my friend.
SPEAKER_07Thank you so much, Sean, and happy birthday to everyone celebrating a birthday this week. Today we have an email from Miss Sylvia Turner from Baltimore, Maryland. Miss Sylvia says, Dear grave woman, I'm afraid to talk about my own funeral. How do I get past this fear? Miss Sylvia, it's really common to feel the way that you do. Many people worry that talking about death or talking about funeral planning will quote unquote invite death in. But actually, planning ahead is an act of care and love for those that you leave behind. And while I know that it can be very intimidating and very scary to talk about our own deaths and then go a step further and begin planning for our funeral and burial, it's very important that we really do that. And so a few things that you can do are to number one, start small. Write down your favorite songs, your favorite traditions, or even who you'd want to speak at your service. This is important because it provides a blueprint for those that are going to be left behind that are going to be in charge of making those decisions on your behalf. Secondly, what I want you to really give some main consideration to is what do you want to happen to your body when you pass away? What disposition method would you prefer? And for those of you that are not aware, a disposition method or the word disposition method simply means do you want to be buried? Do you want to be cremated? If you want to be cremated, do you want fire cremation? Aquamation, which is water cremation, do you want to be embalmed? Do you want your body to be viewed? Do you want to be buried in the ground? Do you want an ego-friendly or green funeral? That is that is what we consider and what we're talking about when we use the word disposition method. Most importantly, Miss Sylvia, I want you to remember that this isn't about calling death early. It's about giving your loved ones, your family, those that you're going to be leaving behind, peace and clarity during what is going to be a very hard emotional and if we don't plan ahead, sometimes financial time. If you want to get more gentle guidance on starting these conversations, my multicultural death and grief care academy offers free resources and workshops that help do this thoughtfully and respectfully. You can visit www.thegravewoman.com to learn more. And if you have questions, you or anyone else listening, I'd love to hear from you. You can write me at thegravewoman at gmail.com. Sean, back to you for the later life lowdown.
Later Life Lowdown
SPEAKER_06And just like that, Joelle, we thank you. We thank you for your powerful words as well as perspective. Now, let's shift gears and get you plugged in and what's happening across our community. It's time for your later life lowdown, your go-to source for news, resources, and real opportunities for our seniors across D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. It's your Later Life Lowdown. So let's start right here in Washington, D.C. The DC Department of Aging and Community Living continues to provide vital services, including home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, and caregiver support. If you or someone you love could benefit, call 202-724-5626. That's 202-724-5626. Also in DC, Legal Counsel for the Elderly is offering free legal assistance for residents age 60 and older, covering housing, public benefits, and consumer protection. Give them a call at 202-434-2120, 202-434-2120. Now, in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Aging reminds residents about their senior call check program. It's a daily free check-in service offering peace of mind for older adults who are living alone to enroll. Call 866-502-0560. That's 866-502-0560. And don't forget, the Maryland Access Point is your one-stop resource for long-term care services, caregiver support, and benefits navigation. You can reach out to the Maryland Access Point at 844-627-5465. That's 844-627-5465. And in Northern Virginia, the Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging offers a wide range of services from nutrition programs to caregiver education and Medicare counseling. Call them if you need them at 703-324-7948. That's 703-324-7948. And in Arlington, the Department of Human Services continues to support older adults with wellness programs, transportation, and housing assistance. Contact them at 703-228-1700. That's 703-228-1700. And no matter where you are, anywhere in the country, always remember this powerful resource, Benefits Checkup. That's benefitscheckup.org. It's a free tool from the National Council on Aging. It helps connect you with benefit programs that can help with food, medicine, utilities, and more. Just visit benefitscheckup.org to get started.
Show Outro
SPEAKER_06Well, folks, the pencil broke, that is all she wrote. That is this week's Later Life Lowdown where the info is fresh, the love is real, and the goal is always to enrich your journey. And one more thing, the senior zone is now available as a podcast so these conversations can live on, they can be revisited, and they can be shared. Just search the senior zone wherever you listen to podcasts. All right, family, that's going to do it with us today. Thank you for spending this time with me. And as always, I don't take it lightly. So until we meet again, keep your head high, keep your heart full, and always be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow. Love you. Peace.
SPEAKER_04Be sure to join us on our next broadcast.
SPEAKER_01Until then, live simply, love generously. Speak kindly.
SPEAKER_04Leave the rest to God. Have a wonderful week, and God willing, the senior zone will be here for another informative and entertaining hour next Monday morning at 10 a.m.
.png)