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. 707 | Protecting Your Home, Your Money & Your Future
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 with Shawn Perry, we focus on protecting what matters most as we age.
In Segment One, Shawn welcomes Bryony Coiner and Willow Hasson from Legal Counsel for the Elderly for an important discussion on the DC Real Property Tax Lien Auction and the Schedule H property tax relief program that could help qualifying homeowners save money and avoid unnecessary hardship.
Then in Segment Two, Shawn sits down with Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, for a meaningful conversation about caregiving, aging with dignity, staying connected, and building stronger communities for older adults nationwide.
Plus:
🎂 Birthdays of the Week
💌 Dear Grave Woman featuring Joel Simone
🌟 Later Life Lowdown
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_03Welcome to the Single Zone, where we connect older adults with the organizations and resources that serve them.
SPEAKER_08Senior Zone's goal forward. It's to educate, empowered, enlightened, entertained, and engage older adults with the tools and information to stay healthy, happy, and secure.
SPEAKER_03Great guests, health tips, upcoming events, and useful information.
SPEAKER_08So get ready to take notes.
SPEAKER_06Whether it's your finances, your home, your health, your peace of mind, or simply your ability to age with dignity and independence, folks are looking for real answers, real guidance, and real people they can trust. And that's exactly what today's show is all about. But before we get into today's conversations, let me give you this week's weekly vitamin. Sometimes strength doesn't look loud. Sometimes strength is simply continuing to move forward, even while carrying uncertainty, disappointment, fear, or exhaustion. A whole lot of older adults spend decades taking care of everybody else, children, spouses, parents, careers, communities, and somewhere along the way, many forgot to extend that same grace to themselves. So this week, give yourself permission to breathe a little deeper, rest a little easier, ask for help if you need it, and stop apologizing for needing peace because growing older is not a burden, y'all. It's a blessing that not everybody gets to experience. Alright now, let's keep this thing moving. Coming up in segment one, we're talking about two issues that could truly impact older homeowners in the District of Columbia: the DC Real Property Tax Lien Auction and a tax relief program called Schedule H that could possibly help qualifying residents put money back into their pockets. Joining us shortly from Legal Counsel for the Elderly, our attorney Briani Coiner, and legal associate Will O'Hasson. And then in segment two, we're taking a broader look at what aging in America really looks like today: caregiving, connection, independence, and helping older adults thrive where they live. Joining us for that conversation is Sandy Markwood, CEO of US Aging, one of the nation's leading voices on aging and community-based support and family. Don't forget, the Senior Zone Podcast is now available on demand. So if you ever miss a live broadcast or want to go back and revisit one of these powerful conversations, you can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms immediately following this live show. And before we take this quick break, I want to send some love and gratitude to our sponsors and partners, Legal Counsel 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. Finishing out today's show, we'll have Birthdays of the Week, another edition of Dear Grave Woman featuring Joelle Simone, plus your later life lowdown with news, resources, and community announcements from across D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. We'll be right back after this short break, brought to you by Legal Counsel for the Elderly, providing free legal and social work services to D.C. residents most in need.
SPEAKER_01We'll be right back. Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of D.C. 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 202-434-2120.
SPEAKER_07Attention, 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.
Bryony Coiner & Willow Hasson (LCE)
SPEAKER_06Welcome back. It's now the Legal Zone on the Senior Zone, brought to us by Legal Counsel for the Elderly. I'm your host, Sean Perry. Now listen, today's conversation could truly help somebody protect their home and possibly put some money back in their pocket. We're talking about two important issues every DC homeowner, especially older adults, should understand. The DC Real Property Tax Lien Auction and a lesser-known tax relief program called Schedule H. Joining us to help us break it all down are two guests from Legal Counsel for the Elderly, attorney Brianney Coiner and Legal Associate Willow Hassan. Briannie and Willow, welcome to the Senior Zone.
SPEAKER_11Good morning, Sean. Good to see you again. Thanks for having us.
SPEAKER_06It is a pleasure to have you here. Now, Willow, before we get into our discussion, this is your first time here on the Senior Zone, and you're relatively new with Legal Counsel for the Elderly. With that being said, my new friend, share with our listeners more about yourself.
SPEAKER_09Yeah, so I joined LCE in August of last year. So I'm coming up on my one-year anniversary very soon. And this is my first position since graduating law school and passing the DC bar. So my focus at LCE is getting to help people apply for and obtain Schedule H tax credits, which we'll be talking about today. And I also wanted to mention that while I was at William and Mary Law School, I was a student advocate helping veterans apply for VA benefits. So since this is Memorial Day, I wanted to recognize those brave men and women that we've lost. Just wanted to make a quick note there. And also I'm grateful to be now working for an organization that assists veterans and also seniors in the district. So thanks so much, Sean, for having me on the show today.
SPEAKER_06I'm just meeting you for the first time. I'm proud of you, young lady. Congratulations on beginning your legal career and doing work that truly does impact the lives of our older adults. And I also appreciate you recognizing our veterans during this Memorial Day season. That means a lot to me personally. I'm a veteran as well, Willow. So thank you for your service and compassion for our veterans. Brittany, I'm gonna bring you in uh now. Let's dive into our first topic because this is something a lot of people hear about but may not fully understand regarding DC's annual real property tax lien auction. Tell us what is it all about?
SPEAKER_11So every year in July, DC has its annual property tax sale lien auction. This year it's scheduled for July 15th and 16th. And you're included in the property tax lien auction if you're behind on property taxes. And it doesn't mean that your home will actually be sold on July 15th or 16th, but the process can start a potential foreclosure process. And as the foreclosure process goes on, costs and fees increase along the way, which is why it's so important to get help as soon as possible if you think you're at risk of the tax sale.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. And Brittany, a lot of people uh immediately panic when they hear words like tax sale or auction. So let's help folks understand how this process actually works. How does someone know they are at risk for a tax sale?
SPEAKER_11Think, Sean. It is scary. You'll you might have received a notice from the Office of Tax and Revenue with big bold red letters that sound like you're about to lose your home. Um, just know that the notice is important, um, but it doesn't mean you're gonna lose your home right away. So um if you received a tax sale notice that went out in April, that is one indication you're at risk of the tax sale. However, you may still be at risk of the tax sale even if you didn't receive the notice. You know, sometimes things happen with the mail. Maybe our um son or grandson got the mail for us and forgot to share. Um, so another way of knowing that you may be at risk of tax sale is if you know you're behind on your property taxes, or if you haven't paid in a while and you think you might be behind on property taxes. Um, in addition, the district will send another notice in June, and then they'll also publish a list of properties at risk of tax sale in the Washington Informer in June. So those are two other things to keep your eye out for. And then finally, you can check with the Office of Tax and Revenue yourself. You can check online or by calling the district's uh Office of Tax and Revenue or even visiting in person. Um so the website for that is mytax.dc.gov. That's M Y T A X dot DC dot G-O-V. You can also call the Office of Tax and Revenue at 2027 1946. Again, that's 202746.
SPEAKER_06And that's such an important uh point uh right there, uh, Brianny, especially the reminder not to ignore notices or paperwork that comes in the mail. Now, this next part may really surprise some people that are listening uh right now. How little of a debt on property taxes does it take to find that the lien on your home may be sold at auction?
SPEAKER_11The bar is so low, Sean. It's just $2,500 behind on taxes can get put you at risk of the property tax sale. And for a lot of people, we know that homes in DC are so valuable and the taxes are so high. $2,500 could be just one or maybe two missed tax bills.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, that's a lot. And for a lot of older adults living on fixed income, that amount may feel a lot closer than people uh realize. Let's also clear up some confusion around who actually owes these taxes and when they're due. So who in DC must pay property taxes and when?
SPEAKER_11So every homeowner who owns a property in DC is billed twice a year. So generally the tax bills go out in March and then again in September. And taxes are due twice a year even if you don't receive a bill. So just as I talked about earlier, um, you could be at risk of tax deal even if the notice gets lost. You still owe property taxes, even if the bill doesn't make it to your house. And that's why it's really important to set reminders, whether it's in your calendar or somewhere else, to check in on your taxes every March and September. And it's also important to make sure you're keeping these dates in mind if you're an heir, because if you're an heir who's living in the home of maybe a mom or a grandmother who passed away, you may not even be getting property tax bills at all. Um, or they may be going to your loved one's name and you might not even realize that property taxes are still due. So it's really, really important if you own a home to make sure you're addressing property taxes in March and in September each year.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, Brianny, I am really glad you mentioned air properties because a lot of families inherit homes informally and they don't realize how complicated, you know, those situations can become uh legally. Uh but let's switch to some good news uh right now. If someone has fallen behind, there may be some options available as I understand it. What can be done if someone does owe taxes and they are at risk for a tax sale?
SPEAKER_11Absolutely. So one thing you can always do is pay down the taxes, pay it below that $2,500 number we talked about. But for a lot of people, that may not be possible. It might not be affordable and you might not have the ability to pay down taxes right away. Um so another option that could be available is a forbearance, which is basically a one-year exemption from the tax sale. And you have to ask the district for these, um, but they grant them every year. If you're a DC resident and you're 60 and over, you can call Legal Counsel for the Elderly's legal hotline at 202-434-2120. And we may be able to actually help you with these applications for free and keep track of whether they're approved or not. Um, if you're a DC resident under 60, you can call Legal A DC. Their phone number is 202-628-1161. And they also help people with these applications for free. And then finally, you can also apply for a forbearance directly with the tax office on your own at the information I shared earlier, which is mytax.dc.gov and at or by calling at 202 759-1946.
SPEAKER_06Great information, uh, Briannie, and this is why acting uh early uh matters. So, folks, don't wait until things become a crisis before asking questions or seeking a help with the numbers that Brianny just mentioned, and we may mention them again. Uh Brianny, we also know uh that property taxes in DC can be extremely expensive. Are there programs that can help seniors reduce their tax bill, particularly those with lower incomes?
SPEAKER_11Yes, great question. So one thing I should have mentioned earlier is it's really important to apply for help to be removed from the property tax sale by June 15th. That's the deadline this year. Um and as you mentioned, there are programs to make taxes more affordable going forward. So one is called the homestead deduction, which is available to almost everyone who owns and lives in their property. So just from living and owning in your property, um, you automatically get a discount. And then you can get an additional discount of 50% off your tax bill if you're either a senior, 65 and over, or if you have a disability. So just by being a senior or having a disability and being on the deed to the home and living in the home, you can get really great property tax discounts. And then in addition to those tax discounts, there's also a program called the Low Income Senior Tax Deferral. So that program's a little different, but what it allows is for you to uh accrue tax debt or allow the tax bills to add up without you being at risk of foreclosure. So the tax office basically acknowledges that you're a senior with a fixed income, struggling with property taxes, and they allow you to be behind without the risk of foreclosure, but you do have to apply for this program. Another great thing about the deferral program is that the interest rate is only 6%, which the interest rate, if you're just behind and not in the deferral program, is a lot higher. So it also has that benefit as well. And our office legal counsel for the elderly helps people every day determine whether they're eligible and then apply for these programs. Um and then in addition to all these great programs, there's also Schedule H, which my colleague Willow will share a little bit more about.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, Branny, that's why I have you here on the Senior Zone on a regular uh rotation because a lot of our listeners may qualify for programs that you've mentioned, but they've never even heard of them uh before. So thank you, thank you, thank you. Which brings us perfectly to Schedule uh H. Willow, let's bring you back in, my new friend. Uh share with our listeners what is the Schedule H program.
SPEAKER_09Yeah, so Schedule H, which is also known as the DC Homeowner and Renter Property Tax Credit, is a program through the DC Office of Tax and Revenue, and it's meant to assist DC residents who are paying a high portion of their income into their housing. So, as the title says, this program helps renters and homeowners get money back from property taxes each year. And the renters are technically getting money that their landlords are paying in property taxes that their rent adds to.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. Uh now, Willow, anytime we talk about helping seniors keep more money uh in their pockets, that truly gets people's uh attention. Uh, what are the eligibility requirements to receive money back from Schedule H?
SPEAKER_09So the eligibility requirements are generally the same each year. Sometimes the numbers go up a little bit. So, and they most importantly, an eligible applicant for Schedule H needs to have lived in DC for that entire application year. They have to be either a homeowner or a renter from a private landlord who pays property tax. And there's also an income requirement. So for the most recent application, which would be the 2025 application, Schedule H recipients under age 70 must have a taxable income of $66,000 or less to be eligible. Whereas recipients who are age 70 or older just must have a taxable income of under 90,000 or less and they can still be eligible. So it's a much easier ceiling to be under that 90,000 if you're age 70 or older. That 66,000, though, is the lower ceiling if you're under age 70.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. And I hope listeners are hearing this uh clearly because uh don't assume automatically, folks, that you don't qualify uh without checking uh first. My next question, uh, and I'm speaking for everyone out there, uh Willow, is how much can someone get back via the Schedule H program?
SPEAKER_09Yeah, that's a great point, Sean, about checking for eligibility and not assuming that you're not eligible, especially because the application maximum for 2025 is up to $1,425.
SPEAKER_06Wow. And uh that's a lot. That's a lot for a lot of uh people, especially in today's economy. Every dollar certainly does matter. When should one apply uh for the Schedule H program?
SPEAKER_09You're right, Sean. It is a lot for just one application. And not to mention, you can also apply any time of the year. And another great thing about this program that connects with that application any time of the year is that you can apply back three years. So if you've missed the last three years, it's not too late to go back and apply. If someone is eligible for those applications, they could get up to $4,125 for those three applications.
SPEAKER_06Wow. Now we're talking. That's some uh that's some good change in your pocket uh back. Uh does one have to file a full tax return in order to get a Schedule H tax credit, Awilla?
SPEAKER_09Great question. So actually, no, if an applicant is not required to file income taxes, as in if their income is only non-taxable in DC and low enough, as in if someone's only receiving a bit of Social Security each month as their only income, and then they don't need to file a full income tax return. Instead, DC offers them the ability to file a standalone Schedule H form to just get the credit without filing that full return. So the standalone forms are also on that My Tax DC website that Brianni mentioned. And just to clarify again, if someone is required to file a full income tax return, they should already be receiving Schedule H that way. So they should make sure that that was in their return. Otherwise, they can talk to a tax preparer to fix their application if that was missing. But again, the standalone form should only be used for applicants who do not need to file a full income tax return in DC.
SPEAKER_06Gotcha. Now, this is the legal zone on the senior zone where L CE actually helps people through the process. So let's talk about that. How does L CE help people obtain a Schedule H tax credit?
SPEAKER_09L CE works with With the clients who aren't required to file income tax returns. So we assist with filling out that standalone Schedule H form. We also securely submit the applications to the DC tax office, and we coordinate with that office when applicants need help amending their applications, making sure that it went through okay, if they need to change a mailing address. We also assist clients with any questions about their refund status.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, you know, and that kind of help, the help from LCE, uh can make a huge difference, uh, uh, Willow, for someone who feels either overwhelmed or confused by the paperwork as well as the eligibility uh rules. So this is uh this is big stuff for our older adults in the DC community. Uh a couple of other questions for you, uh Willow. How do uh our listeners make an appointment with LCE to get help with applying for Schedule H?
SPEAKER_09It is a big help, Sean. We help a lot of our clients with the standalone forms. Even though it's only three pages, it can definitely be a bit confusing. So any interested listeners in DC who want assistance with their Schedule H forms should contact the same LCE hotline that Brioney said. And that is 202-434-2120. Again, the LCE hotline will redirect you to getting Schedule H assistance from us at 202-434-2120.
SPEAKER_06Gotcha. Listeners out there, don't wait until things get worse before making uh that call. Help is out there and it is free. That four letter F word that we love here on the senior zone. Uh Willa, one other question uh I have, uh, and I would just want to clarify. Uh you know, does LCE do regular tax returns? Do they help people file their regular tax returns?
SPEAKER_09Great clarification question. Unfortunately, no. Legal counsel for the elderly does not do tax assistance or preparation. We just do the standalone Schedule H forms. However, if someone does need assistance with a full tax return, they can contact the AARP tax aid. They're just open during the tax season, but their number is 1888-227-7669. Again, if someone needs assistance during the tax season, they have free tax repairs at the AARP TaxAid at 1888-227-7669. And also outside of the tax season, I wanted to also add another free tax repairer in DC that can also help with questions and amending or adding on to previous tax returns, and that's the DC Tax Help. Their number is 202-642-9037. Again, another free tax preparer that can assist with tax returns is the DC Tax Help at 2024 9037.
SPEAKER_06I hope folks had their pen and paper ready with all the numbers that we shared. But folks, if you did miss all of those numbers and websites, get it now. The number for LCE is 202-434-2120. That's 202-434-2120. Willow, you did a great job, my new friend. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will circle back to you uh in a second. But before we wrap up, let's leave folks with the biggest takeaways from today's conversation. Brianny, remind our listeners about the three most important things to remember regarding the DC property tax lien auction.
SPEAKER_11So number one is that the tax sale is coming up in July. It doesn't mean that your house will be sold, but it could initiate the foreclosure process, which can make it even more expensive to save your hard-earned home. Number two is that the applications for forbearances are due June 15th. So call and get help as soon as you can to make sure you make that deadline. And number three is if you're behind, if you know you're behind, or even if you're unsure if you're behind, call Legal Services or the Office of Tax and Revenue to clarify your situation. It's much easier to save your home from tax sale than to try to save your home after a lien has been sold.
SPEAKER_06Gotcha. And Willow, let's do the same thing regarding Schedule H. Recap the three most important things to remember about Schedule H and tell our listeners again how to reach LCE.
SPEAKER_09So the most important things about the Schedule H tax credit, number one, is that it's open to DC renters in private buildings and DC homeowners. You can apply back three years if you haven't been getting Schedule H, and you can get the credit through filing DC income taxes or through the standalone application. And for any LCE assistance related to Schedule H or other questions for our practice areas, you can call the LCE hotline number, as Sean repeated, 202-434-2120.
SPEAKER_06Excellent information, Brianny and Willow. And hopefully somebody listening today feels more informed as well as uh empowered. Folks, today's guest has been Brianny Koiner and Willow Hassan from Legal Counsel for the Elderly. And today's conversation is a reminder that sometimes the information that can protect your home, protect your finances, and reduce stress is information people simply don't know exists. So if you or somebody you know maybe struggling with property taxes, worried about tax sale notices, or wondering whether they qualify for programs like Schedule H, don't sit silently and stress alone. Reach out, ask questions. For more assistance, call LCE again at 202-434-2120. That's 2024 2120. And family, during this Memorial Day holiday, let's continue looking out for one another and checking in on our neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Willow and Brandy, thank you.
SPEAKER_11Thank you so much. It was great to see you, Sean. Thanks, Sean.
SPEAKER_06It was a pleasure to have you. Folks, we're going to take a quick break. When we come back, it's more of the senior zone with Sean Perry, myself, speaking in the third person. 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_00Compassionate 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_04Hi, 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_04Not yet. It's very confusing.
SPEAKER_05Call Montgomery County Ship. They help me with questions about my Medicare coverage.
SPEAKER_04What'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_04Can 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_04What'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_02When 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.
SPEAKER_06Family, welcome back
Sandy Markwood (USAging)
SPEAKER_06to the Senior Zone. I am your host, Sean Perry. Now, as we close out May, recognized nationwide as Older Americans Month, I wanted to bring on a guest who truly understands both the challenges and the possibilities of aging in America today. Because the reality is people are living longer, caregiving demands are growing, and many older adults are trying to age with dignity, independence, and connection. And if we're being real, folks just don't want to live longer. They want to live better. My next guest has spent years helping communities across the country support older adults right where they live. She's a leading national voice on aging, caregiving, and helping older adults remain connected and empowered. Folks, let's welcome Sandy Markwood, CEO of USA Aging to the Senior Zone. Sandy, welcome back, my friend.
SPEAKER_12Oh, Sean, so wonderful to be here. Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_06It's an absolute pleasure to have you here. I don't know how many times you've been here, but it's a handful of times over the years, my friend. You know, Sandy, every May we hear about Older Americans Month, but this year feels somewhat different. More families are talking openly about aging, caregiving, and long-term planning than ever before. What do you believe are the biggest issues, uh, Sandy, older adults are facing right now as we close out Older Americans Month?
SPEAKER_12Well, Sean, I still am so supportive of the theme of this year's Older Americans Month. It is critical that we champion our health because having good health is the foundation of successful aging. But you know, you're right. This year does feel a little different. And I think that what we're hearing from older adults and their caregivers, they're real concerns about the cost of living, the cost of health care, the rise in AI, in whether people are going to have real people helping them or a computer. Um, you know, the world situation. We're just in an interesting and a challenging time. And so I what I'm hearing from a lot of older adults and caregivers is hope, but also concern.
SPEAKER_06Yeah. Uh as well. And I think a lot of listeners, uh, Sandy, are realizing that aging today, it looks very different than it did for their parents as well as their grand uh parents. That's just my uh two cents. One other thing, Sandy, I've noticed is that many older adults they want to remain independent for as long uh as possible, but they also don't always know what services are available to to help them out. Can you explain what USA Aging actually does and how local area agencies on aging are helping seniors every single day?
SPEAKER_12Well, Sean, I'm I'm thank you for the question, but it's really important that your viewers know that there is help out there. There is help if they need to get engaged in their community to also find out about nutrition interventions in their community, how to get a ride to the doctor, in-home supportive services, caregiver support, home modification. Area agencies on aging have been around for over 50 years as a trusted resource in communities across the country, helping older adults live well at home and in their community, and more and more also helping their caregivers to be able to meet their needs. So you need to know where and be connected to your area agency on aging. And it's easy to do that. You can just go to our website, www.usaging.org, or you can call and talk to a real person at 1-800-677-1116. That's the elder care locator that is here to connect you to local resources that can help you age well at home and in the community. USaging is so proud to be the national organization representing over 614 area agencies on aging throughout the nation. And there's incredible area agencies on aging here in the DMV.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, absolutely. And correct me if I'm wrong, uh Sandy, but I want to make this clear for our listeners. When you hear area agencies on aging, they are also called senior wellness centers or senior centers in your area or something of that nature. Am I correct?
SPEAKER_12You well, area agencies on aging run senior centers and they run uh what we often call meals on wheels programs, home delivered meals programs. All of the funding for those programs funneled through area agencies on aging. Throughout the country, they are called different things, but in this area, most of them are tied to the county government so or the city government, so it's the Alexandria Area Agency on Aging, Prince George's County Area Agency on Aging, Montgomery County. And in saying that, all you need to do is to contact them, and they are a hub of all of the resources on aging and caregiving in your community.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, well, thank you for that clarification, Sandy. That's why I put it out there and brought on the expert. Uh, one of the quiet struggles we continue hearing about on this show is loneliness and social isolation among our older adults. How serious has that issue become nationally, Sandy? And what are some of the simple but effective ways communities can help older adults stay connected as well as engaged?
SPEAKER_12Sean, it is a national issue. Social isolation and loneliness of older adults. One in three older adults is lonely or socially isolated. And that can have the same health impacts as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is a major public health issue, but it's one that can be easily addressed. At the community level, it can be addressed by having programs in local libraries or at churches and engaging older adults. Friendly visiting programs operated through area agencies, give a call, whether it's weekly or daily to an older adult, just to check on them. Also looking at opportunities to just engage in community activities, whether that be a health promotion program, whether that be someone volunteering to drive somebody to the doctors. When we're looking at social isolation and loneliness, we need to engage at the community level. But older adults also have the opportunity to engage, being volunteers to support other older adults so that they're not isolated or lonely.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, you know, and sadly, uh Sandy, when people become isolated, you already know this, they also become more vulnerable. Which leads me to my next question. We spent a lot of time here on the Senior Zone talking about scams and fraud and elder or financial exploitation of our elders. Are you seeing growing concerns nationally around older adults being financially targeted, especially online and through, you know, apps and technology, et cetera?
SPEAKER_12John, it is such a national tragedy that, you know, people who are very smart are engaged in these frauds and scams. But what they're doing is they're stealing the savings of older adults across this nation. The Federal Communication Trade Commission estimated it to be $2.4 billion, FBI $3.4 billion in losses. But some agencies are really thinking it's really closer to $10 billion of losses. And these are financial scams, these are romance scams, these are grandparent scams. So hard to detect. But we all need to be vigilant and um and aware of the fact that there are bad people out there trying to take advantage of older adults.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, we have to stay on guard 100% of the time to fight off these uh these predators. You know, um and speaking of technology, uh Sandy, um, and I use my mother as an example, it's a blessing uh in so so many ways, but it's also a burden for many older adults. How important have you found digital access as well as digital literacy today when it comes to aging successfully?
SPEAKER_12To be honest, you know, it is um it is very difficult in this day and age to be able to navigate getting a health appointment, um, getting paying your taxes, doing almost anything if you cannot you are not digitally literate and have access to a computer and know how to do online um operations of that computer. So it is becoming critically, critically important. But the important part of that is there are also solutions out there to help older adults, no matter what their level of technology, to be able to learn how to use technology for the basics. Area agencies on aging often operate computer classes starting from the very beginning levels to advanced levels to help older adults learn how to become digitally literate. And also then to support them as they advance in that. They also often, many area agencies on aging also have programs to be able to give older adults tablets or other types of technology tools to help them on their digital literacy journey.
SPEAKER_06And I appreciate that, uh Sandy, so very much. Let's shift for a moment with the time that we do have to uh caregivers, because caregivers are carrying a tremendous load uh right now. Many older adults, uh the adult children and spouses are quietly uh overwhelmed trying to care for aging loved ones, especially, you know, and while also uh managing jobs and finances and their own health. What do caregivers need to hear right now, uh Sandy, especially those who may feel exhausted, unseen, or unsupported?
SPEAKER_12Well, Sean, what they need to recognize is they are not alone. Um, through area agencies on aging that operate the National Family Caregivers Support Program, there are a range of supportive services to help caregivers do the heroic work they do every day. There are 63 million caregivers in this country. 29% of them are part of the sandwich generation, caring for older adults and young children. 27% are caring for loved ones with dementia. That's a really important task. But as you said, they also are facing a lot of challenges. Seven out of ten are working, and forty-seven percent say that they've had a negative financial impact from their caregiving duties. So they need help. But area agencies on aging through the National Family Caregivers Support Program are there to provide education, support groups, and important respite, giving caregivers that needed break so that they can care longer.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, thank you. And Sandy, another thing, you know, many older adults are worried about right now is something we hear in the news every day now, and that's affordability. Whether it's housing costs, food prices, prescription drugs, or utilities, many seniors are feeling financially squeezed. What resources uh or programs do you think uh many older adults don't hear about but need to hear about?
SPEAKER_12There are so many supportive services out there. Through area agencies on aging, there are a ton of services and supports, such as meal programs or transportation programs or in-home assistance that don't necessarily have a fee or a charge to them. So they need to know about their local resources, but they also need to know about their benefits. And there is a program that we operate along with the National Council on Aging that is connecting people to the benefits that they deserve and that they've earned, benefits checkup. So finding out about the benefits that will help them. But then there's also rent relief programs at the local level, tax and utility relief programs. There are also emergency assistance funds that are often available. So people, older adults, and their caregivers need to really explore what kind of resources are out there to help them.
SPEAKER_06Yeah, you know, one thing, Sandy, I appreciate about your work with USA uh uh aging or US aging is that it focuses not just on problems, but on possibilities. You know, there's an outdated narrative that aging automatically means uh decline. What gives you hope when you look at the future of aging in America?
SPEAKER_12Well, you know, Sean, I really have been at this for for over 20 years. And what I would say is we need to celebrate aging. We need to celebrate the fact that people are living longer. And what we know and research has shown is that attitude is It's really important to be able to have a positive attitude about your aging, which really goes to your point about looking at the assets of growing older. Recognizing at the turn of the century, people didn't live beyond like 40 years old. And now that we're living in 70, 80, 90 and above, you know, to really see to each day. Yes, there are challenges. There's challenges in aging. But boy, there are so many opportunities. And what I'm seeing is much more of a focus from older adults on purposeful aging, looking at being able to give back as well as to receive services and support.
SPEAKER_06Sandy, you always have great things to share with our listeners. Need to have you back here more often now, my friend. But before I let you go, I wanna I always like to leave our listeners with something that's practical as well as empowering. For older adults that are listening right now, or for family members trying to help aging parents, what's the very first step they should take if they need support but don't know where to begin?
SPEAKER_12Sean, people need to plan for successful aging. And part of that plan is going back to the older Americans month theme of championing your own health, what you can do to ensure that you remain healthy, eating well, exercising, staying connected. But the other critical part is to really find out about the resources that exist in your community to support you. And that the first call that you should make is to your area agency on aging.
SPEAKER_06And if they don't know that, can they go to your website and find that information out as well?
SPEAKER_12Absolutely. If you don't know the name of your area agency on aging or the contact, you can go to www.usaging or usaging, all one word. Or you can also again call 1-800-677-1116. And a real person will be on that line to help walk you through the services and supports you need.
SPEAKER_06Great stuff, folks. That is usaging.org. Usaging.org. And Sandy, one more time with that telephone number.
SPEAKER_12Sure. It's the Elder Care Locator which we operate 1-800-677-1116. There's live operators there from 9 until 8 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.
SPEAKER_06Great stuff, Sandy. And as we wrap up Older Americans Month, what message would you most want older adults across the DMV, across the country, to carry with them moving forward?
SPEAKER_12Celebrate aging. Celebrate the fact of the years that you've lived and celebrate the good works that you've done in those years and recognize that you still have years and lots of good works to do. And saying that, one of my favorite quotes is from a rock star, surprisingly, David Bowie, which is saying that, you know, as you age, you become the person you were always meant to be. So celebrate that.
SPEAKER_06I love it. I love it. Beautifully said, uh my friend. And I think that message is needed now more than ever. Family, what a meaningful and useful and relevant conversation. And let me tell you something. Aging is not the end of the story. In many ways, it's the beginning of a new chapter, but nobody should have to navigate that chapter alone. I want to thank my friend Sandy Markowitz, CEO of U.S. Aging, for joining us today and for the incredible work being done nationwide to support older adults, caregivers, and communities. And for our listeners, if today's conversation touched you, encouraged you, or made you think about something you love, don't wait. Reach out, check on somebody, ask questions, explore the resources, because growing older should never mean growing invisible. To learn more about the services and supports available for older adults and caregivers, again, visit usaging.org. That's usaging.org. Sandy Marquit, thank you, my friend.
SPEAKER_12Sean, thank you so much for having me.
SPEAKER_06And we'll have you back as soon as we possibly can. Folks, 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. Then it's your dear grave woman, followed by your later life lowdown. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER_00Today 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. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday!
SPEAKER_06All right, family, before we head out of here, you already know what time it is. It's time for our birthday shout-outs where we celebrate life, love, wisdom, and another year of blessings. And as always, we're sending love to all of our senior zone family
Birthdays of the Week 🎉
SPEAKER_06members celebrating birthdays this week throughout the DMV and beyond. But first up, belatedly, Miriam Vincent turned 83 yesterday, May 24th from Potomac, Maryland. Happy birthday, Miriam. Cheryl Botts is 61 today, Monday, May 25th from Waldorf, Maryland. Happy birthday, Cheryl. Yolanda Marie Curtis is the Big 60, 60 years young on Wednesday, May 27th from Waldorf, Maryland as well. Happy birthday, Yolanda. Christine Ranke is 66 on Wednesday, May 27th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Christine. Joyce Jordan, 66 on Wednesday as well. May 27th from Fort Washington, Maryland. Happy birthday, Joyce, Thomasina Yearwood, 78. God bless you. Wednesday, May 27th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Thomas Cena. Christine Liddell is 74 on Wednesday, May 27th from Woodbridge, Virginia. Happy birthday, Christine. This one is uh special to me. Lori Mathers, a dear friend, 64. Thursday, May 28th from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Happy birthday, Lori. Sheila Eldridge is 73 on Friday, May 29th from Mitchellville, Maryland. Happy birthday, Sheila. Sam Ford, 73. Friday, May 29th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Sam. Brenda Wade, 58 on Friday, May 29th from Waldorf, Maryland. Happy birthday, Brenda. And last but not least, Garfield Fleming is 73 on Saturday, May 30th from Washington, D.C. Happy Birthday, Garfield. Again, from all of us here at the Senior Zone, we wish each and every one of you a joyful, healthy, peaceful, and love-filled birthday week. And family, if you'd like to celebrate your birthday or the birthday of someone you love here on the senior zone, just send us an email. Send that email to info at theseniorzone.com. That's info-n f o at theseniorzone.com. Be sure to include the full name, the age they are turning, the city and state they are from, as well as their birth date. Now, family,
Dear Grave Woman
SPEAKER_06coming up next, it's time for another edition of Dear Grave Woman with our very own Joelle Simone, bringing insight, honesty, compassion, and a whole lot of real talk to conversations that many folks are often afraid to have. Joelle, take it away, my friend.
SPEAKER_10Hey Sean, and welcome back, everyone, to Dear Grave Woman. I am your host, Joelle Simone, and today my topic is very simple. GoFundMe is not an insurance policy. I'm gonna repeat myself. A lot of times when someone passes away unexpectedly, the first thing that we see is that their family and loved ones are scrambling on Facebook trying to get others, you, me, their community, their church, their coworkers to contribute to a GoFundMe account. And so I want to provide some information that supports the argument that GoFundMe is not in a life insurance policy. Number one, GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform, not a financial product. What GoFundMe does is allow people to request donations, not provide guaranteed financial coverage. The second point I want to make is that there is no guaranteed payout. Unlike life insurance, funds depend solely and entirely on whether people choose to donate. And so if you have it in your mind that when you pass away, your family will figure it out, and you've known other people that have posted a GoFundMe link and they've been able to cover expenses for funeral and burial and have a little bit of money left over. I want to encourage you to think a little bit differently. There are no underwriting or contractual obligations that exist through GoFundMe. And that's my third point. And what I mean by this is that life insurance policies involve legal agreements and premiums, crowdfunding platforms because GoFundMe and other platforms like it do not. What this means is that let's say you give a hundred or a thousand dollars on GoFundMe, there is absolutely no guarantee that those that you are donating that money to will see some or even the majority of that money or those funds. My fourth argument is that funds are reactive and not proactive. And what I mean by that is that the campaigns, which are what those GoFundMe um solicitations are, are typically created after a lawsuit or crisis. Whereas life insurance plans and policies are planned in advance. You select your merchandise and your services, you pay a monthly premium, and you are guaranteed, as long as you're making your monthly premium payments, that your services, merchandise, and all other things that are covered under that insurance policy, whether it be a large face amount, meaning that you know you have 20, 30, 40, 100 million dollars worth of coverage, or whether it's limited to the amount reflected for your funeral, burial, or memorialization. And my last point is that coverage amounts are unpredictable when you use crowd crowdfunding platforms such as GoFundMe and others. What I mean by this is that life insurance provides a predetermined benefit while crowdfunding results very widely and may not meet the financial needs that you're trying to accomplish or the money that you're trying to gather. And so I leave you with this do not depend on GoFundMe or any other crowdfunding platform to cover the expenses of your end of life funeral and burial or those that you love. If you'd like more information about life insurance, about pre-planning, or anything related to anything that we discuss here on Dear Grave Woman, you're always invited to visit my website 24-7. The address is www.thegravewoman.com. Please reach out to me via email if you have questions and feel free to connect with me on social media. Sean, back to you for the Later
Later Life Lowdown
SPEAKER_10Life Lowdown.
SPEAKER_06Joelle, as always, big thanks for another thoughtful edition of Dear Grave Woman. Now let's keep it moving with this week's Later Life Lowdown because staying informed is part of staying in power. We're starting right here in Washington, D.C., the DC Department of Aging and Community Living continues offering free senior wellness centers throughout the district with fitness classes, computer access, meals, social activities, transportation assistance, and benefits counseling for older adults 60 and better. For more information, call 202-724-5626. 202-724-5626. Now over in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Aging continues reminding older adults and caregivers about its senior call check program. It's a free daily check-in phone service for Maryland residents aged 65 and older. To learn more or to enroll, call 866-502-4325. That's 866-502-4325 and tell them the Senior Zone sent you their way. And finally, over in Northern Virginia, the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging continues offering caregiver support services, Medicare counseling, transportation options, and wellness programs for older adults and families. For more information, call 703-324-7948. That's 703-324-7948. All right,
Show Outro
SPEAKER_06family, that is gonna do it for this week here on the Senior Zone, the DMV's number one weekly radio program serving you, our 50 plus community. And one more thing, the senior zone has always been about more than just a moment. It's about building something that lasts. That's why we are now available as a podcast so these conversations they can live on, they can be revisited and be shared with family and friends anytime. Just search the Senior Zone with Sean Perry wherever you listen to podcasts. And as always, thank you for allowing me, Sean Perry, to spend part of your day with you each and every week. Never forget, your voice still matters, your wisdom still matters, your life still matters, and your best days are not necessarily behind you. 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. We love you. Peace.
SPEAKER_03Until then, live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.
SPEAKER_08Have a wonderful week, and God willing, the seniors all will be here for another informative and entertaining hour next Monday morning at 10 a.m.
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