Dear Friends,

Happy Older Americans Month!

Each May, we take time to recognize the contributions of older adults and to reaffirm our collective commitment to their well-being. This year’s theme, "Flip the Script on Aging," invites us to challenge outdated stereotypes and celebrate the vitality, wisdom, and purpose that come with aging.

At The Washington Home, that commitment extends beyond programming, it includes protecting the systems and structures that help us serve. In today’s digital world, that means safeguarding our data.

For this month’s Partner Connect, we hosted a Risk Awareness Training focused on a topic often overlooked until it’s too late: cybersecurity.

Led by our trusted IT partner, Chance Ellis, founder of Vytelis IT Solutions, the session explored how even small organizations can become targets for phishing scams, data breaches, and other cyber threats. The good news? There are simple, practical steps every organization can take to build a more resilient digital foundation.

Using strong passwords, verifying suspicious emails, backing up data regularly, and building a culture of cybersecurity awareness can make all the difference. We were reminded that cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a critical part of how we protect the people and communities we serve. If you missed the training, don’t worry, we’ll continue to share resources and tools that help strengthen your systems and safeguard your mission.

The more secure we are, the more confidently we can serve today and in the years to come.

Warm regards,

The Washington Home Team

DC Villages Spotlight

WATERFRONT VILLAGE

At Waterfront Village, the power of community is more than a tagline, it’s a lifeline. Their neighbor-to-neighbor model connects older adults with trusted volunteers who not only offer support but often step in at critical moments.

One such moment came in when longtime Village volunteer, Dick, stopped by to help a member (let’s call her Julie) reconnect her printer. When he arrived, Julie was on the phone with someone claiming to be from a cybersecurity company. As Dick listened in, it quickly became clear: this wasn’t tech support it was a scam in progress. The caller had remote access to Julie’s computer and was actively guiding her to transfer $5,000 out of her bank account.

Thanks to Dick’s presence and quick action, the call was ended, and a Village volunteer driver rushed Julie to the bank, where her accounts were secured and passwords reset. Dick continued to check in with Julie in the days that followed, helping remove lingering malware and ensuring her digital safety.

Even with education and awareness, scams like these still target and manipulate older adults. But this story is a powerful reminder of what makes the Village model so effective, immediate, and personal: trusted support from people who care. Waterfront Village’s Tech Team may be small, but moments like this show just how mighty neighbors can be when they come together.

To learn more, visit: www.dcwaterfrontvillage.org

CAPITOL HILL VILLAGE

With support from the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation, Capitol Hill Village has launched a unique respite program called Memory Studio for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Located in the Hill East neighborhood of Capitol Hill, the program is free and open to anyone, and currently has openings available.

Memory Studio runs on Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, includes lunch, and centers on creativity featuring music, movement, and visual arts led by professional artists and musicians. What makes this program especially meaningful is that it was co-created by a person living with dementia who discovered his own artistic potential through creative engagement.

Care partners have several options:

They can drop off their loved one and use the time however they wish
They can stay and participate in the activities, tapping into their own creativity
Or they can join care partner-specific offerings on-site, such as a support group, massage, or yoga nidra

Participants have shared just how valuable these options have been for their well-being.

While Memory Studio is a social, not medical model program, and requires that participants be able to eat and toilet independently, care partners of individuals who do need assistance are welcome to attend together and engage in the programming.

Those living within the CHV footprint may also be eligible for transportation assistance.

To learn more, visit www.capitolhillvillage.org or contact CHV at info@capitolhillvillage.org or 202-543-1778.

In the Community

Greater Washington Community Foundation Stands for Charitable Freedom

The Greater Washington Community Foundation has joined more than 400 philanthropic organizations in affirming the right to support causes that reflect our shared values and meet the urgent needs of our communities.

At a time when many of our institutions are under increased scrutiny and as our region faces steep federal funding cuts and economic uncertainty, the Community Foundation is standing strong for the freedom to give. For over 50 years, it has partnered with individuals, families, and businesses to strengthen Greater Washington through investments in food access, housing, small business support, and economic opportunity for all.

Now more than ever, the philanthropic sector must have the freedom to direct resources where they’re needed most—to uplift communities, respond to crises, and build a more equitable future.

Read the full statement here.

Events

Resources

End of Life Resources

The Washington Home currently owns 48 burial plots and 1 crypt designated for a hospice patient at Fort Lincoln Cemetery. As part of our ongoing mission to support individuals at the end of life with compassion and dignity, we are seeking to donate these plots to organizations serving those most in need. If your organization works closely with terminally ill individuals or hospice patients and is interested in learning more, please email Patricia Ndimantang at Pndimantang@thewashingtonhome.org

Are you a caregiver looking for guidance and support? Follow this link to access A Caregiver’s Guide and discover valuable insights and resources to help you on your caregiving journey. To learn more, call (800) 869-2136. For areas outside Washington DC, call: (844) 438-6744 capitalcaring.org/hospice

At The Washington Home, our mission is to to fund entities that create and deliver innovative, compassionate, and well-managed programs to improve the quality of life for older adults and/or terminally ill residents in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Do you have an upcoming event or initiative you'd like to share with our community? We'd love to include it in our next newsletter! Send your event details to Patricia Ndimantang at Pndimantang@thewashingtonhome.org Let's keep our community connected and informed!