Dear Friends,

Did you know that cognitive screening is now recommended in your early 40s? This month, we’re turning our attention to something deeply personal and increasingly urgent: memory loss and dementia care. As more families navigate aging and cognitive decline, early detection and support access are more essential than ever.

We are spotlighting the GUIDE Model, a new national initiative designed to help individuals living with dementia receive the care they need, surrounded by the support that honors their dignity and life. This all begins with awareness. Early screening empowers individuals and families to proactively approach brain health and long-term care planning.

At The Washington Home, we have been working closely with partners to explore what universal cognitive screening could look like in our community. At our next Partner Connect meeting on April 18th, we will dive deeper into this conversation with Dr. Malaz Boustani, a nationally recognized expert in brain health and dementia care. He will be sharing how other states are approaching screening and care, and what this could look like right here in Washington, DC.

Together, we’ll explore what early, coordinated dementia care can look like and how we can bring that vision to life, right here at home.

Warm regards,

The Washington Home Team

Partner Spotlight

Holistic Horsemanship

HHS is a nonprofit offering Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy to individuals seeking wellness support. Through groundwork with horses and a hands-on Farm Fit program, participants build connection, confidence, and physical strength, all while benefiting from time outdoors and meaningful interaction with animals. holistichorsemanship501c3.org

Goods for Good

Goods For Good is on a mission to strengthen our community through collective acts of kindness. By partnering with local nonprofits, they provide critical care and practical support to underserved and economically disadvantaged communities across the DC area.

Just last week, G4G delivered 100 wheeled shopping carts along with 200 bags of food, filled with nonperishables and fresh produce, to our partners at Brookland Village and Iona Senior Center. The food was gratefully received, but it was the carts that sparked something special. For many older adults, the gift of a cart they could keep brought genuine surprise and pure joy. We're proud to partner with G4G to meet essential needs with compassion and dignity. goodsforgooddc.org

Home Care Partners

Home Care Partners is a nonprofit dedicated to helping vulnerable older adults in the DC metro area live safely and independently in their own homes. Through in-home care, caregiver support, and home environment improvements, their team of trained aides, social workers, and nurses empower clients to age in place with dignity and comfort. homecarepartners.org

In the Community

IONA Heart of Caring Awards

The Heart of Caring is Iona’s annual fundraising event. This year, our event will take place virtually on May 18, 2022, from 12:00 – 12:30 pm. The Heart of Caring luncheon is Iona’s only fundraising event. It is designed to showcase vividly how we provide care and support to older adults in the Washington, DC area. The funds raised at this luncheon will be used to meet the urgent needs of older adults and family caregivers who rely upon us for a wide range of services. For more information: Contact Cassandra Moran at (202) 895-9453 or cmoran@iona.org.

Food & Friends 32nd Annual Chef's Best Dinner & Auction

Join us to enjoy gourmet tastings and signature cocktails from more than 30 of our region’s top chefs and mixologists! Proceeds from Chef’s Best will provide critical resources to help Food & Friends prepare and home-deliver 1.75 million free, medically tailored meals, groceries, and nutrition counseling to 5,300 individuals living with a serious or chronic illness, including dependents and caregivers. Eligibility is based solely on illness, though more than 65% of households served live on $1,500 a month or less. Meals are 100% free of charge. Please join us as a sponsor to help our neighbors living with a life challenging illness. For more information: Contact Jenna Smith, Special Events Director jsmith@foodandfriends.org (202) 269-6826

Honoring Excellence in Aging Leadership

Join Seabury Resources for Aging for an unforgettable evening as we recognize the incredible individuals and organizations who have made a lasting impact in the field of aging. Throughout the evening, we’ll celebrate the achievements of our distinguished honorees, highlight the contributions of our service partners, and express our gratitude to the individuals who have supported our cause. For more information click here

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!