NEWS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR SENIORS
A Publication of
JUNE 2021 • FREE
PRIDEFUL!
IN THIS ISSUE
POSITIVE ATTITTUDES help people living with HIV/AIDS
P6
BEWARE OF COVID-19 SCAMS
P8
STAY SAFE AT HOME
P19
We are proud to honor the contributions and history of Philadelphia’s diverse older adult LGBTQ+ community.
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June 2021
EDITOR’S LETTER By Alicia M. Colombo, Milestones editor
How to be an LGBTQ+ ally
WHAT IS PCA? Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to serving Philadelphia’s older adults. In addition to bringing you Milestones newspaper, PCA offers: • Care in the home • Home-delivered meals • Home repairs and modifications • Protective services • Senior centers • Caregiver support • Employment and volunteer programs • Legal services • Transportation
• Ombudsman services • Health education • Information and referral For more information, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040 or visit pcaCares.org. Call 24/7 to report suspected elder abuse.
Published by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Najja Orr, President and CEO PCA Board of Directors 2021-22 Katherine E. Galluzzi, D.O., F.A.C.O.F.P., Chair Judee M. Bavaria, Vice Chair Satya B. Verma, O.D., Secretary Glenn D. Bryan, Treasurer Louis A. Bove, Esq. Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Esq. Lynn Fields Harris Angela Foreshaw-Rouse Sandra McNally Fran Miller Victor M. Negrón Jr. Eloise N. Young Jaqueline S. Zinn, Ph.D. Emeritus: Arthur E. Helfand, D.P.M.
PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040 Outside Philadelphia toll-free: 888-215-765-9041 (TDD) pcaCares.org
Milestones is published monthly and distributed at more than 1,100 locations throughout Philadelphia, Lower Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties. Check us out online: pcaCares.org/Milestones Editor: Alicia M. Colombo 215-765-9000, ext. 5081 PCA, 642 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 Email: MilestonesNews@pcaCares.org Advertising: Teresa Heavens 215-765-9000, ext. 5053 Email: Teresa.Heavens@pcaCares.org Subscriptions & Distributions: 215-765-9000, ext. 5081 Email: MilestonesNews@pcaCares.org Home delivery: $12/year
The views expressed in Milestones are not necessarily those of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Milestones will not knowingly accept or publish fraudulent or misleading advertising. Milestones reserves the right to edit, revise or reject ads. Milestones assumes no responsibility for errors, misprints, omissions or misinformation; for failure to publish an ad; or for any damages of any kind. Neither the publisher nor any other party is rendering expert advice in this publication. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced without the permission of PCA. ©2021 Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. All rights reserved.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month is celebrated each year in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, according to the Library of Congress. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. The last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day.” Soon, celebrations across the country grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, LGBTQ+ Pride Month events include parades, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts that attract millions of participants from around the world. Memorials are also held during Pride Month for those members of the LGBTQ+ community who have been lost to violence or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of Pride Month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had – and continue to have. Pride Month offers numerous opportunities for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together and publicly celebrate their identities. Pride Month is also an important time for those who identify as straight to learn more about the LGBTQ+ experience and to openly support LGBTQ+ individuals. As allies, heterosexual and cisgender (whose gender identity matches the one they were assigned at birth) people show support for equal civil rights, gender equality and LGBTQ+ social movements by challenging homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ media advocacy organization formerly known as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, suggests the following ways to be an ally and a friend:
• Be a listener. • Be open-minded. • Be willing to talk. • Be inclusive and invite both your straight and LGBTQ+ friends and family to hang out together. • Don’t assume that all your friends and co-workers are straight. Someone close to you may need support coming out or sharing their identity. Be open to everyone. • Homophobic comments and jokes are rude and harmful. Let anyone who uses such inappropriate language know that you find it offensive. • Confront your own prejudices and bias, even though it is uncomfortable to do so. This can help start important conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusivity. • Defend LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination. • Believe that all people, regardless of gender identity and sexual orientation, should be treated with dignity and respect. • If you see LGBTQ+ people being misrepresented in the media, write a letter to the editor or contact glaad.org. By being an advocate and supporter of LGBTQ+ people, you are leading by example. Many civil rights movements are successful because people from nearly every part of society stood together fighting injustice and discrimination. The work to make the world safer and fairer for people who are LGBTQ+ requires effort and understanding of people from all walks of life, genders and sexual orientations. Funded by PCA
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June 2021 iStock
LGBTQ older adults classified as population of ‘greatest social need’ By Alicia M. Colombo Nearly 36,000 Pennsylvanians 65 or older identify as LGBTQ, according to the Movement Advancement Project that provides research, insight and communications to help speed equality and opportunity for all. Older adults who are LGBTQ have likely endured a history of discrimination, prejudice and social stigma. They may have also been rejected by their families and/or the community at large. This results in a lack of informal services and supports needed to help care for them as they age. As a result, older adults who are LGBTQ are also less likely to seek out or access aging services or programs, as many fear discrimination or harassment if their sexual orientation or gender identity becomes known. These considerations make the disparities experienced by older adults who are LGBTQ truly unique when they are also compounded by matters of race, ethnicity and disability. Recognizing the special challenges this group faces, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging recognized and designated older adults who are LGBTQ as a population of “greatest social need.” The term “greatest social need” is defined as a need caused by noneconomic factors, which include cultural, social or geographical isolation that restrict the ability of an individual to perform
normal daily tasks; or threaten the capacity of an individual to live independently. In 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services clarified that “greatest social need” in the OAA can include “individuals isolated due to sexual orientation or gender identity.” “Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), the Area Agency on Aging for Philadelphia County, has made a commitment to evaluate and address the specific needs of LGBTQ older adults across each program service area,” said Shaunise Spivey, PCA’s chief operating officer. “PCA has worked over the years to ensure that we are active in our endeavors to ensure cultural complacency training and ongoing education is provided so that our staff are equipped with knowledge and tools in the communities we serve.” As a result of the designation as a population of “greatest social need,” the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, in collaboration with state Area Agencies on Aging, will increase efforts to: • Ensure culturally affirming services to older adults who are LGBTQ by providing staff with LGBTQ cultural competency training and ongoing education. • Conduct effective, targeted outreach to older adults who are LGBTQ to promote • continued on page 17
June 2021
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The history of Philadelphia’s gay rights movement By Mary Anna Rodabaugh On June 28, 1969, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. For six days, neighbors and Stonewall customers rioted and clashed with law enforcement. These events served as a major catalyst for the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement across the United States. However, Philadelphia’s history of LGBTQ+ civil rights activism began prior to the Stonewall rebellion. The first documented movement occurred on April 25, 1965 at Dewey’s Diner, a popular establishment for LGBTQ+ youth in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. The waitstaff at Dewey’s was refusing to serve customers who they perceived to be gay, lesbian or not dressed according to their sex. Customers quickly took notice of this discriminatory behavior and became angry at the mistreatment of these individuals. After being asked to leave, three teens took a stand by staging a sit-in at the restaurant. They remained there until they were arrested. For five days, members of the Janus Society, a local LGBTQ+ political group, led a protest outside of Dewey’s Diner. One week after the teens’ arrests, a second sit-in occurred. It lasted until Dewey’s resumed serving all patrons regardless of appearance or sexual orientation.
The first Reminder Day Washington Square West resident, John James, 79, was living in Washington D.C. when he read an article about civil rights activist Frank Kameny and the D.C. branch of the Mattachine Society, a national LGBTQ+ rights association. In 1957, Kameny was fired from his federal job with the United States Army Map Service for being gay. After being barred from future federal government employment, Kameny, along with LGBTQ+ rights pio-
neer Barbara Gittings, spearheaded some of the nation’s earliest LGBTQ+ civil rights demonstrations. “There was a project coming up. It was a march on Independence Hall on July 4, 1965,” James said. “I decided I’d like to go, so I did.” It would be James’ first visit to the City of Brotherly Love, a place he would call home 36 years later. He boarded a bus on that hot summer day and selected a sign to carry during the protest. It read: “Homosexual citizens want: Their right to make their maximum contribution to society.” The first Reminder Day Demonstration had a very strict dress code. Kameny felt strongly that LGBTQ+ social activism should be about acceptance, and no other issues. He made sure all demonstrators looked presentable and respectable. “We were instructed to be the kind of people you would meet at the office,” James said. “Men wore suits and ties. Women wore business attire.” James demonstrated alongside about 40 other protesters for two hours, taking a break only to buy ice cream from a nearby truck. There was no organized opposition or mainstream media covering the event. Despite this, he was nervous about being recognized and losing his job as a computer programmer at the National Institutes of Health. “I could have been fired if they found out I was gay,” he said. Thankfully, he went undetected. Similar demonstrations, known as The Annual Reminders, took place at Independence Hall every July 4 for the next three years. James did not participate in the subsequent demonstrations, but eventually found other meaningful ways to contribute to the LGBTQ+ community. In 1986, he published updates on experimental-drug trails in the AIDS Treatment • continued on page 18
A group of activists, including Philadelphian John James (front left), held the first organized LGBTQ+ rights demonstration at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on July 4, 1965.
Mattachine Society, Courtesy of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage
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Personal Care Companion Care Light Housekeeping
POSITIVE
attitudes can help people living with HIV/AIDS
By Jay Nachman
We are a provider for the CommunityHealthChoices program, and we welcome family caregivers through the PA Family Caregiver Support Program.
215-935-6321
www.charterhomehealth.net
June 2021
Three years ago, David Gana went zip lining. “People asked me if I was crazy. I’ve always wanted to do it. So, why not? You have to live your life,” said the 63-yearold South Philadelphia resident who has been HIV positive since 1987. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.2 million Americans have HIV. Of those, 379,000 are 55 and older. HIV, the acronym for human immunodeficiency virus, attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Gana, like many others who have lived long, healthy lives after being diagnosed with HIV, relies on medicine and his own positive attitude to battle the disease. “I strongly believe (that) you have to take ownership of being HIV positive,” he said. At the time of his diagnosis, research into HIV was still in its infancy. By the end of 1987, there were more than 40,000 deaths caused by the disease. After his diagnosis, Gana’s doctor would no longer see him as a patient.
He found another, better doctor who was knowledgeable in treating HIV. Gana was prescribed AZT, the first antiHIV drug, but stopped taking it because, while it attacked HIV, it also had terrible side effects. He then went “holistic” and focused on nutrition and exercise. In the early 1990s, protease inhibitors (antiviral drugs that reduce the amount of HIV in the body) became available. Gana’s doctor prescribed them for him immediately, and his health has been good to date because he continues to change HIV regimens to the latest drugs available. “To this day, I do a lot of things holistically,” he said. “I combine the Western and Eastern philosophies of medicine.” South Philadelphia resident Keith A. Carter has lived more than half his life with HIV. For him, it’s a chronic disease, a “wicked one,” that he has to manage. “I’m a Black, gay male, and I happen to be HIV positive,” said Carter, 58. “I’m no different than anybody else who may have cancer or diabetes. I do blood work every three months. My life is not bad at all.” Carter was diagnosed in March 1987, when he was 23. “It was devastating because back then everybody was dying,” he • continued on page 17
June 2021
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SAGE gives LGBTQ+ older adults a seat at the table By Shannon Reyes
How do you see historical events impacting and shaping the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults? What needs to change in our society and community to allow all LGBTQ+ people to thrive as they get older? How do we build inclusive, intergenerational communities? These are just some of the questions posed for discussion at SAGE Table, a gathering of LGBTQ+ friends and allies of all ages for good food and lively conversation. Prior to the pandemic, these discussions regularly took place at senior community centers funded by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). In 1978, SAGE (formerly known as Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) was created with the mission “to ensure that LGBTQ+ older people could age with respect and dignity.” Today, SAGE is the longest-serving and largest nonprofit advocating for LGBTQ+ older adults. For the past 40 years, SAGE has worked to develop tools for inclusivity in aging services and supports, including the Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI), SAGECare Cultural Competency Training and SAGE Table. SAGE’s partnership with PCA-funded senior centers started several years ago, when staff at Southwest Senior Center asked the important question: “What more can be done to promote inclusion within our center?” This led PCA to partner with SAGE to provide trainings each year for staff to help them create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ older adults. To implement the knowledge and tools learned in the SAGE trainings, Southwest Senior Center adopted the SAGE Table initiative with the two-fold purpose of building community and creating support
systems for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. “The catalyst was to bring older adults together with younger folks to have multigenerational conversations around what it means to be LGBTQ, what does it mean to be an ally and how to learn from each other,” says Terri Clark, a SAGE consultant. Clark fondly recalls the first SAGE Table held at Southwest Senior Center, which she led with Senior Programs Coordinator of William Way LGBT Community Center, Ed Miller. The SAGE Table included a catered lunch for all participants. Clark recalls one senior center member brought her LGBTQ+ grandchild to join in the conversation, while another member and ally brought their longtime LGBTQ+ friend. “It was really the kindling, the catalyst, to show other senior centers that ‘yes, we can do this,’” Clark says.
Following the success of Southwest’s first SAGE Table, several other senior centers also adopted the initiative, bringing in Clark or Miller to facilitate the discussions. “We went from one senior center holding SAGE Tables to five and then to 10,” says Karen Washington, PCA’s assistant director of community engagement, who oversees the management of PCA-funded senior centers. While many straight or cisgender senior center members continued to bring their LGBTQ+ family members or friends, Washington explains that the tables also helped many other individuals talk about approaching a conversation with a friend or family member who has recently come out as LGBTQ+. In one instance, a senior center member had an LGBTQ+ family member who had been disowned by
their family. Conversations at the SAGE Table gave this member the tools needed to contact that family member and begin rebuilding their relationship. “The SAGE Tables are somewhat like a support group, but with an emphasis on learning,” says Washington. This can also include unlearning some generational behaviors or stereotypes that reflect negatively on the LGBTQ+ community. Other learning can also come from intergenerational conversations between LGBTQ+ individuals at differing stages of comfort with their identity. “There are prompts that SAGE Table moderators can use (to encourage discussion),” says Washington. “But a lot of times people come with a question that they’ve wanted to ask for a long time.” Shannon Reyes is the public relations specialist at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
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June 2021
COVID-19 scams: How to identify them and protect yourself By Shannon Reyes Millions of older adults are impacted by scams each year, resulting in an annual net loss of close to $3 billion, according to the FBI. While scams continue to be a prevalent form of financial exploitation against older Americans, the COVID-19 pandemic has aided scammers’ efforts as pandemic-related scams are on the rise. “We have seen the increase of scams firsthand,” says Karen Buck, executive director of SeniorLAW Center. “During the pandemic, our clients, who often are isolated, have found themselves falling prey to sophisticated and targeted scammers.”
Buck explains that scams related to COVID-19 have evolved with each news headline related to the pandemic. Everything from unemployment fraud to COVID-19 testing to vaccine scams have been reported to SeniorLAW Center, a nonprofit that provides free legal services to Pennsylvanians 60-plus and advocates locally and nationally on their behalf. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Pennsylvania consumers have filed nearly 14,000 COVID-related complaints, resulting in a cumulative loss of $21.8 million for those impacted. SeniorLAW Center is working to raise awareness of COVID-19 scams making
The PA Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program’s mission is to help you protect against, detect, and report Medicare fraud. Health care fraud damages Medicare’s financial viability and has a direct impact on the health care YOU receive. Fraud can increase out-of-pocket costs and can impact your health by decreasing quality of care - you could receive unnecessary or harmful care or be denied necessary treatment or equipment. Scammers are now using the Covid-19 pandemic to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. They might contact you by phone, by email, or a knock on your door. The aim is always the same: to get personal information like your credit card information, or your Medicare ID number and use it to defraud Medicare. Scammers are exploiting the fear surrounding the pandemic to peddle fake Covid-19 tests and supplies, and unproven and potentially harmful cures or vaccines. Some are even impersonating contact tracers! So, what can you do? The following practices will go a long way to keeping yourself safe from these criminals: 1. Protect and treat your Medicare ID number and card like a credit card. 2. NEVER provide your Medicare or credit card number to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails. 3. If you need a test or a treatment, call your personal doctor first. If you have questions about or suspect Medicare fraud, or would like to volunteer with the SMP program, please call toll-free: 1-800-356-3606 or visit www.carie.org. Help is always free and confidential.
their way around Philadelphia, which include: • Vaccine appointments – Scammers call with the guarantee that they can schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for a fee. • At-home testing kits – Solicitors call or come to the door with the promise of legitimate and accurate coronavirus testing. • COVID-19 cure investments – Solicitors say they have a breakthrough drug or prevention method for COVID-19 and offer a lucrative investment opportunity. • Unemployment benefits – Fraudsters steal personal information online or over the phone with the promise of increased unemployment funds, but instead redirect existing unemployment benefit payments or create fraudulent claims under the individual’s name. While the types of scams may vary, there are some common aspects to most COVID-19 scams that you can look out for. Many over-the-phone or door-to-door scams involve a big payout or benefit. Scammers will try to convey a sense of immediate urgency, compelling the individual to act now or miss out on a one-time opportunity. When it comes to vaccines, Buck also reminds individuals that COVID-19 vaccines are free to the public. Those who are approached about getting a vaccine appointment or registering online, should never be obligated to pay a fee or to provide payment information. All adults can now directly schedule their own vaccine appointments. Philadelphians 60 or older can call the PACE COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-424-4351, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., to make an appointment. Also, consumers should be wary when it comes to calls from authority figures, such as anyone claiming to be from a government or national health agency. In the case
of unemployment scams, many fraudsters called posing as representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) and offered to “help” claimants with their benefits. As a rule of thumb, L&I officials will never ask claimants for their username, password, PIN or Social Security number over the phone. “You should never give out personal, identifying, or confidential information to unsolicited callers and should never send money via gift card or wire transfer to anyone, unless you already have a personal relationship with the person requesting that money,” Buck warns. “No legitimate company or government agency will ever demand immediate payment by electronic transfer or gift cards.” Although many recent scams unique to the COVID-19 pandemic are on the rise, Buck says many of the more traditional types are still a threat because they use circumstances created by the pandemic to leverage or add legitimacy to the scam. These include charity scams that request donations on behalf of people impacted by the pandemic and romance scams that take advantage of the increase in social isolation among older adults to start a relationship with the intent to access personal and financial information. If you believe that you have given out personal or payment information to a scammer, then you should immediately report it to your bank or credit card company and close the account and/or stop payment on the transfer. You should also contact the police to report the scam and provide details, including the amount of financial loss. For more information about legal services provided by SeniorLAW Center, you can call the SeniorLAW HelpLine at 1-877727-7529 or go to SeniorLawCenter.org. Shannon Reyes is the public relations specialist at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
June 2021
Milestones 9
Caring for Your Loved Ones
at Every Stage
NewCourtland’s Germantown Home offers senior care services for residents who need a home that provides the safety, comfort, care and enjoyment they desire and deserve. The team at Germantown strive to provide exceptional care at every stage.
LONG-TERM CARE
REHAB TO HOME CARE
Germantown Home provides nearly 200 residents with compassion, respect and an unparalleled level of care while creating a warm, welcoming environment designed to feel like home.
For those in recovery, Germantown Home offers short-term rehab to prepare residents to return home to their loved ones.
MEMORY CARE
RESPITE CARE
Germantown Home’s secure memory unit provides specialized nursing and programming to care for the unique needs of those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
A break for primary caregivers will feel like a retreat for your loved one. Germantown offers skilled and caring support for family members in need of short-term relief.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NEWCOURTLAND’S GERMANTOWN HOME CONTACT: Alison Corter, Director of Business Development for NewCourtland / Liaison for Germantown Home by phone at 215-951-4210. 6950 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19119 | NewCourtland.org
Virtual Events
June 2021
Send your calendar items to MilestonesNews@pcaCares.org by the 25th of the month (for publication in month after next) Questions? 215-765-9000, ext.5081
JUNE 1-30
JUNE 2
Free webinars about public health issues impacting people living with HIV. Host: Community Health Training Alliance. Learn more and register: http://bit.ly/2021PreventionSummit
Log in with your latest craft, knitting or crochet project to enjoy an evening of crafting and conversation. All skill levels welcome. 6-8 p.m. Host: Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library. Zoom. us – Meeting ID: 990-9286-6563.
2021 HIV Prevention and Education Summit
Crafter Gather
TUESDAYS STARTING JUNE 1
Chair Yoga
Stay fit and active with Philadelphia Senior Center – Arts. Noon. Zoom.us – Meeting ID: 275-166-4679 – Passcode: TFLFIT
Improve your health with this evidence-based exercise program designed for older adults. 11 a.m. Host: Journey’s Way. Call for log-in information: 215-487-1750.
Dr. Jayatri Das explores how innovations in science, technology and our communities can help to build a healthier world. 3 p.m. Host: The Franklin Institute. Livestream: Facebook.com/TheFranklinInstitute/ live_videos.
JUNE 8
TV Raffle Fundraiser Begins Support St. Edmonds Senior Community Center by purchasing raffle tickets to win a new television. Tickets: $2 each or $5 for 3. Contact: 215-790-9530. The drawing will take place Aug. 19 on Facebook Live.
Medicinal Properties of Kitchen Spices How to Build a Home: Queer and Trans BIPOC Dance/ Movement Workshop
Enhanced Fitness
The Future of Health
JUNE 9
JUNE 3
TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS STARTING JUNE 1
JUNE 4
Creative space led by performing artist Shanel Edwards. All ages welcome. 4 p.m. Host: One Book, One Philadelphia. Register: http://bit.ly/QueerMovement
Herbalist Kelly McCarthy discusses ways to use common cooking herbs to combat common health issues. 6 p.m. Host: Fumo Library. Register: https://bit.ly/2Qy3mPj
JUNE 15
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Father’s Day First Day of Summer
Strategies for Success: Job Search Seminar for Mature Job Seekers 10 a.m. to noon. Host: JEVS Cares Solutions for 55+. Call 267-647-7173 or register online: JevsHumanServices.org/JobSeminar.
Summer Concert Enjoy the music of bass baritone Ronald Campbell. 1-2 p.m. Host: Philadelphia Senior Center – Avenue of the Arts. Zoom.us – Meeting ID: 845-6149-8675. Dial-in by phone: 929-205-6099.
JUNE 16
BYO Beef & Beer with Sports Writer Mike Sielski Join the Men’s Club from Congregations of Shaare Shamayim for a lively discussion about your favorite Philly teams. 6:30 p.m. Cost: $18. Details: 215-677-1600.
JUNE 19
Father’s Day Contest Do you know a really good man? Nominate him for St. Edmond Senior Community Center’s Mr. Wonderful contest. First place winner receives $50, Mr. Wonderful Juice and bragging rights 12:30 p.m. Send nominations to: 215-790-9530, jcarter@chs-adphila.org or Facebook.com/StEdmond SeniorCommunityCenter
JUNE 3 & 10
Ready to Retire? What you need to know about Medicare
Learn how to make beautiful creations from fabric scraps, wire, and beads. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Host: Journey’s Way. Cost: $20/members; $30/non-members. Register: 215-487-1750.
10-11:30 a.m. Follow-up appointments available for one-on-one counseling with APPRISE Medicare Counselors at CARIE. 215-545-5728 or johnson@ carie.org. Register: http://bit.ly/ MedicareRetire
Fabric Bead Workshop
JUNE 20
The Longest Day Pick an activity you love and join the Alzheimer’s Association on the summer solstice to raise awareness and funds. Learn more: alz.org/LongestDay
JUNE 21-30
Disability Pride PA 10-day virtual celebration for people living with disabilities, includes a variety of accessible and inclusive programs. DisabilityPridePhiladelphia.org
JUNE 22
JUNE 29
A Conversation with Author and Queer Rights Activist Sarah Schulman Join Jason Villemez, editor of the Philadelphia Gay News, as he speaks with Shulman about her book “Let the Record Show” that explores the impact of the diverse grassroots AIDS activist group, ACT UP. 7:30 p.m. Host: Free Library of Philadelphia. Register: http://bit.ly/SarahSchulman
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June 2021
Program empowers crime victims through resources By Shannon Reyes
Is background noise a problem? Temple University is seeking adults aged 60 to 85 with hearing loss to participate in a hearing research study. The focus of the study is to determine if our ability to perceive pitch differences can contribute to our understanding of speech in noisy conditions. Testing will take place on Temple Main Campus. Compensation provided for eligible participants. For more information, contact the Speech Perception and Cognition (SPAC) Lab
215-204-1478 or spaclab@temple.edu Speech Perception and Cognition Lab Jing Shen PhD, Principal Investigator
In 1987, the Older Adult Protective Services Act made it possible for organizations around the nation to designate resources for older adults who may be subjected to abuse, neglect or exploitation. The following year, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) created its Older Adult Protective Services (OAPS) unit to investigate reports of elder abuse in Philadelphia. According to PCA’s OAPS Director Jen Spoeri, the unit received approximately 5,000 reports of need this past year. She anticipates that reports will continue to grow by an additional 300 reports each year thereafter. While PCA’s OAPS unit has substantiated and intervened in many thousands of elder abuse cases over its more than 30 years, a federal grant has allowed the program to expand its capacity to help. In 2018, PCA secured funds from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant, creating the Victims Services Program (VSP). The program’s primary goal is to prevent re-victimization of individuals whose cases have been substantiated through OAPS. “The goal of our program is to make sure that those who were once a victim do not become a victim again,” said PCA’s Victims Services Program Supervisor Jennifer Mays. “Ultimately, we work to decrease recidivism and revictimization.” One of the ways that OAPS prevents victimization is by teaching older adults how to identify financial exploitation and by empowering them to take control of their own finances. Once an older adult is identified in OAPS as a victim and the case is substantiated, that person is assigned a victims service coordinator who will work with the older adult to go through the processes needed to move forward. This can include providing resources to the individual, such
as temporary lodging for a person living with an abuser, or transportation to a court appointment. Other provisions provided by VSP include walking an individual through processes or providing information to prevent further victimization. For someone who was a victim of financial exploitation, assistance can include working with an individual’s financial institution, such as facilitating conversations with the bank or accompanying the individual to his/ her bank to prevent future funds being removed from that person’s account. In 2010, PCA founded the Philadelphia Financial Exploitation Prevention Task Force to bring together representatives from Philadelphia’s police department, district attorney’s office, community agencies and financial industry to help combat the financial abuse of older adults. “When we work with (crime victims), we work to make them feel as whole as possible,” Mays said. Since 2018, PCA’s VSP has worked with older adult crime victims identified in approximately 200 cases and Mays proudly reports that all individuals who have gone through the VSP program have never come back through OAPS. In early 2021, PCA’s VOCA grant was renewed until the fall of 2023, so that older adult crime victims can continue to receive additional support. If you suspect that you or someone you know is the victim of abuse or exploitation, please call 215-765-9040. Social workers are available 24/7 to provide intake, investigation, assessment, care planning and crisis resolution. Confidential calls to report abuse may be made by anyone, including the older adult in need. Shannon Reyes is the public relations specialist at Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
August 2020
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s one n t s e Mil riptio sc sub luded inc
June 2021
Recipe Box
Enjoy asparagus this month Fresh produce season is upon the Philadelphia region! The bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables will be available throughout the summer. But if you want to enjoy fresh asparagus, you’d better act quickly since it’s only in season through this month. Often harvested when plants are fairly young and the stalks are still tender, asparagus is known for its distinct flavor and dates back to ancient Egypt. Asparagus can be consumed raw, roasted as a side dish, or added to soups and stews. In addition to being a versatile green, asparagus also packs several health benefits. These green stalks can lower your risk for depression, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis, as well as aid in cardiovascular health and digestion. If you are unfamiliar with asparagus and want to give it a try, here is a recipe to get you started.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) offers
Delicious meals delivered to your home
Tasty, nutritious options when you can’t prepare your own meals • Quality: home-style meals designed with fresh ingredients by a licensed dietitian • A personal touch: deliveries you can count on by our friendly, dedicated drivers • Affordability: low-cost or no-cost service, if you qualify • Expertise: nearly 50 years of experience caring for your neighbors • Reliability: the local resource trusted by thousands of older Philadelphians
Call the PCA Helpline: 215-765-9040
pcaCares.org
Cavatelli with Asparagus, Lemon and Fresh Ricotta Ingredients: 1 lb. bunch asparagus (tough ends trimmed and reserved; spears sliced on a bias into 2-inch pieces) 1 cup (8 oz.) fresh full-fat ricotta, drained 2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus zest of ½ lemon 1 lb. fresh or frozen cavatelli (or other pasta) 3 tbsp. olive oil 3 cloves garlic Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Grated Pecorino-Romano, for garnish Fresh basil Directions: Place the woody stems from the asparagus in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer the pureed asparagus to a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl. Let the juices drain for 5 to 10 minutes, pressing down lightly on the puree with a wooden spoon occasionally. Reserve the juice and discard the pulp. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the ricotta, Parmesan, 1 tablespoon lemon
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juice, salt and pepper. Add the lemon zest and set aside. Once the water has boiled, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Meanwhile, add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until lightly golden, about 2 minutes. Remove garlic. Add sliced asparagus and sauté until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the cavatelli directly into the skillet with the asparagus. Add about half of the asparagus juice and simmer for 1 minute. Add remaining asparagus and lemon juices. Cook until pasta is glossy, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with Pecorino-Romano, lemon zest, dollops of the whipped ricotta, basil and black pepper. (Source: Well Plated)
B:9.75" T:9.75" S:9.75"
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Milestones 16
June 2021
Remote learning is the new normal
By James Jackson As in-person training shifted to online learning, more institutions began offering affordable classes for older adults. This trend is likely to continue even after the pandemic. Want to brush up on your computer/internet skills or learn something new? Take advantage of the following free or low-cost online courses:
Philadelphia FIGHT provides free adult basic education classes, as well as basic computer courses in Microsoft Office and social media. The organization also provides comprehensive health services, including primary care, consumer education, research and advocacy, for people living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk. Courses are taught in small groups or oneon-one settings. | Office hours: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 215-985-4448 | Critpath.org Center for Literacy, located at Peirce College, offers free virtual math, reading, GED/high school education and ESL (English as a Second Language) classes. The center’s mission is to “unleash the power of literacy to improve lives.” Before COVID-19, the Center for Literacy incorporated both face-to-face and online basic
adult education and high school equivalency preparation sessions. After filling out a survey, a coordinator will contact participants to further discuss programs and educational needs. | Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 215525-8613 | CenterForLiteracy.org Uplifting adults in the Philadelphia area is the goal of the Community Learning Center. Students can enjoy free, livestreamed sessions and one-on-one video conferences. Basic financial literacy, digital literacy and computer skills, and job preparation are some of the classes offered. | CommunityLearningCenter.org | 215-426-7940 The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute holds its classes via the Zoom videoconferencing platform. Located at Temple University, the organization specializes in education for adults 50 and older. You
can enjoy four-week courses without grades and tests. Class offerings include politics in the cyber age, history of the American economy in the 20th century, and Pennsylvania geology. Membership prices vary per semester. | $75-$290 | 215-204-1505 | Noncredit.temple.edu/olli. Oasis Everywhere is a nonprofit organization that promotes “healthy aging through lifelong learning.” From art to exercise, you can learn about everything and anything in the comfort of your own home. Instructors with many years of experience operate classes over Zoom from different parts of the United States. Most classes are only one day, so there’s no commitment. | Free to $60 | 314-862-2933 | OasisEverywhere.org James Jackson is a multimedia journalist for publications in South Jersey and Philadelphia.
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LGBTQ older adults • continued from page 4
aging services. • Evaluate the needs of older adults who are LGBTQ within each program service area. • Collect sexual orientation and gender identity data or utilize data from reliable sources. • Provide written and web-based resources specific to and for older adults who
Positive attitude • continued from page 6
said. “It wasn’t looking too promising for a while.” After a brief period using AZT, Carter stopped all medicines and eventually started taking protease inhibitors. For 15 years, he merged his personal and professional lives when he worked for Bristol Myers Squibb, serving as a liaison between the company, for its HIV products, and AIDS activists. After a tough bout with the disease, Carter dropped from 183 to 138 pounds and had to stop working. But he later built himself back up. “My health, these days, is very good,” he said. “Let’s say, you’re an older person, and you get diagnosed with HIV today. Still plan for your future. Your future is not over.”
Crossword puzzle solution (See page 19 for clues.)
are LGBTQ. • Solicit input and feedback on programs and services from older adults who are LGBTQ. “PCA acknowledges that LGBTQ older adults face unique, pronounced challenges,” Spivey said. “In our continuing mission to serve the community to its full extent and to address and serve in an inclusive path forward, we work hard to ensure that we leave no one behind.”
Milestones 17
MEDICAL SUPPLY INC. www.rpromise.com
Alicia M. Colombo is editor of Milestones.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is piloting a program with the William Way LGBT Community Center for older adults living with HIV. It will focus on helping to navigate health care services, forming support networks, and managing medications and side effects. The Positive Self-Management Program, which began in May, provides information to help participants become good self-managers of their HIV, according to Heshie Zinman, director of special projects for the Elder Initiative at William Way, and a member of the PCA advisory council. As people get older, they can deal with diminished capacity and age-related illnesses. “People living with HIV, which can cause a host of medical problems, have additional challenges. And people who are LGBTQ+ also have unique needs,” Zinman said. Some older adults who are LGBTQ+ have unique family structures. Others have faced discrimination and harassment, which affected their financial planning and the ability to save for retirement. “Things have been limiting for people who are LGBTQ+,” Zinman said. “The goal of this pilot (program) is to assist people and provide them with information to help them make sound decisions about their HIV.” Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
for MEDICAID and MCO RECIPIENTS
Milestones 18
June 2021
Free tutorials help older adults navigate technology Personal Care Companion Care Light Housekeeping
Generations on Line, a local nonprofit, provides free, interactive tablet and smartphone tutorials to help older adults learn how to use technology. There are no ads or in-app purchases, just guided demos to build internet skills and knowledge. You can learn: • The basics: Using a touchscreen, enlarging and shrinking a page, scrolling up and down, locating buttons, using the on-screen keyboard. • The web: Internet browsing and online safety. • Emails & Messages: Texting; video chat-
Gay rights • continued from page 5
News (ATN), which became a beacon of news and information for the LGBTQ+ community for more than 20 years.
The Gay Activists Alliance
We are a provider for the CommunityHealthChoices program, and we welcome family caregivers through the PA Family Caregiver Support Program.
215-935-6321
www.charterhomehealth.net
In 1971, the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), originally founded in New York City, formed in Philadelphia. More than 400 people joined that first year. Members worked tirelessly to impact local legislation and protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. The group sponsored dances, social events and social justice programs for the LGBTQ+ community. The GAA also pioneered the Gay Switchboard Hotline and the Eromin Center to provide mental health services to individuals who were LGBTQ+, as well as helped to develop Philadelphia’s first gay newspaper, the Gayzette. In 1972, GAA worked alongside the Homophile Action League to organize Philadelphia’s first gay pride march, from
ting (Skype, Zoom, FaceTime); creating and using an email account • More: Using YouTube, the camera, and applications (apps); attaching photos Go to GenerationsOnLine.org/apps on any internet-enabled tablet or smartphone to access the free tutorials. Family Guides are also available (GenerationsOnLine.org/family) to assist with purchasing and setting up a device for an older adult. The guides also help with coaching remotely. For information about Generations on Line programs, call 215-222-6400.
Rittenhouse Square to Independence Park. Ten years later, on Sept. 9, 1982, local legislators passed the Philadelphia Gay Rights Bill, which outlawed anti-gay discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations.
LGBTQ+ activism today After an attack against two gay men in Center City took the media by storm in 2014, the City of Philadelphia passed an ordinance to recognize attacks based on gender identity or sexual orientation as hate crimes. According to the City of Philadelphia’s Action Guide on LGBTQ+ protections, Philadelphia is consistently recognized as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the country. Today, Philadelphia celebrates the annual Philly Pride Parade and Festival, as well as Outfest, the largest national coming out day in the world. Mary Anna Rodabaugh is a writer, editor and writing coach.
June 2021
Health Brief
Crossword
22 1 Pope’s triple crown 24 27 6 Regimen 10 Black Hills st. ]28 14 Prevalent 15 Simians 30 16 Mother of Ares 17 Man with a scythe 33 19 Galatea’s beloved 34 20 Basis of binary system 35 37 21 Caught
Display emergency numbers It can be easy to forget important phone numbers in the heat of the moment. Make sure you have a list of emergency contacts written down. Display these phone numbers in an obvious place that is easily accessible at any time, such as the refrigerator door or near the telephone. You’ll want to list phone numbers for your local police and fire departments; your doctors; poison control; and your closest friends, neighbors or loved ones.
Bizarre quality Dry red wine Yearly income, in Pau Planetary paradigm ___ time Chess champion, 1960 Act Most reliable Young TV sitcom
43 44 45 48 49 51
Being Hodgepodge Baden-Baden, e.g. Greek commune Woolly Divine Comedy division 53 Blunt 55 Passage between buildings 58 Boxing decision, for short
59 Once part of Portuguese India 62 Incline 63 One’s native country 66 Adams or Sedgwick 67 Lotion ingredient 68 Ms. Lauder 69 Fond 70 Elevate 71 Exacting
35 Touch lightly 36 Type of steak 38 Provide with income 30 Map abbreviation 40 Lengthen 41 Brother’s sib 42 Outer end of a spoon 45 Panicked 46 Marchers’ milieu 47 Lifelessness
49 50 52 54 56
Down 1 Cluster 2 ”___ Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” 3 Despot 4 Stadium yell 5 Malted beverage turned sour 6 Dull 7 Spire tip 8 Verne’s captain 9 Accustomed
Check your detectors
According to the National Institute on Aging, six out of 10 falls happen at home. Reduce your chances of falling by keeping the areas where you walk tidy and free of tripping hazards, such as power cords, household clutter or pet supplies. Make sure all hallways, pathways and stairwells
The solution can be found on page 17.
Across
National Safety Month in June is the perfect opportunity to take a few minutes to check your home for potential hazards. The best thing you can do to maintain your health and independence as you age is to avoid accidents and injuries. Below are a few tips to keep you feeling safe and secure in your home this summer.
Prevent falls
Solution
For Dad
Tips to stay safe at home
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are two of the most important home safety devices available. But these life-saving devices are only useful if they are functioning properly. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least once or twice a year. A good rule of thumb is to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.
Milestones 19
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in your home are well lit. Avoid the use of throw rugs or small area rugs and install no-slip strips on tile and wooden floors. Additionally, check to see if you or your loved ones qualify for home modifications, such as installation of handrails or grab bars, through Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). *** PCA’s Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program (SHARP) provides minor home repairs and modifications to make homes safer and more secure for older adult Philadelphia homeowners. Many SHARP services are free for those who qualify and may be available to people with higher incomes on a cost-sharing basis. For more information, contact PCA’s Helpline at 215-765-9040. Source: Age Safe America
10 Ladd film 11 Respectable 12 Awn 13 Hesse city 18 Calhoun, of films 23 Impurity 25 Forgetfulness 26 Provoked 28 Switch position 29 Turmeric 31 Paris’s home 32 Unfamiliar
57 60 61 64 65
Vacation choice Idolizes Feeble light Empyrean At a great distance Eli’s home Humdinger Capital of South Yemen Done ___ turn Mil. landing craft
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