Washington, DC

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, at the Sixth Annual Senior Symposium, Mayor Bowser recognized the tremendous contributions of DC’s senior residents and announced that her Administration is launching a new pilot program that will provide seniors in DC with meals and groceries. Each year, the Senior Symposium offers a variety of workshops and clinics that address issues important to DC seniors and professionals in the field of aging. The Mayor was joined at the symposium by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services HyeSook Chung and the DC Office on Aging (DCOA) Director Laura Newland.

“My Administration is working every day to make Washington, DC more accessible for residents of every age and every background,” said Mayor Bowser. “As our residents age, we want to make it easier for them to live and thrive in DC. Whether it’s through preserving and producing affordable housing, building programs that make it easier to age in place, or investing in health and wellness initiatives, we will continue to do all we can to create a more inclusive, age friendly city.”

Through the “Good Food” pilot program, the District will provide seniors in Wards 7 and 8 with prepared meals and/or groceries. The program, which will begin on July 10, was developed based on feedback from residents and participants will qualify based on income and access to food.

This year, the Senior Symposium’s theme is “Enrich, Empower, Engage.” The event provided a platform for seniors, caregivers, and professionals to explore and discuss ways to grow resources, advance education, and promote advocacy.

“The Symposium is an opportunity to promote healthy and active aging by sharing helpful information and resources with our older residents,” said Director Newland. “Most importantly, it is an opportunity for us to celebrate the District's greatest natural resource - our seniors.”

Since taking office in 2015, Mayor Bowser has launched a range of innovative initiatives and programs that support DC’s senior residents, including Safe at Home, a program that helps seniors age in place. Since launching in 2016, the Safe at Home program has already installed safety adaptions in the homes of nearly 700 DC seniors and residents with disabilities, reducing the risk of falls and other injuries. This month, the Mayor also announced that eligible Safe at Home clients can also apply to have private security cameras installed on their property, free of charge.

“We are committed to supporting our older residents so they can live rewarding, productive, and safe lives right here in the District. Their wealth of life experience, diverse perspectives, and wisdom make our communities so much stronger,” said Deputy Mayor Chung.

Additionally, through other investments in housing, employment opportunities, public safety, transportation, and wellness programs, the Bowser Administration is ensuring more DC seniors are able to age in place and live purposeful lives. Through Age-Friendly DC, a citywide initiative guided by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Administration has worked to transform Washington, DC into an easier place to grow older, and the District is now on pace to become only the third US city designated by the WHO as an Age-Friendly City.

Later this month, on June 29, the Bowser Administration will host Senior Fest 2017 at Kenilworth Park (4300 Anacostia Avenue, NE). Senior Fest is an annual event to celebrate DC’s seniors and connect residents to community resources.