Resources from Washington, DC

Your Elected Representatives

District of Columbia
Official DC Government Web site

District of Columbia Council
The legislative branch of local government. Because of the unique status of the District, the responsibilities and functions of the Council encompass those of city, county and state legislatures.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
The District of Columbia's representative in the U.S. House of Representatives

Legal Services

AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE)
LCE provides a wide range of free legal services and advocacy to District residents age 60+ including courtroom advocacy on consumer, property tax and housing issues; assistance with public benefits, custody and identity theft problems; and help drafting wills, powers of attorney and advance directives. LCE “houses” the DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (see below) You can also call 202-434-2120.

Long-Term Care

DC Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
The DC ADRC provides guidance to programs, information and services about long term care for older adults (60 and older) and persons with intellectual and physical disabilities.

DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
The Ombudsman Program defends, protects and advocates for residents of DC nursing homes, assisted living facilities and board and care homes. 202-662-4933

DC Nursing Homes Survey Reports
The D.C. Department of Health now places annual nursing home surveys on line. The surveys assess compliance with federal standards related to adequacy of staffing, quality of care and cleanliness of facilities. They also include any investigations of complaints and serious incidents within a nursing home. For help interpreting the reports, call the Health Licensure Regulation Administration at 202-442-5888 or the DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 202-662-4933.

The Eldercare Locator
Part of the US Administration on Aging, this service helps older adults and their caregivers find local services for seniors. Part of this service is now available on-line so that consumers can easily link to the information and referral (I&R) services of their state and area agencies on aging. These I&R programs can help identify appropriate services in the area where an individual or his or her family member resides.

The National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR)
NCCNHR provides information, educational materials, and training and strategies for family members, consumer advocates, ombudsmen, and others working to ensure quality of care and quality of life for people living in nursing homes.

Community Groups Promoting Aging in Place

Capitol Hill Village
Capitol Hill Village is a non-profit that helps residents of that neighborhood stay in their homes as they get older. The organization is committed to remaking the way we live as our needs and concerns change. info@capitolhillvillage.org 202-543-1778.

Dupont Circle Village
Dupont Circle Village is a non-profit neighborhood organization connecting older residents to services and activities that enable them to” age in place” with greater ease and enjoyment.  contact@dupontcirclevillage.org

Kalorama Village
Kalorama Village, Inc., is a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation established in 2007 to serve as a clearinghouse for the kinds of services our residents want or need in order to remain in their homes as they grow older.
 
Northwest Neighbors Village
Northwest Neighbors Village is a non-profit corporation created by and for residents of Chevy Chase, DC, who want to stay in their own homes as they age, living healthier, easier and more connected lives. nnvccdc@aol.com 202-966-9340.

Palisades Village
Palisades Village is a community network that helps Palisades and Foxhall area residents over fifty to lead full and independent lives in their homes. scrow@palisadesvillage.org 202-244-3310.

Pennsylvania Avenue Village East 
Pennsylvania Avenue Village East empowers southern Ward 7 residents age 50+ with services to help them age in place in the community they know. 202-657-6160.

DC Office on Aging/Lead Agencies on Aging

DC Office on Aging
Develops and institutes health, education, employment, and social services for District residents age 60 and older. This Office funds comprehensive service-delivery organizations. Designated lead agencies plan and deliver direct services to the District's elderly residents and their caregivers (below):

Barney Neighborhood House Senior Program
Serves as a Lead Agency on Aging, planning and delivering direct services to elderly residents and their caregivers in Wards 1 and 4.

Emmaus Services for the Aging
Serves as a Lead Agency on Aging, planning and delivering direct services to elderly residents and their caregivers in Ward 2.

Iona Senior Services
Serves as a Lead Agency on Aging, planning and delivering direct services to elderly residents and their caregivers in Ward 3.

Greater Washington Urban League, Aging Division
Serves as a Lead Agency on Aging, planning and delivering direct services to elderly residents and their caregivers in Wards 5 and 8.

United Planning Organization Senior Services
Serves as a Lead Agency on Aging, planning and delivering direct services to elderly residents and their caregivers in Wards 6 and 7.

Grandparent Caregiver Support

DC Grandparent Caregiver Pilot Program
The DC Grandparent Caregiver program supports eligible low-income grandparents, great grandparents, great aunts and great uncles raising children. It helps by providing monthly subsidies equal to those a foster parent would receive. There is currently a waiting list.

Medicare Prescription Drug Information

Health Insurance Counseling Project
Provides free health insurance information, education and counseling services to Medicare beneficiaries and seniors living in the District. HICP helps Medicare recipients sign up for the Medicare prescription drug plan that best meets their needs.

Property Tax Relief and Tax Credits

Homestead Deduction
If you are a DC resident and own the property you live in, you maybe eligible for the Homestead Exemption on that property. This exemption can reduce the amount of the assessed property value that can be taxed.

Property Tax Credit
If you are a DC resident age 65 and older, own at least 50% of your property and have a household (adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, you may be eligible to a property tax credit equal to ½ or what you owe in property tax.

Property Tax Deferral
If you are a DC homeowner age 65 or older with an annual household income of less than $50,000, you have the option to defer all of your property taxes each year until the amount of deferred taxes (plus accrued interest) exceeds 25 percent of the assessed property value.