For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Montgomery County Councilmembers
Roger Berliner and Sidney Katz to Host
Free Senior Forum and Resource Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Leisure World
State’s Attorney John McCarthy, Consumer Protection
Director Eric Friedman and Kathleen Meaney Stobie of
County Volunteer Center Will Be Among the Speakers
ROCKVILLE, Md., November 2, 2015—Montgomery County Councilmembers Roger Berliner and Sidney Katz will host a Senior Forum and Resource Fair at the Leisure World Crystal Ballroom in Silver Spring from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The program will focus on protecting seniors from scams, addressing signs of elder abuse and neglect and promoting ways that seniors can contribute to the community through volunteering. It will be accompanied by an informational Resource Fair showcasing a wide range of service providers to seniors.
Both the Senior Forum and Resource Fair are free and open to the public.
Councilmember Berliner is a member of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee that has jurisdiction over senior-related issues, and when he served as Council President, the Council approve the Senior Agenda. Councilmember Katz serves on the Public Safety Committee, which has jurisdiction over the County’s consumer protection programs and public safety issues affecting seniors. Councilmember Katz’s district includes Leisure World.
Councilmembers Berliner and Katz said in a joint statement: “Unfortunately, our seniors are too often vulnerable to abuse and to financial scams. Our goal is to help our seniors protect themselves and gain a better understanding of the resources available to them. Equally important, seniors want to live full and enriching lives, and our Volunteer Center is one way to channel those desires in a way that makes a positive impact on our community. We are pleased to be able to bring together our County’s leading experts in these fields for the benefit of our senior residents.”
The experts that will present during the forum include:
At the Resource Fair, representatives from community-serving organizations will have information and materials for forum attendees. Organizations confirmed to be in attendance include: Office of Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh; Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection; Office of Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy; Montgomery County Volunteer Center; Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services Unit; Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services; Montgomery County Police Department, Special Victims Investigations Division; Montgomery County Department of Recreation; Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington; Jewish Social Services Agency; GROWS; Senior Connection; Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland; Mental Health Association of Montgomery County; NAMI-Montgomery County; Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition; Washington Metropolitan OASIS; Montgomery College; ElderSAFE; and Aspire Counseling.
Leisure World is located at 3701 Rossmoor Blvd. in Silver Spring. Residents who do not live in the community are welcome to attend by telling gate security guards that they are there to attend the Senior Forum. For more information on the forum, contact Warren Hansen in the Office of Councilmember Berliner at 240-777-7898 or at warren.hansen@montgomerycountymd.gov.
# # # #