The I N
F O C U S
FREE
F O R
P E O P L E
O V E R
More than 200,000 readers throughout Greater Washington
VOL.37, NO.4
Gail Kohn makes connections
APRIL 2025
I N S I D E …
SEE SPECIAL INSERT Housing & Homecare Options following page 12
With gusto, creativity and a knack for introducing people, Gail Kohn has advocated for older adults for more than 40 years. In May she will receive the Leadership in Aging Award from Seabury Resources for Aging.
with technology, rides to appointments, organization or other tasks. Put simply, a village, Kohn said, is “an opportunity for neighbors to support neighbors in the common effort to go through life getting things done that they need help with.” There are now 75 villages in the DMV, thanks in part to Kohn’s guidance when
she was at the helm of Capitol Hill Village. “The people that learned from us then opened the doors for other people who were interested in villages…it spread by word of mouth because it’s all about purpose. People like having purpose in their lives, and the See GAIL KOHN, page 18
Call 1-877-575-0231 or visit DMVSeniorLiving.com for your FREE brochure! ASHBY PONDS, Ashburn VA GREENSPRING, Springfield VA RIDERWOOD, Silver Spring MD
ARTS & STYLE
Sister Act hits the high notes at Ford’s Theatre page 16
FITNESS & HEALTH 4 k New drugs are game-changers k Tips for springtime allergies LIVING BOLDLY 11 k Newsletter for D.C. residents
At an Erickson Senior Living®-managed community, you get more amenities, more for your money, and more peace of mind.
1420300
Get MORE from your retirement.
PHOTO BY THE MORRIS & GWENDOLYN CAFRITZ FOUNDATION
By Margaret Foster Capitol Hill resident Gail Kohn has always been somewhat of a matchmaker. Throughout her 40-year career in the aging field, she’s found ways to connect people — with a neighbor, plumber, mayor and even a future spouse. “I make a lot of connections,” said Kohn, who recently named her new limited liability corporation Linking Partners LLC as a nod to her superpower. “I know lots of people because I like meeting people. It’s just part of my gene pool…It’s how I think.” Kohn, known for her groundbreaking work helping older adults age in their neighborhoods, will receive the Leadership in Aging Award from Seabury Resources for Aging next month. Seabury, a nonprofit that provides housing, care management, meals, transportation and more for older adults in the D.C. metro area, will honor Kohn at its annual celebration on May 8. “Gail Kohn exemplifies the spirit of advocacy that is essential for creating a society where older adults can thrive,” said Dawn M. Quattlebaum, Seabury’s CEO. “We celebrate not only her remarkable contributions, but also the vital importance of fostering inclusive environments where older adults can age with empowerment. Her leadership [reminds] us that when we prioritize the needs of our older adults, we enrich the fabric of our society as a whole.” For the last 12 years, Kohn served as the coordinator for the Age Friendly DC program, whose mission is “to make the District of Columbia a better place to live, work and play for people of all ages.” But she’s perhaps best known as the founding executive director of Capitol Hill Village, one of the oldest “villages” in our area. Villages are nonprofits that link volunteers with older people who may need help
5 0
LAW & MONEY k Check your income plan k Lessons from an expert
13
ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
23
PLUS CROSSWORD, BEACON BITS, CLASSIFIEDS & MORE