(By Gwen Jones, Neighborhood and Community Services)

When senior centers throughout the region closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff became concerned about the danger isolation posed to the mental and physical health of older adults. To help minimize those feelings, senior centers pivoted from in-person to virtual programming so that participants could stay connected while remaining physically distant.

Although centers are now open and in-person programs have resumed, the need for virtual programming continues, both for those who cannot leave their homes as well as those who are no longer comfortable visiting centers in person.

To address this ongoing need, five jurisdictions in Northern Virginia are partnering to offer a regional virtual senior center for older adults and adults with disabilities. The Northern Virginia Virtual Center for Active Adults will launch on Monday, May 2, to coincide with Older Americans Month. The five jurisdictions – Arlington County, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the Town of Vienna – will work together to offer live virtual programming on Zoom five days a week. The events will range from fitness classes to special presentations to interactive games.

There is no fee to participate in the programs on the NOVA VCAA. All older adults and adults with disabilities living in Northern Virginia are welcome! Visit the NOVA VCAA on or after May 2 by going to Fairfaxcounty.gov and searching for “Northern Virginia Virtual Center for Active Adults.”

(by Camden Doran, Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program)

Residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities have the right to receive visitors, such as family, friends, or organizations and individuals providing health, social, legal, or other services. However, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, LTC facilities were instructed by their licensing agencies to restrict visitation as a mitigation strategy to prevent the spread and outbreak of COVID-19.

LTC facilities have slowly reopened to visitors over the past year and have received guidance to remain open to visitors at all times, with certain infection control precautions in place, such as masks and physical distancing when possible. Additional information and updated guidance regarding visitation in both an assisted living and nursing facility can be found online.

For nursing home visitation information, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid website www.cms.gov and search “nursing home visitation”. For assisted living facilities, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website www.dss.virginia.gov/ and search “assisted living visitation”.

As a mandated program under the Older Americans Act, the Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (NVLTCOP) is often called on to assist residents and consumers to advocate for their rights in order to ensure quality of care and quality of life. For more information about visitation, or other nursing facility and assisted living concerns, please call the NVLTCOP at 703-324-5861, or contact the Ombudsman Program by email at NVLTCOP@fairfaxcounty.gov.

(By Mary Mulrenen, Land Development Services)

Help us celebrate Building Safety Month by having your aging deck inspected this year. Collapses and failures of decks, porches and balconies accounted for about 2,900 injuries across the country between 2016 and 2019, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Just a little prevention goes a long way toward safe enjoyment.

Fairfax County recommends regular inspections by a licensed contractor. (Learn about Hiring a Contractor on the Fairfax County website, search “Hiring a Contractor.”) The older the deck, the more often it should be inspected. If you haven’t been maintaining your deck and see issues with connection points or wood quality, consider staying off until a professional inspects, repairs or replaces it.

Jay Riat, Fairfax County Building Official and Land Development Services Division Director, suggests answering these questions and following these key tips for additional deck safety:

• Is the wood still solid, with no rot, splitting or insect damage, including in-ground posts? For composite decks, are there breaks, mold or delamination?
• Are all points where the deck is attached to your home secure?
• Is there rust or corrosion on any fasteners used to connect decks, rails, beams and joists?
• Are guards, rails and stairs sturdy and well-secured?
• Don’t add large, heavy items such as swimming pools or hot tubs on top of a deck; this is dangerous and could cause a collapse.
• Make sure all stairs are well-lit for safe travel when dark – adding inexpensive solar-powered lights is a quick fix.
• If you use grills, heaters and outdoor fire pits on decks, be careful and follow all rules regarding use. In addition to structure failure or collapse, fire is an obvious deck hazard.
• Do not crowd the deck beyond designed load-bearing capacity.

Remember: Before building a deck or replacing an existing one, building permits are required. If you are unfamiliar with Land Development Services (LDS) and the Fairfax County building permit process, visit the LDS web page for more information and use the Permitting Wizard for guidance. Search for “decks.”

JOIN LAND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES STAFF AT A BUILDING SAFETY OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2-4 PM
TYSONS-PIMMIT REGIONAL LIBRARY
7584 LEESBURG PIKE, FALLS CHURCH
703-790-8088, TTY 711.

(By The Department of Emergency Management and Security)

Hurricanes are violent weather systems with well- defined surface circulation. Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, rip currents, and tornadoes.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October.

Know the Difference Between a Watch and a Warning!

• Hurricane Watch - Conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.
• Hurricane Warning - Conditions expected within 24 hours.

What To Do Before:

• Sign up for Fairfax Alerts and have a battery or crank powered weather radio available.
• Decide early whether you will evacuate, and where you will go.
• If you evacuate, bring your emergency kit with you.
• Prepare your home (shut off utilities, secure property, etc.).
• Ensure you have insurance and inventory your personal property.
• Secure or bring inside any outdoor objects that could blow away or become "missiles" and cause damage.

What to do During:

• Listen to radio and television for official, up-to-date information.
• Find a safe room within your home (an interior room, closet, or bathroom).
• Do not go outside until the National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center confirms the storm has left the area.

What to Do After:

• Return home when local officials say it is safe.
• Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
• Check in with family and friends by texting or using social media.

(By the Fairfax County Health Department)

The FDA authorized, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, a second booster dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for people 50 and older, and people 18-49 who received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine as both their primary series dose and booster dose.

Individuals in these groups may choose to receive the second booster if at least four months have passed since their first booster dose.

Second booster doses are available from pharmacies, healthcare providers, as well as at the Fairfax County Government Center and the Hyland South County Center. Find locations at www.vaccines.gov.

A new federal website www.COVID.gov provides updated resources and guidance based on the COVID-19 Community Transmission Level, and provides information about prevention, testing and treatment.

Stay informed with the most recent Fairfax County COVID-19 updates and information by following the Fairfax County Emergency Information blog at https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/.

(By Giuliana Valencia, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging)

Caring for a loved one is a huge undertaking, yet many family caregivers struggle to ask for or accept help from others. According to the Cleveland Clinic, caregivers are so busy caring for their loved ones that they tend to neglect their own physical, emotional, and social needs, and when that happens, caregiving can lead “to fatigue, hopelessness and ultimately burnout.” As a matter of fact, from 2007 to 2016, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, measured the mental health of 176 family caregivers who provided care for loved ones with neurodegenerative diseases. Their findings indicated that 40 percent of the caregivers suffered from depression and experienced high levels of anxiety, social isolation, and frustration. Furthermore, they found that people who were tended to by caregivers experiencing mental illness died sooner than those being looked after by caregivers in good mental health. Therefore, getting or accepting help from others will enable caregivers to protect their health and their ability to continue to care for their loved ones.

Understanding Stroke- A Caregiver Webinar

What is a stroke? Are there ways to prevent stroke? Are there ways to treat strokes? If you are curious about these questions, this talk is for you. Stroke is a leading cause of disability, but treatments have changed drastically over the years. Understanding stroke can keep you and your loved ones better informed in this important and evolving field. This webinar will be presented by Dr. Lironn Kraler, M.D., board-certified neurologist and vascular neurologist, Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and Associate Program Director for the Vascular Neurology Fellowship at Stanford. Join us on Wednesday, May 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Online Registration: https://bit.ly/CAREWEB1 or call 703-324-5484.

Understanding Faith and Spirituality in the Caregiving Journey: A Panel Conversation

For many family caregivers and their loved ones who are experiencing severe illness or are at the end-of-life, faith and spiritual beliefs are powerful factors in coping with illness, pain, suffering, and loss. Understanding how one’s own spiritual traditions influence health care decisions is essential. In this panel conversation we will explore how faith and spirituality, in whatever form, can help family caregivers in their journey. Panelists include Father Juan Puigbó, St. Leo The Great Catholic Church; Rev. Ronald Kobata, Minister Emeritus, Buddhist Churches of America; Rev. Dr. Ken Patrick, Chaplain, Blue Ridge Hospice; and Rabbi Joshua Ackerman, Hospice Chaplain, Jewish Social Services Agency. Join us on Friday, May 27, from 2-3 p.m. Online Registration: https://bit.ly/AAAPanel or call 703-324-5484.

Miscommunication or Missed Communication? The Challenges of Hearing Loss

Join Bonnie O'Leary, Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Persons (NVRC) Outreach Manager, for a virtual Zoom presentation that will cover: the continuum of deafness and hearing loss and how to recognize this invisible disability in patients; the communication challenges that hearing loss presents and which communication strategies are most effective; the differences between interpreters and CART writers; useful apps for communication in medical settings, especially when COVID masks are mandated; and information about Inova’s 24/7 Language and Disability Services. This presentation will be held on Thursday, May 19, from 7-8 p.m. To register: https://bit.ly/TheChallengesofHearingLoss

How do families ensure quality care for their loved ones who live in another state or even another country? Mature Living Host Anne Hall talks with Rob Louchen, Geriatric Case Manager with ElderLink, who shares tips for using technology to explore care facilities or interview potential in-home caregivers. Kristen Lucia, Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman, offers resources that help families decide the best option for their loved one. Long-Distance Caregiver Sarah Rodriguez talks with Mature Living producer Fran about the challenge of caring for her mom (who lives in Mexico) from her home in Fairfax County.

Tune in to Fairfax County’s Channel 16 for the latest edition of Mature Living.

• Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Monday at 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
• Tuesday at 4 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
• Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
• Thursday at 8:30 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
• Friday at 9:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Saturday at 9:30 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.

This program and other episodes can also be viewed online: fairfaxcounty.gov/cableconsumer/channel-16/mature-living

(Department of Family Services, Adult and Aging Division)

Registration is required for all sessions.

Monday, May 23
In-person (limited seating) 7 to 8:30 p.m. Centreville Baptist Church, 15100 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA 20120 Contact: Robert Lee, cornwallee@aol.com or 571-212-8097

Tuesday, May 24
Virtual Noon to 1:30 p.m. Reston Community Center, Reston, VA 20191 Contact: Cassie Lebron, 703-390-6157

Thursday, June 2
Virtual Noon to 1:30 p.m. Tall Oaks Assisted Living, Reston, VA 20190 Contact: Leslye Lawson, Director of Community Relations & Marketing Register online http://talloaksal.com/Know, 703-834-9800, or llawson@talloaksal.com

Tuesday, June 7
Virtual and In-Person (limited seating) 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 22043 Registration starts Monday, May 2. Register online at librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/8928883 or call 703-790-8088, x4.

(By Christina Paladeau, Fairfax County Public Library)

Throughout 2022, Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) is celebrating literacy in all its forms, showcasing a different type each month. With Earth Day celebrated recently and spring blooming into summer, May is Environmental Literacy Month at your local library.

What is Environmental Literacy?

According to the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) as noted by the Ecological Society of America’s Ecosphere journal, environmental literacy is “an awareness of and concern about the environment and its associated problems, as well as the knowledge, skills, and motivations to work toward solutions of current problems and the prevention of new ones.”

Whether you’re an avid environmentalist or gardener already, or you’d like to learn more about contributing to a healthier planet — or simply a greener neighborhood — for the next generations, the following library programs and resources are here to help.

Free Virtual Environmental Literacy Month Events

• Explore ways to support songbirds and achieve personal landscaping goals with native plants in virtual presentations on May 9 and May 11.
• Join FCPL virtually on Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m. for a discussion about our favorite delectable and delicate foods that may disappear as a result of climate change
• Advance registration is required for virtual programs.

Visit a Branch for Gardening Tips

• Discover how to create a butterfly-friendly habitat in your own yard on Thursday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library.
• Pop into City of Fairfax Regional Library Saturday, May 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. for native plant seeds and advice from Fairfax County Master Gardeners.
• Learn to grow and use 12 common culinary herbs at Sherwood Regional Library May 22 at 2:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.
• Have more questions about any type of gardening? Ask a Fairfax County Master Gardener at a plant clinic! Find times and locations at bit.ly/FCPL_PlantClinics.

For more Environmental Literacy events, check out the library calendar at bit.ly/FCPL_GG-environment. Finally, make sure you’re growing in healthy soil by picking up a soil testing kit from any FCPL branch: bit.ly/FFX_SoilTests.

(by Christine McCoy, Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Services)

Glass bottles and jars collected for recycling can be made into new glass bottles and jars an almost-infinite number of times, providing the option for a perfectly closed-loop system. Luckily, we have the Purple Can Club here in Northern Virginia to help us make this happen. Fairfax County’s Solid Waste Management Program invested in glass processing equipment and founded a strategic partnership with its counterparts in neighboring jurisdictions to recover and recycle glass through a regional drop-off program. The partnership has led to over 40 drop-off containers being located throughout the region for residents to deposit their used glass bottles and jars. This program is called the Purple Can Club after its eye-catching purple containers. Since its inception in October 2019, 18,500 tons of glass have been collected for recycling. Due to the high quality, most glass collected through the Purple Can Club is being recycled into feedstock form manufacturing new glass containers.

The Purple Can Club continues to grow and has drawn attention and praise from other municipalities nationwide. Find your nearest Purple Can location at fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/glass and start recycling your glass the best way today.

(by Christine McCoy, Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Services)

Refuse, Reduce, and Reuse: Those words should come before “recycle.” Here are some ideas on how to practice the new and improved “Three Rs.”

Refuse What You Don’t Need.
Bring your own Tupperware to restaurants and refuse plastic straws. Remove yourself from junk mail lists. Carry a reusable bag in your purse or in your car. Request no plastic utensils when getting takeout and carry your own reusable water bottle.

Buy Used.
You can find everything from clothing to building materials at consignment shops and reuse centers. Items are less expensive and in good condition.

Reduce Packaging and Costs.
Look for products that use less packaging. Less packaging means less use of raw materials. This reduces costs and the savings can be passed along to the consumer. Buying in bulk can reduce packaging and save money.

Reuse.
Buy reusable, over disposable items. For example, try bringing your own utensils to work to each lunch rather than using plastic forks and spoons. Or bring your own container to the restaurant for taking food home.

Maintain and repair products like clothing, furniture, and appliances.

Borrow, rent, or share items that are used infrequently, like party decorations, tools, or furniture.

(by Jacquie Woodruff, Legislative and Policy Supervisor, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging)

The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging (COA) is an advisory board mandated by the Older Americans Act. Commissioners for the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church.

At the April 20 COA meeting, staff from the Department of Planning and Development and the Department of Housing and Community Development, along with a Planning Commissioner, shared their expertise in a discussion about older adult housing.

COA Meeting, Wednesday, May 18, 1 p.m.

The COA continues to meet virtually this month.
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85798205264 Access Code: COA-m1234!
For live audio dial, 888-270-9936 or call 602-333-0032; Conference Code: 231525

For ADA accommodations, contact: Hilda Naranjo, 703-324-7496 or Hilda.Naranjo@FairfaxCounty.gov; TTY services available via 711.

Meeting will be held virtually unless otherwise impacted by Fairfax County's State of Emergency Status due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For meeting updates, visit: https://bit.ly/DFS-BAC-COA-Meetings

A medical appointment or trip to the pharmacy is a challenge if you no longer drive. Consider becoming a volunteer driver or office assistant/ride scheduler through one of these organizations.

Herndon Village Network
703-375-9439, HerndonVillageNetwork.org

Mount Vernon at Home
703-303-4060, MountVernonAtHome.org

Reston Community Center
703-390-6198, RestonCommunityCenter.com/About-Reston/RCC-Rides

The Shepherd Centers are a non-profit organization sponsored by local area congregations, community groups, and individuals to serve adults 50 years and older.

Its primary purpose is to assist older adults to live independently in their homes and to offer programs for enrichment and socialization. They also provide transportation service. You must apply for the transportation service. Once accepted into the service, a request for a ride must be five days in advance.

The centers are also seeking volunteers. Call or email specific sites for information on what is available.

• Annandale/Springfield 703-941-1419, ShepherdsCenter-Annandale.org
• Fairfax/Burke 703-323-4788, SCFBVA.org
• McLean/Arlington/Falls Church 703-506-2199, SCMAFC.org 
• Oakton/Vienna/Reston/Herndon/Great Falls 703-281-0538, SCNOVA.org
• South County 703-799-0505, email SCSC-Transport@verizon.net
• Western Fairfax County 703-246-5920, SCWFC.org

Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia May Forum
Wednesday, May 4, 10 - 11 a.m. Zoom, Free
Join us to hear an expert from Green Spring Gardens talk about plants indigenous to the area, honey bees, and garden tips. Register by noon on May 2 at at https://llinova.org/. Call 703-323-3746 for more information.

Dementia Friendly Fairfax: How to Help a Forgetful Neighbor
Friday, May 6, 1 - 2 p.m. Virtual, Free
Are you concerned about a forgetful neighbor or friend? This presentation will discuss how to recognize signs of dementia and strategies to improve communication. For more information and registration: dffairfax.org

Caregiver Bootcamp
Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Virtual, Free
Join Insight Memory Care Center for a special morning training event covering many essential caregiving topics! For more information and registration: insightmcc.org/events

Northern Virginia Senior Softball for Men and Women
It’s not too late to join NVSS for the healthy rewards of fun, fitness, and friendship playing slow-pitch softball. Average age is 67, with many in their 80s. No try-out, just a skills assessment for assignment to one of 24 teams in 3 skill-level conferences. Tuesday and Thursday morning games. Visit www.nvss.org or call Dave at 703-663-7881.

Women’s Softball
The Golden Girls of Northern Virginia, a senior women’s softball league, is looking for players. Any woman over the age of 40 is encouraged to join. All skill levels are welcome. We play on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in Vienna. For more information, please call visit our web site www.goldengirls.org or call 571-261-9163.

Please note that dates, prices, and times are correct at publishing. However, please confirm information by calling or checking provided phone numbers or websites.