(Posted 2025 August)
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and Inova ElderLink received a 2025 USAging Achievement Award for their virtual reality program, Exploring the Dimensions of Aging. The award recognizes the most contemporary, effective and replicable programs offered by Area Agencies on Aging that help older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers live with independence and dignity in their homes and communities.
Exploring the Dimensions of Aging, developed by Embodied Labs, allows participants to experience life from the perspective of older adults. It highlights challenges such as social isolation, caregiver burnout, and the progression of conditions like Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
“We are honored to partner with Inova ElderLink on this innovative program to help caregivers better connect with and support older adults,” said Tara Turner, director of the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. “We are grateful to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Family Services leadership for championing this effort to educate and empower caregivers and advocates.”
Each 75-minute session, led by a trained facilitator, immerses participants in realistic scenarios, such as vision or hearing loss, memory struggles, or mobility challenges. The program is free, with several training sessions available each month via Microsoft Teams.
Lauren Elcesser, ElderLink’s director shared, “Caregivers find this training eye-opening, and every participant says they would recommend the program to other caregivers.”
Register for Exploring the Dimensions of Aging. Learn more about ElderLink programs and services.
The Department of Family Services staff are pictured accepting their USAging Achievement Award for the Exploring the Dimensions of Aging progam: Lauren Elcesser, Director, Inova ElderLink; Tara Turner, Director, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging; Alycia Blackwell, Deputy Director, Fairfax County Department of Family Services; Trina Mayhan-Webb, Director of Adult and Aging, Fairfax County Department of Family Services. (Photo credit: Joe Lipstein/Courtesy of USAging)
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