Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2025 March)
March is Social Workers Month, an annual recognition that celebrates these dedicated professionals who perform life-changing work every day. In Fairfax County, social workers serve in a variety of fields, including mental health, aging, child welfare, and social services, helping people of all ages and backgrounds.
Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services employs many Social Service Specialist and Family Safety Practitioners, including staff of the Adult and Aging division. The work they do helps people in ways that are both large and small. To better understand their impact, here are a few success stories from the past year.
The Adult Protective Services (APS) division of Adult and Aging receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults. They also investigate reports of people who are “at risk” of this treatment. After investigating, they assess for service needs and determine whether the adult in question needs protective services. They may also provide case management services if needed.
In January 2024, as a bad snowstorm made its way toward Fairfax County, an APS worker was assigned to the case of a vulnerable client with dementia. The concern was that the client’s son, who served as her evening caregiver, was being arrested. Without her son, the client would be left without overnight care during a snowstorm. The APS worker acted immediately, contacting the agency that provided the client’s daytime care to arrange evening care for the client. He also contacted another agency to serve as backup in case the initial agency couldn’t provide care. While Fairfax County Government closed early, the APS worker continued to work, ensuring that his client was safe and cared for until her son returned home.
Adult Services (AS) provides care management and social work services to older adults. Services include assessment, care plan development and care monitoring. These services are available depending on government eligibility criteria.
In 2024, an AS client experienced homelessness due to untreated mental health after local family members withdrew housing support. An AS worker, who was both empathetic and familiar with the client's complex needs, conducted a comprehensive assessment of the client's situation. Prioritizing the client's immediate need for housing, he worked with professionals within Fairfax County, including the Intensive Case Management team at the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and a case manager at a local shelter. Together, they were able to secure a bed at a local shelter for the client. Immediate need met, the AS worker then arranged for a Long-Term Services and Support screening for nursing home placement. Working with the client’s son, who lives out of state, and a friend of the client, the AS worker found a place for the client in a local nursing home, where they are now stable and receive regular visits from their son and friend. This happy outcome was made possible by the AS worker’s commitment to his client’s well-being and willingness to collaborate.
Another AS success story began in May 2023. The client, a 61-year-old divorced woman, had to stop working due to a serious medical condition. Living off her savings, she hoped to eventually return to work but as her health deteriorated, it became clear that this was not possible. With assistance from the AS worker, the client began the process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Completing the initial application online took four hours and the process required the client to see doctors, both a primary care physician and a psychiatrist. At times, the client received conflicting information through the mail, making the situation more complex. Throughout the application process, the AS worker worked tirelessly to support her client, providing guidance and helping to manage conflicting communication from the Social Security Administration. Thanks to the AS worker’s unwavering commitment, the client was finally approved for SSDI. Her payments began in July 2024, providing her with much-needed financial stability.
The Fairfax Area Agency on Aging’s Home Delivered Meals (HDM) program provides meals to adults over the age of 60, or adults with a disability, who are homebound and are unable to prepare their own meals. The program ensures that elderly and disabled residents receive nutritious meals, enabling them to live independently at home.
Clients of the HDM program who are hard of hearing (HOH) can face challenges hearing the meal delivery driver, resulting in missed meal deliveries. To address this, HDM staff launched the innovative Doorbell Pilot Project Plan, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, to reduce missed meal deliveries among HOH clients. One 85-year-old HDM client used to wait by the door for fear of missing his meals because he was HOH and his room was located at the end of the home. Through the Doorbell Pilot Project Plan, he received a specially designed doorbell with loud rings and flashing lights. Since receiving the doorbell, he no longer waits by the door and hasn't missed a single meal.
Another 2024 success story involves a HDM client who received help with her unique communication needs. The 63-year-old, who lives alone with limited social support, struggles with communication due to a history of stroke and aphasia. She had great difficulty coordinating services and managing her affairs because of her challenges in expressing herself. Utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funds, the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging purchased an electronic tablet for the client, allowing her to communicate directly with others, allowing greater independence and connection.
Family Caregiver Support provides information, resources, and programs to help caregivers as they support their loved ones. In 2024, a family caregiver shared that after attending a family caregiver support webinar, they learned about and connected with vital support they needed to care for their husband. This support, along with what they have learned by continuing to attend family caregiver support webinars, has changed the couple’s quality of life.
Learn more about the Older Adult Services offered by Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services by visiting FairfaxCounty.gov/OlderAdults or by calling the Aging, Disability, and Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948, TTY 711. The ADCR line is staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).