Department of Family Services Alert:
Master Gardener Joe Francis: Passionate about Gardening and Giving Back
Joe Francis is the ultimate lifelong learner. At 86 years old, he has devoted much of his life to learning about plants and gardens. As a member of Fairfax County’s Master Gardener Program, Joe also enjoys sharing his knowledge about gardening with members of the community. Read more.
The Role of Self-Compassion in Caregiving
Caring for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, but it can also cause stress and anxiety. These feelings may lead some caregivers to experience guilt, anger, shame, and helplessness. Practicing mindfulness is one way for caregivers to develop self-compassion, which can help reduce negative feelings. Read more.
New Wellness Center for Older Adults Opens in the Braddock District
On Thursday, May 19, dignitaries and invited guests gathered for a ribbon-cutting event to open the new Wellness Center for Older Adults (WCOA). WCOA is a first of its kind center supporting preventative health by offering free and easy access to programs and resources for older adults and adults with disabilities in Fairfax County. Read more.
GrandInvolve Scores Big
The nonprofit GrandInvolve has reason to celebrate! This year, they were selected by Burke & Herbert Bank for their “Scores for Kids” campaign. Each time the Washington Capitals scored a goal, $100 was pledged to GrandInvolve, resulting in a $27,500 donation at the end of the season. Read more.
During the month of June, over 50 Golden Gazette subscribers switched from paper to email subscriptions. Thank you!
Please join them! By swapping your paper subscription for an email subscription, you will help us reduce paper and cut costs! You will also be able to read the Golden Gazette anywhere on your phone or tablet device.
There is no way to switch to the electronic version by phone. We use an automated system, so the only way to subscribe is to do it yourself, online.
How to receive the Golden Gazette via email:
(by Camden Doran, Long-Term Care Ombudsman)
Being discharged from a long-term care (LTC) facility can often cause a mixture of feelings for a resident and their families. Many may feel joyous at the thought of returning home, and others may be confused about the discharge process in general. All LTC facilities are required to provide notice of discharge to a resident, or their authorized decision maker, in writing. However, the regulations regarding discharges vary between a nursing facility (NF) and an assisted living facility (ALF).
A NF must provide written notice of a resident’s discharge at least 30 days in advance, and must include the following information:
Upon initiating a discharge within an ALF, the facility is required to document in the resident’s records that discharge planning has begun, and the resident is to be moved within 30 days. Written notice of a resident’s discharge should be provided at least 14 days prior to the resident leaving and should include information pertaining to the actual discharge date and location. In some instances, an emergency discharge may require less than the 14-day notice.
As a mandated program under the Older Americans Act, the Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is often called on to assist residents and consumers to advocate for their rights to ensure quality of care and quality of life. For more information about a resident’s rights when it comes to discharge planning, or other nursing facility and assisted living concerns, please call the NVLTCOP at 703-324-5861, TTY 711, or contact by email at NVLTCOP@fairfaxcounty.gov.
(by Karen Kelly, Department of Family Services, Disability Rights and Resources)
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is honored to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 32nd Anniversary. The ADA is a civil rights law which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in public life. This includes employment, transportation, government programs and services, public accommodations, services operated by private entities, telecommunications, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The law ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
The anniversary celebration takes place on July 26. Individuals can participate by visiting the ADA anniversary webpage adaanniversary.org.
There you can learn about this important law, celebrate the anniversary and share information.
People with disabilities can face barriers to public life daily. The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is proud to support the ADA and strives to promote equal access, rights and opportunities for all individuals.
ElderLink Virtual Support Call for Family Caregivers of Older Adults:
Open Forum
Tuesday, July 12, 7-8 p.m.
Please join us for an open forum on caregiving issues, questions you may have, as well as feedback and suggestions for the support call going forward. After registering for the support call, a Zoom link and phone number will be provided so that you can join virtually or by phone. To register visit bit.ly/31MRCuj.
The Caregiver Roller Coaster: The Lows and Highs of Caregiving
Tuesday, August 9, 7-8 p.m.
Even with good planning, caregiving is an unexpected adventure. Let's talk about the downs and the ups, the lows and the highs, the challenges and the victories of your caregiving journey. After registering for a support call, a Zoom link and phone number will be provided so that you can join virtually or by phone. To register, visit bit.ly/31MRCuj.
Free Consultations for Caregivers
Need an in-depth conversation with a social worker about the caregiving needs of a loved one? Free one-hour consultations are available through ElderLink. Call 703-324-5374, TTY 711, and ask for a caregiver consultation, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(by the Fairfax County Health Department)
When the school year ends, summer camps begin. A popular summer camp is run by someone your family trusts. It’s located in a place the kids are familiar with, and it is free for parents.
It’s Camp Grandparents!
Are you hosting Camp Grandparents this summer? Here are some tips to keep you (camp counselors) and your campers (grandkids) happy and healthy.
Get more health tips on our website: FairfaxCounty.gov/health
(by Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management and Security)
Don’t forget about your pets when you are developing your emergency plan. If you have a plan, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress, and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate too. If you can’t get back to your house, identify in advance a trusted friend or neighbor who can retrieve or care for your pet.
Don’t forget to make an emergency kit for your pet! Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, first think about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version if you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially food and medicine, have not expired.
Lastly, make sure you have the important paperwork for your pet, including any medical records or instructions on how to take care of your pet in case they end up with a family member, friend, or even at a shelter during an emergency. Ensure your animals are wearing collars with up-to-date identification. You can also ask your vet about microchipping your pets to ensure they make it back to you if you are separated.
To watch the Department of Emergency Management and Security’s Pet preparedness video, visit youtu.be/m-2sII_Mj7M.
(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 June 15th COA meeting, Jewish Council for the Aging staff presented information related to the 50+ Employment Expo and economic stability and planning. The COA continued discussion about their analysis to support the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan development.
COA Meeting Wednesday, July 20, 1 p.m.
The COA continues to meet virtually this month. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: us06web.zoom.us/j/86128237838. 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.Naranjoaraujo@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: bit.ly/DFS-BAC-COA-Meetings
(by Department of Emergency Management and Security)
Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Heat can be very taxing on the body. Overexposure to heat and/or overexertion (too much exercise or effort) can trigger a heat-related illness – heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and eventually heat stroke. Do you know the difference and signs?
Everyone is vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others, such as women who are pregnant, young children and infants, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions.
How can I prepare for the warm weather to avoid heat related illnesses?
What can you do if you feel woozy, overheated, or unwell? Take action immediately!
For additional information and resources, visit: FairfaxCounty.gov/emergency/readyfairfax/extremeheat.
(by Jodie White, Public Assistance and Employment Services)
Are you in need of a little help to keep cool this summer? Then apply for the Cooling Assistance Program for low-income households. In order to be eligible, at least one household member must be: 60 years old or older, 5 or younger, disabled according to Social Security or Medicaid, or a Veterans Administration disability rating of 100%.
Cooling assistance can help with:
Payment of electric bills to operate cooling equipment.
Payment of security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment for accounts in danger of being disconnected.
Repair of a central air conditioning system or heat pump.
Purchase of a whole-house fan, including ceiling or attic fans when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home.
Purchase and installation or self-pick-up of one air conditioning unit (window or portable) for households when there is no other working cooling equipment in the home.
Applications for the Cooling Assistance Program will be accepted from June 15-August 15.
Applications for Cooling Assistance can be submitted in the following ways:
Online: at CommonHelp.virginia.gov
Phone: call the Enterprise Customer Service Center at 1-833-522-5582
In Person: paper applications are available at all four Department of Family Services office locations.
Paper Application: call the DFS Energy Assistance main number at 703-324-7500 to request an application be mailed to you. Paper applications are accepted by:
Mail: 12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 232, Fairfax, VA 22035
Fax: fax a completed application to (703) 653-1355
Email: DFSMycase@fairfaxcounty.gov
In Person: drop off at one of the four DFS office locations:
Gerry Hyland Government Center
(formerly South County Government Center)
8350 Richmond Highway
Alexandria, VA 22309
Heritage Center
West Wing, 7611 Little River Turnpike Annandale, VA 22003
Pennino Building
12011 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Lake Anne
11484 Washington Plaza West
Reston, VA 20190
(by Kathleen Thomas, Department of Family Services)
The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the 6th Annual "Shark Tank" Technology Challenge.
This year's contest encouraged students to develop an innovative device or app that enhances the independent enjoyment of life for older adults and adults with disabilities, including wounded warriors. Students were also encouraged to consider projects that may help in such areas as active free time activities, participation in the arts, and caregiving.
INTEGRITYOne Partners presented $5,750 in prize money to the student winners:
1st Place: AutoTrem - $2,500
Akanksha Tibrewala, Kaavya Karthikeyan, Chantilly High School
AutoTrem is a walker for Parkinson's patients to use in a clinical therapy environment. The walker can move automatically but allows patients to gradually reduce the dependence on the automation as they build strength and proper gait.
2nd Place: APP-Pill - $1,500
Andrew Choi, Grace Xiao, Samarth Bhargav, Chris Jia, Hasvika Challa, Jaydon Sun, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
APP-Pill is an app for the visually impaired that allows older adults and people with disabilities to access and identify their medication. It reads aloud prompts and listens for voice interactions based on instructions scanned from the medication bottles.
3rd Place: Signterpreter - $1,000
Sol Song, Ryan Kim, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
SignInterpreter is an app that utilizes an open-ended machine learning platform to identify American Sign Language gestures and convert them to text form.
Honorable Mentions
Shoe Sensor - $250
Mihir Kulshreshta, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
The Walkly Shoe Sensor is a system to remotely monitor, record and report foot positions to detect falls in older adults.
A Website: Alzheimer’s Activities - $250
Sampriti Muthuswamy, Oakton High School
Sampriti developed a website, Alzheimer’s Activities, which provides curated activities to help improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s.
FitVibe - $250
Jessica Wang, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
FitVibe is a web application that incentivizes physical activity among older adults while promoting relaxation and engagement in creative activity.
Shepherd Centers Offer Free Transportation Services for Older Adults
The Shepherd Centers are a nonprofit organization sponsored by local area congregations, community groups, and individuals to serve adults 50 years and older. The centers offer free transportation for medical appointments and companion trips (e.g. grocery shopping) for adults 50 and older who live in the center’s service area and are ambulatory. You must apply for this transportation service. Once accepted into the service, a request for a ride must be made four days in advance.
Individual centers also offer additional programs and services. Visit the website or call the center in your area for more information. Interested in volunteering at a Shepherd Center? Contact a center to learn more:
Local Nonprofit Driving Programs
A medical appointment or trip to the pharmacy is a challenge if you no longer drive. Consider becoming a volunteer with one of these organizations:
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.
This program and other episodes can also be viewed online: FairfaxCounty.gov/cableconsumer/channel-16/mature-living
Concert: US Air Force Band String Quartet
Sunday, July 10, 3 p.m.
Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane Alexandria, VA 22314
The US Air Force Band has many different musical ensembles and Sherwood is proud to present their string quartet (part of the USAF Strolling Strings group). Come early to ensure a seat as this concert will fill up fast!
Older Adults Roundtables with Supervisor Palchik: Round 1–Caregiving
Thursday, July 28, 7-8:30 p.m.
Join Supervisor Palchik for a Town Hall conversation on the topic of caregiving. Learn about aging and what it means to be a caregiver, who caregivers are, and how caregivers can connect with resources in our community. A presentation will be followed by an open forum Q&A. Join us live on Channel 16 or via livestream from Supervisor Palchik's Facebook page.
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry: Private Lives, Public Records
Sunday, July 31, 3 p.m.
Virtual program presented by the Burke Historical Society. Reference librarian and genealogist Leslie Anderson will discuss her research on the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry, including the lives of its members both before and after the Civil War, along with strategies that may help you with your own research. Register in advance with the library. Programs are subject to change. Visit our website BurkeHistoricalSociety.org for updates.
Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series
The Summer Entertainment Series includes 11 local series at 18 venues across Fairfax County. Pack a picnic basket, umbrella, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy evening concerts in the parks. Performances are held outdoors and are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. For lists of performers, locations, dates and times, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/performances
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 nvss.org or call Dave at 703-663-7881.
Access the print version of this month's newsletter.*
Check out the past newsletters.
*Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. To request reasonable accommodations or to receive this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-7948 or TTY 711.