(by Karen Kelly, Department of Family Services)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 1 in 4 adults in the United States have some type of disability. That’s 26% of the population. Anyone can acquire a disability at any point in their life.

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is honored to celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 33rd Anniversary. The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by former President George H.W. Bush. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications, and state and local government services. The law ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

The national ADA anniversary celebration takes place on July 26, 2023. Individuals can participate by visiting the ADA anniversary webpage: adaAnniversary.org. There you can learn more about this important law, celebrate the anniversary, and share information.

People with disabilities can face barriers to public life daily. Fairfax County Government is proud to support the ADA and strives to promote equal access, rights, and opportunities for all individuals.

The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee is proud to announce the winners of 7th Annual Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge. 

Students from the Fairfax area were challenged to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers. The sponsor, INTEGRITYOne Partners, provided cash prizes to the winners. 

1st Place: Capture Your Memory 
Sampriti Muthuswamy, Ira Gramopadhye, Karen Zhou, Asmita Kodityala
Oakton High School & Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Capture Your Memory is a web application that helps individuals affected by dementia and their loved ones connect through media such as photos, videos, and audio. Capture Your Memory creates a logging database tailored specifically to those with degenerative neurological impairments, allowing them to increase connections with the most important people and memories in their lives.

2nd Place: The Glove
Rujvi Thakkar, Langley High School

The Glove is a product that helps exercise and increase blood flow in paralyzed areas; specifically, the hands. Its purpose is to help those who have suffered a stroke and/or paralysis patients who have injuries in their hands. While there are drugs and procedures that can assist in reestablishing blood circulation in the body after such an event, it is both time consuming and expensive. This product promotes self-exercise to kick-start muscle movement, in an affordable way.

Honorable Mentions
DesCartes
Neyla Benomar-Iza, Rosary Dela Cruz, Odile de Vachon, McLean High School
DesCartes is designed for people who are visually impaired and is best for those who have recent sight loss and are not familiar with Braille yet. The cards have embossed and texturized letters to help identify what they are by touch.

ColorVeal
Elijah Guison-Dowdy, Abhinav Angirekula, Johnny Liu
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
As people spend more time on their computers, the obstacles that color blindness creates have become prevalent, especially for older adults. The ColorVeal web extension program uses built-in color correction to aid those with color blindness while browsing the internet. 
 

(by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services)

Adults aged 50 and older are invited to compete in the 2023 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO), taking place Saturday, September 9, through Sunday, September 24. You can register online at nvso.us beginning Thursday, July 6, through Thursday, August 24. There is a fee of $20 to register and participants may enter as many events as they like. Please note that a few events require additional fees due to the venue, special personnel, or equipment. 

To compete in the NVSO, a person must be 50 or older by December 31 and live in one of the sponsoring jurisdictions – Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, or Prince William County. Depending on the event, participants compete in five year, 10 year, 20 year and no age groups. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded after each event. 

Over 70 individual events will be offered, ranging from recreational physical activities to competitive athletics to non-physical games. New events this year include synchronized diving, advanced Sudoku, and 9-hole par 3 golf. To see the full list of events, visit nvso.us. 

If you want to join in the fun without competing, volunteers of all ages are needed. Interested volunteers can visit nvso.us or email nvso1982@gmail.com for more information.

(by Beth Ann Margetta, 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 21 COA meeting, the COA continued discussion of potential community partners for the initiative development phase following the Board of Supervisor’s May 23rd approval of the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan. Area Plan updates/waivers were also presented at the June COA meeting.  

COA Meeting, Wednesday, July 19, 1 p.m.

In Person: Pennino Building, 
12011 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035 Room 200 & 206  

To obtain meeting materials, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/FamilyServices/Older-Adults/Fairfax-Area-Commission-on-Aging/Meetings or contact Elizabeth.Margetta@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-324-5635. For ADA accommodations, contact Ana.Valdivia@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 571-407-6960 TTY: VA Relay 711. 
 

(by Allegra Joffe, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging)

Family caregiving is complex and brings new challenges over time. Research has shown that family caregivers are at a higher risk for depression, chronic illness, and death. Family caregivers can combat these high risks by finding the right support network. A support network is where family caregivers can be heard, validated, get advice, and get help. Start building a support network by choosing trusted family, friends, and neighbors you can confide in. Support networks can also include caregiver support groups, care managers, counselors, and advisors who are knowledgeable in caregiving topics. 

Since caregiving stress, duties, and diagnoses can change over time, there are benefits to having an established caregiver support network in place. Benefits include feeling less lonely or isolated, learning about solutions and options for care, and overall confidence and improvement of caregiving skills. Caregivers who feel more supported are more empowered and comfortable in their role, which will positively affect their health and their care receiver’s health. 

Family caregivers are highly encouraged to make their own unique support networks based on their individual situation, personal beliefs, values, customs, and culture. If you wish to learn more about caregiving resources, call our Aging, Disability, and Caregiving Resources Line at 703-324-7948 or visit FairfaxCounty.gov/OlderAdults.  

Understanding the Aging Process: How Aging Affects Your Nutritional Status 
Wednesday, July 19, Noon-1 p.m. 

In this webinar, Diane Reinhold, MPH, MS, RDN, from the University of Illinois, describes how the aging process and its associated physiological changes, can impact one’s ability to meet their nutritional needs and age well. Participants will learn what steps one can take to navigate the nutritional changes associated with aging. Topics presented include: nutrition basics, impact of lifestyle on overall health, aging effects on nutritional needs, nutritional challenges and needs of aging adults, nutrient-rich foods, and strategies to navigate nutritional challenges. Online registration: bit.ly/CAREWEB1 or call 703-324-2019.

Aging in Place: Transitional Care from Hospital to Home
Friday, July 28, 2-3 p.m.

Often when a loved one is discharged from a hospital, family caregivers do not anticipate the challenges that can happen during this process. Care transitions involve the coordination and transfer of information between health providers, facilities, patients, and family caregivers. This panel conversation will explore what family caregivers need to know and be aware of before their loved ones are discharged from the hospital, so they can get appropriate care along the way. Panelists include: Tondra Cahill, Social Services Director with Birmingham Green; Jessika Eglin, Associate State Director, Advocacy and Outreach with the AARP; Kathryn Mary Powers, MSN RN CCM, with Inova Health System; and Xie Dillon-Vassell, Assistant Program Manager, with Adult Services at Fairfax County Department of Family Services. Online registration: bit.ly/AAAPanel or call 703-324-2019.

See Me at the Smithsonian (See Me) 
See Me at the Smithsonian (See Me) is a free, virtual interactive program for adults with dementia and their care partners. During each event, pre-registered participants (12-15 people) explore some of the Smithsonian’s most beloved objects through small group discussions and multi-sensory activities. See Me programs provide intellectual engagement, socialization, and an opportunity for loved ones to spend time together in a relaxed setting. Programs happen on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. EDT, rotate between Smithsonian museums, and are offered virtually via Zoom. To register for a See Me program, please contact Amy Castine at castinea@si.edu.

Senior Cool Care Program
Are you in need of additional cooling during the summer? The Senior Cool Care Program is a public-private partnership sponsored by Dominion Energy and administered by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services through the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging that helps low-income older citizens in our jurisdiction keep cool during summer months. The program runs May 1 through October 31, 2023. The program provides additional cooling at home, for eligible older adults, age 60 and older. If you are interested in learning more about the program, contact the Aging, Disability and Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948.
 

This episode explores disability resources for both older adults and adults with disabilities, as well as those who care for them. Joining host Anne Hall is Claudia Vila, Manager of Disability Rights and Resources in the Department of Family Services. She provides a great overview on this topic, and discusses resources available for adults with disabilities, older adults, and caregivers. The Channel 16 crew visited the Wellness Center for Older Adults. It’s the first of its kind in Fairfax County and offers both virtual and in-person services for older  dults and individuals with developmental disabilities. Rose Robinson, Division Manager, Long Term and Community Integration Services, as well as current clients talk about the benefit of this important resource. We round out the program with a conversation with Susan Shaw, Transportation Options, Programs, and Services Program Manager, better known as TOPS – a valuable Fairfax County resource.

Mature Living can be seen on Channel 16 or 1016 (depending on your service provider) on the following days and times:
•    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 can also be seen on your computer: FairfaxCounty.gov/CableConsumer/Channel-16/Mature-Living.
You can find information on services for older adults at FairfaxCounty.gov/OlderAdults or call 703-324-7948, TTY 711, Monday-Friday. 
 

(by Camden Doran, Long-Term Care Ombudsman)

On May 11, 2023, the federal Public Health Emergency put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic was lifted. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, here's what long-term care (LTC) residents in assisted living or nursing facilities need to know:

COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing, and Masking:

• All LTC facilities will continue to educate residents and staff on the COVID-19 vaccine and offer to help them get vaccinated. 
• Staff vaccination requirements have ended. All residents, staff, and visitors are encouraged to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Routine testing of staff and residents without symptoms is no longer recommended; however, LTC facilities must comply with accepted standards, such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for testing. Residents and staff with signs or symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must be tested as soon as possible.
• Requirements for masking in LTC facilities will vary by community. Talk to your facility’s administration about their specific policies and procedures. As a resident, you always have the right to wear a mask if you choose.

Residents’ Rights:

• Residents' rights that were waived, such as the right to choose roommates or refuse relocation within the facility, and the right to receive notice before transfer to contain or treat COVID-19 have been reinstated. Residents who were moved for these reasons should be given a choice to return to their original room or facility, or remain in their new location, depending on room availability.

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 advocate for their rights to protect dignity, choices, and self-determination. The NVLTCOP is a resident-directed program that is available to assist with concerns about quality of care, and to educate the community about long-term care services. For more information about residents’ rights or other assisted living and nursing facility concerns, please call the NVLTCOP at 
703-324-5861, or contact the Ombudsman Program by email at NVLTCOP@FairfaxCounty.gov.
 

(by the Fairfax County Health Department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response)

Emergencies and natural disasters can happen without warning and create unique challenges for people living with cognitive impairment, their family members, and caregivers. Older adults with cognitive impairment are especially vulnerable as they may have a limited ability to understand the situation and the emergency procedures they should take to protect themselves. It is crucial for caregivers and families to make sure they have an emergency plan.

Develop an emergency plan:

• Identify emergency contacts who are willing to help and who understand your loved one’s medical needs. Engage family, friends, caregivers, and medical providers. Gather your emergency contacts’ phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses and other pertinent information to keep in one place. Paper copies are good as a backup to storing these emergency contacts in smartphones and other electronic tools.  
• Make a list of health conditions, allergies, and prescriptions, including dosage and frequency of medication, and provide copies to all emergency contacts. Include your loved one’s pharmacy contact information as well.
• Discuss how you will communicate to keep each other updated, especially if evacuation orders are given. Review your communication plan often and give copies to emergency contacts. For help making an emergency plan, go to bit.ly/43f2lvB.  

Build an emergency kit: 

• Start with basic supplies such as nonperishable food, water, flashlights and batteries and tailor to your specific needs keeping health conditions in mind. Be sure to include supplies both the caregiver and a person living with dementia or other health condition may need such as prescriptions, inhaler, oxygen, syringes, eyeglasses, and items of comfort.
• Add copies of the emergency contacts and health conditions created in your emergency plan, medical and legal documents, and usernames and passwords. Store the information on a flash drive.
• Keep prescriptions stocked and put the kit in a central location that is easily accessible. Assemble your emergency kit, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/Emergency/ReadyFairfax/MakeAnEmergencyKit.  

Prepare for evacuation: 

• If your loved one lives in a long-term care facility or attends adult day care, learn about their evacuation procedures and talk with them about the types of assistance your family member will need during an evacuation.
• Practice emergency evacuation drills with family and caregivers.
• Avoid leaving a person with cognitive impairment alone and carry a recent photo of your loved one in case you become separated during an evacuation. If evacuated to a shelter, try to find a quiet area to avoid overstimulation.   

Enroll in alerts:

• Subscribe to public safety and weather alerts to stay informed and receive emergency instructions. Sign up at FairfaxCounty.gov/alerts.
• Share important household information to help emergency personnel during a response to your residence. Register for Community Connect at CommunityConnect.io/info/va-fairfax-county.
• Create an Emergency Health Profile to provide critical health and medical information to first responders at FairfaxCounty.gov/911/emergency-health-profile.

(by Carly Mullinax, Department of Emergency Management and Security)

Summer is the time for adventure or relaxation on vacation. This July, many people will take advantage of the warm weather to travel far and wide. If you are planning a trip, it’s important to plan ahead and think about how to be prepared. Are you going to a part of the country that is more susceptible to earthquakes, hurricanes, or coastal flooding? Are you traveling abroad to a country where you don’t speak the language? Following these tips will help you stay safe and provide peace of mind so you can fully relax as you soak in some summer sunshine!

• Make sure you have an emergency kit with you no matter where you decide to go. Think about the items you will need to be able to communicate, maintain your health, purchase supplies, and stay comfortable if you can’t get back to your hotel or luggage. If you are flying, it is a good idea to bring essential items with you in your carry on bag, rather than packing them in your checked luggage. 
• Tell a trusted friend or family member your travel plans and update them if anything changes. That way, you will have someone who knows where you are in the event something happens. 
• If you are traveling to a part of the United States that is more susceptible to natural disasters, it is a good idea to brush up on what to do for different types of emergencies. You can learn more about what to do during different types of disasters at Ready.gov/be-informed. 
• Did you know that not all countries use 9-1-1 as their emergency number? If you are planning an international trip, it is a good idea to research the country you will be staying in and make sure you know what number to call if there is an emergency. It’s also a good idea to learn how to say important words like “help” and “emergency” if you don’t speak the native language of the country you will be visiting. To learn more about staying safe abroad, visit the State Department’s website at bit.ly/43jKnbh.
   

(by Tanya Erway, Volunteer Solutions Recruitment Coordinator)

Are you looking for new ways to help your community? Check out the opportunities below or go to bit.ly/FFXVOLUNTEER for many more.  

Volunteer Solutions offers various opportunities to provide support to older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers, one-on-one, or in senior and adult day healthcare centers. Drivers, grocery shoppers, social visitors, and skilled volunteers are needed. Create new connections and help decrease social isolation. To learn more and register go to bit.ly/FXVSVOL, email VolunteerSolutions@FairfaxCounty.gov, or call 703-324-5406.

Would you like to inspire a group of girls to be strong, confident, and healthy, while integrating running? Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a youth development program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade. Teams of volunteer coaches are trained to facilitate an easy-to-follow curriculum with small groups of girls, twice a week over the course of 10 weeks. 

You don't need to be a runner or a competitive athlete to coach. Successful coaches serve as role models for girls by showing up prepared and on time, listening attentively, and by demonstrating a positive attitude. Coaches are required to commit to 2-3 hours per week for the 10-week season, with additional time required for coach training and the GOTR 5K race. Practice schedules will vary based on team. GOTR's Fall 2023 Season starts in September and ends in November. For more information or to register, go to gotrnova.org. For questions, contact mfay@gotrnova.org.

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services’ Body Safety Program needs volunteer classroom instructors to help empower elementary students with the tools they need to prevent or interrupt child abuse and exploitation. Visit bit.ly/3nSooIM or contact Francesca at Francesca.Lovitt@FairfaxCounty.gov, or 703-324-7459. Spanish speakers are needed, too. The next training will be in Fairfax on August 11, 2023. 

PRS provides behavioral health, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services. They seek compassionate volunteers with a familiarity or willingness to understand the challenges that can be faced by community members with mental health challenges, or in crisis. Volunteers make it possible for PRS to change and save more lives by providing services to those in need. Volunteers support PRS in a variety of ways: long term, short term, one-time, in groups, or with youth volunteer opportunities. Learn more at prsinc.org/volunteer or call 703-531-6321. 

If you wish to submit volunteer opportunities, email Tanya Erway at VolunteerSolutionsRecruitment@FairfaxCounty.gov.
 

Love to Play Soccer?
Players 50 and older are invited to join the Fairfax Over 50 Soccer League. We play outdoor, year-round, full-field, 11 vs. 11 with paid, licensed referees on Fairfax County fields. We strive to play competitively while staying safe. We are also adding an Over 60 Division this season. We are members of USASA. Dues are required to join. For more information, visit leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=fo5sl

Softball Players Needed!
The Golden Girls of Northern Virginia, a senior women’s softball league, is looking for players. Women over the age of 40 and all skill levels are welcome. We play most Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in Vienna from May-July and September-October. For more information, visit goldengirls.org.

Virtual Memory Café 
First Friday of Every Month at 1 p.m.
Please join Senior Helpers & Senior Life Enrichment for a virtual Memory Café. This one hour, once-a-month group is for caregivers and their loved ones living with memory loss, mild cognitive impairment or dementia to meet with others for support, companionship and fun. Attend virtually from Zoom.com by clicking on Join and using the following meeting and passcode: Meeting ID: 863 0646 8210; Passcode: 448135. For questions, please email bdesai@seniorhelpers.com. 

Healthy Cooking: Corn & Avocado Salsa
Monday, July 10, 1-2 p.m. 
Hosted by the Virtual Center for Active Adults. For more information, visit bit.ly/novaVCAA; To join the virtual presentation on Zoom, visit bit.ly/VCAAzoom2; Meeting ID: 905 123 5932; Passcode: 3636.

Parkinson's Dementia 
Wednesday, July 12, 1-2:30 p.m.
Insight Memory Care Center, 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax
This free class is a part of our monthly Care Partner Training series and will be held both virtually and in-person. Learn more about what you and your family should know about Parkinson's Disease. We will discuss a basic overview of Parkinson’s disease, along with what Parkinson’s is, what causes it, common symptoms, treatments, and strategies for managing symptoms. For more information and to register, visit InsightMCC.org, email melissa.long@insightmcc.org, or call 703-204-4664, x141. 

Meditation for Care Partners Class Series 
Thursdays, July 13 and 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Insight Memory Care Center. As busy care partners, it’s hard to find time to focus on your own health and well-being - especially when you’re navigating your caregiver journey. Join us on the second and fourth Thursday of each month for this free class series, open to all care partners and anyone looking to relax, focus, and find peace of mind. For more information and to register, visit InsightMCC.org, email melissa.long@insightmcc.org, or call 703-204-4664, x141.

“Painting through Grief”
Sunday, July 16, 2-4 p.m.
Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Rd, Fairfax
"Painting through Grief" allows anyone who's lost a loved one to decompress, connect and create via painting. This is a free event open to the public. Please register at FairfaxMemorialFuneralHome.com before Friday, July 7.

Sing With Us This Summer!
Encore Creativity invites older adults to register for a six-week summer rehearsal program. The Chorale program meets from 10:30 a.m.-noon and Fairfax ROCKS, an ensemble singing choral arrangements of classic rock songs, meets from 1:30-3 p.m. The fee to register for either session is $75. Rehearsals will take place at St. George’s United Methodist Church, 4910 Ox Rd, Fairfax, starting July 18. For more information or to register, visit EncoreCreativity.org, email info@encorecreativity.org, or call 301-261-5747.

Arts for the Aging: Healing Connections between Music & Movement 
Tuesday, July 18, 1-2 p.m.
Hosted by the Virtual Center for Active Adults. For more information, visit bit.ly/novaVCAA; To join the virtual presentation on Zoom, visit bit.ly/VCAAzoom2; Meeting ID: 905 123 5932; Passcode: 3636.