Department of Family Services Alert:
Ron Fitzsimmons’ Own Childhood Poverty Inspired the Creation of Alice’s Kids
Childhood should be a time of growth, discovery and fun, safe from the responsibilities and worries that accompany adulthood. This is not always the case for kids living in poverty, whose childhoods can be marked by deprivation, instability, and shame. Having experienced such a childhood, Ron Fitzsimmons understands how small things can lift a child up, relieving some of the anxiety that is part of their daily life. Wanting to provide these moments of joy to children, Fitzsimmons and his sister Laura created Alice’s Kids, a nonprofit that fulfills requests for items that are often out of reach of kids living in poverty. Read more.
Celebrate Communication Returns to Springfield Town Center!
What do deafness and hearing loss mean to you? Do you have hearing loss or love someone who does? Please join us at our free outreach event, Celebrate Communication 2023, at the Springfield Town Center on Saturday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is specifically designed for the deaf and hard of hearing community, their families, and friends. Read more.
Celebrate National Senior Center Month at a Fairfax County Senior Center!
September is National Senior Center Month! The Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services invites you to celebrate by visiting one of its 14 senior centers. Facilities are located throughout Fairfax County, making it easy to get involved right in your neighborhood! Read more.
Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church Improves Lives Through Home Repair
On a hot and humid Friday morning in July, a volunteer team from the nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church was hard at work replacing the rotten boards surrounding a bay window on a home in Burke. This was just one of a series of repairs Rebuilding Together-AFF volunteers had made to the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. Read more.
(by Fairfax County Park Authority)
If the hot summer weather prevented you from visiting your local farmers market as often as you wished, don’t worry! Fairfax County Farmers Markets will continue through the fall, most running into November with a few continuing to December. See the schedule below for market dates, times and locations:
The extended farmers market season is a great opportunity to enjoy local fall produce, including apples, greens, pumpkins and winter squash. Several farmers market locations are also hosting fall harvest festivals featuring live music, free hot cider, and activities such as pumpkin painting. Farmers market fall harvest festivals will take place at these locations:
(by Allegra Joffe, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging)
Many family caregivers are often reluctant to ask for help. They know and understand their family members – their likes, dislikes, schedules, and medical and financial information. They may think to themselves, “No one can do it better than me,” which can be an accurate statement. However, without help, a family caregiver may experience burnout. Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that can lead to feelings of depression, isolation, and stress. When this happens to a caregiver, they are no longer able to provide the best care to their loved ones or themselves.
If you find it difficult to ask for help with caregiving tasks, take a moment to reflect on the long-term impacts of caring for someone alone and the positive benefits that might come from accepting support. Consider writing out caregiving tasks and who you could delegate some of the tasks to. It is helpful to remember that there are lots of ways to safely and accurately complete caregiving tasks, even if they are done differently than the way you usually do them.
Asking for support is not a sign of weakness or selfishness. It is an act of selflessness to make sure you and your loved one are getting the best care possible. If you wish to learn more about caregiving resources, call our Aging, Disability, and Caregiver Resource Line at 703-324-7948 or visit FairfaxCounty.gov/OlderAdults.
Wednesday, September 20, Noon-1 p.m.
In this webinar, Tom West, Senior Partner from Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, will provide caregivers with information about managing someone else’s assets. The presentation will focus on fiduciary roles for durable power of attorneys, trustees for a revocable living trust, Veteran Affairs fiduciaries, representative payees, guardians, and conservators. Tom will detail the important roles and duties of a fiduciary. Finally, beyond the legal and financial aspects, Tom will address five decision-making steps that will help caregivers meet the fiduciary standard of care. Join us to learn what caregivers need to know when accepting fiduciary responsibility for someone else’s money and property. Online registration: bit.ly/CAREWEB1 or call 571-407-6961.
Wednesday, September 13, Noon-1 p.m.
This program is offered in collaboration with The International Spy Museum Access to Spy Program. Shana Oltmans, Manager of Museum Programs & Experiences, and Amanda Ohlke, Director of Adult Education, will host SPY with Me, an interactive, hour-long virtual program for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Join SPY as we use music and artifacts to explore some of our favorite spy stories and to get to know each other. Online registration: bit.ly/FFXDementiaSeries or call 571-407-6961.
Friday, September 29, 2-3 p.m.
This panel conversation will explore program models that are available for family caregivers who are caring for a loved one with dementia and are struggling to find respite and support. Explore the benefits of day programs that can provide a safe and consistent space to meet the physical, social, and nutritional needs of a loved one while providing a peace of mind to the caregiver. In addition, it will address a new home approach to working with challenging behaviors in loved ones with dementia. Panelists include Andre Atkins, Director of Growth & Enrollment, Cherry Blossom, Melissa Long, Director of Education and Support, Insight Memory Care Center, Leora Raskas, RAFT Dementia Education and Outreach Coordinator, Northern VA RAFT, Marjorie Burris, Adult Day Health Care Program Manager, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services. Online registration: bit.ly/FFXDementiaSeries or call 571-407-6961.
Friday, September 22, 2-3 p.m.
Meet Dr. Monica Fracachan, an Alzheimer's expert at the University of Kansas. This virtual presentation will be in Spanish and includes topics on what dementia is, how to improve brain health, how to detect Alzheimer's, and what to do if someone has memory and thinking problems. Dr. Fracachan will provide information in Spanish about support studies for loved ones with memory and thinking problems. Online registration: bit.ly/CharlasEducativas or call 703-324-5484.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, provides online information on dozens of health topics for older adults and caregivers. The resources are informed by research and reviewed by experts to help you learn about healthy aging and health conditions affecting older adults, including Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. NIA also offers print publications to download or order for free at order.nia.nih.gov
For more information, visit the NIA website at nia.nih.gov or contact the NIA Information Center at 800-222-2225 or niaic@nia.nih.gov.
(by Camden Doran, Long-Term Care Ombudsman)
All nursing and assisted living facilities should have a comprehensive emergency plan in place, so that people can be protected and supported in times of crisis. A nursing home, by federal law, is required to have evacuation plans in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. Emergency preparedness plans should be tailored to a facility’s geographic location and should take into consideration the residents’ levels of care. Each facility must also review the evacuation plan with residents, train new employees in emergency procedures, and hold drills and periodic reviews with staff. Assisted living facilities are required by the state to have a similar emergency preparedness plan in place as well. Residents and families should inquire with their specific facility about their plans and ask questions if needed.
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 to ensure quality of care and quality of life. For more information about long-term care facilities emergency preparedness requirements, 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 Tanya Erway, Volunteer Solutions Recruitment Coordinator)
Are you searching for new ways to help your community? Check out the volunteer opportunities below or go to bit.ly/FFXVOLUNTEER to explore other options.
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 to ensure quality of care and quality of life. Empathetic volunteers are needed to advocate for the rights of residents in long-term care facilities and help them with concerns they are unable to resolve alone. If you have skills in listening, diplomacy, communicating, and problem-solving, consider becoming a Volunteer Ombudsman.
Volunteers must complete an initial three-day training, commit to a minimum of one year of service, and approximately four hours per week assisting residents at assigned facilities close to home or work. There are also enriching training opportunities. For more information about volunteering, or other nursing or assisted living concerns, call the NVLTCOP at 703-324-5861, TTY 711, or contact Claire Yeomans at Claire.Yeomans@FairfaxCounty.gov.
Mount Vernon at Home is a non-profit organization serving older adults in the Alexandria region of Fairfax County. They need volunteers for grocery shopping, minor home repairs and assistance, and computer and technical support. Licensed and insured drivers (who have their own cars) are especially needed to transport people to medical and other appointments. Mount Vernon at Home can provide a donation receipt for mileage. Schedules are flexible and background checks are conducted. Please contact them at info@mountvernonathome.org, or 703-303-4060.
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. Especially in the Alexandria and Falls Church/Annandale regions. Bilingual volunteers are needed, too. 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.
Food For Neighbors raises awareness, mobilizes communities, and partners with local middle and high schools to connect vital resources with food-insecure students. Sign up today to donate one bag of food five times a year via the Red Bag Program. Go to FoodForNeighbors.org/red-bag-program to learn more.
If you wish to submit volunteer opportunities, email Tanya Erway at VolunteerSolutionsRecruitment@FairfaxCounty.gov.
(by Courtney Arroyo, Department of Emergency Management and Security)
September is National Emergency Preparedness Month! All around the nation, people will be taking action to build stronger, more resilient, and prepared communities. This is an opportunity to look around and find ways to prepare yourself and others in your community for disasters. Taking action to prepare for an emergency before it strikes can lead to better outcomes and provide peace of mind.
Fairfax County’s Department of Emergency Management and Security has a lot of great tools that are designed to aid the community in becoming more prepared for disasters. Take some time to think about ways you can make a difference during this year’s Emergency Preparedness Month, as well as tools to help you:
Read or download the Community Emergency Response Guide: FairfaxCounty.gov/EmergencyManagement/cerg.
Metro Lift is a reduced fare program for Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia customers enrolled in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). The program is designed to expand access, increase affordability, and advance equity for people across the region. SNAP enrollees can receive 50% off all Metrobus/Metrorail trips.
Customers who qualify will need their SmarTrip® card, an active SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, a current government-issued photo ID card, and a phone number. Visit wmata.com/metrolift or call 888-SMARTRIP to learn more.
Animals – especially dogs – are an integral part of our lives, and the roles they fill are varied. They can guide a blind person, serve on a search and rescue mission, work with police departments, or can simply calm an anxious person.
Host Anne Hall is joined by Wendy Mayer, Director of Communications for Fairfax Pets on Wheels, and Leslie Horton, owner of Most Fine Canine. They explore the difference between service and therapy dogs, and discuss how visits from animals benefit those in senior centers, hospitals, etc. The Channel 16 crew also visited the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and met with Director Reasa Currier. She reveals the many opportunities for people of all ages to bond with the animals. Finally, Jodi Smith with Fairfax County’s Volunteer Solutions discusses the increasing popularity of robotic pets and the joy they bring their owners.
Mature Living can be seen on Channel 16 or 1016 (depending on your service provider) on the following days and times:
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 the Fairfax County Health Department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response)
September is National Preparedness Month and this year’s theme is preparing older adults for emergencies. This month, the health department will focus on an important but often ignored preparedness step to mitigate personal impacts of an emergency. This key step is awareness and active observation of your community.
Let us begin by reorienting ourselves to the surroundings that have become mundane yet serve as critical points in surviving an emergency. This is your home and your immediate neighborhood. Take a moment to understand the potential emergencies your area faces regularly. In Fairfax County, we are subject to heavy rain and flooding during the spring and summer. So, it would be important to observe local roads and the routes you often travel. Are these roads low level? Do they cross over any bodies of water? Along with roads, observe property entrances and exits. Are these entrances open or gated? Are they manual or electronic? Which streets are one-way, and which are cul-de-sacs? This valuable knowledge will help you make informed decisions about travel during an emergency.
Take time to identify assets in your community. An asset is anything or anyone that would help respond to an emergency. Assess which spaces can serve as havens in an emergency. Where is your local fire station located? Where is the nearest hospital, recreation center, or school? Can you access these places by foot and are they wheelchair accessible? Do they accommodate pets? All of these are vital questions, with critical answers. You will not have time during an emergency, but you have time now. Take the time now to answer these questions.
In an emergency, knowledge is valuable and can save your life. Begin to practice the art of observation by finding meaning in what appears to be mundane. Get to know your community and feel empowered to protect what matters most. Preparedness starts with awareness, and awareness starts with you.
Challenge: This month, we challenge you to answer the following to identify essential aspects of your community. First, where is your local fire station? And second, how many specialty traffic control street signs are in your neighborhood (i.e., Deaf Child Sign, Children Crossing, Blind Person Warning sign)?
Share your insights and observations with Fairfax County Health Department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response – hdepr@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Engage with your health department to access general readiness information – especially content tailored to older adult awareness and preparedness at FairfaxCounty.gov/health/emergency.
(by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services)
September is Falls Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of falls and ways to prevent them. Unfortunately, falls are common among older adults. One in four older Americans experiences a fall each year, according to the National Council on Aging. Despite these high numbers, falls are not a normal part of getting older and can be prevented. Doing things like getting regular health checkups and making simple home improvements, such as brighter lighting and installing grab bars in the bathroom, can help prevent falls. Another way to guard against falls is by participating in a strength and balance exercise program. In Fairfax County, there are many programs and resources available to help residents prevent falls.
ElderLink is a non-profit partnership between Inova Health System and the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. ElderLink offers an array of free programs aimed at helping participants live a healthier and more engaged life, including these falls prevention programs:
Fairfax County residents, age 50 and older, are welcome to become a senior center member, provided they meet eligibility requirements. Fees range from $24 to $48 annually based on household income. Members have access to all 14 senior center locations. For information about senior centers, including locations, policies and guidelines, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/senior-centers.
Senior centers offer a variety of in-person activities and fitness classes, including S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) classes. S.A.I.L. is a strength, balance, and fitness class for adults 65 and older, designed to prevent falls. Class schedules for all senior center locations can be found at FairfaxCounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/calendars.
The goal of the Virtual Center for Active Adults is to enrich the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities in Northern Virginia while combatting isolation. Adults can participate in live, interactive programs, including S.A.I.L. classes, virtually via Zoom. To view the full list of VCAA classes and activities, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/virtual-center-active-adults.
Additional falls prevention information and resources are available from:
(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 COA are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church.
The COA was in recess in August.
COA Meeting, Wednesday, September 20, 1 p.m.
In Person: Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, 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.
Sing With Us This Fall!
Encore Creativity invites older adults to register for a new season of rehearsals beginning September 5 and running through late December, culminating in a holiday performance. Ensembles are led by professional conductors and meet for 90 minutes per week. Registration for the entire rehearsal season is $190 per person. For more information or to register, visit EncoreCreativity.org, email info@encorecreativity.org, or call 301-261-5747.
John Weber Senior Bowling League (55+)
New and experienced bowlers, both men and women, are welcome to join this full handicap, noncompetitive senior bowling league. We bowl at the Falls Church Bowl America on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. from Labor Day week to early May. Enjoy fellowship and recreation while you maintain an active lifestyle. For more information and to sign up, contact league president Jim Allison at 703-323-8132.
Love to Play Soccer?
Players 50+ 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 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
T.H.A.Y. (Three and a Half Acres) Yoga
Mondays, September 11, 18 and 25, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Hosted by the Virtual Center for Active Adults. This mat-based yoga class is designed for older adults or anyone interested in gentle yoga session. Yoga poses can easily be modified to fit your comfort level and physical ability. All levels are welcome. Please check with your doctor before starting this or any exercise program. 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
Frontotemporal Dementia
Wednesday, September 13, 1-2:30 p.m.
Free Hybrid Event - virtual and in-person at Insight Memory Care Center – Fairfax, 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax
What is frontotemporal degeneration (FTD)? Did you know it is the most common form of dementia for people under the age of 60? Learn more about FTD, including the signs and symptoms, how it differs from other dementias, and the resources available locally and through AFTD. Register at InsightMCC.org/events.
Burke Historical Society Meeting
Sunday, September 24, 3-4 p.m.
Pohick Regional Library, 6450 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke
Kenena Spalding from the Lucy Burns Museum at the Workhouse Arts Center will speak on her new book “Lorton Prisons.” No registration required. For more information, visit burkehistoricalsociety.org.
New Alzheimer’s Treatments Virtual Q&A
Wednesday, September 27, 4-5 p.m.
Hosted by Insight Memory Care Center. You’ve probably seen the headlines about Leqembi, the new FDA approved treatment for those with early Alzheimer’s disease. But what does Leqembi do differently? Is it better than older treatments? R. Scott Turner, MD, Director of the Georgetown Memory Disorders Program will join us for a live discussion and Q&A about new Alzheimer’s treatments. Get your questions answered and learn more about the current state of Alzheimer’s research and treatments. Register at InsightMCC.org/events.
Medicare 101 – Public, In-Person Classes
Medicare 101 training is for individuals and their care partners who will soon be eligible for Medicare or have Medicare and would like to learn more about it. Presenters are part of Fairfax County's Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP). Registration is required. More Medicare 101 classes TBA in the October Golden Gazette.
Monday, October 2, 2-3:30 p.m.
Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Avenue, Falls Church
Register at mrspl.org/Medicare101
Tuesday, October 3, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Road, Reston
Register at bit.ly/3rVQ5Co
Please note that dates, prices, and times are correct at publishing. However, please confirm information by calling or checking using the phone numbers or websites provided.
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*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.