Department of Family Services Alert:
Ray Collins: 20 Years of Hard Work and Determination Led to Writing Success
When 92-year-old Ray Collins retired 20 years ago, he entered his next phase of life with the confidence of someone who had enjoyed many successes – a happy marriage, a loving family, and a rewarding career. He had no reason to doubt that he would be successful in achieving his dream of becoming a writer. He soon discovered that writing novels was harder than he ever imagined. Employing the same work ethic that has served him throughout life, he stuck with it, steadily improving year by year. He was also motivated by the support and encouragement he received from his family, especially his wife, Betty Ann. Eventually, Collins’ perseverance paid off. His first two novels, “The General’s Briefcase” and “Motive for Murder,” were published in 2023, and his third novel, “Setup” will come out in 2024. Read more.
10 Ways to Take Climate Action on Earth Day and Every Day
Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22nd, is a global event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. You can join the effort to protect our planet – and support a healthier and more resilient Fairfax County – by taking these 10 climate actions suggested by the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination! Read more.
Honoring and Celebrating Volunteerism
The month of April is Global Volunteer Month, which came about after National Volunteer Week was established by presidential proclamation fifty years ago. This year, National Volunteer Week is celebrated April 21-27. Volunteers in Fairfax County are essential to creating a rich fabric of engagement, and we honor and recognize all the ways they serve our community. Read more.
Rebuilding Together-AFF: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Live in Homes That are Safe and Healthy
Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (Rebuilding Together-AFF) is a nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs to homeowners living on a limited income, with priority given to older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children. The goal of every repair or modification they make is to improve the health, safety, and accessibility of the home. Read more.
(by Kathleen Thomas, Department of Family Services)
Everyone experiences challenges as they get older. We all encounter changes associated with our physical needs and our social-emotional needs. We also have to learn to adapt to ongoing changes in the world around us.
Professional and family caregivers can benefit from being able to understand what older adults experience when they face real-life challenges.
A unique opportunity allowing participants to “see through the eyes” of older adults is available through a new virtual training series called Exploring the Dimensions of Aging. The training series was developed by Embodied Labs and simulates what it is like to be an older adult encountering various challenges in everyday situations.
Facilitated virtual sessions will focus on how social isolation impacts an older adult, learning about the early signs and progression of Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease, how to navigate caregiver burnout, and much more.
The free series is facilitated by ElderLink, a partnership program between the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging and Inova. Register for upcoming sessions:
To register for an Exploring the Dimensions of Aging virtual session visit: tinyurl.com/exploring-aging.
Additional program information will be shared in upcoming issues of the Golden Gazette.
(by Fairfax County Police Department)
Ahead of the spring season, Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Financial Crimes Unit wants to warn community members of driveway paving scammers looking to take advantage of homeowners.
The schemes usually begin with solicitation, or a knock at the door. The fraudster typically presents a deal to re-pave a driveway, seal it, or provide other stone or concrete work. Fraudsters will attempt to create a sense of urgency for the homeowner to agree to the work immediately, sometimes without any formal contract. The fraudster typically takes a monetary deposit from the homeowner, begins work and fails to complete it, often leaving the homeowner’s property in worse condition than it started.
The Fairfax County Police Department urges homeowners to follow these essential tips to protect themselves from falling victim to paving scammers:
Know when solicitor violations are happening. Fairfax County ordinance Chapter 31 governs how solicitors can conduct their business. Legitimate and reputable businesses typically abide by local solicitation regulations.
To report a solicitor violation that is actively occurring, call FCPD’s non-emergency number at 703-691-2131. To report past solicitor violation complaints, please contact the Fairfax County Regulations and Licensing office at 703-324-5966.
If you have been a victim of a financial crime, please contact the Fairfax County Police Department by filing a report through our Financial Crimes Online Reporting (FiCOR) website by visiting FairfaxCounty.gov/Police_FiCOR. If you are unable to file a report on the computer, call our non-emergency line at 703-691-2131 to have an officer assist you with making a FiCOR report.
For more information about elder fraud, visit the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crimes website by visiting ovc.ojp.gov. If you have been a victim of elder fraud and reside outside of Fairfax County, you can call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
The mission of Fairfax County's Land Development Services (LDS) focuses on the safe and sustainable building of our communities, which includes the regulation of off-street parking. As such LDS is conducting a survey to determine the nature and extent of available accessible, off-street parking within Fairfax County. Your survey response will help to provide a more informed view of accessible parking as we consider and evaluate future options. If you use off-street accessible parking or would like to answer on behalf of a person with a disability, please participate. The survey will be available until April 15. Take the survey: publicinput.com/accessibleparking.
(by Allegra Joffe, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging)
When a family caregiver feels they are reaching the limit of their capacity to support and care for their loved one, those feelings are often accompanied by caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that happens while you’re taking care of someone else. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these are the signs of caregiver burnout:
Caregiver burnout is caused by a number of different reasons that vary from person to person. Burnout may be experienced due to the high demands of balancing several roles at once, such as the roles of a caregiver, spouse, parent, employee, son, daughter, etc. Other causes may be a lack of self-care, feeling a loss of control with planning and scheduling, or the stress of managing the increasing financial costs of care.
Family caregivers who are reaching their limit and experiencing caregiver burnout are encouraged to find support for themselves and their loved ones. A recommendation for a family caregiver would be to consider scheduling a caregiver consultation with a professional. Consultations provide space for caregivers to learn about new resources and supports they can implement to help alleviate caregiver burnout and discuss what next steps are needed when they are reaching, or have reached their limitations in their caregiving role. If you wish to learn more about caregiving resources, call our Aging, Disability, and Caregiver Resources Line at 703-324-7948 or visit FairfaxCounty.gov/OlderAdults.
Wednesday, April 10, noon-1:15 p.m.
Join this presentation and learn how to become a dementia friend. Turn your new understanding of dementia into practical action that can help someone living in your community. Presented by Allegra Joffe, Supervisor with the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, and Diane Watson, Dementia Friends Champion Volunteer. Register online at bit.ly/DementiaFriendlyFairfax or call 571-407-6961.
Wednesday, April 17, noon-1:45 p.m.
In this virtual presentation, Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, Founder of Positive Approach to Care®, will address the differences between typical aging changes and changes due to dementia, and will explore structural and functional brain changes that often occur with dementia. Attendees will be introduced to physical and verbal techniques for improving care interactions and reducing the risk of distress. The session will also provide suggestions for stress reduction for care partners. The overall goal of the session is to improve awareness of positive ways to connect and interact throughout the journey of dementia. Register online at bit.ly/CAREWEB1 or call 571-407-6961.
Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fairfax County Public Library is hosting the Globe Openstage who are presenting a live theatre experience at the library, presenting Winnie the Pooh. Globe Openstage (GO!) is an aggressively accessible, highly adaptable, on-the-go theater community. This group of volunteer actors travels from location to location, offering abridged plays of beloved classics. The show will be in-person at the Lorton Library. Registration is required. Register online at bit.ly/FFXWinnieThePooh.
Insight Memory Care Center offers support for care partners of individuals living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, even in the earliest stages of the journey. A helpful first step is visiting the MCI Care Partner Support Group or the Early-Stage Care Partner Support Group, depending on your loved one’s diagnosis. Both groups meet virtually for your convenience and are facilitated by IMCC’s expert staff. IMCC’s support groups give care partners the chance to connect with others who have similar experiences, to share practical advice, and to discuss frustrations, fears and hopes. All IMCC support groups are free and open to the public! Learn more at InsightMCC.org/support or call 703-204-4664.
For most taxpayers, the deadline to file your personal federal tax return, pay any tax owed or request an extension to file is Monday, April 15, 2024.
The deadline to file your 2023 individual income taxes in Virginia is Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
(by Linda Hernandez-Giblin, 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 Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church.
At the March 20 COA meeting, the COA continued discussion of the implementation of the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan and initiative development committees. SHAPE Initiative Development Committee meetings will be ongoing through the duration of the Plan.
COA Meeting, Wednesday, April 17, 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 Linda.Hernandez-Giblin@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-324-5859. For ADA accommodations, contact Ana.Valdivia@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 571-407-6960 TTY: VA Relay 711.
(by Moriah Kitaeff, Department of Emergency Management and Security)
In an unpredictable world, the importance of emergency savings cannot be overstated. Disasters and emergencies have a knack for striking when least expected, leaving individuals and families grappling with unforeseen challenges. Emergency savings provide a buffer, offering peace of mind and the ability to navigate unexpected circumstances without the added stress of financial instability. By prioritizing the establishment of an emergency fund, individuals can better face the uncertainties of life and ensure a measure of financial resilience in times of need.
A fantastic way to start increasing your financial capability is to look at the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) created by FEMA. It can be found at fema.gov/emergency-financial-first-aid-kit and is offered in multiple versions such as large print for those who struggle reading small text, as well as different languages. For more information about emergencies, and what you can do before, during, and after they take place, visit the Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Guide here: FairfaxCounty.gov/emergencymanagement/cerg.
(by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services)
If you visit a library branch or other Fairfax County facility this month, you may notice a sea of blue pinwheels flanking the entrance. These pinwheels are placed at locations across the county to designate April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, an annual recognition created to raise awareness and provide education and support to help prevent child abuse.
For those who want to do more to combat child abuse in our community, there are opportunities to get involved. One way is to volunteer with the Body Safety Program, a school-based program that focuses on building safety skills within a child by educating them to identify risks, empowering them to act if they are threatened or victimized, and providing five key body safety rules that are easy to understand.
68-year-old Georgia Hubert began volunteering with the Body Safety Program two and a half years ago. After retiring from a rewarding career with the U.S. Department of State, she felt that it was time for her to give back. She began volunteering with several nonprofit organizations, including Potomac Valley Pekingese Club and the Lions Club. Even with all her commitments, she sought a volunteer opportunity to help children and found the Body Safety Program on the Fairfax County volunteer website. After reading a description of the program, she thought it was perfect for her.
Like most adults, Hubert never took a body safety class as a child but recognizes how valuable it would have been. She believes that children growing up today need it more than ever, saying “I think it’s important. There’s so much out there on the internet now. These kids really need more guidance as to what they should be thinking of to be street smart.” Since joining the program, she’s discovered that children are often unaware of even basic safety rules. Some of the things she’s heard from them include, "I didn’t know I shouldn’t get in a car, even if it’s my neighbor.” “What do you mean it’s against the law to take pictures of somebody’s body?”
The Body Safety Program uses the curriculum, Childhelp® Speak Up Be Safe, to talk about child abuse with children in Pre-K to sixth grade. Volunteers are taught a curriculum for each grade level and can choose which grades they want to teach. Hubert is happy to teach all levels.
Although she was nervous teaching her first few classes, Hubert has settled in and is confident leading the program. She admits that her biggest worry had nothing to do with the topic or leading a class, saying “Technology was my biggest concern; not being in the classroom with kids who might be a little rowdy.” However, she discovered that classroom teachers and Fairfax County Children, Youth, and Families’ staff are happy to help troubleshoot any technology issues she encounters.
Although the classroom program lasts only one hour, Hubert believes that they accomplish a lot, saying, “I’m happy when I leave the class because they know all five rules.” The five Body Safety rules children learn are:
Hubert encourages older adults to join her in volunteering with the Body Safety Program. She has found the curriculum clear and easy to follow and the time commitment reasonable. Hubert also enjoys witnessing how the program empowers the students in the classrooms she visits.
To volunteer with the Body Safety Program, you must:
To learn more or sign up, call 703-324-7459, email DFSBodySafety@FairfaxCounty.gov, or visit bit.ly/DFS-VPS-BS-V.
(by Katie Patterson, Long-Term Care Ombudsman)
All long-term care facilities are inspected or “surveyed” on a regular basis to ensure they are complying with regulations and standards of care. These inspection reports are available to consumers online, and each facility is required by law to make the latest state inspection report available for examination in a place readily accessible to everyone. These reports provide valuable information about a facility’s deficiency citations in particular areas, and what actions they took to resolve the deficiencies. This information can also be useful for anyone researching a specific facility if they are considering long-term care options for themselves or a loved one.
Nursing facility surveys can be found through the ‘Care Compare’ tool located on Medicare’s website, medicare.gov/care-compare, as well as through the state survey agency, Virginia Department of Health Office of Licensure and Certification. Assisted living facilities inspection reports can be found on the Virginia Department of Social Services website, dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/alf.cgi. The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (NVLTCOP) can also assist consumers in interpreting inspection reports and can provide aggregate complaint data for specific facilities located in the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Loudoun County.
As a mandated program under the Older Americans Act, the 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 inspection reports and complaint data, 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 Danielle Badra, Land Development Services)
Collapses and failures of decks, porches and balconies accounted for about 2,900 injuries between 2016 and 2019, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Jay Riat, Fairfax County’s Building Official, answers a few questions to help residents ensure their decks are safe, “The health, safety and welfare of you and your family should never be compromised,” said Riat.
What is the average lifespan of a deck?
The answer to this question varies. It depends on the materials used to build the deck; how much “load” or stress your deck has undergone and how often; the quality of the work done by the builder; how well the deck was maintained; and more. But, in general, if the deck was built and inspected to code and maintained properly, it should last 20 years or more.
How can I ensure my deck is safe?
You should be evaluating your deck on an annual basis and maintaining it as recommended by your builder. However, we recommend that you have it inspected by a licensed contractor on a regular basis. The older your deck, the more often you should have it inspected.
Is there anything I can do to extend the life of my deck and identify any potential issues before they become dangerous?
Make sure you follow manufacturing and building recommendations for cleaning and maintenance. Minimize the stress your deck experiences. For example, you should shovel the snow off your deck after a heavy snow fall. Look at this checklist from the North American Deck and Railing Association, nadra.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NADRA_DSM_Checklist.pdf, and review the following critical safety elements of your deck. If you see any issues with the connection points or wood quality, consider staying off your deck until a professional inspects it, repairs it or replaces it.
Please make sure you use your deck safely as well:
Remember, before building a new or replacing an existing deck, building permits are required.
Volunteerism helps build strong communities and increases socialization. Volunteering can also improve physical health and longevity in those who volunteer.
Host Anne Hall talks with representatives of two volunteer organizations in Fairfax County. Emily Swenson, Supervisor of Volunteer Solutions with the Area Agency on Aging, reveals how this team has evolved over the years. Emily shares tips on how to connect to this volunteer resource for individuals who need assistance, as well as those who want to assist others.
Volunteer Fairfax’s CEO, Jennifer Williamson and Board Member Donna Patchett talk about their organization, and the variety of opportunities for people of all ages who want to help in their community.
This episode also includes personal stories from two volunteers, Maria Romain, a S.A.I.L. instructor, and Jeff Rogers, an IT On-Call volunteer. They explain how they got involved in volunteering, and the benefit they gain from their experience.
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.
Check Out the Lifetime Learning Institute
During its current "open season," area seniors and their friends are invited to consider joining the Lifetime Learning Institute (LLI) affiliated with Northern Virginia Community College. It is an organization centered on classes, activities and fellowship for retirees. The annual membership fee is $110. For additional information, please email Janice Viola at admin@llinova.org or Mary Alexander at mary@mkalexander.com.
Love to Play Softball?
The Golden Girls of Northern Virginia, a senior women’s softball league, is looking for players.
Any woman over the age of 40 is encouraged to join. All skill levels are welcome. We play most Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in Vienna from May-July and September-October. For more information, please visit our website: www.goldengirls.org.
Tour “Woodbury” at Sunrise at Silas Burke House
Saturday April 6, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
The Burke Historical Society will conduct free tours of “Woodbury,” the historic house at Sunrise at Silas Burke House (9619 Burke Lake Rd, Burke). Small group tours will begin at 10:30 a.m. The last tour group will be at 12:15 p.m. Tours will last around 20 minutes. No registration is required.
Haven of Northern Virginia, Inc. Widow/Widower Support Group
Saturdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 1:30-3 p.m.
4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale
Haven of Northern Virginia, Inc., provides bereavement support services to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. We are a non-sectarian, non-profit organization that has been serving the local community since 1976. We are trained volunteers who provide peer support. We are not therapists, and no one is paid. For more information, call Haven at 703-941-7000, email havenofnova@verizon.net, or visit our website www.havenofnova.org.
Family Dynamics and Dementia Care
Wednesday, April 10, 1-2:30 p.m.
Virtual or in-person at Insight Memory Care Center – Fairfax, 3955 Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax
For some families, dementia has a silver lining, bringing families closer as members work together to solve a common challenge and causing relatives to depend on each other for emotional support. Often, dementia sparks conflict, guilt, grief, sacrifice, uncertainty – negative emotions that can affect the quality of life for the person with dementia and their loved ones. How can we navigate these new dynamics? Register online at InsightMCC.org/events.
Consumer Affairs Presents: Consumer Affairs 101
Tuesday, April 16, 10:15-11:15 a.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
George Mason Friends Book Sale
Wednesday, April 17-Sunday, April 21
George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale
Preview sale, Wednesday evening, 5-8 p.m. Entry fee $20 per adult. General sale, Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Free. Browse a wide variety of high-quality used books, CDs, and DVDs. For more details, visit georgemasonfriends.blogspot.com or call 703-813-6616.
Author Spotlight: Your Daughter, Your Advocate
Thursday, April 18, 6-8 p.m.
AARP Virginia and Insight Memory Care Center present Bonnie Manns Roache, author of “Your Daughter, Your Advocate: A Daughter’s Account of Caring for her Mother Against Lewy Body Dementia in a Flawed Care System.” Learn about the challenges of caregiving for a loved one with Lewy body dementia. Virtual and in-person at First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Faith Activities Center, 2932 King Street, Alexandria. Register online at InsightMCC.org/author-spotlight.
Scam Jam 2024
Friday, April 19, 8:30 a.m.-noon
Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax.
Event begins at 9 a.m. The focus will be on scams and how artificial intelligence is aiding in their evolution. For more information, visit events.aarp.org/FFXSJ24.
Friends of the Centreville Regional Library Spring Book Sale
Friday, April 26, 1-5 p.m.; Saturday, April 27, 1-5 p.m.; Sunday, April 28, 1-4 p.m. Bag sale
14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville
Shop fiction for all ages and a variety of nonfiction. Check facebook.com/centrevillefriends or email FriendsofCRL@gmail.com for more details.
AARP Life@50+ Academy: Planning for Your Health, Wealth, and Happiness
Saturday, April 27, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Vienna, 450 Orchard St. NW, Vienna
Free event. Keynote speaker, Dr. Denise King-Miller, will share her inspiring story with lessons on how to live a long, happy, healthy, and conscious life. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Enjoy morning refreshments and a complimentary lunch. The program starts at 9 a.m. Hosted by the Seniors with a Purpose Ministry of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Please register at: events.aarp.org/Life04272024
Poetry in the Parks - National Poetry Month
Saturday, April 27, 1-2:30 p.m.
Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria
Hosted by ArtsFairfax and Fairfax Poet Laureate Danielle Badra. Celebrate “Poetry in the Parks,” with a poetry reading featuring Emilia Phillips, Maricielo Shirley, and Benjamin Renne. For more information, visit FairfaxCounty.gov/parks/green-spring.
Ayr Hill Garden Club Plant Sale
Saturday, May 11, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
The sale will take place next to the Freeman Store and Museum, 131 Church Sheet, NE, Vienna
Order plants online through April 28 and pick up at the May 11 sale: ahgcplantsale.square.site/ Select plants for sun and/or shade, deer resistant plants, drought tolerant plants, native plants, and more. Proceeds benefit Ayr Hill Garden Club.
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.
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.