(by Linda Hernandez-Giblin, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging)

In keeping with Fairfax County’s One Fairfax policy, all SHAPE programs and initiatives must consider equity in the initiatives that are proposed. Equity is the commitment to promote fairness and justice for all residents, regardless of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, socio-economic status or neighborhood of residence or other characteristics. 

As the SHAPE Committees built initiatives, they took time to apply an equity lens to their developing ideas to ensure that equity was a foundational concept in the implementation phase of the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan. The committees participated in guided discussions using the Department of Family Services (DFS) “Equity Analysis Framework for Proposed DFS Policy and Business Process Changes” as a model to evaluate if the initiatives were unintentionally creating barriers for communities who have inequitable access and opportunity. The committees also talked about how to enhance initiatives to ensure access. As an example, when working on a brain health initiative, the committee learned about the higher prevalence of memory loss in two populations. This discussion informed the approach to target services to those in need with higher incidence of memory loss. The classes will still serve any participant and the equity review process uncovered target areas to help grow and guide the initiative to meet an identified need.  

The discussions brought together Commissioners, staff, non-profit organizations and community partners, to learn about the One Fairfax equity framework, and to practice discussions on equity as committees reviewed the budding ideas. This process started to create a common understanding about equity as it relates to shaping the strategic plan for people 50 and over and people with disabilities in the community.  

Equity discussions are not a one-time activity and require a multi-faceted approach. While intentionally putting the equity lens at the beginning of the planning process, the committees will continue to consider equity throughout the process of developing initiatives. We are building a collective muscle – it takes time, commitment and learning. We are building capacity, ensuring equitable outcomes, challenging assumptions and amplifying voices.

(by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services)

A long-term “S” SHAPE initiative that is supported by ElderLink, a partnership program between the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Inova, is the “Exploring the Dimensions of Aging through Virtual Reality,” an Embodied Labs Pilot. This AAA-led initiative seeks to build empathy and understanding to support caregivers in their roles. 

This pilot offers facilitated virtual sessions using an immersive training platform that allows participants to “see through the eyes” of older adults who are facing real-life challenges to their safety and well-being, experiencing social isolation or other chronic health conditions like Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s.

Participants are asked to complete brief electronic surveys before and after the sessions so ElderLink can evaluate the training’s impact. Initial feedback indicates that the initiative is making a difference. For example, early feedback for the Frank Lab, which focuses on social isolation and its impact, shows that after the training participants report a better understanding of the topic as well as increased confidence in being able to recognize and address social isolation among older adults. 

Register online for Exploring Dimensions of Aging Labs at: tinyurl.com/exploring-aging.

To inquire about a private training session for a community organization, please contact Deme Warner, 703-237-6027, Demetra.Warner@fairfaxcounty.gov.

(by Linda Hernandez-Giblin, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging)

The SHAPE “Economic Stability and Planning” Initiative Development Committee is composed of members of the Commission on Aging, county staff from various departments, non-profits, community members and experts in the field. In the SHAPE Plan, this committee was tasked with how they could increase awareness and education on the topic of financial security to prevent and reduce economic distress of older adults. 

The committee partnered with Britepaths, the lead nonprofit partner with the United Way of the National Capital Area, who along with Fairfax County, manages the Financial Empowerment Center at the South County Community Center. The committee helped develop financial planning seminars, specifically designed for older adults, to better prepare them for a financially secure retirement. The seminars focus on topics such as scams targeting older adults, paying medical bills, budgeting on a fixed income, top budget busters and an introduction to online and mobile banking. The group will pilot the seminars in Neighborhood and Community Services senior centers and hope to offer the sessions throughout the county. 

The strength of partnerships is evident in the initiative’s ability to provide relevant and practical content. The partner non-profit is able to ensure sustainability and provide deeper support such as multilingual presenters and a follow up consultation. The other committee members provide connections to county resources, subject matter expertise and real-life stories, adding value to the work and ensuring that the seminar content is relevant and useful to older adults. This initiative is just one example of the collaborative nature of the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan.