News to Support Healthy Longevity 
January 2020

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program provides free federal and Virginia tax return preparation and e-filing from Feb. 1– April 15 by IRS-certified volunteers.
 

This program, with special attention to seniors, has no income limits, but clients are generally low and middle income taxpayers. No appointments are necessary but taxpayers need to bring: a photo ID; Social Security cards for themselves and dependents; a copy of last year’s
tax returns (even if taxes were done at the site the prior year) and all tax documents they have received including but not limited to W-2s, Social Security benefit statements, 1099 interest, dividend, and pension/IRA statements, brokers’ statements, and W-2Gs for gambling winnings.

 
Self-employed individuals should bring information about the earnings and expenses of their businesses. Also necessary, for those who itemize deductions, are documents and records concerning outlays such as mortgage interest, real estate tax, personal property tax, medical expenses and charitable contributions. Direct deposit of refunds and direct debit of taxes owed require the bank routing number and the taxpayer’s account number.
 

Fairfax County’s Winter/Spring series kicks off February 12 with a lunchtime webinar on how to avoid common caregiver mistakes in paying for care. Tune in to hear a discussion by Accredited In-vestment Fiduciary Thomas West. Additional webinars are scheduled throughout the year and feature subject matter experts in care management, safety, and community resources. Webinars can be accessed by computer or over the phone. Upcoming topics include:

Caring for You, Caring for Me is a free five-week in-person program providing support and education to caregivers in a relaxed setting to connect with one another, and to learn to take care of themselves, while caring for others.” The program is sponsored by ElderLink, a Fairfax County and Inova Health System partnership that offers care management and community education.
 
Register at Fairfax Services for Older Adults. Scroll down to Caregiver Webinar link in the Hot Topics box or call 703-324-7577.

Useful Services Exchange (U.S.E) is a relaxed multigenerational neighbor-to-neighbor barter system for people who could use some help in finding others who like to be of help. Join the USE members and Board on Saturday, March 28 to learn more about USE and how to get involved. Bring a healthy dish to share.   

Would you like some help?  Would you like to help a neighbor? Here are a few of the many services that volunteers provide or receive through Reston Useful Services Exchange: computer help, dog walking, babysitting, lending tools, rides to appointments, pet and plant sitting, editing, gardening, home repairs, piano lessons, and many more!

Finding employment is one of the biggest challenges faced by many older adults. To address this challenge, the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA) and Fairfax County invite job seekers to the 50+ Employment Expo May 14.  Recruiters representing such areas as healthcare, government, technology and nonprofits will be on hand to chat with attendees. Seminars focus on resume-writing and job club networking. Hear keynoter Hillary Howard, award-winning radio and TV reporter, afternoon anchor for WTOP.  
 
Meanwhile, some interesting data on senior employment from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects. By 2024 — just five years from now — 13 million people age 65 and older will still be working. These older workers will constitute the fastest-growing segment of the workforce from 2014 to 2024. While the total number of workers is expected to increase by 5 percent over those 10 years, the number of workers ages 65 to 74 will swell by 55 percent. For people 75 and older, the total will grow a whopping 86 percent, according to BLS projections.

Been meaning to renew your driver's license or auto registration but dreading a trip to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)?  Apply for your REAL ID; take road and knowledge tests; get your picture taken; obtain vehicle titles, license plates, disabled parking placards or plates; get a copy of your Virginia birth certificate; obtain an "E-ZPass On-The-Go" or "E-ZPass Flex" transponder. All DMV services are available at this full-service office on wheels which comes to Reston Town Center every month---2/26, 3/23 (near ice rink) and 4/27 for starters. Check the calendar for future dates. 

Breakfast Briefings Partnership
In September, Reston for a Lifetime partnered with Western Fairfax Advocates for Healthy Aging (WFAHA). We are grateful for this opportunity to offer topical speakers arranged courtesy of WFAHA members each month and hosted by Hunters Woods at Trails Edge senior living community, breakfast included. This month Jerald Roberts, Capital Caring Health, described Medicare’s new approach to hospice care. See below for future speakers and topics.
 
Prior to the WFAHA partnership, Reston for a Lifetime was affiliated with Reston Association, serving on its 55+ Advisory Committee. During that period, R4L and the 55+Advisory Committee launched the “Resources for Better Aging” webpage and worked with others across Reston to build on Neighbors Helping Neighbors modeled on the village concept  to support aging in place.  
 
In December, the Reston Association (RA) Board voted to abolish the 55+ Advisory Committee.  Certainly, RA is undergoing many changes, including developing a new strategic plan. Specific future  RA activity beyond current trips/events regarding 55+ is unknown.  
 
We are fortunate to work with WFAHA to serve Reston’s older adult community in support of aging-in-place with information and resources. Check out R4L’s website to see what‘s new.  

Future R4L/WFAHA Breakfasts