News to Support Healthy Longevity
January 2021
 

Vaccinations  Update – Patience Advised
As reported earlier, Fairfax County has begun COVID-19 vaccinations for those qualified for Phase 1b, which includes persons 75 and above. Call 703-324-7404 to schedule an appointment.  The phone line hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and weekends 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Phone wait times are lengthy.  
 
Alternatively, ON-LINE registration is available. Click here to fill out a pre-screening questionnaire. After confirming your eligibility, your contact information is submitted to the Health Department for a follow up call or email. 
 
Beginning January 18, the Health Department will begin registering individuals 65+ and people with medical conditions. In announcing this expanded registration, Fairfax County Board Chair Jeff McKay noted: “ability to schedule appointments will depend on the supply of vaccine available.  The vaccine supply in the U.S. is still very limited and is expected to increase gradually over the next months. We ask for your patience during this process.” 

Currently, Virginia in its entirety receives about 110,000 doses of vaccine a week. In the Fairfax Health District, 168,000 residents are considered to be within phase 1B. As of late Wednesday (January 13), 31,000 residents had scheduled an appointment with the Fairfax County Health Department since Monday (January 11).
 
More Information
COVID-19 | COVID19 (fairfaxcounty.gov)   
Vaccinations Begin Week of Jan. 11 for Eligible 1b Populations   


COVID-19 Response Plan for Older Adults
Given the pandemic’s impact on older adults, the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is leading an effort to address three primary categories of need---social isolation, technology and wellness.  These areas were identified following feedback from the COVID-19 response plan workgroup and multiple focus groups with the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging, 50+ Community Ambassadors, countywide staff, nonprofit partners, mental health professionals, Health Department personnel and community members.

To address social isolation, AAA expanded Meals on Wheels criteria to serve older adults who are quarantining because of the pandemic.  Over 300,000 meals have been delivered to older adults during the pandemic.  Partnering with Neighborhood and Community Services, welfare checks were provided during delivery, by using Fastran staff to deliver the meals. 

Leveraging technology, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board implemented virtual telehealth options to meet the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities and other eligible residents. To assist older adults who are enrolling in Medicare or needing help to identify appropriate insurance plans, AAA established a virtual format for their use. 

In the area of wellness, the Neighbor 2 Neighbor Program of the Health Department, in partnership with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department volunteers, created a free grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up program. For details, please see COVID -19 Response Plan for Older Adults

To learn more and where to get help, contact the Fairfax Department of Family Services – Older Adults. Or call 703-324-7948, Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. 

 
Giving Wisely in COVID Times
Like many other areas, COVID-19 has affected charitable giving. Organizations faced with greater demand for their services, but less in donations as people have less to give. Now, more than ever, it’s important to remain alert to be sure requesting organizations are legitimate and actually focused on assisting those it professes to help.  In short, beware of scams.  

In a recent bulletin, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission shared these tips when giving. 

• Search online for the cause you care about — like “help COVID victims” or “homeless kids” — plus phrases like “best charity” or “highly rated charity.” Once you find a specific charity you’re considering giving to, search for its name plus “complaint,” “review,” “rating,” or “scam.” If you find red flags, it might be best to find another organization.
   
• Check out the charity’s website. Does it give information about the programs you want to support, or how it uses donations? How much of your donation will go directly to support the programs you care about? If you can’t find detailed information about a charity’s mission and programs, be suspicious.
   
• Use one of these organizations to help you research charities: BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, and GuideStar. The IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tells you if your donation would be tax deductible.
   
• See what your state’s charity regulator has to say about the charity. Don’t know who that is? Look it up at nasconet.org. 
   
• Donating on social media or through a crowdfunding campaign? Don’t assume solicitations on social media or crowdfunding campaigns are legitimate. Do your own research. And remember that crowdfunding campaigns are not tax deductible.

If you spot a bogus charity, report them to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.


Iberian Gold--Virtual Travel Party Jan. 29
Spain is home of conquistadors, Moorish splendor, gypsies, running bulls, pilgrimages, villains and saints. Its stories range from medieval Crusaders and swashbuckling explorers to that singular Man of La Mancha, the courtly portraits of Velasquez and the tragic murder of the poet Garcia Lorca. As a bonus, join us in Portugal and visit Porto, awash in golden bridges and wine caves. Settle in with your favorite vino for tales both sacred and profane as we explore Iberian Gold. 

What: Virtual Travel Party
When: Fri, Jan. 29, 5:30 pm
Cost: Free
Register
 
Do you have friends you'd like to invite to the Travel Parties?  Forward their names and email addresses and they will be added to the invitation list. 
Pat Williams Pat@GraceFulCare.com      
Eileen Curtis EileendCurtis@gmail.com   
 
 
WAVE Free Events for Reston for a Lifetime
Yes these are Zoom events, but an interesting way to explore new topics. As a ‘member’ of Reston for a Lifetime (if you are a Newsletter recipient, you are a ‘member’), you are invited to check out the list of events. Reston for a Lifetime participates in the Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE) that encourages the growth and improvement of the village movement within the Washington area. Villages focus on helping older adults to remain in their homes and communities as they age.  
 
This list is updated  (save the link) on a rolling basis, so we invite you to visit frequently. Meanwhile, here is a sample of upcoming events:
 
Jan. 26, 1-2 pm: Spies & Spymasters
Seduction, deception, daring - these are only some of the traits that describe spies and spymasters. Join Chevy Chase At Home and the International Spy Museum as we explore the stories of spies whose lives are even more thrilling than James Bond’s!
Sponsor: Chevy Chase Village 
Registration: Required by Jan. 25
Access: Zoom login information will be emailed no later than the morning of the event.
 
Jan. 27, 3-4:30 pm: History of Rock and Roll
A special opportunity to learn about the History of Rock & Roll, including Rock's Roots, Rock's Golden Age, Hits and even some forgotten records and fascinating facts. Come learn and listen via visuals and soundtracks from local radio expert David McAlary. He is a veteran of 56 years in radio broadcasting, mainly journalism, but also with several years as a disc jockey early on. 
Co-Sponsors: Bethesda Metro Area VIllage and Connie Morella Library
Registration: Not required. To participate, just click the Zoom link.
Zoom Link: 
or Dial In: 301 715 8592; Meeting ID: 959 1660 5633. For security reasons, the library will lock the program at 3:10pm; please log in promptly. 
  At Home in Alexandria (AHA) continues its monthly discussion on the topic of racial equity with this discussion led by AHA member Jane King. This month’s discussion centers on Brit Bennett’s 2020 novel The Vanishing Half, a story about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds - one black and one white. 
Sponsor: At Home in Alexandria
Registration: aha@athomeinalexandria.org Required by Jan 26
Access: Zoom link will be provided immediately after registration and again the day prior to event.
  Join NPR’s Scott as he reflects on the passing scene, gives commentary on cultural trends, social behavior, and contemplates what future societies will think when they uncover artifacts from our own civilization
Sponsor: Foggy Bottom West End Village
Registration:  Required by February 1
Access: Zoom link will be provided to registrants 24 hours in advance of the event.
 

Feb. 18, 2-3 pm: Global Needs--Answers for Humanity
How do we meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people who are worldwide in need of humanitarian assistance? To fight hunger, address violence, provide shelter, meet basic needs, and demand resources, it will take international cooperation and local leadership. Special guest will be Ursula Mueller, a German diplomat, former executive director at the World Bank and, until this year, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. She will share her insights and show slides of her official field missions to some of the 45 countries with humanitarian situations, which she visited during the past 3 years. 
Co-Sponsors: Bethesda Metro Area Village and Connie Morella Library
Registration: Not required. Just click the Zoom link
Zoom Link  
Webinars
What: Miscommunication or Missed Communication: The Challenge of Hearing Loss for Caregivers. 
Provides a basic understanding of the continuum of hearing loss, the types and causes, how to recognize it, similarities with early onset dementia, the impact on communication, and myths and misconceptions. 
When: Jan. 28, 11 am
Sponsor: Sunrise Senior Living
Cost: Free
Register
 
What: Having Effective Conversations About Dementia
Tips on how to have honest and caring conversations with family members living with dementia about going to the doctor, deciding when to stop driving, and making legal and financial plans. 
When: Feb. 4, 11 am
Sponsor: Sunrise Senior Living