Living Longer, Living Well - June 2019

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LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

A Resource Guide For 55+ June 2019

Playfully Active Page 3

Memory Book Treasure Page 4

Fighting Adult Abuse Page 9

Disrupting Ageism Page 10


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LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Living Longer, Living Well

Harrisonburg, Va.

Polka Dots and Puddles

A collaborative partnership of the Daily News-Record and the Aging Well Consortium

Editorial Committee Beth Bland, Co-Chair Director of Senior Services, Harrisonburg/Rockingham VPAS

By Leigh-Anne Lees, Co-chair, Aging Well Consortium

Leigh-Anne Lees, Co-Chair Community Relations Manager, VPAS

Lavenia “Lev” Norford Director of Communications, Bridgewater Retirement Community

Glennette Poland Intergenerational Activities Coordinator, Generations Crossing

Susan Ribelin Coordinator, Sentara RMH Lifeline and Senior Advantage

Annie Shaffer Wellness Director, Sunnyside Retirement Community

Cristin Sprenger Extension Agent,Virginia Cooperative Extension

Jeannette Suter Marketing Director, Home Instead Senior Care

Rodney Wolfenbarger Director, JMU Lifelong Learning Institute MISSION: The Aging Well Consortium mission is to develop and promote education and public awareness programs to enhance the health and well-being of older persons, care providers and families.

Living Longer, Living Well is published quarterly and focuses on issues and topics pertinent to aging. Aging Well Consortium – Living Longer, Living Well 975 South High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 ON THE COVER: Sunnyside residents at play during a “Fun Phitness” class No statement or advertisement in this publication is to be construed as an endorsement of any person / business / organization or as a recommendation to buy advertised products / services. The Aging Well Consortium welcomes the submission of articles to be considered for use in Living Longer, Living Well. The Living Longer, Living Well Editorial Committee reviews all submitted material and reserves the right to decide which selections will be included in the newsletter. Please Note: This publication contains educational and illustrative materials, narratives, and ideas of an informative nature ONLY. Neither the author, the publisher, nor this organization is engaged in rendering medical, legal, or tax advisory services. For advice and assistance in specific cases, the services of physician, attorney, or other professional advisor should be acquired. The Aging Well Consortium is very interested in any comments or suggestions you might have. Please email your ideas for stories or feature articles, suggestions, or “pet peeves” to the editor at leighanne@vpas.info, or mail them to Living Longer, Living Well, 975 South High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

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ne misty afternoon a couple of years ago, I spotted a pair of polka dotted rain boots way in the back corner of a Charlottesville store and bought them immediately. The boots were functional, I told myself, but the polka dots were fun. When the next rainy day came along, I slipped on my boots and went looking for puddles. My husband watched with amusement as I splashed and giggled my way through a routine morning of errands. Passers-by likely thought I was having a mid-life crisis. The truth is, I think something about those polka dots just made me want to play. In his book Play, author and psychiatrist Stuart Brown, MD says play offers some serious benefits for both you and others, and that it is the “purest expression of love.” Play can reduce stress, enhance creativity, strengthen relationships, and boost happiness. So, in this issue, we’re sharing ways to incorporate a little fun into your routine and improve your physical health in the process. Whether you’re catching lightning bugs with your grandson, blowing bubbles alone on the front porch, or dancing to Van Morrison tunes with your hubby, it seems you are never too old to play. Speaking of never being too old, this issue also includes a story on the more serious subject of disrupting ageism. It offers fresh insight to help us recognize the stereotypes we have about aging. Also in these pages, look for useful car travel tips, a list of health screenings, and what to do if you feel stuck in the sandwich generation. You can read about a champion for elder abuse prevention in our community and learn how technology can help you capture your family stories. I still wear my polka dotted rain boots. When I pull them on and head for the front door, my husband often grins and says, “Oh, look. You’ve got your rain boots. It’s going to be a good day.” He is usually right. Maybe polka dots don’t do it for you. Maybe you’d rather put on a Washington Nationals baseball cap and have a game of catch in the front yard. No matter what inspires you to play this summer, the Living Longer Living Well gang wishes it for you in abundance.


LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Saturday, June 15, 2019

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Playfully Active By Annie Shaffer, Sunnyside Wellness Director y now, we have all heard of how staying physically active improves sleep, mental health, immune function, endurance, bone density, joint health and much more. Still, many people just don’t enjoy exercise. We all want to spend any free time we have doing activities that are enjoyable and entertaining, so how do we make exercise fun? We should start by remembering that any activity which increases our heart rate and breathing rate for a sustained amount of time is aerobic activity that can improve our cardiorespiratory endurance, heart, and lung function. We must also remind ourselves that all sorts of play are great for also improving agility, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, reaction time, balance-and yes overall fitness. At Sunnyside, we offer “Fun Phitness” classes that cleverly disguise strength, flexibility and endurance exercises as playful games. We use scarves,

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cones, balls and all sorts of other nontraditional fitness equipment and movements to improve fitness and more. Many of the same techniques can be replicated at home with or without a partner. Here are a few activities to try with a spouse, friend or grandchild: -Blow bubbles high in the air then try to pop as many as possible. -Play musical chairs with others. -Juggle with scarves. -Toss a ball and try to clap hands while ball is in the air. -Make a figure-eight motion by passing a ball under each thigh. -Play catch by passing a ball with your non-dominant hand. -Weave through an obstacle course of cones (or other objects) and try to improve your time. -Catch lightning bugs. -Dance to old favorite tunes. -Scoot across the floor while seated on a towel. -Make chalk drawings on the ground.

Sunnyside residents at play -Tap a balloon lightly to keep suspended in the air. -Play dodge ball using foam ball or stuffed animal. -Stomp on bubble wrap. -Attach about 4 feet of ribbon to stick then twirl and dance. -Balance on one foot, while secure rail or counter is safely within reach. -Draw in the sand with your big toe. -Play childhood favorites like followthe-leader, Simon Says, Foursquare, shuffle board, badminton, Crockett, and putt-putt golf. Authors of a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found avoiding aerobic exercise and fitness

is worse for you than smoking, diabetes, and even heart disease. Those with a sedentary lifestyle are at a 500 percent higher chance of premature death than those who are extremely fit. As always, listen to your doctor’s recommendations and restrictions before beginning any new exercise program and ensure personal safety by being aware of limitations. Then get moving in ways that encourage you to stoop, reach, balance and travel in all directions while laughing and having fun. Remember you are never too old to start playing again!

Stay Safe on the Road this Summer By Anna Burton, Sentara RMH Senior Advantage, JMU Intern

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Dawn Shull, VPAS Senior Transportation Coordinator, ready to hit the road

lthough driving a vehicle can keep you independent and mobile, there are precautions you should take before getting behind the wheel to make sure that you stay safe. It is important to assess your conditions before deciding to drive. This includes weather, traffic patterns, and construction areas. Before operating a vehicle, evaluate any side effects of medications you are taking to make sure they are not associated with falls and motor vehicle crashes. Make sure to have your eyes and hearing checked by a doctor regularly, plan your routes beforehand and pick safe, well-lit streets with easy parking.

Before you depart, one of the easiest and most important precautions you can take is to buckle your seatbelt. Seatbelts, when worn correctly, reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45%. Seatbelts worn by backseat passengers are 73% better at preventing fatalities. The shoulder harness should be worn across the chest and shoulder with little to no slack. The lap belt should lay low across your hips and be snug. You should sit upright with your back against the seat and your feet placed on the floor so that the vehicle’s restraint system can work properly. Flexibility, balance, and coordination are all involved while operating a vehicle, so staying mobile and

incorporating daily activity can help prolong your independence behind the wheel. Many assistive devices make driving more comfortable and convenient, such as steering wheel covers and vehicles with larger, easyto-read dials on the dashboard. Cars with automatic transmission, power steering and brakes make the work of driving easier. Physical and occupational therapists can be helpful by recommendIing assistive devices that help overcome limitations, and exercises to make driving easier. Driving refresher courses are available through community education programs and could even earn you a discount on your car insurance.


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Saturday, June 15, 2019

Harrisonburg, Va.

Grand Idea: A Memory Book Treasure By Lev Norford, Director of Publications, Bridgewater Retirement Community the child doesn’t know it at the time. How comforting it is to remember the busy loving hands of my mother and know I was important to family.

The cover of Lev Norford’s memory book is a photo of their grandbaby, a preemie and “truly one of our precious blessings.”

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ot everyone is into paper and paste. Some people want to do everything on a computer. It’s all good. I know there are many programs out there that will take all your information and help you compile it and then charge a neat sum to produce it for you. I like glue and making a mess.

Travel with

I also know that the memory book my mother put together for me is a treasure. She found it important to keep cards, calling cards, bits of hair, and written records of every monumental achievement my brother and I managed, like cutting teeth and growing hair. A first birthday is a very big deal to mothers and grandmothers, even if

When my second granddaughter was born, I was sharing stories with my then four-year-old granddaughter about her birth week. It was a startling realization for me when she said “But I don’t know what I looked like then”. Thanks to the cloud, I could pull out my phone and share her baby photos with her, but it made me sad that she had nothing she could keep and review her earlier years. I had all that in a box at my house. Oh, the road of good intentions! Children like to see photos of themselves. Growth photos, ones that mark every year at certain times, first day of school, beach trip, Christmas, and Easter are reminders of those times when someone recognizes them as belonging. Sharing a photo on Facebook with our friends doesn’t mean much to a child who never sees it.

George Hirschmann

The Wishing Well

243 Neff Ave (in the Valley Center) • Harrisonburg VA 22801 540-908-2333 • www.TheWishingWell.biz

Now, they can help paste the photos and share their memories of each event, and including a blank page in regular spaces saves room for them to add things later. Eventually I may get organized enough to include special bits of hair ribbons and gum wrappers like my mom did. More importantly, I hope the little notes of love I add may trigger good memories down the road when they are off on their own and I am no longer able to tell them their story. Whether with paper, glue or computer, find a way to share your family memories. It will be worth the time.

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I vowed I would start a memory book for both the girls. It’s a work in progress. Does it take a little time? Is it worth it? Yes. Baby photos, dance recitals, special days at school, and ridiculous Halloween costumes – especially ones that make dad and granddad look “funny” - are reasons for many giggles now as we get together and look through those photos.

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Harrisonburg, Va.

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Saturday, June 15, 2019

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StoryCorps: Creating a Culture of Listening By Rodney Wolfenbarger, Director, James Madison University Lifelong Learning Institute

Nellie Hurst Barnett with a quilt she made in 1977.

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y great grandmother, Nellie Hurst Barnett, was born in 1905 in the Cumberland Mountain region of eastern Kentucky. Her life spanned 17 U.S. presidents, five foreign wars, and the addition of five states to the Union. Although she never held a driver’s license, she learned about the world beyond her woodpile through the newspaper printed in a nearby town and the radio airwaves that eventually worked their way through the mountains. These outlets brought news of modern technological advances, some of which would eventually find their way into her home, such as electricity, indoor plumbing, long distance telephone service, and television broadcasts. Less immediate were the advancements in airmail, transatlantic flight, space exploration, and the invention of the atom bomb. Though she would never do so herself, she saw women gain the right to vote, helped her family endure and recover from a Great Depression, and saw the passage of both the Social Security Act and Civil Rights Act, which promised more secure futures for more Americans.

Long before the Internet matured and before computers became commonplace in our homes and pockets, she served as my personal encyclopedia. I spent many evenings alone with her during my childhood gathering stories around the warmth of a wood-burning stove. Although the image of my grandmother in cotton slippers and a floral housedress is seared into my memory, I cannot recall her voice. I often wish I had recorded and could relive those conversations. Modern technology makes it easier than ever to capture and preserve such important moments in life. It can also be a powerful tool for bringing people together. My great grandmother never lived to see the invention of smartphones, but if she had more photos of both her and of us together would exist today. I also would have introduced her to apps like StoryCorps, which provides the tools needed to record and archive a meaningful conversation with anyone, anywhere. The StoryCorps app is available for both Android and Apple devices. Once downloaded to your device, this free mobile app guides users through the interview experience from

start to finish. The easy-to-use tools help users prepare, record, save, and share interviews. You can also listen to stories others have shared. If you prefer to keep your interview private, you can choose to simply store it on your device to keep for yourself or share your file directly with family and friends. The beauty of the program is not just in its simplicity, but also its intention. StoryCorps was established as a public service in 2003 to create a culture of listening and an invaluable archive for future generations. Its mission is to record, preserve, and share stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs. All interviews uploaded online become part of a national archive at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. To date, more than 250,000 Americans have recorded interviews about their lives as a way of leaving a legacy for the future, which makes it the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered. All the tools you need to add your story to this ongoing national oral history project are within reach. All you need is a partner, a mobile device, a quiet place, and time to listen.


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Saturday, June 15, 2019

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

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Harrisonburg, Va.

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Saturday, June 15, 2019

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Saturday, June 15, 2019

LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Staying Sane in the Sandwich Generation By Leigh-Anne Lees, Community Relations Manager, VPAS

A Caregivers Community Network volunteer visits with a friend.

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ou’ve learned to live with the clutter. Soccer cleats and flipflops lay in a heap by the door. On the table in the foyer is a list of your dad’s medications to bring to his cardiologist. His travel wheelchair is propped up against the closet door. You ease past it, push aside the biology project on your kitchen table, and sit down to work on the bills.

If you’re exhausted trying to care for parents and children at the same time, you’re not alone. The term “sandwich generation”, coined in 1981, used to refer primarily to women in their 30s or 40s taking care of elderly parents while raising their own kids. Over time, more men have joined the caregiving ranks and we are older. In fact, the Pew Research Center reports that one out of every eight Americans between 40-60 years old is caring for an elderly parent while raising a child – with about 10 million more caring for parents from a distance.

In the past, the sandwich generation might have gotten a break when kids started full-time jobs. But these days financially squeezed millennials are moving back home in droves. At the same time, the population of older adults is skyrocketing. We need family caregivers more than ever. Unfortunately, the physical, emotional, and financial burden on them is leading to burnout that is significantly impacting communities nationwide.

Use technology. Caregiver apps help manage medical appointments, coordinate care with family members, create medication reminders, and more. Check out AARP Caregiving, CareZone, Elder 411, CaringBridge, or Symple. Smart home devices can make your older parent feel secure at home, such as smart pillboxes, video doorbells, indoor cameras, and motion sensors that help reduce falls.

If you’re feeling vulnerable, consider these options:

Find respite care. Generations Crossing in Harrisonburg cares for older adults in an intergenerational setting while you run errands, relax at home, or even work at a part-time job. Adult day care is also available at the Daily Living Center in Waynesboro. Caregivers Community Network sends trained volunteers to your loved one’s home for companionship and activity while you take a muchneeded break. Home care services can be very helpful as well.

Let it go. If you think that busy is better, ask yourself why. Is that extra summer camp, committee, or civic duty adding real value? If not, consider letting it go during this season of your life. Deputize your people. Reinforce the expectation that everyone in the household contributes to the best of their ability. Request specific support from your siblings. Maybe your sister can manage your dad’s finances or your brother can take him to the cardiologist.

Talk to your employer. Harvard Business School researchers found that 80 percent of the employees they

surveyed admitted that caregiving negatively affected their productivity. It’s in the best interest of employers to explore new ways to support their employees. Communicate about your challenges and ask what’s possible. Take advantage of flex time opportunities, employee assistance programs, or designate time you can work from home. Take care of yourself. Self-care is not an indulgence. Schedule exercise. Take time each day to do something that brings you joy. Read a magazine, watch a baseball game, or walk the dog. Keep your own health appointments. What your family members want most is the happiest, healthiest version of you they can get. Connect with other caregivers to share ideas and reach out for help. For additional information on local services available for older adults, call VPAS at 540-615-5341.


LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Saturday, June 15, 2019

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Anne See: Fighting Adult Abuse for 40 years By Cristin L. Sprenger, Senior Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, Virginia Cooperative Extension hances are you have met Anne See if you participate in local senior citizen activities. Anne has worked for Blue Ridge Legal Services for almost 40 years and her current title is Public BeneďŹ ts & Elder Law Paralegal. During her career she has served the public that needs her help the most. She started working with senior citizens in Rockingham County and the city of Harrisonburg and later added all ages to her caseload. Over the years her job has changed, but not her passion for helping others. She is active in several organizations that serve senior citizens including TRIAD and an Elder Rights group that she created. In 2010 she wrote and received a grant that would impact several of the communities that she serves. It was a new idea at the time and

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in fact, it was just the second one of its kind in Virginia. The Greater Augusta Coalition Against Adult Abuse (GACAAA) was born out of this grant and in 2017, it became a 501(c) 3 non-proďŹ t. Their mission is to identify and utilize coalition resources through partnerships, community action, education and advocacy; to promote safe communities free from abuse, neglect and exploitation; and address circumstances that make all adults vulnerable. Anne wanted to make sure that agencies could work together to prosecute adult abuse. She serves as the President, and along with the rest of the board, works to make their mission a reality. On May 8th, the GACAA hosted their annual training for law enforcement, agencies, prosecutors, and anyone else

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interested in learning how to take steps in the reporting and prosecution of elder abuse. Outstanding speakers brought the sadness and reality of adult abuse to the attention of the participants. They also shared resources, ideas, and solutions that can come out of these situations. Every year, June 15th is designated as World Eleder Abuse Awareness Day. Many years Anne See has worked with groups to provide an educational opportunity on that day. This year, she hopes people will attend a Fraud Symposium sponsored by the Augusta County Sheriff’s OfďŹ ce. It is being held on June 15th from 9:30-11:30 am at the Augusta County Administration Building. Can’t make it? Take the time to learn about elder abuse. Learn to recognize it and report it. Even better, contact Anne See

at stopadultexploitation@gmail. com to learn more about volunteer opportunities in our community. Anne See knew 40 years ago that she needed to get involved in protecting vulnerable adults and she’s still going strong. Thank you, Anne, for all you do!


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Make Time for Prevention During Men’s Health Month By Anna Burton-Sentara RMH Senior Advantage, JMU Intern

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he goal of Men’s Health Month in June is to increase awareness of health problems common among men and encourage early detection for more effective treatment. Being open with your health care provider about screenings and potential health issues is extremely important because many issues can be treated and cured with early detection. Preventive health screenings can help expose your risk of developing chronic diseases, which in turn can jumpstart the process of taking effective measures to reduce risk. Some conditions like stroke often have no symptoms, but getting a carotid artery screening done regularly can help detect a person’s risk of stroke. Regular screenings, including blood pressure and physical exams, should be done once a year. Eye exams should be done 1 to 2 years. Diabetes screenings should be done every three years and cholesterol measurements should be taken every five years if levels are normal. But if you suffer from high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease or kidney problems, you should be checked more frequently. Make sure to talk to your doctor during your physical exams about medicines you are taking, your alcohol and tobacco use, and your diet and exercise. Other screenings that health professionals commonly screen for include lung cancer, osteoporosis and obesity. Medicare is a valuable tool to use when considering health screenings because an array of them are free to you. These screenings include abdominal aortic aneurysm, annual wellness exam, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and prostate cancer. The Hepatitis B shot, flu shot and pneumococcal shot are also available free of charge with Medicare coverage. Not only does Medicare cover physical screenings, it also covers one depression screening a year in your primary care provider’s office where they are able to recommend treatment and other referrals. Preventive screenings allow you to be proactive with your health by taking charge of unexpected diseases. Your risk of developing health problems increases as you age but being aware of these preventable or manageable health issues can help you to live a healthier life. Below is a list of important screenings and the recommended age associated with each one.

Health Risk

Age You Should Be Screened

Bowel Cancer

55

Colorectal Cancer

50

Osteoporosis

50

Prostate Cancer

50

Cardiovascular Disease

65

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

65

Harrisonburg, Va.

Disrupting Ageism By Joyce Nussbaum, Health and Wellness Coordinator, VPAS

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ging just is – it is neither good nor bad. Aging is change and each of us begins to age as soon as we are born. We delight in each new developmental stage - until we don’t.

Society often presents aging as ugly, undesirable and scary and this influences how we see others and ourselves. Perhaps without intention the traits of the elderly are made fun of, we are encouraged to avoid looking old at all costs, and the concept that young is better is normalized. Comments Notes from a recent VPAS staff such as “You look great for your age” training on how to disrupt are stated with good intention but are ageism in our community not compliments. Instead, they are a judgement about the negative aspects of aging and denial about what is wonderful about getting older. These forms of ageism have been ingrained in society and have become nearly invisible. Recognizing ageism, the stereotyping and discrimination against people on the basis of age, is difficult. We have learned to focus our view of growing older on systems failure and decline rather than a time of change, growth, wisdom and reflection.The VCU College of Health Professions Gerontology and the leadingage learning hub have produced a video series entitled Disrupt Ageism. The purpose is to raise awareness of ageism, help us make small meaningful changes, and increase awareness that growing older can include growth and opportunity. How can we begin to change the way we think about aging? Focus on interdependence rather than independence. Consider how life experiences have helped you cope better with challenges. Dream about the older version of you at each stage of life and imagine how you will be better than the younger you. Focus on what improves with age. Consider what you have learned from individuals who are older than you are. See the whole story! Remember that aging is a combination of growth, maintenance and decline and it is important to keep each one of these in perspective. “People with positive perceptions of aging live 7.5 years longer than people with negative perceptions of aging” (Levy, Slade, Kunkel and Kasl 2002). Successful aging is living well at any age. For more information: https://learninghub.leadingage.org


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Harrisonburg, Va.

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Community Calendar of Events Any reader interested in attending an event is asked to call the contact person for that event to determine if registration and fees are applicable. To contribute information to the Living Longer, Living Well Community Calendar, please e-mail Jeannette Suter at jsuter@homeinstead.com or call 540-213-7800.

Fraud Symposium Sponsored by: Augusta County Sheriff’s Office Location: Augusta County Administration Building, Verona Saturday, June 15, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Frauds and Scams: Take Action Now Sponsored by: Rockingham Regional TRIAD Location: Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene Thursday, June 27, 9:30 a.m. Workshop is free and includes lunch Registration required by June 24. Call 540-564-3080.

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Sponsored by: Valley Program for Aging Services Location: Waynesboro Family YMCA, Waynesboro Every Wednesday, July 17 - August 21, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Program fee of $25 is waived for participants age 60 and older who complete program paperwork. Call 540-820-8567 to register or for more information.

Live Well! Diabetes Self-Management Workshop Sponsored by: Valley Program for Aging Services Location: Plains District Community Center, Timberville Wednesdays July 17 - August 21 from 9:30 a.m.—noon Program fee of $25 is waived for participants age 60 and older who complete program paperwork. Call 540-820-8567 to register or for more information.

“Forget Me Not” art exhibit Sponsored by: VMRC Location: Park Gables Gallery, 1491 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg August 2 – August 30 For more information, call 540-564-3400.

A Matter of Balance Workshop Series Sponsored by: VPAS Location: VMRC Detwiler Auditorium, Harrisonburg Every Wednesday, Sept. 18-Nov. 6 - 2:30-4:40 p.m. Program fee of $25 is waived for participants age 60 and older who complete program paperwork. Register by calling (540) 574-3850.

Trips and Programs Sponsored by: Augusta County Parks and Recreation A variety of trips and programs offered at various times and locations designed specifically with the senior population in mind! Contact Augusta County Parks and Rec at 540-245-5727 or visit augustarec.com (see Activity Guide) to learn more!

Support Groups for Care Partners of Individuals with Dementia in Bridgewater, Harrisonburg, and Woodstock Sponsored by: Alzheimer’s Association Please visit alz.org/crf or call 1-800-272-3900 for all details.

Memory Cafe Social Individuals with Memory Loss, Friends, and Family Sponsored by: Alzheimer’s Association Location: Bridgewater Presbyterian Church, 110 E. College St. 2nd Monday 2-3:00 p.m. Contact Annie Marrs at amarrs@alz.org or 24/7 phone 1-800-272-3900

Live Well! Diabetes Self-Management Workshop Sponsored by: Valley Program for Aging Services Location: VMRC Wellness Center, Harrisonburg Every Monday, Oct. 7 - Nov. 11, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Program fee of $25 is waived for participants age 60 and older who complete program paperwork. To register, call (540) 574-3850.

The Confident Caregiver: A Family Caregiver Conference Sponsored by: VPAS Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg November 12, 9:00 a.m -3:30 p.m. No cost For more information, call 540-615-5341

The Alzheimer’s Association summer signature event is The Longest Day on June 21st . The day with the most light, is the day we will fight! We will fight to End Alzheimer’s! On the Summer Solstice team up with the Alzheimer’s Association and do what you love - or an activity loved by someone affected - and help end Alzheimer’s. Together we will raise funds and awareness for care and support while advancing research towards the first survivor of Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org/tld to join us.


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LIVING LONGER, LIVING WELL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Something new awaits AT

T H E G ROV E

We invite you to experience the next generation of independent living at Bridgewater Retirement Community If new things delight you, you’ll love The Grove at Bridgewater. The Grove is an all-new building, with spacious apartments for couples and singles. These contemporary, open-plan apartments offer plenty of natural light, and TDSFFOFE QPSDIFT 0VS OFX CJTUSP BOE VQEBUFE EJOJOH SPPN XJMM BMTP CF PQFO GPS CVTJOFTT CSJOHJOH GSFTI nBWPST and expertly prepared meals to Bridgewater. The Grove will open its doors later this year, and reservations are going fast. Will you be part of something new?

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1.800.419.9129 | 540.828.2540 302 North Second Street Bridgewater, VA 22812 www.brcliving.org/thegrove


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