Decision Day 2020: Don't Delay. Have the Conversation. You'll Be Glad You Did.

April 16, 2020 is National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD), which exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and healthcare providers about the importance of advance care planning.

And as Nathan Kottkamp, founder of National Healthcare Decisions Day, wrote recently, “…the importance of advance care planning is VERY real right now.”

“I have a healthcare directive not because I have a serious illness, but because I have a family.”

— Dr. Ira Byock

Indeed, here in the Charlottesville area, the Central Virginia Advance Directives Collaborative (CVADC), a group of 50+ individuals 20+ area organizations, has been working collaboratively to raise awareness about the importance of advance care planning. And that's not going to stop as we face the current health emergency caused by the COVID-19 virus.

"It's a very poignant time to have 'the conversation,' says JABA's special projects coordinator, Kay Jenkins, who is helping to organize outreach for the Collaborative. "Because the subject matter has more relevance to people during this particular crisis we are all going through together."

One of the best resources out there is this Starter Kit from The Conversation Project, a public engagement initiative with a goal that is both simple and transformative: to have every person’s wishes for end-of-life care expressed and respected.

You'll learn...

> How to talk with your loved ones openly and honestly, before a medical crisis happens, so that everyone has a shared understanding about your wishes.

> About the importance of choosing a health care proxy – the person who will make decisions about your medical care if you become unable to make them for yourself.

> How families and loved ones of people with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can best have these difficult conversations.

> How talking with your doctor or nurse now makes it easier to make medical decisions when the time comes.

Don't Delay. Have to Conversation. You'll Be Glad You Did.

Charlottesville Area Gets Creative in Trying to Stay Connected to Seniors

Daily Progress - Marta Keane, CEO of the Jefferson Area Board for Aging, said about 20% of the region’s population is over the age of 60 and more than 25% of those residents live alone.

“Although we’ve now learned every group is vulnerable, they’re the group that’s more vulnerable in terms of a more severe case [of COVID-19],” she said.

On March 16, JABA closed its office to in-person visitors and temporarily suspended operations at its Community Senior Centers. On March 19, it closed its Charlottesville adult care center.

“One of the risky factors for seniors is isolation,” Keane said. “It can cause physical as well as emotional issues with depression. So we were trying to balance keeping the centers open as long as it was safe, because we don’t want to be a nexus of transmission, but recognizing that isolating them too soon was not safe either.”

JABA is still offering its services, such as its Medicare and Affordable Care Act insurance counseling, over the phone to community members and has assisted community center members with getting shelf-stable meals.

“We’re doing keeping-in-touch calls with them, and we’ve put together packets of things that they can do at home that we’ve mailed out,” Keane said.

Thursday afternoon, Carleigh Showalter, manager of JABA’s Mary Williams Community Senior Center, led a game of bingo over a conference call line for center members.

“We’re trying to find creative ways to keep connecting with folks and have them feel connected, because I think connectedness is going to be the piece that even introverts are going to miss,” Showalter said.

Read more…

JABA Adapting to Coronavirus

The Central Virginian - Among the many places that have closed their doors as the coronavirus spreads is the Betty J. Queen Intergenerational Center on Industrial Drive. That means organizations that normally offer services there cannot do so for the foreseeable future. 

One such organization is the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), which operates an adult care center and other programs for senior citizens at the Betty Queen Center and has an office in the building. 

“Some of our clients are at the same risk as those living in nursing homes,” said Ginger Dillard, the agency’s director of community services. “We’re trying to monitor the situation as best we can. I’m not sure we’ll get ahead of it, but we’re trying to keep up with the changes.”

Even though their doors are closed, the organization is still providing services for the county’s elderly citizens. 

Home meals are being delivered to citizens who already receive them, and people who normally come to the Betty Queen Center for meals will have them delivered to their homes as soon as it can be safely arranged.

Counseling services will be available over the phone to those who need them. Everything from general information to Medicare and insurance counseling and long-term care ombudsman services will still be available.

In order to keep people entertained while they’re at home, JABA has put together activity kits, which include coloring pages, word search and Sudoku puzzles and other activities to fill the day. Members are also being encouraged to stay in touch with their friends from the Betty Queen Center over the phone or by writing them letters.

Members of the community who would like to write letters to seniors are encouraged to reach out to JABA about how they can do so.

“This is becoming a situation where it takes a village,” Dillard said. “We’re looking for ways to keep the community engaged if this continues long term.”

Message from JABA CEO, Marta Keane: Help Us Help the Most Vulnerable

JABA CEO, Marta Keane

I know you care about seniors and adults with disabilities and JABA’s mission to support their safety and independence. The pandemic that is gaining traction in our community offers a particular threat to elders, who are more vulnerable than any other age group to complications associated with COVID-19. JABA remains actively engaged in protecting our area’s most vulnerable population, but we need your help. I am asking you – or your company or organization – to make a donation today.

To prevent the transmission of COVID-19, JABA’s community centers for independent seniors, adult care centers for those with dementia and other disabilities, and child care center have been closed. While our physical facilities are closed, JABA’s work continues remotely:

• Staff are providing activity kits and keep-in-touch calls, as well as some creative ways to do projects together for our center members.

• Our resource counseling team is fielding calls and helping families with questions about food for elderly loved ones, home care, transportation — the list is endless.

• Insurance counselors continue to provide expert advice to callers enrolling in Medicare and furloughed workers needing insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

• The Ombudsman staff is working to address concerns for elders living in long term care facilities.

JABA is working hard to protect older adults and help our community navigate through this crisis at a time when revenues are unstable and our fee-for-service income has diminished due to closings. And we have made the commitment to care for the staff who care for our seniors — by keeping them on payroll with benefits. We want to be ready to welcome our members and clients back when it is safe, and the familiar caring faces will make each one feel so happy to be back. Your support will help us weather the challenges associated with this pandemic and manage additional, unknown needs.

Please consider making an online donation – it’s secure and you don’t have to go to the post office. Think also about making small recurring gifts that don’t break your budget. These gifts help us plan how much money comes in every month. You can change or discontinue your monthly donation at any time. Any gift will make a difference. 

If you have already donated to JABA in the midst of this crisis — I am truly grateful. Thank you for your support, whenever you can give it. Please stay safe and continue to look out for your loved ones. And, remember that our staff is here, ready to assist if needed.

Marta M. Keane
Chief Executive Officer

JABA CEO Marta Keane & The Center Executive Director Peter Thompson: Seniors must not be forgotten during the COVID-19 pandemic

“The most difficult part is the lack of social interaction. Emails, texts, and the telephone just do not replace seeing smiles and chatting with others. … There is also a frustration at not being able to help others who are attending those with the virus, or those who are having real problems being alone.”

— Paul Jacob Senior volunteer

Charlottesville Tomorrow — COVID-19 is impacting the entire community. We all have examples of ourselves and those we know who need help during this difficult and scary time. We wanted to lift up a group that often does not speak out for themselves.

As you consider all those experiencing hardship due to the coronavirus, please think about an important, yet often forgotten, part of the community — seniors. Seniors, as all the official reports state, are the most at risk for serious complications and death from the virus. And unfortunately, the best protection for them — and for all of us — is social distancing.

Seniors are 20% of the population in our region; 25% percent live alone. For women over 75, that percentage jumps to almost 50%. We know that social isolation can be a killer for seniors. People who share a home at least have each other, but the large percentage of older adults who live by themselves are particularly susceptible to poorer health, depression and even mortality during this time of recommended self-isolation.

This is bad enough for older people who have sufficient resources — including transportation — to keep themselves supplied with groceries and virtual connections, but close to 10% of seniors live in poverty. Many more are trying to get by on incomes barely above that level. Lay on top of this the additional social factors of race and ethnicity that can impact access to basic resources, and we have a significant concern.

The National League of Cities, in its March 19 posting “Prioritize Equity in COVID-19 Response,”  speaks to the need to consider equity for various populations. This includes a measure to “divert workers from other non-essential services to naturally occurring retirement communities and public housing to check on quarantined elderly.”

We know that times like this exacerbate the existing inequities. Seniors, already at risk of being marginalized by ageism in our society, are now at heightened risk for the devastating effects of this pandemic. It is the time to protect the most vulnerable.

JABA and The Center are continuing to support seniors in a variety of ways, yet our resources are limited as well. Like others serving vulnerable populations, we need everyone to think about how they can support the safety and well-being of isolated seniors. We know that there are seniors who would benefit.

Thank you for considering this valued sector of the community.

Marta M. Keane is the CEO of JABA
Peter M. Thompson is the executive director of The Center

Heartfelt Letters from Our UVA Volunteers

Staff and members of the Mary Williams Community Senior Center emailed their UVA Volunteers when they heard they weren't coming back this semester. They told them they would miss them with a drawing of BETA Bridge. And they wrote back!

Hi there!

I’m writing to let you know that I am sending hugs your way. I’m so sad that I won’t be able to see you all for the rest of the semester, but I am so grateful for the time I’ve spent with you over the last few years. My memories of all the crafts, trivia, and bingo games both at the new MWCC location and the old one are happy ones. And, the picture of Beta Bridge you made for us was so meaningful; it really lifted my spirits, thank you!

Despite all the recent changes, I did have a wonderful spring break a few weeks ago. I traveled to Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. I was amazed at the beauty of both cities and all the good food they had to offer. Both cities had such striking old houses and I ate some of the BEST biscuits!

I also wanted to let you know about some good news: I accepted a job for after graduation. I will be working as a nurse at Georgetown University Hospital. I am trying to be optimistic about the future and remember all the blessings I have despite the challenging times we are all facing. I wish you peace and health over the next few weeks and I cannot thank you enough for everything you have taught me! Although I am graduating this semester, I hope to see you all again soon!

Love,

Michelle

Hi everyone!

The coloring you guys made is absolutely beautiful! My heart goes out to all of you that you’re safe and healthy. I miss being able to visit you all every week and definitely thinking of you all. I’ve had a wonderful time talking to you all this semester and getting to know you better still. Over break, I haven’t been up to much at home. However, online classes start recently for the university and I’m hoping those will go well as the semester goes on. I’m currently at home in Hampton, VA where I grew up. I hope you’re all happy and safe wherever you are and maybe picking up some fun new hobbies during this time.

See you all soon!

Sandy

Hello there!
Hope you are happy, healthy, and safe! We miss visiting you all each week—it’s starting to get super boring all cooped up at home! We look forward to seeing you all in the fall hopefully!

Take care,
Sierra

Hi MWCC Friends!

I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! It was such a shock for school to end all of a sudden and to not be able to say goodbye to any of you at the Center. These are crazy times! I’ve been using the time in quarantine to take walks in nature, finally get to read some good books, and catch up with friends over the phone. I’m doing my best to look on the bright side and see the positives of the situation!

Looking back at my time at UVA, I’m so thankful to have so many fond memories at Mary Williams. When I started volunteering at the Center in my first year at school, I was so happy to find such a kind and welcoming group of people. Now I’m in my last year at UVA, and I can truly say that visiting MWCC has been a bright spot of my weeks over the past four years. I’ve enjoyed getting to know all of you and I appreciate you letting us volunteers play such a big part in your community. The warmth and joy I’ve experienced while playing games, doing crafts, and just getting to know each one of you has kept me eager to return to Mary Williams each school year. I’m really sad that this time was cut short, but I’ll be around Charlottesville and I hope that when this all clears, I’ll be able to come back and visit.

I’m sending love and prayers that all of you stay safe, positive, and continue to find joy in each day!

All the best,

Emily Shawkey

---