Message from JABA CEO, Marta Keane: Vulnerable Older Adults Need Your Help

JABA CEO Marta Keane

As I look around, we are all going a bit stir crazy right now. Weeks of lockdown have given hospitals, healthcare providers and public health officials the time to flatten the curve to be better able to cope with the pandemic. The Governor’s next phases will continue to reopen our local economy and allow for more freedom of movement. Who isn’t looking forward to safely spending more time out of the house and in the company of others?

It is important to recognize that many of our elders have good reasons to be fearful about leaving their homes. Older adults are at high risk of life-threatening complications due to COVID-19 and the threat is very real. As of my writing this letter to you today, 95% of all coronavirus-related deaths in Central Virginia were individuals age 60+. The most vulnerable group of all – those age 80 and older – currently account for 74% of all COVID-19 deaths in our region.

Many of our older neighbors are struggling to get through the day during this pandemic as they face issues with income, hunger, housing and isolation – a serious risk for older adults, with physical and mental health consequences. As much as they crave conversation and real connection, they know that venturing out into the community could be life-threatening.

JABA’s staff is working hard to mitigate the effects of loneliness and isolation, especially for those of advanced age who are often members of our Community Senior Centers. In the heartfelt words of Danny, one of our Center managers:

Every time I am on the conference calls with our members, it warms my heart hearing their voices and interactions with each other. They have really become a family and have let me in. The way they speak with each other is completely pure and free of any judgment and is an inspiration to me. We had a little heart-to-heart on our latest call and talked about the fears and uncertainty we are facing right now and the things that we are grateful for. I love these people!

JABA is working hard to reach out to vulnerable, isolated elders in our community in many different ways. Can you make a gift – right now – to join in this work?

During the COVID-19 crisis, JABA has increased outreach through social and traditional media to make it clear to the community that we are still providing vital services, such as home delivered meals, information/referrals, counseling services and check-in calls. We are also working hard to obtain sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep our members, volunteers and staff safe as we look toward re-opening our Community Senior Centers. Staff members are thinking creatively about how group activities can be arranged so that members feel connected while maintaining physical distancing.

Every JABA program is currently being redesigned to safely provide services that maintain the health, dignity and independence of the seniors we – and you – value so much. Won’t you help us assist vulnerable older adults during this difficult time?

I urge you to make a donation today. It has never been easier to do. Go to JABA's website to donate securely online. Your generous gift will help our elders maintain their very human need for deep connections during this time of being isolated.

Please accept our warmest thanks for whatever you can do. We wish you good health.

With gratitude,

Marta M. Keane
Chief Executive Officer

One of a Kind: Remembering Bobby Spencer

Amy Kirchner, JABA Scottsville/Esmont Community Senior Centers manager:

On Thursday, May 28, Bobby Spencer, beloved JABA Scottsville Community Senior Center member, passed away. Everyone at the Center has been grieving his passing, but we also know in our hearts what a full life he led.

Bobby was a lifelong resident of Scottsville. A town councilman and Mayor. He taught at Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA) for 34 years, and was also an ordained Baptist minister. He also was an entertainer and magician (“The Amazing Kirkwood”) and performed for us at the senior center on many occasions. He was a trustee of the Scottsville Museum, and a Scottsville historian.

At the age of 10, he worked as an usher and ticket taker at Victory Hall.

I asked a friend of mine, Deb Foreman, who worked for JABA for many years, to share a memory of Bobby, and this is what she sent me:

“He has been the life of the party, the magic at every event and the voice for his community for so many years. He was part of the original senior center located at the library and church in earlier days. He was key in helping advocate for a better space for the seniors. He was at the table with me and many others to create a space at the present location. He wanted to protect their voice and independence as they merged with JABA....

"His heart was huge and he loved all the seniors and loved being in charge and hosting the show. His energy, motivation and ideas helped create so many activities, trips, events for the seniors. He has helped make the world a better place. I will miss him and light a candle in his honor this weekend.”

We know Bobby as leading us in song, with fellow Center member Myrtle Wyland beside him playing any song requested on the piano. He would lead us to sing with gusto, and if not, would have us sing again! He always had us entertained.

We know Bobby as starting each Wednesday morning by calling everyone to “Attention Salute” before saying The Pledge of Allegiance.

We know Bobby as greeting the children to the center when they would come to visit us from Scottsville Elementary. I would go by the table where he sat, and often see him showing them a magic card trick.

He made sure we visited FUMA and particularly wanted to share the visit with Col. Al Williamson, who annually comes to sing for us. I called Al and told him the news. He will let others know, and shared some fond memories that they had together.

Bobby was truly one of a kind. He loved life, he loved children, he loved magic, he loved his church, he loved Scottsville, and he loved his friends at the Senior Center. He will be missed by many, but will also be joining those he loved that have passed before him.

Let us take a moment to remember Bobby, and all the lives he touched along the way.

Emily Foreman, JABA's Manager of Senior Nutrition Programs:

Bobby Spencer gracefully led our JABA Scottsville program for years as one of our most influential, involved and engaged members. Bobby cared about everyone and his mission was to ensure all felt welcomed and most importantly, joyful, excited and happy to be with the wonderful group at Scottsville Center every Wednesday. He loved when the students from Scottsville Elementary came and would sing along with them and lead magic demonstrations for them when they would visit. He was always friendly and so polite, inviting to each guest to the Center and grateful for the staff and Center program always. He cared about the success of the Center and dedicated much effort and advocacy towards keeping it sustainable and thriving.

As the years progressed and some of his challenges became more known, it is what is most special about the Center that shone through. They knew Bobby had days where he didn’t feel his best or perhaps his mood wasn’t what it should be and they loved him through these difficulties and cared for him as he always had for everyone else, for so very long.

I can very easily say, and am sure most will agree, that there will never be another gentleman like Bobby. He will be forever missed and remembered so fondly for his jubilance every week and his dedication and love for the Scottsville Center staff and every single member.

Beat the Heat - Summer Cooling Assistance Available

Need air conditioning or a fan this summer?
If you are a senior, you may be eligible for a free fan or window air conditioning (AC) unit from JABA—while supplies last! More information.

Need some help paying your summer electric bills? Apply at your local Department of Social Services for Cooling Assistance. If your application is turned down by your local Department of Social Services, please contact JABA at 434.817.5253. More Information.

JABA VCU Grad Students Apply Knowledge During COVID-19

Kaleb Campbell and Emily Foreman

By Marta M. Keane, Chief Executive Officer JABA (Jefferson Area Board for Aging) 

JABA has two staff members who have been working on their masters in Gerontology at VCU. Emily Foreman is the Manager of the Senior Nutrition Program, which encompasses the Community Senior Centers for congregate meals and socialization, and the Home-Delivered Meals program. Kaleb Campbell is an Options Counselor for Charlottesville and Nelson County.  

When the first positive case of COVID-19 was identified in our region, the way in which JABA provides services and supports to seniors changed immediately.

Emily has been facilitating a task force on Community Centers of the Future, so that gave her a platform for applying agility and creativity to how to handle shutting down the physical locations and yet staying connected with the seniors during a time of increased isolation for them. It has been inspiring to see how the centers had a plan in place within the first week.  All members are called once to twice a week by a staff member, sometimes the center manager or the activities assistant or the nurse or the options counselor.  

The members were also offered home-delivered meals since they would not be getting a congregate meal, and more than half applied. And the fun part is that staff are conducting conference call bingo, trivia and health talks. They have also sent out activity kits and newsletters monthly. These are well-received and they like they are connecting with each other. Staff and volunteers are also putting programming on Facebook Live-Healthy Steps, cooking classes, musical numbers, jokes, poems. The list goes on!

Kaleb has been fielding new requests from seniors in the community to help them identify the resources they need to stay in isolation and stay safe. He has worked with the community center manager in Nelson on the Senior Food Bag program, through the local food bank. And his creativity was on display as he was the first Options Counselor to create a video to post on Facebook to introduce himself to the new (to him) community of Nelson and explain what an Options Counselor does.  

Earlier this year, Kaleb was trained to present the evidence-informed workbook, "Dealing with Dementia: Caregiver's Guide," to groups. He has adapted this review of the workbook to be presented virtually so that as more caregivers need more support this is a wonderful way to provide it.

These two students are a great example of the VCU Gerontology program and the services that JABA can provide in our region.

JABA, Attorney General Herring urge unemployed Virginians to weigh health insurance options

Last week, Randy Rodgers, JABA's Manager of Insurance Counseling, urged people who've lost their jobs due to the pandemic to visit HealthCare.gov for affordable health insurance options. Individuals who lose their job-based coverage qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) on HealthCare.gov.

Now Attorney General Mark Herring is encouraging people to do the same.

“I am urging any Virginian who has lost their job to check HealthCare.Gov and see if they are eligible for a special enrollment period," said AG Herring. "While it is always important to have healthcare coverage, it is even more critical during a public health crisis for your own health and safety, and for the health and safety of your families and communities.” Read more

Of course, the health insurance landscape can be confusing, but free, local help is available from JABA. Call JABA Insurance Counseling at 434-817-5248 to schedule a phone appointment.

Humor: JABA Volunteer has priceless response when submitting his hours!

When JABA's Volunteer Coordinator asked our JABA volunteers to submit their most recent volunteer hours, volunteer Steve Sargeant's response was priceless! We feel ya, Steve.

Hello! Here are my numbers for April:

Weight gained: too damn much

Alcohol consumed: not enough

Still married: barely

Dog still loves me: maybe

Running out of Netflix choices: happened weeks ago

Now on to my absolutely, positively totally not even close estimate of those hours when I was barely conscious and can credit toward volunteering:

R&D for JABA using Zoom: about 5.9863 hours

Combing my hair in preparation to shoot a JABA webinar: 0.0000002 hours, as I am damn near bald.

Shooting countless takes of the webinar because I can’t remember my own name, never mind the damn script: 6.3442 hours

Actually talking with clients: 8.432 hours (maybe)

Pestering Randy and Lenore with countless dumb ideas and questions about: 4.54 hours [probably more if you ask them]

So when you add it all up, take the square root as calculated by the nearest orangutan, take it to confession because you know it’s a lie, and then try to add the decimals, which you have not been able to do since you were about 6-years old, the total is…

Are you ready…

24.864329765417 hours in April

Time to put my beanie on with the propeller on top, put on my mask, put on mittens, flippers and a snorkel and pour a tall one.

Sincerely,
Steve Sargeant (at least I think)