National Healthcare Decisions Day

As a culture, we have an aversion to talking about death. We want to avoid conversations about the end, thinking when we speak about death, we invite it into our lives. However, life is unexpected, illness and accidents can happen at any time. Avoiding the topic can only cause more problems, especially when it comes to your healthcare wishes.

Dr. Ira Byock, a leader in end-of-life care said, "I have an Advance Directive not because I have a serious illness but because I have a family.” If you are no longer able to make those choices, would your family know your wishes? ”By discussing our wishes for what happens as we approach the end of life, we can drastically increase the chances that our dying will actually play out as we hope,” said Byock.

An Advance Directive is a set of legal documents that tell your healthcare provider and family members what your wishes are if you become unable to do so. They empower a person to have their wishes honored in the event they can no longer speak for themselves. These documents include, but are not limited to living wills, health care power of attorney, do-not-resuscitate orders, and orders for life-saving treatment.

According to research in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, having an Advance Directive is linked to higher rates of palliative care, reduced stress towards the end of life, improved communication between healthcare professionals and a patient's family, reduced healthcare costs, and lower rates of depression among families after a loved one’s death.

If starting an Advance Directive is something you have put off doing, here are some steps to help you get started. First, reflect on your values and wishes to decide what is important to you at the end of life.

Next, pick someone you trust to either make decisions for you or to make sure your wishes are honored as your healthcare proxy. This can be a family member, a loved one, or a lawyer. Talk to them about your values and what you want. These conversations can be hard to start, but it doesn’t have to be, it can be as easy as, “I was reading an article about advance care planning. We should talk about what our wishes are.”

Then, go to your doctor. Advance Care Planning is covered under Medicare as part of your yearly wellness visit. Talking to your health provider can give you insight into what decisions may come up based on your own health.

Complete your advance directive forms to make the process official. In Virginia, Advance Directives do not need to be notarized, and they don’t need to be written on specific forms, however using a pre-made form can make the process easier. All you are required for an AD in Virginia is your written care requests in your own words, signed by yourself and two witnesses.  Each state has its own rules about Advance Directives. Share these forms with your healthcare proxy, doctors, and loved ones.

Finally, keep the conversation going. It is recommended you update your forms at least once a year or after a major life change like marriage, divorce, or new health diagnosis. Note the date the older copy was replaced by a new one and make sure the new copy is sent to everyone who had the old one.

While discussing and planning for the end of life can be uncomfortable, it is an important step in ensuringhdd our wishes are respected and helping our loved ones avoid making those difficult decisions on their own. Creating an Advance Directive can help you take control of your healthcare decisions, reduce stress for your family, and improve communication with healthcare providers. Taking the time to reflect on our values, communicate our wishes, and formalize them through legal documents is a proactive approach to facing the inevitable with dignity and clarity.

Ty Mynes is a writer and marketing specialist at JABA. 

March Activity Calendars at JABA's Centers

Activity calendars for our Community Centers in Charlottesville, Southern Albemarle, Greene County, Nelson County, and Louisa County, as well as our JRECs in Charlottesville and Louisa, and now available. Check them out and consider joining a center near you!

See full Community Center activity calendars with lunch menus HERE and full JREC calendars with lunch menus HERE.

For general information about our Community Centers, Contact Lizzie Lewis, Community Center & Health Services Manager, at 434-817-5247 or llewis@jabacares.org. For information about our JRECS, or to schedule a tour, call 434-817-5235 (Charlottesville), 540-500-5961 (Louisa), or submit our online form.

Charlottesville JREC Calendar

View fullsize

Louisa JREC Calendar

View fullsize

Mary Williams Community Center (Charlottesville)

View fullsize

Southern Albemarle Community Center (Esmont)

View fullsize

Greene County Community Center

View fullsize

Louisa County Community Center

View fullsize

Cecilia Epps Community Center (Nelson County)

View fullsize

Fluvanna County Community Centers

View fullsize

Black History Month at JABA

During Black History Month every year we get the opportunity to highlight and honor the legacy of two women for whom our Community Centers in Charlottesville and Nelson County were named. We also get to show how local Black History has shaped our organization and continues to do so today. 

Mary Williams

Williams as a young woman.

Williams, for whom our Mary Williams Community Center in Charlottesville is named, grew up in Charlottesville and wanted to be a nurse. Because she was Black she couldn’t attend school here to become one, so she had to move away to fulfill that ambition. When she returned with her degree she found that she had to leave town again because she couldn’t find a job here. After a successful career elsewhere, she retired and returned to Charlottesville, only to discover that many seniors, especially Black seniors, had no adequate place where they could gather, have lunch, and socialize. There was a senior center located at the Jefferson School, but the space was in such disrepair that the local Health Department had threatened to close it down. So Williams helped organize a protest downtown demanding that the City help provide a senior center, and with signs in hand she and her fellow seniors headed to a City Council meeting to voice their concerns.

“I could not attend school here to get a nursing degree, so I had to leave town,” Williams told Councilors. “When I returned as a nurse, I could not get a job because I was Black. I had to leave town again. Now, I’m back and don’t tell me I have to leave my town again to go to a senior center.”

In 2011, William’s granddaughter, Michele Gibson, joined us at the new Jefferson School City Center, when the center was then located there, as we announced it would be named in her grandmother's honor. Today, the center is located at JABA’s main offices on Hillsdale Drive, where members continue to carry on her legacy.

Later this month, Ms. Gibson will join us again at Timberlake Place Apartments in Charlottesville as we dedicate the naming of the Community Room there in her grandmother's honor. 

William’s granddaughter, Michele Gibson, giving a presentation about her grandmother’s life at the Mary Williams Community Center in 2022.

Cecilia Epps & Nelson County

Epps, for whom our Cecilia Epps Community Center in Nelson County is named, worked with JABA for 38 years as an Aging Service Coordinator/Case Manager. During that time, Ms. Epps was JABA in Nelson County. She helped to implement new programs, and she worked closely with the Blue Ridge Clinic. Her retirement brought a gym-full of people to honor her at the Nelson Center. For the Nelson County African American Oral History Project, she also told the remarkable story of how she and her husband, Fletcher, fought to improve the quality of education for their children and integrate the school system in Nelson County. Born in 1926, Mrs. Epps grew up on a small farm her father bought from a former slave-owning family and went on to build a house of her own and raise six children. It's an amazing story! 

The Yancey School & Esmont

Members of JABA’s Southern Albemarle Community Center eating lunch together in the former cafeteria of the Yancy School.

Following the Civil War a community of African-Americans remained in Esmont to buy land, start businesses, farm, and work as domestics and laborers for the families that once enslaved them, forming a largely self-subsistent community. While they endured extreme poverty, they also worked together to make thing better.

Black parents, teachers, and community leaders had to successfully sue the local government to buy the land for what would become Esmont High School in 1904, and later Benjamin F. Yancey Elementary School in 1960, named for the Black educator who led the original effort to build the school. Sadly, the Albemarle County School Board decided to close Yancey Elementary School in 2017, citing declining enrollment, making it the first time in over 100 years there wasn't a school in Esmont. The school building has since become a community center and home to JABA's Southern Albemarle Community Center, which relocated from Scottsville, and members were quick to keep the memory of the tight-knit African American community alive. 

Last year, members created a map of Porter's Road in Esmont on either side of Route 6 from memory, naming the schools, churches, grocery stores, beauty salons, car garages, and other businesses...Thomas Store, Feggans Barber Shop, Esmont Hotel, Cozy Corner, Paige's Garage, the Cary Sawmill...

"This one road supported itself," said Karl Bolden, a JABA center member who grew up in Esmont along Porters Road in the 1960s. "I didn't see poor people here. If somebody needed help, somebody helped them. We all supported each other."

Today, the JABA center members admit that the Esmont community isn't as tight-knit as it once was, that people buying up land and property aren't necessarily aware of the area's history and that a majority of community members who remember or recognize Esmont's history are retired and aging.

"This is still a thriving community with a rich history," insisted center member Graham Paige, who grew up in Esmont and taught in local schools for 30 years after getting his Masters at UVA. As a former Albemarle County School Board member, he was one of two members who voted not to close Yancey Elementary School. He hopes the Yancey Community Center can help preserve the community's legacy and that the County will focus on the area.

Burley High School & Vinegar Hill

MWCC members with a presentation about Jackson P. Burley High School.

Mary Williams Community Center members have often shared their memories of attending segregated Jackson P. Burley High School on Rose Hill Drive. Jackson P. Burley was an educator and prominent African American Businessman who sold 17 acres he owned on Rose Hill Drive for the construction of the school, which opened in 1951 and graduated its last class of seniors in 1967, eight years after school integration began in Charlottesville. Later, the school became Jackson P. Burley Middle School, which serves students from Albemarle County. Center members often recall the amazing Burley Band, which was always the highlight of local parades, and their famed football team, the “Burley Bears.” The 1956 Burley Bears were memorialized in a documentary by local filmmaker Lorenzo Dickerson called “Color Line of Scrimmage.” Not only did the team go undefeated that year, but none of their opponents scored against them, and their home games were more popular than UVA football games. Members have also highlighted the Monument Wall that was placed in front of the school and dedicated in 2018 to honor that history.

Last year, members watch and discussed another film by Dickerson's, a documentary called “Raised/Razed,” which tells the story of the vibrant black businesses and community of Charlottesville’s Vinegar Hill neighborhood before its destruction in 1964 because of Urban Renewal policy. Members continue to recall rich memories from this time period, and we are grateful for their stories that preserve this time in history for us.

Mary Williams Community Center Member watch the documenatry “Raised/Razed.”

Extra reading...

You can also learn about Elva Key and Waltine Eubanks, two long-standing members of our Advisory Committee who served the Nelson and Fluvanna County communities.  

JABA Announces Judith Selzer as New CEO

The Board of Directors of the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) is pleased to announce that it has hired Judith Selzer as its new Chief Executive Officer to succeed Marta Keane, who is retiring after 12 years at the helm.  Ms. Selzer will assume her new position on January 13, 2025.

Dick Gibson, JABA Board Chair, shared that “JABA conducted an extensive national search for its new CEO and selected Judith from among many highly qualified candidates.  She comes to us with a 25 year career, mainly in the non-profit healthcare enterprise sector. She has spent her career to date helping others and making the world a better place to live.”  Ms. Selzer has provided executive coaching, led non-profits, and collaborated with other leaders to create a thriving community.

Ms. Selzer feels “this is a transformative moment in the world of healthy aging, and I’m passionate about joining JABA where I will have the privilege of working with colleagues and volunteers to ensure everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest, most empowered life.”

JABA is fortunate to benefit from Ms. Selzer’s experience, business acumen and compassion.

 Contact: Tish Blackwell, Chief Philanthropy and Communications Officer tblackwell@jabacares.org

Finding Joy Through the Holidays

December is almost over and the holidays are in full swing. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to stay happy and have a good time during the holidays; after all, it is the season of being merry and bright. It isn’t always that easy, however. For some, the holidays act as a reminder of how much they have lost and how lonely they are.

“We do see an increase in depression during this time of year for a variety of reasons,” says geriatrician Dr. Renee Abueg in a recent UCI Health article. “Combined with the stresses of daily life, the holidays and the expectations around them add pressure on our time, finances and even our health.”

Although the holiday may not look as it once did, with a few small lifestyle adjustments the season can still be meaningful.

The first thing to remember is the holiday doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s okay if your holidays look different from past years or if traditions have changed. Look at small changes you can make to make the holidays less overwhelming for you — and if you do notice yourself getting overwhelmed give yourself a minute to step back and breathe. Allow yourself grace to feel whatever emotions the holidays bring up, but don’t let them take over your day.

Hydration and proper nutrition are incredibly important as the days get shorter. Make sure to drink water throughout

the day and to nourish your body, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein are essential parts of a balanced diet and should not be forgotten during the holidays. Additionally, staying active should still be a priority even when it is cold outside. Try moving your exercises inside when possible and make sure to properly bundle up when outdoors.

The holidays don’t have to be a lonely time. Focus on staying connected with others by seeing friends, talking to family, and getting out of the house. Try a new hobby, work at the library, or visit your local JABA Community Center for social engagement and the chance to try new activities.

Finally, remember the holidays are about giving back. Helping others is a great way to boost your mood. Many nonprofits and religious organizations have a huge demand for volunteers during the holidays, reach out to them and see how you can help. You could also assist a friend with holiday prep, help your neighbor bring in the additional holiday mail, or donate canned food to your local food pantry. No matter how big or small the task you will make a huge difference in multiple lives.

While the holidays can bring about feelings of joy and togetherness, it can also be a challenging time for many. It is important to address these feelings, both the good and the bad, rather than trying to ignore them. By making small changes to our expectations and routines, staying connected with others, maintaining healthy habits and self-care, and giving back to the community we can create a meaningful holiday experience.

Ty Mynes is a writer and marketing specialist at JABA. This article originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.

Donations in motion: How area organizations are giving back this season

Cville Weekly - Across its service area of Charlottesville, Region 10, and five neighboring counties, Jefferson Area Board for Aging is working to bring merriment to older and disabled adults this December. More than 150 people will benefit from the holiday gift drive, which includes both practical and fun items.

“We hope that the gift bags will let our members know that they are loved, appreciated, and, most of all, seen,” said Teresa Cooper, a JABA volunteer service coordinator. “We were blown away by the donations and support from our community, and are so thankful. Our volunteer center is overflowing with gifts for our members.”

The donation window for JABA’s holiday gift drive has closed, but the organization always welcomes items such as arts and crafts supplies, puzzle books, and household items. Read more at C-Ville Weekly.

View fullsize

Concerned about a loved one? It may be time for a conversation

You show up at your parent's home for the holidays. You haven’t seen them in person in a while, but you try to talk to them on the phone every day. You have never been worried about your parents, but after a few hours at their house with them, you can’t help but have concerns. Mom forgets what she is doing during small tasks and Dad always uses furniture to help him walk around. When you checked the kitchen, you didn’t find anything to eat that wasn’t expired.

It’s slightly nerve-wracking. Your parents never mentioned anything about this during your phone calls. Why didn’t they tell you? Do they think they are fine? What’s next? What will happen when you go back home?

It can be challenging to know when aging loved ones need our help, whether we live states away or in the next room. Sometimes our loved ones are not upfront about the problems they are experiencing because they do not want to cause worry or admit they are struggling — they may not even be aware there is anything wrong.

Recognizing the signs that a loved one needs extra support is the first step in getting them the help they need.

While around your older loved ones this holiday season keep an eye out for out-of-the-ordinary behavior — a change in mood or personality, confusion, weight loss, a messy home, or dirty appearance. Look out for a lack of social engagement when around the family. Are your loved ones keeping more to themselves this year? Do they get frustrated or annoyed at things that never used to bother them?

If you do find cause for concern, it is time to have a conversation. It is important to stay compassionate and patient and remember this is a big change for them as well. Mention you are worried, but try not to sound judgmental. Say something like, “Dad, you don’t have much food in the house. Are you having trouble getting to the store?”

Next, try to fulfill your loved one’s wishes as best as you can. Dad may want to keep cooking for himself, so you could set up groceries to be delivered, but sometimes the solution isn’t that easy. Dad may still want to cook for himself but has trouble remembering to turn off the stove. In this case, pre-prepared food may be a better option as he can heat the meals in the microwave instead of using the stove.

“One of the things that makes it stressful is that people wait to have hard conversations until they are sort of imminent, and decline is happening,” said Louise Aronson, a geriatrician, and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, during a recent discussion on KQED public radio.  “And so the person who is declining is feeling more threatened. If you begin sooner, then they’re more part of the process, and they feel a sense of control.”

This can be a difficult time for you and your loved ones as you figure out what works best for your family. It can be overwhelming to suddenly become a caregiver so it is important to take care of your own well-being while supporting your loved ones. Make sure to schedule regular time for yourself, whether it’s through hobbies, exercise, or simply relaxing. Seeking professional help, such as counseling or therapy, can be beneficial for managing stress and maintaining your mental health. Balancing caregiving responsibilities with self-care ensures you can provide the best support for your loved ones while also taking care of yourself.

November is National Family Caregiver Month — a month to recognize that being a caregiver, especially for a loved one is physically and emotionally draining and takes hard work. However, that does not mean this is your battle alone. JABA has many support services for caregivers like support groups to vent and get advice, Aging Services Coordinators who can help with your loved one's needs, or JABA Respite & Enrichment Centers (JREC) which provide a safe, uplifting environment during the week for adults with dementia or other disabilities so caregivers can have much-needed respite.

Ty Mynes is a writer and marketing specialist at JABA.. This story originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.

JABA collecting holiday donations for local seniors

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - The Jefferson Area Board for Aging is accepting donations for seniors to help them during the holidays.

The organization is accepting personal items like toothbrushes, blankets, and gloves.

Last year JABA was able to make 80 gift bags.

This year it has a goal of 200.

The JABA volunteer coordinator says this can be a financially difficult time for seniors.

“Seniors really are living on limited means. They’re on a limited income,” JABA Volunteer Services Coordinator Teresa Cooper said. “A lot of these items are just useful for them every day. The other thing is, we want them to feel seen. We want them to know that people in the community love them and care about them.”

You can drop off your donations at JABA’s main lobby.

There will be a basket wrapped in garland.

WATCH!

JABA encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to review their options by signing up for FREE counseling sessions.

With just over two-weeks left for Medicare Open Enrollment, which ends on December 7, JABA is urging beneficiaries to book free counseling appointments to review their options. 

"There are some big changes when it comes to medicare drug prescriptions," says Randy Rodgers, JABA's Manager of Insurance Counseling, "so it's more important than ever before to look at your options during open enrollment." 

The good news is that for the first time ever, thanks to Congress passing a new prescription drug law in 2022, out-of-pocket drug costs will be capped at $2000 annually AND you can pay that in monthly installments. This is HUGE for anyone who has had to pay thousands for their needed prescription drugs.

In addition, the new law limits insulin costs to $35 a month and gives Medicare the power to negotiate with drug makers to lower prices. In the first round of negotiations, which is expected to involve 10 popular drugs available at reduced cost in 2026, Medicare beneficiaries are expected to save as much as $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses.

However, the bad news is that insurance companies are responding to the changes by trimming and/or cutting benefits and increasing charges elsewhere, which could prove costly (and complicated) for Medicare beneficiaries.

When Virginia Senator Tim Kaine visited JABA earlier this year, he recognized that, despite new reductions in prescription drug price, dealing with Medicare "is still too complicated" and "leads people to choose plans that aren’t the best plans for themselves." 

"Last year we helped over two thousand people during Medicare open enrollment," says Rodgers, "...and fifty percent of those people changed plans because they were going to save money on their premiums or prescriptions. Throughout open enrollment last year we helped people save nearly $2 million on their prescriptions. So, it's important to look at your options during open enrollment."

Learn more by calling 434-817-5248 or visiting our Medicare Insurance Counseling page.

Medicare Open Enrollment: a time to look at your options

When it comes to Medicare Open Enrollment this year (October 15 to December 7) there's good news and bad news for older adults. The good news is that for the first time ever, thanks to Congress passing a new prescription drug law in 2022, out-of-pocket drug costs will be capped at $2000 annually AND you can pay that in monthly installments. This is HUGE for anyone who has had to pay thousands for their needed prescription drugs.

In addition, the new law limits insulin costs to $35 a month and gives Medicare the power to negotiate with drug makers to lower prices. In the first round of negotiations, which is expected to involve 10 popular drugs available at reduced cost in 2026, Medicare beneficiaries are expected to save as much as $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses.

However, the bad news is that insurance companies are responding to the changes by trimming and/or cutting benefits and increasing charges elsewhere, which could prove costly (and complicated) for Medicare beneficiaries.

“This year’s Medicare marketplace will be more chaotic than ever,” said Vijay Kotte, chief executive of Medicare marketplace GoHealth, told USAToday. “With fewer options, higher costs, and diminished benefits, older adults will be forced to navigate one of the most disruptive enrollment seasons in recent memory.”

Local experts agree. "There are a lot of moving parts this year, so it’s more important than ever before to look at your options during open enrollment," says Randy Rodgers, who manages JABA's Insurance Counseling program.

Indeed, Rogers, JABA CEO Marta Keane, and representatives from the UVA Health System had a round-table discussion earlier this year with one of the lawmakers who helped pass the new law and voiced their concerns. The lawmaker took notice.

“Overwhelmingly, what I hear is, ‘Thanks for the reductions in prescription drug price, but it’s still too complicated,’” Virginia Senator Tim Kaine later told The Daily Progress. “There’s a lot of deceptive, or at least confusing, marketing that comes to seniors when they’re about to become Social Security-eligible, and that leads people to choose plans that aren’t the best plans for themselves. So there’s a heavy kind of consumer protection theme to this conversation that I’m going to take back with me.”

Fortunately, Medicare beneficiaries in our area, and those new to Medicare, have JABA's Insurance Counseling program to turn to for free, unbiased, confidential counseling and assistance for people with Medicare. They are part of The Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP), which itself is part of a national network of programs that help people understand Medicare. Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (Virginia SMP) also helps Medicare beneficiaries avoid healthcare fraud and abuse.

"Last year we helped over two thousand people during Medicare open enrollment," says Rogers, "...and fifty percent of those people changed plans because they were going to save money on their premiums or prescriptions. Throughout open enrollment last year we helped people save nearly two million on their prescriptions. So, it's important to look at your options during open enrollment."

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA. This article orginially appeared in C-Ville Weekly.

Marta Keane: On Reinvention and Curiosity

JABA Radio · JABA CEO joins becoming bOLDER podcast

JABA CEO Marta Keane recently joined Bethanie Constant, Vice President of Mission Advancement and Secretary for Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, on their becoming bOLDER podcast. Marta talked extensively about JABA's mission, her work as CEO, and her upcoming “reinvention” as she prepares to retire. You can listen to a shorter version of their conversation above or access the full 47-minute episode by visiting the WCBR website.

Medicare Open Enrollment: Some BIG changes are coming this year!

Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15, and 29News anchor Erin Brown spoke with Randy Rodgers, JABA's Manager of Insurance Counseling, about what to expect this year.

"There are some big changes when it comes to medicare drug prescriptions," said Rodgers. "One of the biggest ones is that the "donut hole" [the temporary limit, or coverage gap, on what Medicare drug plans covered] will actually be going away...and there's a $2,000 cap on the amount you'll pay for your subscription through the year... there are a lot of moving parts this year, so its more important than ever before to look at your options during open enrollment."

You can schedule a free one-on-one counseling session by filling out our intake form online at: https://www.jabacares.org/medicare-counseling You can also call 434-817-5248 or stop by our office at 674 Hillsdale Drive in Charlottesville

October Activity Calendars at JABA's Centers

Activity calendars for our Community Centers in Charlottesville, Southern Albemarle, Greene County, Nelson County, and Louisa County, as well as our JRECs in Charlottesville and Louisa, and now available. Check them out below and consider joining a center near you!

For general information about our Community Centers, contact Crystal Donovan at 434-872-3337 or cdonovan@jabacares.org. For information about our JRECS, or to schedule a tour, call 434-817-5235 (Charlottesville), 540-500-5961 (Louisa), or submit our online form.

Mary Williams Community Center (Charlottesville)

View fullsize

View complete calendar

Southern Albemarle Community Center (Esmont)

View fullsize

View complete calendar

Greene County Community Center

View fullsize

View complete calendar

Louisa County Community Center

View fullsize

View complete calendar

Cecilia Epps Community Center (Nelson County)

View fullsize

View complete calendar

Fluvanna County Community Centers

View complete calendar

Charlottesville Respite & Enrichment Center (JREC)

NOTE: Activities bolded in ORANGE on the activity calendar are open to the public. If you know someone who is interested in the JREC program and would like to experience the atmosphere, please encourage them to contact Kelsie Short at (434) 817-5235 or kshort@jabacares.org.

View complete calendar

Louisa Respite & Enrichment Center (JREC)

View fullsize

View complete calendar

Bringing the Joy: JABA's Annual Day of Caring Celebration

At our annual Day of Caring celebration last week, hosted this year by The Center at Belvedere, a woman visiting The Center walked into the ballroom where everyone was dancing to live music, socializing, and playing games.

"Is this JABA?" she asked. "I can't believe how much fun everyone is having."

Indeed, our annual Day of Caring event, which brings members from our Community Centers across six counties together, is always a high-energy affair,  and our colorful "Cruisin' the Caribbean" themed celebration this year did not disappoint.

“It made my day. I live alone and sometimes it gets kind of lonesome and stuff, and coming to something like this makes my day for me,” Cathy Musselman, a 92-year-old member at Mary Williams Community Center, told CBS19.

Watch the wonderful report featuring Cathy here:

“This day just brings so much joy, and for many of our seniors, there’s not a lot of joy in their lives. They’re struggling to make ends meet, and some of their friends aren’t around or their families moved away," Marta Keane, our CEO, told CBS19. "To have a day like this and days that are joyful really changes their health — their cognitive, emotional, and physical health — to not be isolated.”

For over three decades now, United Way has sponsored this community-wide day of service, which brings volunteers together to help non-profits across the area.

“This day actually calculates to be at about a $300,000 investment in time and resources back to our community,” United Way President & CEO Ravi Respeto told NBC29.

This year, volunteers from Sentara Health System helped us with our Day of Caring celebration. And they were fabulous!

"We couldn’t have done it without the volunteers from Sentara. They seemed to have as much fun as the center members," said Keane.

Back at JABA's offices, a group from the University of Virginia's Department of Systems & Information Engineering was joyfully helping our Philanthropy department with admin support for the day. Indeed, JABA staff could hear their laughter down the hallway! From left to right: Dorothy Gardner, Addie Mall, Chantel Gross, and Marty Qian.

The woman who wandered into the room at The Center definitely left with a different impression of JABA, struck by the vibrancy and joy in the room.

"Our Day of Caring celebration was a wonderful reminder that it’s important to have fun. To find the things that bring us joy, “ says Keane. “To take a moment to stop and appreciate something we sense that makes us smile. By having fun, we replenish our energy and that gives us room to have compassion for others."

Gen Now: Are you a sudden caregiver?

Check out our column in the latest edition of C-Ville Weekly!

Your parents are in the 80s and still living in the house where you grew up. Your mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a year ago, and your dad has been managing, but you're starting to worry...

You notice your 82-year old mother-in-law is having difficulties living alone, but your suppose and his siblings aren't talking about it…

A neighbor in her late 70s tells you they are losing their housing and because they are a fixed income they don't know what to do. You notice she's been anxious, and not eating right...

Your father has been living alone in South Carolina for years and seems to be doing okay, but you are starting to think he needs to be closer to you in Virginia.

You work full-time, have two young children, and while your mom has been a help since they were born she's the one needing help now...

Your Aunt has dementia and you're struggling to be patient and supportive. But you're not sure you can handle what's happening and don't know where to turn…

You and your spouse sold your house and moved into a small cottage in a senior living facility. Together, you've made good decisions to maintain your independence, as your children live far away and have their own lives, but your spouse is in cognitive decline and you're wondering how you're going to plan for the future…

Do any of these scenarios sound familiar? If so, there’s a good chance you’re about to become a caregiver, you may already be one, or caregiving is about to become a lot more complicated.

When faced with these kinds of situations, many people keep the reality of what’s happening at arm's length for as long as they can. Indeed, they may feel as though these situations have snuck up on them without warning. After all, Mom may have always been the one who took care of things, so imagining yourself taking care of her may be difficult even to imagine. Maybe you already know you’re not cut out to be a caregiver. Which of your siblings will step up? What roles will you all have? Maybe you were hoping things would be all right for a few more years...until your career was more on track, until the kids were a little older, until...

There's no sugarcoating it. Caregiving situations can arrive in unexpected and inconvenient ways. And for many people, there's a period of adjustment to this new reality.

“My caregiver mantra is to remember: the only control you have is over the changes you choose to make," writes author and licensed clinical social worker Nancy L. Kriseman, who wrote a book on mindful caregiving.

Indeed, in many ways, caregiving is about change, about roles being reversed or rearranged, about time marching

relentlessly forward, and while change can be difficult it also creates space for something new to arrive...if we are open to it.

Most importantly, you are not alone. JABA provides caregiver support services that can connect you with a variety of resources and help you come up with a plan. JABA also has specialized care centers in Charlottesville and Louisa for people who need extra help during the day. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital has a dedicated caregiver center, the UVA Memory and Aging Care Clinic and the Alzheimer's Association Central and Western Virginia offer invaluable care and resources, and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services provides a wide range of resources for caregivers in Virginia.

While your caregiving journey might have come a little earlier than you thought it would, and everything can feel a little confusing and overwhelming, now's the time to reach out for help and guidance. And now's the time to find your voice.

“As your care recipient’s advocate, be involved, don’t accept the status quo, and don’t be afraid to voice your concerns,” writes Kriseman.

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA. This story originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.

Participants reflect on JABA's annual Fall Ball

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS 19 NEWS) -- The United Way of Charlottesville held its 33rd Annual United Way Day of Caring, a community-wide day of service.

JABA’s Annual Fall Ball was one of today’s volunteer events with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.

“It made my day. I live alone and sometimes it gets kind of lonesome and stuff, and coming to something like this makes my day for me,” said Cathy Musselman, a member at Mary Williams Senior Center.

It's also a big day for the people behind the event.

“This day just brings so much joy, and for many of our seniors, there’s not a lot of joy in their life. They’re struggling to make ends meet, and some of their friends aren’t around or their families moved away," said Marta Keane, CEO of JABA. "To have a day like this and days that are joyful really changes their health — their cognitive, emotional, and physical health — to not be isolated.”

At 92 years old, Cathy still remembers the days she was a roller-skating dancer with her husband, and today she rolled back the years.

“When she asked me to dance, I said okay, I’ll just do whatever you tell me to do,” said Laura Salvatierra, a volunteer with Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.

At the end of the day, Cathy Musselman's dance moves led to her being crowned as the queen of the ball. 

Aging in Place: start planning to relieve future stress

A set of surveys this year revealed something about "aging in place," the popular term used to describe living independently and for as long as possible in our own homes as we age. While a U.S. News & World Report found that 95% of adults 55 and older want to age in place, an Alignment Health survey found that adults 65 and older viewed it as the biggest obstacle to their overall well-being. Among several obstacles identified, such as lack of access to transportation and care, food insecurity, loneliness, and economic insecurity, the majority of respondents reported that aging in place was causing them the most stress and anxiety. 

Indeed, while aging in place is something to be wished for, the practical realities can be challenging. While homes can be modified to make them safer and accommodate various levels of mobility, and new technologies can make it easier to communicate with family, friends, caretakers, and health providers, the fear of having medical emergencies at home, becoming a burden on adult children, the cost of in-home care services, the fear of isolation, and sudden changes in health can make aging in place more complex then we may have imagined. 

That's why early planning, self-care, communication, and the anticipation of future needs are so crucial to aging in place successfully.    

Unfortunately, many individuals and families don't communicate enough about what aging in place really means. Mom and Dad still live in the family home, have for years, and then suddenly Dad has a medical emergency and Mom, who has been having memory issues she's been hiding, can't handle the new situation at home when Dad returns. Their children live in different states and have their own careers and families. What do they do? 

Aging in place is like a long journey one needs to plan for. The earlier you start planning for it the better. In fact, if you're really serious about wanting to age in place, focusing on your health as soon as possible is an important first step. Inactivity, smoking and drinking, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity can lead to sudden declines in health, creating risks for heart attacks, strokes, and dementia that could throw a wrench in your aging-in-place plans.

If you're aging in place with a spouse or partner, it's important to consider any chronic conditions they may have, and share that information with family, friends, and caregivers. Indeed, it's important to discuss your aging-in-place plans with everyone your well-being could impact to help anticipate future care needs or changes that might need to be made. 

Aging in place is also a journey you shouldn't make alone. Start learning about support resources in your community. JABA has community centers you can join for socialization and support, and Respite & Enrichment centers for people who might need extra help during the day. JABA also has a Home Delivered Meals program and a Senior Helpline to connect people with resources, including transportation support. The Center at Belvedere, Sentara Martha Jefferson Family Caregiver Center, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UVA, the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP), and Cville Village, a non-profit that supports the independence of older adults, are also valuable community resources. 

Aging in place doesn't have to mean isolating in place. The sooner you learn about the network of resources in your community you can lean on, the sooner you share your hopes and plans with your family, the sooner you prepare your home, and the sooner you make healthy living a priority, the better your aging in place journey is going to be.   

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA. This article originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.

You can do this: even light exercise has big benefits

We've all seen the articles and studies showing us that exercise is essential to healthy aging, along with photos of older people hiking in the mountains, riding their bikes, doing laps in a pool, or some other vigorous kind of activity. But what about people with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or other challenges? What about those who might feel intimidated or discouraged by those kind of images of aging? Or people who have lived a sedentary life for so long that it seems too difficult to change? Should they just give up?

A study/survey released in June shows that even slight changes in the way we move around can have significant benefits and that we don't have to become hikers or runners to take advantage of them.

“These findings indicate that physical activity need not be high intensity to potentially benefit various aspects of health, which have especially important public health implications as older people tend to have limited physical ability to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity,” Molin Wang, an associate professor in epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and an author of the study, told the Washington Post recently.

The study/survey tracked nearly 50,000 women (from a Harvard School of Public Health Nurses’ Health Study) for 20 years and found that replacing sedentary behaviors, like watching TV or sitting at your desk in an office, with even lightest physical activities, like standing, walking, or doing chores at home, improved overall health substantially. In fact, researchers even found that replacing sedentary behaviors with sleep resulted in better health outcomes. What's more, health was affected by where people were being sedentary and what they were doing. For example, sitting and watching TV leads to greater health risks than sitting and writing or reading a book, and sitting at home on a couch is worse than sitting in an office.

While not groundbreaking, the study reinforces the idea that we don't have to climb mountains or be runners to enjoy the benefits of physical activity. And for many of us -- in Virginia, 2.1 million adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes, and 90% don’t know they have it --- it could be essential in avoiding serious health problems.

That's the idea behind JABA's Active Living Every Day (ALED) program, an evidence-based program that encourages physical activity among their community center members. JABA has a Healthy Steps program, which is more like an exercise class, done with music for people of all fitness levels, but ALED focuses on identifying and overcoming barriers to exercise, increasing self-confidence, creating realistic goals and rewards, developing social support, and building more physical activity into daily activities. Studies show that ALED significantly increases moderate to vigorous physical activity and total physical activity, decreases depressive symptoms and stress, increases satisfaction with body appearance and function, and can reduce weight.

Another one of the study's authors put it bluntly.

"If you replace sedentary behaviors with any activities, I mean, even light physical activities, like standing or walking around, or doing household chores, it’s better than just being a couch potato for an extended period of time,” said Frank Hu, professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

So get moving!

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA. This article originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.