Based on early information from COVID-19 vaccine trials and from what we know about vaccines for other diseases, getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. People can develop antibodies and be protected against COVID-19 after they become ill with the disease. But experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you without having to experience sickness. 
 
Covid-19 vaccine utilizes mRNA in building immunity to the virus. Learn more about mRNA and other facts about the vaccine, including that it does not use the actual virus that causes COVID-19. 
 
Because vaccine supplies will be limited, we will not reach a significant level of protection for several months. Therefore, it remains important that individuals continue taking actions to mitigate the spread of virus – washing hands, wearing masks, socially distancing and staying home and away from others if ill.  

From Gov. Northam: Updated Public Health Measures
In response to the current surge in cases, Governor Northam issued Executive Order 72 on Dec. 14, 2020:

• Masks are required in all indoor spaces except your home. Outdoors, masks are required when within six feet of another person.
• Social gatherings are limited to 10 individuals.
• Restaurants must stop alcohol sales at 10pm.
• Spectators are limited to 25 people for recreational sports played indoors, and there is a limit of two guests per player for outdoor sports.

 
Locally, the Fairfax County Health Department provides a vaccination page:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine
with links to:

• Blogs about vaccines
• Relevant partners – Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), manufacturers
• CDC and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Frequently Asked Questions

Covid-19 has upended much of our day-to-day lives, while public health is playing a very important leadership role in keeping us safe and healthy. Fairfax County has rolled out many actions in meeting this challenge, from offering free grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up for older adults, to daily detailed reporting on cases, and where to find CoVid-19 testing . 
 
The County’s Long Term Care Coordinating Council, whose mission is to identify needs and promote solutions to enhance the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, formed a subgroup---New Normal Committee. Now called, COVID-19 Impact & Response Committee, the group has created this comprehensive list on where to get help.
 
One-stop number and website with services and resources for older adults & caregivers
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults
CALL 703-324-7948, TTY 711
Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resources Line
Monday-Friday, 
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

One-stop number and website with services and resources for resources for people with disabilities: 
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/disabilities
 CALL 703-324-5421,
TTY 703-449-1186
 
Free Shopping and Pharmacy Pick-Up program for older adults during the pandemic: 
https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2020/05/14/new-countywide-grocery-shopping-and-pharmacy-pick-up-service-for-older-adults/
Call 703-267-3511 
9 am -7 pm weekdays
9:30 am -5 pm weekends

LTC Facilities Mitigation & Prevention:
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/long-term-care
 Call 703-267-3511 
9 am -7 pm weekdays
9:30 am -5 pm weekends

Community-based organizations (click on community-based organizations in this link):  
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/audiences
 
People at higher risk, including older adults (click on people at higher risk in the link):
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/audiences
 
When and how to safely visit grandparents and older adults:
https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2020/08/14/when-and-how-can-you-safely-visit-grandparents-and-older-adults/
Call 703-267-3511 
9 am -7 pm weekdays
9:30 am -5 pm weekends

Steps to stay safe if you are over age 60: 
https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wpcomstaging.com/2020/06/17/3-steps-to-stay-safe-from-covid-19-if-you-are-60/
Call 703-267-3511 
9 am -7 pm weekdays
9:30 am -5 pm weekends

Questions about Corona Virus?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
   Fairfax County Coronavirus Page &
   Fairfax County Health Department
 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/
Email: ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov  monitored weekdays 8 am -6 pm

Sign up for text message alerts­: text FFXCOVID to 888777 (English); text FFXCOVIDESP to 888777 for updates in Spanish, or signup online
Call 703-267-3511 
9 am -7 pm weekdays
9:30 am -5 pm weekends

“Being forced to remain in your house for any length of time can set you up for some unhealthy behaviors if you aren’t careful,” cautions this recent blog from Sunrise Senior Living. Ways to Stay Healthy and Happy While You Are Self-Isolating or Social Distancing urges a commitment to caring for the mind, body and spirit. 

Eating well begins by stocking the freezer with healthy make-ahead meals. Explore subscribing to a meal delivery service. Try to stay active and avoid sitting for long periods. Check out YouTube with home work-out videos for chair yoga and resistance bands. The National Institute on Aging offers  a wide variety of senior-friendly fitness activities you can work out to on their website including balance and strength training to endurance building. 
​
Technology has made it easier to connect with people. Video chat with family and friends via Skype, FaceTime, Google Duo and Zoom. Apps are free and simple to use. Staying engaged can take many forms from a park ranger tour through the National Park System to free online performances from artists like John Legend, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks and Bruce Springsteen. Check out Sunrise’s Ways to Stay Healthy for more suggestions and link (Sunrise Senior Living, March 27, 2020. ​

​It's mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2: The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790. Census data determines the amount of funding distributed to Virginia and Fairfax County by the Federal government. According to the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, Fairfax County could lose $12,000 in potential funding over the course of a decade for each person who does not respond to the census.  Learn more here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/census
 
Starting In mid-March, households began receiving official Census Bureau mail.  All house-holds should have the information by April 1. For the first time, individuals may respond online.  The official Census Bureau mailings include detailed information and a Census ID for completing your response online. Once you receive your Census ID, follow instructions to complete your responses. 
 
Securing an accurate count is challenging for reasons such as language barriers and hard to find populations. Local governments form partnerships with  community groups  representing diverse racial and ethnicities to build awareness.  Click here for an example of community outreach regrading Arlington County’s Complete Count Committee in conversation with Aging Matters.  

You have already read and heard much about the Coronavirus. The Fairfax County Health Department has issued a bulletin advising the public what can be done to prevent contracting COVID-19  (coronavirus disease), including.

• Washing hands often with soap and water, or, use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid contact with people who are sick
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

For more, click here for a short video from Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., P.H., Director of Health, Fairfax County Health Department.
Other links: Fairfax County Health Department with FAQs, traveler information, etc. - 
Virginia Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
​

​In cities across the US, affordable housing is a major challenge. In particular, older adults on a fixed income struggle to contend with rising housing prices and property taxes. With its concentrated population and demographics, the city of Washington, DC is particularly hard-hit by these housing-related issues. 
 
According to a recent study by real estate platform Trulia, DC has the highest amount of homes with extra rooms available for rent, yet residents still report experiencing challenges finding affordable housing. The challenges are particularly apparent for DC residents over age 60, a population that has grown to over 100,000 in the past ten years. A study by the Urban Institute reports, over 50% of DC seniors rent their homes, and over 34% report being cost-burdened due to housing—which is no surprise considering the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in DC is $2,019.
 
How does homesharing work? Colorado-based Silvernest, which began operations in 2015, is matching renters and homeowners across the country, including Reston and Herndon. After the renter/housemate (monthly membership fee $29.99) completes a profile with preferences, location, and budget, he/she can then explore potential matches. Homeowners (fee $24.99 monthly) are provided background checks on potential housemates, a rent calculator (value of space), automated rent collection and home-sharing contract agreement, All Silvernest members are ID-verified to ensure a community of real users (no robots allowed).

​Reston for a Lifetime and Western Fairfax Advocates for Healthy Aging (WFAHA) are sponsoring “Manage Your Stress in 2020.” 

• Examining the physiological impact of stress and how we can reverse or even prevent those effects with tips on how to obtain a work life balance and prevent long term health issues.
• Speaker: Wellness Specialist Ruvi Makuni

What: Breakfast Briefing 
When:  February 25, 2020
8:30 am - Mix, mingle and enjoy a light breakfast
9:00 - Speaker
Where: Hunter Woods at Trails Edge, follow signs to event location
2222 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191 
Parking:  Parking garage is to the right. Pull up to the garage door and let them know you are attending so they can open the door. 
Cost: Free
RSVP to: Sharon.canner8@gmail.com
 

​In the early 2000s, Reston for a Lifetime editor was seeking senior housing for her then 80 year-old mother in central Florida. Living in Northern Virginia made this task even more challenging. Searching the web, she discovered “geriatric care managers” who guide family caregivers with decisions to ensure quality care for those they love. Over a number of years, an Orlando-based provider assisted in identifying independent living choices, assisted living and subsequently nursing care.  Their guidance with the Medicaid application was invaluable. 
 
Since the early 2000s, geriatric care managers, now called aging life care managers, have taken on many more tasks---from physical problems to mental health and dementia-related problems.  They attend doctor appointments and facilitate communication between doctor, client, and family. These professionals help determine types of services, including home health and hospice. 
 
Care manager services are paid by the patient directly. Certain long-term care insurance plans include coverage for these services. In selecting a care manager, here are a few questions to ask: 

• What are the primary services provided by your agency/business?
• How many Aging Life Care Professionals are in your agency/business?
• Is there a fee for the initial consultation and, if so, how much?
• What are your professional credentials?
• Are you licensed in your profession?
• How long have you been providing aging life care or care management services?
• Are you available for emergencies?
• Does your company also provide home care services?
• How do you communicate information?
• What are your fees? (These should be provided to the consumer/responsible party in writing prior to services starting.)
• Can you provide me with references?

 
Life care managers may have backgrounds in nursing, social work, counseling, gerontology, mental health or occupational therapy.  Like other health professions, managers must meet  certain standards  (Aging Life Care Professional ) as established by the profession. To find a life care manager in the DC area, click here for the Mid-Atlantic Resource Directory that also includes a listing of elder law attorneys.  
 

​Universal Design focuses on the environment to ensure it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, size, ability or disability. To explore what this means for remaining in one’s home, check out these resources. 
 
AARP has created the HomeFit Guide with ideas from simple do-it-yourself fixes to improvements that are more involved and require skilled expertise. A check-list of 33 questions covers interior topics such as location of kitchen workspaces, accessibility of fire extinguisher within reach of the oven or stove, design of faucets, lighting in staircases, and shower with step-free entry. Topics from the exterior check list focus on visibility of the street address so emergency responders can locate the home, assuring entrances are free of clutter, handrails on both sides of all steps and stairways. The Guide provides worksheets, a HomeFit quiz, tips on hiring a contractor and remodeling costs.
 
Another resource is the Certified Aging in Place Specialists CAPS program. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with National Association Home Builders 55+ Housing Council and others developed this program. The CAPS curriculum includes courses in universal design, understanding the changing mobility of clients and aging, green design, and business and marketing principles to name just a few.  While there are no fool proof ways for hiring the professional, the CAPS designation is an indication the industry recognizes a real need in both a human and business dimension.