Sharing ideas to get out and about, and stay safe in our homes . . .

A great time to check out the Fairfax County Creative Aging Festival
There’s a month-long celebration of the visual, literary and performing arts and the profound impact they have on older adults happening now in Fairfax. Senior centers throughout the county will be hosting demonstrations, performances and interactive classes involving writing, drawing, painting, crafting, music and dance. A complete schedule of activities is listed here. Events will take place all around Fairfax County, including at Lewinsville Retirement Residence, our hosts for Cafe McLean. There’s bound to be an event near you! Please be sure to contact the host location for additional details and information about specific activities.

If you’re wondering where to go for lunch on Tuesday, May 8 at 11:30 am ~
the Fair Oaks Support Group Lunch Bunch is meeting again.
With a new day of the week and time, they’ll be at:
Silver Diner, 12251 Fair Lakes Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22033
All are welcome!

On Wednesday, May 9 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm we’ll be at Cafe McLean . . . 
. . . enjoying a light lunch and a visit by Michelle Smith, Caregiver Specialist with the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. Michelle will bring all kinds of fascinating things to help make our daily lives just a little bit easier to manage.
Click here for more information about our cafe locations, and click here to RSVP!

To subscribe to Out & About with Parkinson’s our weekly e-newsletter with updates and reminders about our cafes and other events click here.

Rebuilding Together
I read about this organization in our local Greenbriar Flyer last week. One of our neighbors wrote about her experience when several people came to repair a number of issues in her home and install grab bars. She also wanted to spread the word how “Rebuilding Together provides home repairs at no charge for low- and moderate-income homeowners, with priority to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and families with children in the Arlington, Fairfax and Falls church area. To apply or refer a friend or neighbor, go to www.rebuildingtogether-aff.org or call 703-528-1999.”

Fair Oaks Support Group
At our April support group meeting we enjoyed a scrumptious brunch laid out for us by our hosts at Sunrise at Fair Oaks in recognition of Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Several friends shared their positive experiences with local resources with us.

1) After researching several personal emergency response systems one friend settled on the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert System through the Virginia Hospital Center. It offers fall detection, and is GPS enabled. Hospital staff will install the equipment in your home and explain how it works. I found some information on their website here.

2) Another friend told us about The InovaCares for Seniors™ PACE® Program (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). PACE® is a national program providing comprehensive, personalized care – medical, social services, day care – that makes it possible for people who require nursing home level of care to remain in their homes. It can be expensive, but includes medical care (doctors, therapy, etc.), transport to and from doctor appointments, durable medical equipment, and medications. More information is on their website here.

3) Fans of Insight Memory Care Center, our hosts for Cafe Fairfax, then spoke enthusiastically about the many programs Insight offers including support groups, Memory Cafes, day center, workshops, classes, and their Reconnections program – even an annual cruise! More information on their website here.

UPDATE: Fairfax County Scam Jam
On Saturday, April 28, AARP Virginia and Fairfax County Government brought together top experts and law enforcement officials to present information on avoiding scams. In case you missed it, it will be replayed on Channel 16 in May, Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.

Other Events
You can check out these and previously mentioned events on our Community Events page, in order by date.

Cheers,
Sonia
email: Sonia@ParkinsonSocialNetwork.org