Greene County Record - Schools weren’t the only thing reopening on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA)’s Greene County Community Senior Center is finally back in action after a long six months.
Center Manager Sandra Davis and Activity Assistant Carol Jo Stevens were overjoyed to welcome seniors back into the center on Tuesday and Wednesday, where they enjoyed games, crafts, lunch and an exercise program led by a virtual instructor.
“I got teared up yesterday when everybody came in, it’s just so great to be back … we just missed them,” Davis said.
With daily health screenings, required mask wearing and frequently sanitized tables spaced far apart in the activity room, the facility is able to provide for social distancing to protect all who choose to return to in-person visits. Those who still wish to stay at home are able to continue receiving food delivery and participate in the variety of virtual activities the center has been able to host since the closure in mid-March.
“They were closed for a long time; I missed it,” said Dale Carter, who is still getting used to wearing a mask. “I’ve been pretty much staying at home every day, so that gets kind of tiresome after a while. I’m just glad to be back.” Read more…
Volunteers Wanted: Become a Virtual Mentor to Area Students
Questions remain about how exactly local public school are going to re-open, but instruction will be delivered, and you can make a difference in the life of a student in our local schools by becoming a FISH Mentor.
JABA’s Friends in School Helping (FISH) Program trains adult volunteers to mentor students, helping boost their confidence and success. Mentors commit to at least one hour per week for the school year.
Volunteers will be trained and mentor students using the Zoom online platform. So you can do this without leaving your home! Don't worry, you'll have training and support in using the Zoom platform, and support from JABA, parents, and teachers throughout the school year.
Questions? Contact JABA's Volunteer Services Coordinator, Winter Broadhurst, at at wbroadhurst@jabacares.org or learn more about the FISH program and submit a volunteer application by visiting www.jabacares.org/fish
JABA Announces Phase 3 Re-Opening Plan
JABA has a plan in place to return to our on-site centers. The Phase 3 re-opening plan for Virginia has begun, and we have consulted with Dr. Denise Bonds, Thomas Jefferson Health District Executive Director, who thought our plan was a good one, and gave us a list of important statistics to watch as we move forward.
Dr. Bonds reports that cases in our area have, indeed, remained steady as we enter Phase 3. We have obtained all the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to provide safety for members and staff, and each JABA program has been working on plans for the new requirements for delivering services.
As of July 20, JABA staff will move to modified telework. Managers will work with everyone to identify the needs going forward as we ramp up. Staff who work in offices will alternate their time at the office, to reduce the total number of staff at our Hillsdale Drive offices on the second floor.
On July 20, our Shining Star Preschool will return. They will occupy their current space on Hillsdale Drive, but will not use the “music room” in the Adult Care Center at this time. We will also look forward to nice days for the children to be outside also.
On August 3, both our Adult Care Centers will re-open (Charlottesville and Louisa). We anticipate a modified return of members initially, so the ratio of staff to members will be extremely good, allowing us to help get our members acclimated to the new physical spacing, and new activities.
On September 8, our Community Senior Centers, with nurses on-site, will re-open across the region. This will be a great opportunity for all the members that wish to return to the centers to do so. And we will be working on ways to continue programming for those who are not comfortable, or unable, to come back right now. Our Mary Williams Community Senior Center in Charlottesville will be moving to a new space, temporarily, so that all the members can be accommodated.
Insurance Counseling and Information and Assistance will continue to provide support via Zoom or phone. We look forward to Volunteers exploring new ways to get involved virtually. And those who are ready, can look at some opportunities to be on-site. Long-term care Ombudsmen will continue to support patients and families and facilities via phone.
It will be good to be back, and see each other once again, but we know this change will also bring with it some anxiety and discomfort. Rest assured, we will have protocols and policies in place to ensure safety, and will identify areas to continually improve as we move forward.
It’s also important to note that this reopening plan is contingent upon steady COVID-19 case numbers, with no severe spikes in cases or concerns.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
With gratitude,
Marta M. Keane
Chief Executive Officer
JABA Organizes Surprise Parade for Seniors in Esmont
NBC29 - Amy Kirchner, the manager of JABA’s Esmont and Scottsville senior center, organized Tuesday’s parade. She says the Esmont Community Senior Center closed back in March, and many of its members have been stuck at home so she just wanted to get out and show them some appreciation.
“We got a lot of joyful tears and hugs with masks, and appreciation. And one woman told me that it was the best surprise she has gotten in many years,” Kirchner said. See NBC29 story...
JABA, UVA Health Launch Live/Interactive Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop
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
