Replying to ageism

A podcast host with a considerable following on X/Twitter recently strayed from his normal posts about tech and climate change - his areas of interest - to lament that aging in your 40s is manageable but when you hit 50 "your kids leave and your body falls apart and any illusion of control vanishes." Normally, in response to most of his recent posts, there were anywhere from 5 to 25 replies. This post received over a thousand replies.

Some pointed out that health issues had changed their lives long before 50, while others pointed out that turning 60 or 70 was much worse - just wait! Others said they felt better at 65 or 70 than they had at 50. Some pointed out that while their bodies had failed them they felt better mentally than they had when they were younger. While some shared the podcaster's perspective, many more described a variety of circumstances that defied categorization.

"Age alone is a poor predictor of health status because aging is not a homogenous, linear experience," said Tracey Gendron, chair of the Department of Gerontology at the VCU College of Health Professions, in a recent interview. Gendron is also executive director of the Virginia Center on Aging and author of the book “Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It."

"People age and develop differently, and there are no milestones or expectations to make comparisons," said Gendron. "If we automatically assume someone of a given age is not capable or in poor health, that is ageism."

Even if that someone is ourselves.

Remarkably, I couldn't find any replies that recognized the podcaster's ageism or called him out for it. But most of the replies he received repeatedly pushed back on the idea that aging could be defined by a number. While they might not have been completely conscious of doing so, the commentors were defying ageism!

"I'm 76 and still surf, ski, sketch, enjoy the teenage grandchild. Decline is happening as expected. Too busy to feel sorry for myself."

"I'm 51 and have a 5-year-old...I've never been more happy and active."

"I'm 76 and feel about like I did in my 40's - better, actually, since I don't have to dress up or wear heels."

"I'm 74 and despite my body falling apart, I’m pretty happy. You handle things as they come and adjust."

I’m 64. Yes, kids grow up and leave but watching them grow is amazing. I have my aches and pains. But here’s a secret: you never did have any control. Over anything. So,

let go and just be."

"As a gerontologist, I’m fascinated by the wide chasm between the reality of aging and aging myths and misconceptions. The first and most important thing you can do is educate yourself," said Gendron. "Aging is the one universal thing every human being on the planet has in common. And yet, it is a subject very few people ever take the time to learn about properly."

How is it that we can live for five decades and still allow an aging milestone to cripple our sense of self? How is it possible to feel old when we turn 25? Why do we characterize aging as a series of disasters and cliffs to be fallen off? Why do we categorize and separate age groups from each other?

"Generally speaking, people tend to hyper-focus on the more negative aspects of aging rather than acknowledging that aging is a process of change that includes both decline and growth," said Gendron.

Indeed, whether you're 18 years old and getting your first job or 70 and taking your first yoga class, the reality is that aging is an ongoing process, not a series of checkpoints, and that no matter where we are along the continuum, we all have more in common with each other than we realize.

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

Senior Nutrition: why what you eat, and how you eat matters more

As we age, healthy eating habits become even more important, as our hearts, kidneys, bones, brains, and other body systems need more help functioning properly. For example, a new car right off the assembly line doesn't need much attention, but that classic car you have may need some special attention if you want it to keep running properly. However, the simple analogies stop there. 

Our bodies are much more complex systems, and for older adults, changes in physical and mental health, such as a loss of appetite or a sense of thirst, difficulty chewing or swallowing, depression, chronic disease, and disability can present challenges to eating well. So can one's financial and living situations. What's more, older adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition. Studies have shown that older adults facing hunger are 53% more likely to report a heart attack, 40% more likely to report congestive heart failure, and 60% more likely to experience depression than older adults who are food secure.  

What's more, as we get older, what we eat may need to change, as the need for energy intake (calories) may go down, while the need for food more rich in nutrients increases. Experts say you should avoid processed foods, eat vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards, and get more protein by eating fish, lean beef, skinless chicken, and low-fat milk and yogurt.

And it's not just about what you eat, it's about how you eat. Experts say to maintain a regular eating schedule and avoid skipping meals. They also suggest eating with others when possible, which can help those experiencing depression and loneliness. And that's a big problem. Nearly 25 percent of older adults in our area live alone -- and in Charlottesville, it's nearly 30 percent.

At JABA's Community Centers and Respite & Enrichment Centers, not only do lunch and snack times provide members with healthy food, but gathering together for a meal is one of the things that members say they enjoy most. And that's also a great relief to their loved ones and caregivers. 

For those seniors living at home, and perhaps isolated by a disability (nearly 30 percent of older adults in our area have a disability) or without access to transportation, not only can it be difficult to cook as they once did, getting to the grocery store, especially in rural locations, can be challenging. Oftentimes these situations sneak up on people and it can be scary. An unexpected health issue, a fall, the inability to drive, no family or caregivers nearby, and suddenly it's not possible to prepare food for themselves or a partner. A few weeks might go by, perhaps a month, and suddenly they are at risk of serious malnutrition. That's why programs like Meals on Wheels and JABA's Home Delivered Meals can be such lifesavers, even if it's just a supplement to cooking at home.  

Finally, for many older adults in our area, poverty denies them access to the food they need. Over 4,000 older adults in our area are living in poverty and nearly 2,000 older adults collect Food Stamps/SNAP benefits. Fortunately, programs like Meals on Wheels and JABA's Home Delivered Meals deliver meals for free or at reduced costs, and area food banks, farmer's markets, and pantries have programs for seniors. Numerous churches in our area also provide meals regularly. 

As we celebrate Senior Nutrition Month, take a moment to consider your own diet, or how an older adult in your life may be eating. Do their clothes look looser? Does their face look gaunt? Are they feeling depressed or lonely? Older adults often aren't comfortable admitting they are having difficulty providing food for themselves or maybe ignoring their loss of appetite, so a gentle reminder or a lunch or dinner offer may be the nourishment they need.

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA.

This article originally appeared in C-Ville.

  

Maryann Long with C’ville Village named a 2024 CNE Philanthropy Champion

Congratulations to Maryann Long for being named a 2024 Philanthropy Champion by the Center for Non-Profit Excellence (CNE). Maryann led the effort to launch C’ville Village, a non-profit serving older adults in their homes with transportation services, house/yard services, and social services to prevent isolation.  

Maryann is a native of Upstate New York. She led the planning committee that launched Cville Village in Charlottesville on 1/22/24 and now serves as president of the Board of Directors. Maryann worked as a midwifery clinician and educator for more than 35 years and holds a Master of Public Health degree and a PhD in midwifery. In addition to her work for Cville Village, she is active on the Site Visitor Panel of the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education and on the Workforce Committee of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. She is a mother of two and grandmother of three.

Esmont elders helping to preserve their community's legacy

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

JABA's Southern Albemarle Community Center members are busy creating a map on a whiteboard 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 in the historically tight-knit rural Black community in Southern Albemarle County. 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."

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. UVA's Esmont Oral History Project has documented the extreme poverty they endured, but it also documented the community's resilience and collaboration.

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 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.

Center member Loraine Paige says she walked to Esmont High School in the late 1940s and remembers baseball and softball games, bands and concerts, and other activities at the school, which was a central hub of the community. She would finish her last two years of high school at segregated Jackson P. Burley High School in Charlottesville, which opened in 1951. Ironically, when integration arrived in 1967, white students in the Esmont area attended the formerly segregated Yancey Elementary School, while everyone else went to Albemarle High School.

Clearly, the creation of area segregated schools, and later integration, was challenging for young people growing up in Esmont, who not only felt the rural versus city tensions having to attend segregated schools in Charlottesville but also the racial tensions when they integrated.

"That's when the culture shock really hit me," said Bolden, describing the move to Albemarle High School for the first time.

Thelma Moore, a JABA Activities Assistant at the center, who was living in Earlysville when the school integrated, recalled that she and her siblings had to stand on the school bus because they were prevented from sitting down.

"I had to fight on that bus almost every day," said Moore, describing herself as the bolder of her siblings, " and I fought and fought and fought until they finally learned to let us sit down."

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," insists 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.

"We could use some small businesses located here in Esmont," Paige suggested. Other members chimed in saying better transportation options, rural medical services, and more services for older people who want to stay in their homes were priorities.

Thanks to an exhibit at the entrance of the school and center programming that highlights Esmont's history, the Yancey School Community Center is indeed helping to keep the community's legacy intact.

Loraine Paige just hopes it remains intact in people's hearts.

"Right now, people check on me, people watch out for each other around her," she said, " but is that going to be wiped out as the community changes?"

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


Why Crozet: Innovative Programs Serve Elders & Caregivers I Crozet Gazette

Here's a nice, wide-ranging article in the Crozet Gazette about innovative programs in the area that serve older adults and caregivers, featuring Hope Harlow, JABA’s assistant director for center services and health education, who oversees our centers, and Sheri Lutz, JABA’s assistant director for community services, who oversees the response to requests for help that come into JABA every day.

Here are some excerpts:

"Hope Harlow, JABA’s assistant director for center services and health education, who oversees the centers, said the biggest problem she sees is that families wait too long before taking advantage of this service [our Respite and Enrichment Centers (REC) in Charlottesville and Louisa], as it has significant benefits for those at earlier stages of dementia, and for the families who might have enjoyed more time with young children, or at their jobs, to do errands, or pursue their own interests."

"....Sheri Lutz also has some words of advice for those wanting to help the caregivers among their families and friends.

“People are often thrown into caregiving suddenly,” said Sheri. “Make sure to listen carefully to their needs, share information about resources you know about, regularly give them a break, help with some simple daily tasks, and show up exactly at the time you arranged.” By necessity, caregivers often plan their days with very little time to spare, she said: “If you say you’re going to do something, be sure to do it.”

New Caregiver Support Group launches March 14, along with open house events

JABA Respite & Enrichment Center Manager Kelsie Short joined NBC29's Community Conversations yesterday to announce the launch of our new Caregiver Support Group at our Hillsdale Drive location in Charlottesville. Watch!

"The cool thing about it is that it's not only open to our current enrolled participants," said Kelsie, "...we're also opening it to the community as well to anybody who considers themselves a caregiver. We'd just like to have them come so they can receive some extra support and meet other caregivers...and talk about the things they are going through together."

Kelsie also announced something else new for 2024: open house activities for the community at our Respite & Enrichment Center location on Hillsdale Drive.

"We're inviting the community to come in and enjoy musical performances and other fun activities we have," said Kelsie.

Interested in checking out the JREC? (there's one in Louisa County, too). You can always sign up for a free lunch and a tour on our website [www.jabacares.org/j-rec/#freetour] or give us a call. Charlottesville: 434-817-5235. Louisa: 540-500-5961

Black History Month: Embracing inclusion, celebrating resilience

As we enter the month of February, let’s remember that it is Black History Month. A time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and recognize their central role in U.S. history.  

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, referred to as the Father of Black History, chose the second week in February initially as “Negro History Week” to include the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (the president who formally abolished slavery) and Frederick Douglass (abolitionist who escaped slavery). Dr. Woodson was among the first black scholars to receive a doctoral degree. After getting his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University, he joined the faculty at Howard University as a professor and historian.

One example of a contemporary person we honor is Maya Angelou. She was a poet and civil rights activist who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and was the first Black woman to be commemorated on US quarters. She wrote books of poetry and essays and autobiographies; and here is a wonderful quote from her:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Throughout JABA, we will be celebrating Black History Month at our centers, in our newsletter, on social media, and in the local media. Join us in embracing our second value of Inclusion, through learning more about important people who made a difference in our community, like Cecelia Epps, Mary Williams, and those who remember the history of the Yancey School in Esmont. They exhibited resilience to accomplish all that they did and make the impact they did.

Part of resilience is a mindset, a belief, a worldview that sees possibilities! May you find this resilience for yourself.

Marta Keane, JABA CEO

Letter | Use of 'elderly motorist' in story about DMV crash

Read JABA CEO Marta Keane's latest in the Daily Progress about being mindful about ageism.

Ageism is so easy to miss. The funny card sent to those who are aging, supporting the stereotype we often have about what aging means. So I would like to point out that while your recent headline, "Elderly motorist crashes car into Charlottesville DMV," may have been accurate, it's important to be mindful of reenforcing ageist stereotypes.

Ask yourself: If the driver had been middle-age or in their 30s would the age group have been mentioned in the headline? Would you have written, "Millennial motorist crashes car into Charlottesville DMV"?

According to the National Safety Council, 22.5% of drivers 25 to 34 are involved in crashes, while only 5.6% of drivers 75 and older are involved in crashes — making them the safest drivers on the road. Those are facts, too. These facts defy our stereotypical thinking.

The unconscious bias of ageism showed through last year. There were articles about drivers hitting a column in the north wing of Barracks Road Shopping Center, crashing into a vacant meeting room at the DoubleTree hotel, crashing through the front of the Package Depot store in the Ivy Square Shopping Center, and crashing into a urology clinic on Pantops. However, the age of the drivers in those incidents was not emphasized or even mentioned in some stories.

While it's true that some individual older drivers present risks — just as its true some individual younger drivers present risks — assuming older drivers as an age group are a danger is ageist and ignores the facts. Thank you for providing an opportunity for us to educate on this stereotype.

Marta Keane

CEO, Jefferson Area Board for Aging

Older Caregivers Need Support

While many older adults might look forward to slowing down after retirement, taking on fewer responsibilities, and doing what’s necessary to care for themselves, many also find themselves in unexpected caregiving situations. Two sisters in their late 70s have lived together for years, but one has begun showing signs of dementia. A 61-year-old daughter finds herself having to care for her 86-year-old mother, who has several long-term chronic illnesses. An 87-year-old mother still caring for her disabled son wonders how long she can continue. A husband and wife in their early 80s have been married and caring for each other for 45 years, but the husband took a bad fall and the wife is feeling overwhelmed. A couple in their late 70s find themselves caring for two grandchildren because their parents are dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues. 

Since 2015, the number of people caring for an older adult has increased by over 8 million, and more than half of those people are 50 or older, with nearly a quarter being 65 or older. As the recent U.S. Census Bureau report has noted, of the children under 18 not living with a parent, over 50 percent live with a grandparent. 

We know that caregiving can be stressful, but for older caregivers, it can be frightening and overwhelming. Oftentimes, by the time older caregivers reach out for help, they are already depleted and in a trauma state, anxious about what to do next. This can lead to frustration, depression, intense grief, and a feeling of helplessness. Indeed, Aging Service Providers at JABA receive requests for help like these every week:

“I have been the sole caregiver to my husband since we got married over 45 years ago, but I don’t even know where to start,” writes an 80-year-old woman from Charlottesville. “He has had six falls in the last 8 months. He needs 24-hour assistance and I cannot help him much since I recently hurt my back.”

“I’m 61 and work full-time,” a man writes. “My 86-year-old mother lives with me. She is still healthy and mobile, and needs to get out of the house to socialize more, but I don’t have the time. I worry what will happen if her health and mobility declines.”

“I am almost 82, with depression and anxiety issues. My marriage is strained, with doubts and trust issues on my part. Most local resources seem geared toward younger people and families just beginning their journeys. Is there anyone who specializes in those of us who are older?” a woman asked recently. 

“I care for my 77-year-old sister, who is disabled, and she has lived with me in the County since 2012,” a woman writes. “Her health has deteriorated somewhat during that time frame, and now finds it difficult to do the things she needs to do, and I know she will need more help in the future. I travel often to be with other family members and have left her alone, but I worry I won’t be able to do that anymore.” 

According to experts, older caregivers tend to be more devoted caregivers, feeling a strong sense of love and duty for their loved ones, but that devotion can lead them to ignore or dismiss their own needs. They may feel they don’t have permission to care for themselves. This can be dangerous for older caregivers, many of whom are at risk of developing chronic conditions themselves if they haven’t already. The best thing to do is be proactive about dealing with the situation you are in or the situation you are anticipating and reach out for support. You are not alone.

You can start by contacting JABA at 434.817.5244 or visiting their website at @jabacares.org/caregiver-support. 

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA.

This article originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.

The Challenges and Rewards of Caregiving

Being a caregiver for an elderly or disabled loved one can be one of the most challenging, frustrating, and rewarding experiences of your life. And you won’t be alone. Today, there are about 53 million family caregivers in the U.S., and about a third of caregivers spend 20 hours or more caregiving. Depending on the degree of caregiving needed, such as caring for someone with dementia or severe health and mobility issues, that time can be much greater. 

“By mid-century, there will be only three family caregivers available for each person requiring care," said Dr. Susan Reinhard, senior vice president and director of AARP Public Policy Institute, after the release of a study several years ago. " That means, to avoid putting them at higher risk as they age, we need to provide support for existing caregivers who are underserved by the current long-term services and support system.”

Indeed, while many of us have found, and will find, ourselves in caregiving situations, we as a society need to find better ways to help each other in these situations. And we do that by first acknowledging what it means to be a family caregiver.

While helping out an elderly parent with chores and errands is something many people can manage easily, and maybe have done for years, what happens when the level of care needed suddenly escalates? Perhaps a serious medical problem emerges? Or the parent has a fall? Or signs of dementia begin to show themselves? Suddenly, many caregivers find themselves in an overwhelming situation and are forced to rearrange their entire lives around caregiving.

A recent article by Catherine Pearson in the New York Times was brutally honest about the situation, addressing the frustration and anger that can come with finding yourself in a caregiving role. And the difficulty of dealing with and expressing those feelings. 

“The stress is just monumental and constant,” said Ann Brenoff, 73, whose husband was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and needed round-the-clock care. She described feeling less like a wife and more like a medical case manager, losing touch with friends, and gaining 20 pounds.  “I was pissed off,” she said. A director of a caregiving clinic Pearson spoke to said that among the 4,000 or more caregivers she has worked with, she has "yet to meet one who has not expressed some form of anger."

Of course, as the director points out, beneath the anger is a "deep well of sadness" and a feeling of powerlessness. 

“Many caregivers can’t plan for the next day or week, let alone the next month or year,” said the clinic director. “And that’s maddening.” 

While the typical caregiver has for years been a 49-year-old woman and, most likely, the daughter of those being cared for, that has been changing. More men are becoming caregivers, typically the sons of those being cared for, and a quarter of those 53 million mentioned earlier are millennials who are an equal number male and female. For example, Pearson spoke to a woman who began caring for her mother full-time in her late 30s after her mother suffered complications from spine surgery. And a 39-year-old man found himself caring for both his parents after they suffered strokes within months of each other. And then there are the older caregivers, 75 years or older, who are usually the only supports their loved ones have. 

People are often unprepared for caregiving situations, both because someone's health takes a sudden or because roles get altered or reversed. For example, caregiving often requires a reversal of the parent/child relationship, and that can bring up all kinds of emotional and psychological issues among family members. And pit siblings against each other. Experts agree that self-compassion and peer support is crucial

And as the situation evolves, increasing stress levels and the feeling of being “trapped” can sneak up on you. That’s why researchers have found that affordable respite and in-home care were the most desired support among caregivers, along with other supports and resources to manage stress. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for caregivers to find themselves isolated, overwhelmed and even frightened by a caregiving journey they weren’t quite prepared for. This is why finding a way to express your complicated feelings is so important.

“A lot of caregivers are afraid to express their anger because they feel guilty,” a millennial caregiver who created a Facebook support group told Pearson. “...I think people worry if they express it to somebody who doesn’t totally get it, that it will overshadow the totality of their experience.”  

So, where does the reward come in with all this? Well, it doesn't come for everyone, but when it does it comes in the form of the help and love you have to accept from your friends and family, and your community — and the help and love that those being cared for have to accept from the children, friends, caregivers, and doctors they work with.

We deepen relationships with people, even our deepest ones, by struggling with challenges together, by revealing our vulnerabilities, by being straightforward and honest about our needs, and by riding together the often turbulent waves of feeling and emotion that make us truly human. All those come to the forefront in a caregiving situation. There’s no hiding from each other. We realize deeply that taking care of each other means taking care of ourselves, too.

If you're lucky, you'll end up feeling deeply grateful for the time you got to spend together in that caregiving situation — not because it was always fun or joyful, but because you got to experience the full depth and breadth of our humanity and the connection you had with your loved one. 

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA

This article originally appeared in C-Ville Weekly.

Defying Ageism: Are you willing?

When it comes to ageism, we often have no one to blame but ourselves. A good-natured protest against being offered a senior discount, getting an AARP invite in the mail, or a self-deprecating aside about one's age are familiar and curious signals of our discomfort. They might seem innocent enough, but they help reinforce the idea that aging is something meant to be avoided, delayed, or even defied. Which can lead to some pretty delusional thinking. Indeed, when we say someone appears to be "aging backward" it's meant as a compliment, even though we know it's impossible and would likely be a nightmare if it wasn't.

Asked why she titled her new book "Honest Aging: An Insider’s Guide to the Second Half of Life," physician and author Rosanne Leipzig recently told the Washington Post it was because "so much of what’s out there is dishonest, claiming to teach people how to age backward."

"I think it’s time we say, ‘This is it; this is who we are,’ and admit how lucky we are to have all these years of extra time,” said Leipzig.

It's a refreshing idea. Instead of internalizing all the negative messaging about aging, instead of taking a gallows humor approach, why not take a practical look at the situation? For starters, as Leipzig alludes to, greater life expectancy is allowing more people to live longer. Something we should be celebrating. As a result, aging happens over a longer period and isn't the same experience for everyone.

“Predictable changes occur, but not necessarily at the same time or in the same sequence,” said Leipzig. “There’s no more heterogeneous a group than older people.”

What's more, Leipzig argues, a better understanding of the changes that occur as we age, and what we can do to adapt to those changes, can "help people understand that there are lots of things that you can do to adapt to your new normal as you age and have an enjoyable, engaged, meaningful life.”

For instance, understanding that your symptoms of an illness can change, that your body reacts to medications differently, or that energy levels, sleep patterns, eyesight and hearing strength, and muscle flexibility can all change as you age doesn't have to lead to frustration and despair. It simply means paying closer attention to your health, seeking your doctor's advice, eating consciously, staying active, and reducing stress. It means changing your attitude and adapting to your situation.

Of course, that's easier said than done. We know that ageism and negative attitudes about aging are all around us. And that facing one's mortality and the changes our bodies go through can be difficult. But we also know that carrying negative self-perceptions about aging is having a profound impact on our health and health systems. Researchers at Yale found that negative views about aging are associated with all the most expensive health conditions in America - heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and injuries. The estimated cost of ageism, Yale researchers found, was $63 billion per year!

“Never say never,” Leipzig said. “There is almost always something that can be done to improve your situation as you grow older if you’re willing to do it.”

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

Social Connection: our lives depend on it

Ironically, as the world has grown more interconnected, people have grown more disconnected from each other. Even before the pandemic, which required people to self-isolate, many health professionals believed loneliness was becoming an epidemic. Emerging research showed that social isolation could be deadly, leading to heart disease, mental health issues, dementia, and shorter lifespans. Back in 2018, Britain appointed a “loneliness minister” to tackle the problem. Later Japan and Sweden followed suit. In America, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former surgeon general, was calling loneliness a “profound public health issue.” Five years later, Dr. Murthy, who was reappointed as surgeon general, sounded the alarm earlier this year in an 81-page report on the “devastating impact” of loneliness. 

“Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders," wrote Dr. Murthy.

Back in 1964, the surgeon general issued a historic warning about the dangers of smoking, and many observers think Dr. Murthy’s spring report could be just as significant. 

“I suspect that this report on loneliness will also be remembered as one of historic significance,” wrote New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, who has written frequently about the epidemic of loneliness, pointing out that the 1964 warning helped “lay the groundwork for a long decline in tobacco use that by one estimate saved eight million lives.”

As Kristof mentions, Murthy wrote in the report that “loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling,” and offered this stark warning if steps aren’t taken to address the problem - “we will further retreat to our corners — angry, sick and alone.” And while seniors are particularly vulnerable to the physical effects of loneliness and isolation, we are all in this together, as research has shown that young adults are twice as likely to report feeling lonely than seniors.

However, as both Kristof and Murthy point out, while loneliness and isolation are widespread and dangerous to our well-being, and the causes complex, the cure is pretty simple: social connection

That was on display locally during the United Way’s annual Day of Caring last week, in which hundreds of volunteers across the region came together to work on dozens of projects and events. JABA, our local aging services agency, which operates centers across the region for older adults, also held its annual “Fall Ball.” Seniors from JABA centers in Charlottesville and Greene, Nelson, Louisa, Fluvanna, and Albemarle counties all came together (thanks to JAUNT buses) for music, dancing, games, and a Cajun-style meal at JABA's Greene County center location in Stanardsville. While you could notice different levels of engagement among the seniors, collectively there was such energy in the room. A rising sea of connection lifted all boats. And most importantly - everyone looked like they were having such fun. 

Community senior centers are vital social hubs for area seniors, especially in rural areas, and they strengthen the “social infrastructure” that Dr. Murthy cites as a strategy for combating the loneliness epidemic - the idea that “communities must design environments that promote connection, establish and scale community connection programs, and invest in institutions that bring people together.” Indeed, as Murthy wrote, combating loneliness involves a wholesale re-investment in our communities - upgrading parks, libraries, and community centers, improving public transportation, fostering better work-life balance, and deepening our cultural understanding of the importance of social connection, especially in relation to the digital environments that are now part of our lives. 

If you or an older adult you know appears to be spending too much time alone, consider joining a JABA center, becoming a member of the Center at Belvedere, joining a support group in your area, or simply visiting a park for a walk. Questions? You can call JABA’s Senior Helpline at 434.817.5244 to find out about area programs and resources. You are not alone. Reach out and stay connected - our lives and the health of our communities could depend on it. 

This article originally appeared in the September 27, 2023 issue of C-Ville.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Every September 15 through October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15th marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. This month-long holiday serves to honor and celebrate the Latin heritage, culture and contributions made by members of the community.

The National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA) has been in existence almost as long as JABA. Its four main goals are to promote health, economic security, housing and leadership development and empowerment. These are areas that are consistent with JABA’s efforts to help seniors age in the community.

According to the latest census, the Hispanic population in our region has grown to 5 percent, with higher numbers in some counties. We are intentionally broadening our outreach to the Latinx community in our region, especially by having a bilingual Outreach Assistant, who can identify the best avenues and provide a culturally-sensitive interaction. We have translated our key brochures and tool kits into Spanish to assist with this outreach. We are pleased to work with Dr. Max Luna, Latinx outreach from UVa Health System, as he has established a strong trust within the community and is helping to extend that to JABA.

This is an example of our value of Culture of Collaboration, as we are achieving more through working together, and our value of Inclusion, as we care about helping all seniors to age in the community. We celebrate the Latinx community and all of us who provide service and support to Latinx seniors. I am proud to be of Hispanic heritage and know that it has enriched my experiences and added to my perspective of caring for all.

Thank you,

Marta Keane, JABA CEO

Marta Keane: "...we really want people to move beyond those boundaries they've had."

JABA CEO Marta Keane joined NBC29's Kasey Hott to discuss Older Americans Month. This year, the governments of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Fluvanna counties presented JABA with proclamations declaring May Older Americans month.

What does this year's Older American Month theme "Aging Unbound" mean?

"What it means is to challenge our stereotypes and ideas about aging," Keane told NBC29's Hott yesterday, "....and realize that as we age we can demonstrate wisdom and experience that we've accumulated over a lifetime. So we really want people to move beyond those boundaries they've had." Watch!

Older population declining in Charlottesville, climbing in border counties, report says

NBC29 spoke with JABA CEO Marta Keane about how the older population is increasing in surrounding rural counties, and more specifically, how it is decreasing in Charlottesville.

"The seniors are decreasing [in Charlottesville] and it's a concern," said Keane.

"Many independent cities had neighborhoods with a relatively large older population 20 or 30 years ago, in Charlottesville the area neighborhoods around downtown were 25-30 percent over 65 in 1990 but today they are probably under 15 percent," says Hamilton Lombard, a demographer for the Weldon Cooper Center, tells JABA. Charlottesville’s 65+ population has only risen slightly since the 2010 census, while Albemarle County’s 65+ population has gone from 12.5 % in 2000 to 19.4 % in 2020. Surrounding counties have also seen sharp increases in their 65+ populations in the last two decades.

A study JABA helped conduct showed there were three main factors that may be forcing seniors to leave Charlottesville.

"The three top areas were affordable housing, transportation, and social engagement," said Keane, emphasizing the cost of housing.

"That is one of the serious concerns for seniors who are on a set income unless they go back to work, and even then they have to watch what they earn. They have to really make everything fit within whatever their social security, and perhaps their retirement has provided for them."

Eight years ago, JABA and other organizations formed the Charlottesville Area Alliance, a collaborative effort to address those issues - which are also important to people of all ages - and to identify needed services and call attention to those that already exist.

"It doesn't need to be about our organization so much as elevating the needs of seniors," Keane said, and "to be that advocate and that voice."