Alexandria is a great place to be a senior – there are so many different services and organizations with programs designed to help older residents remain in their homes and age in place safely and in a healthy environment.
Research shows that the vast majority of people 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities as long as possible. There are many things to consider about “aging in place.”
Each month, Senior Services of Alexandria presents a speaker series event focused on topics important to older members of our community and their loved ones. Senior Services invites other nonprofits, city agencies and relevant businesses to present information about their services and programs so that the audience can learn about the many resources available to them in Alexandria.
Last month, AARP gave an excellent “Homefit” workshop presentation. We also heard from Shane Cochrane of Alexandria’s Office of Housing, Katherine Dixon, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Alexandria, and Undersheriff Tim Gleason. More than 100 people were in the audience at Westminster Presbyterian Church and everyone learned valuable information about how to make their homes safer and more accessible, public and nonprofit funding for home modifications, and how to avoid scam artists that target vulnerable seniors. You can find out more by watching Senior Living in Alexandria on Alexandria Comcast Channel 70 every Sunday at 2 p.m. and see the full Speaker Series event immediately afterwards at 2:30 p.m.
Another component of “Aging in Place” is knowing what services and innovative programs are available in the community that will assist you personally as you get older. That is the focus of the next Senior Speaker Series event, which will be held at Beth El Hebrew Congregation at 3830 Seminary Road on Wednesday, April 15. At Home in Alexandria (AHA)! is co-sponsoring the morning and will share information about their successful “village,” which provides support services and social opportunities for its members. The City’s Division of Aging and Adult Services and Senior Services of Alexandria will also be on-hand to discuss services such as Meals on Wheels, Friendly Visitor, Animeals, Groceries to Go, and Caregiver Support. The Golden Girls Network home-sharing service will also be featured and Goodwin House at Home will be talking about their new continuing care program for seniors who wish to remain in their homes. It will be a very informative session and experts will be on hand to answer any questions attendees might have.
All Senior Speaker Series programs are free and open to the public with light refreshments. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the program will run from 10 a.m. until noon. To register for the “Aging in Place” April 15 program, go to seniorservicesalex.org or call 703-836-4414, ext. 110.