By Brooke Saba McDowell, Coordinator

Imagine windows, almost as high as the trees that they look out upon a spacious, yet warm and modern atmosphere, with wood slated walls reminiscent of a modern ski resort, surrounded by books, quiet though bustling activity, and the feeling of home. Powhatan County Public Library (PCPL) is a true intergenerational institution for exploration in books, connections, activities, and even the wild. Beyond the windows of the library are playgrounds among the forest, gentle walking paths and even sports fields.
 
Here at the PCPL, older adults and any individuals who are members of the library can rent out backpacks for days of adventure. These include rentable backpacks for knitting and crocheting, disk golf, yoga, Virginia State Parks, and bird watching. These backpacks are filled with just about anything one would need for these types of explorations.
 
A partnership between the Library of Virginia, Virginia State Parks, and the Science Museum of Virginia make the Virginia State Parks backpack available to 135 libraries in Virginia.
These partnerships make the outdoors more accessible to folks across the Commonwealth by breaking down the financial barriers to entry while encouraging observation and exploration. The backpack includes free parking, a free day pass, pocket guides, lists of activities, a dip net, magnifying glass and other elements for a curiosity filled time at the State Parks.

So, although the Virginia State Parks backpack program is not unique to Powhatan, it is a truly wonderful gift for the community. The other backpacks are wonderful too, and those are unique to the Powhatan community. Highlighting the backpack programs is important because these programs encourage access to activities that connect residents of the county to nature, encourage curiosity, inspire physical activity and one could suggest the possibility for improved wellness as well.
 
Powhatan County Public Library (PCPL) also hosts a smorgasbord of events for older adults and intergenerational collaborations. On March 11th the library hosted their regular Astronomy Lecture Series facilitated by the Richmond Astronomical Society, which includes opportunities to look at the stars and wonder about the possibilities beyond our ozone. Library For All is a lively monthly meeting for older adults with differing abilities and the people who assist them. This group has discussions, designated activities or games and crafts and is a space for the caregivers and the older individuals to increase their social interactions and make friends. There are also engaged Quilting Groups that meet regularly at the PCPL. Volunteer opportunities with the library are abundant and any individuals interested in participating in the extraordinary work by the Powhatan County Public Library, are encouraged to connect with the library staff to learn about the available opportunities.
 
The library acts as the meeting house for the residents of Powhatan county. Powhatan County Public Library also hosts a smorgasbord of events for older adults and intergenerational collaborations. On March 11th the library hosted their regular Astronomy Lecture Series facilitated by the Richmond Astronomical Society, which includes opportunities to look at the stars and wonder about the possibilities beyond our ozone. Library For All is a lively monthly meeting for older adults with differing abilities and the people who assist them. This group has discussions, designated activities or games and crafts and is a space for the caregivers and the older individuals to increase their social interactions and make friends. There are also engaged Quilting Groups that meet regularly at the PCPL. Volunteer opportunities with the library are abundant and any individuals interested in participating in the extraordinary work by the Powhatan County Public Library, are encouraged to connect with the library staff to learn about the available opportunities. The library acts as the meeting house for the residents of Powhatan county.

By Debbie Ward, Coordinator

The Central High School Cultural and Educational Complex opened in 2018 with a ribbon cutting in March and opening full time in July. Built in 1938, the current complex served for many years as the high school for African Americans. Before becoming vacant and after many renovations, the building has served as a middle school and housed the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
 
Looking back to 2014, over 100 county members and high school alumni, met with county officials to discuss the future of the building. Fast forward to 2018 many past Central High School members and their family members were actively involved in the process of preserving history and moving towards the future. Ryan (2018, para 5) sums up the transformation by saying, “The complex offers many nods to its role in local African-American history, but now also serves as a site for community gatherings, classes, youth sports and senior activities.” This representation of Goochland County’s willingness to listen to and honor the wishes of its older adult population exemplifies one of the core dimensions of gerontology, the social domain. This domain involves the socialization and environmental aspects of elderhood along with recognizing the importance of background, all which has happened in Goochland County with this project.
 
It is our calculation that former Central High School students and their family members would range in age from early 50s to early 80s. According to the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service (n.d.), in 2017 Goochland County had a total population of 22,685, with 5,192 ranging in age from 50 to 85 and over. The complex provides various events and opportunities for older adults to socialize and be active.
 
In 2018, events held at the complex for older adults, considered 50+, included a retirement planning workshop, healthy habits workshop in conjunction with Senior Connections, and a Chat & Chew. The Chat & Chew was an opportunity for older adults to share their ideas and insights. Currently, the Breakpoint Lounge is the area within the complex that is designated for older adults.
 
A well-attended activity for older adults at the complex is the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., pickleball program. Membership is free but a membership card is required for entrance and exit purposes.

By Catherine MacDonald, Director

Age Wave's approach toward community change seeks equitable individual outcomes and removal of structural barriers so that quality of life is improved — now and in the future — throughout our region. Age Wave disrupts current structures, lifts people’s power and voices, and embraces elderhood. Today we promote longevity opportunity through the following achievement targets and goals:
 
(1) Achievement targets/goals: Older adults, family members, and service providers will learn new health and wellness skills for themselves and the people for whom they care.
Last year's results: Using the Social Isolation Risk Index findings, analysis of local support resources, and cultivated interest from county leadership, the project team from VCU Gerontology and Senior Connections selected Charles City to launch a pilot PCA School (see page 9).
Our Longevity U courses reached 477 participants. Participants strongly agreed that their skills and knowledge improved. Our Financial Health course for elders post- evaluations show 93% successfully strengthened awareness, knowledge, and skills.

(2) Achievement targets/goals: Older adults in communities of focus will identify an increased connection to neighbors and service providers.
Last year's results: An Age Wave-led project team received City Council recognition for our Green Park Garden at Home, Grow with Your Neighbors project, the impact of which has resulted in:

• Increased service provision
• Empowered elder advocates
• Pro-bono fresh fruit and vegetable planting and growing
• Increased connectedness and increased genuine caring between neighbors
• Increased intergenerational relationship building

 
(3) Achievement targets/goals: Service providers will attain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively serve older adults. Age Wave is working to support a person-centered, trauma-informed provider force who are able to share resources across sectors. We're also working to enhance services through refined protocol, No Wrong Door expansion, and data analysis.
Last year's results: Age Wave co-launched and provided educational sessions for 80-member East End Coalition for Older Adults related to: team-building, racial equity tools, and person-centered trauma-informed approaches. From EEC, Age Wave launched a collaborative partnership with homelessness services to effect change across service sectors, including a professional training series. So far, 65% of respondents reported training successfully connected them to professionals outside their traditional network, and 88% reported a learning of professional value to their role.
In addition, the majority of the Age Wave Leadership network reported our programming successfully changed their feelings about aging. Age Wave also presented advocacy messaging to 738 leaders and policy makers, developed coursework for four graduate courses at VCU Gerontology, and a Department of Social Services training curriculum.
In one year, No Wrong Door saw a 72% increase in CRIA electronic referrals; 2,410 clients served; and seven new partners added. Age Wave continues to advocate for No Wrong Door expansion, including as part of our housing stability efforts.

By Thelma Bland Watson, Ph.D, Co-Lead for Greater Richmond Age Wave Coalition and Executive Director of Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging, Gerontologist

​We are pleased to share we have marked many milestones this year with activities of the Greater Richmond Age Wave Coalition. These milestones address longevity and opportunities for creating communities as ideal places for all people to grow old. As Co-Lead with Dr. Ayn Welleford, Gerontologist for Community Voice, VCU Department of Gerontology, I am extremely pleased to highlight one of these important milestones: the recent celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the No Wrong Door Service Coordination Program.
 
No Wrong Door is a virtual system and network of shared resources, designed to streamline access to long term services and supports. It connects individuals, providers, and communities, and provides powerful tools for demographic reports and service outcomes. This system plays a major part in making the Richmond region a great place for all people to grow old, and is an important tool to support longevity.
 
No Wrong Door is part of a national concept supported by the Administration for Community Living under the leadership of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). It is a comprehensive system led by the Area Agencies on Aging in Virginia with many community partners.
 
The Virginia Navigator is part of the No Wrong Door System that allows access to more than 26,300 resources that are available to older adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans and caregivers. These resources include programs and services such as Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day, health care, benefits. Community partners include Centers for Independent Living, hospitals, health insurance companies, Alzheimer’s Association chapter and local Departments of Social Services, including Adult Protective Services.
 
This special anniversary comes on the heels of an amazing year of growth. In 2018, the Richmond Region experienced a 72 percent increase in electronic referrals between community partners, the addition of seven new partners to the network and services to more than 3600 individuals.

In the Greater Richmond Region, Age Wave's work with No Wrong Door has reached new heights. Several years ago, a project team was formed to examine how to increase social connectedness in our Region. Along with Age Wave, the Social Isolation Risk Index project team includes United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, Age Wave co- leads Senior Connections and VCU Gerontology, VCU Center for Urban and Regional Analysis, and Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. The team analyzed regional No Wrong Door data to learn more about predictive factors for social dissatisfaction, a marker of social isolation.
 
Findings related to statistically significant predictive factors of built environment, mental health, trauma, and transitions have been illuminating, and have led to the launch of new programs, projects, and planning at Age Wave.
What we've learned has informed our work with food insecurity, the business community, local governments, and more.

You'll see the impact of the project team's work on this topic on every page of Age Wave's Longevity Project e-magazine.
 
We extend best wishes to all for a successful, happy, and fulfilling spring and summer. We appreciate the tremendous support we receive from program participants, community partners, funders, contributors, and supporters. As we continue our work in 2019, we reflect on our rich history and plans for the future as we touch the lives of more than 24,000 individuals each year. Join us as we strive to incorporate person centered practices in activities such as successful initiatives such as the No Wrong Door Service Coordination Program. Such initiatives help us to create livable communities to support us all as we grow old.
 
Senior Connections is the recipient of one of the 2019 Best Practice Awards from the Commonwealth Council on Aging for the evidenced base Hospital to Home Care Transitions Program.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, also known as Food Stamps, are being interrupted because of the federal government shutdown.

On Jan. 17, 2019 Virginia SNAP beneficiaries will receive their February SNAP dollars. There will not be any funds distributed in February. Participants should plan and budget their SNAP dollars accordingly.

Without a resolution to the government shutdown it is possible that no SNAP benefits will be distributed in March. Similar safety net programs like WIC and TANF should operate normally through February, but the future of these programs is uncertain if the government continues the shut down through February.

Our friends and neighbors throughout the greater Richmond region are going to be affected by these benefit distribution changes. In Virginia, 1 in 11 families rely on SNAP benefits to eat.  One third of SNAP beneficiaries are older adults or persons with disabilities (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2018).

In Congressional District 4, where Richmond City is located, there are more than 37,500 households using SNAP, and 29.9 percent of these households include an individual over the age of 60. Additionally 44.7 percent of these households include a person with a disability (United States Department of Agriculture, Profile of SNAP households).

Virginia SNAP use
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities

Based here in Richmond, Feed More collects, prepares and distributes food to neighbors in need. To help those in need as a result of the partial shutdown, Feed More is doing the following (from Feed More):

• We will be holding a Pop-Up Distribution this Friday on our campus from 2 pm to 4 pm in Building 2.  Nonperishable boxes, fresh produce and proteins will be provided. Monitor Feed More’s social media channels for details.
• We have engaged 9 agencies in our area who have agreed to be focal points for those affected.  These agencies will provide nutritious food during their normal distribution days/times. The specific agencies involved along with other important information will be made available through various channels in order to reach those who need help.  Feed More will supply the agencies with additional food as needed throughout the shutdown. Please call our Food Referral’s Hunger Hotline 521-2500 ext 631 or ask for “Food Referral.” Our Food Referral office is available Monday – Friday 9 am - 3:30 pm.
• Should the shutdown continue, we are preparing to hold several more Pop-Up distributions on our campus.  There is also the possibility of holding other Pop-Ups at some of the 9 focal agencies already engaged with us.
• Please feel free to give out our Food Referral’s Hunger Hotline number and clients can be directed accordingly to an agency. 521-2500 ext 631 or they can ask for Food Referral (9-3:30pm)

Have you heard of other efforts to help those in need? Does your agency have plans in the works? Age Wave is aiding in resource sharing and cross sector information, and it’s important to spread the word during this crucial time. Please let Age Wave know about other efforts: email macdonaldcs@vcu.edu.

“What can I do?” Talk to your friends and neighbors about this issue. Rally together to support our neighbors. Help plan meals and conserve resources. If you are concerned you will not have enough to eat, call the hotline at Feed More: 804-521-2500 ext 631

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, make time in your day to vote! Polling hours throughout the Commonwealth are from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. As long as a voter is in line by 7 p.m., the voter will be able to vote.

Resources
Look up your polling place: www.elections.virginia.gov/poll 

Voter FAQs here: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/election-day-faq/index.html

Transportation and Accessibility
If you or someone you know needs a ride to a polling place, Uber and Lyft are offering free rides that day.

Radio One Richmond and Miss Community Clovia will provide rides to the polls for voters on election day: Call the Poll Patrol Hotline at 804-501-0415. Leave your name, address, and telephone number.  Click here for more information.

If you or someone you know might have difficulty with accessibility at their polling place, there are options for curbside voting listed midway down this webpage.

Did you know? Richmond City Council approved free GRTC rides on November 6, per the minutes from the October 8 City Council Meeting.

Richmond Green Park Project Awarded AARP Grant 
Selected out of nearly 1,600 applications nationwide, Greater Richmond Age Wave, Six Points Innovation Center, the Richmond City Office on Aging and Persons with Disabilities, and the Office of the Honorable Ellen Robertson are pleased to announce their collaborative 2018 AARP Community Challenge grant program award. The project was developed to facilitate social connectedness through neighborhood talents. It will provide for the installation of self-watering garden boxes in the neighborhood of Green Park and the Highland Park Senior Apartments, as well as for educational gardening programs.

Save the Date! Sept. 28 Leadership Meeting at 3'Notched
We'll be wrapping up Active Aging Week with an Age Wave Leadership event 9/28 at 3'Notched at 3 p.m. More details to come!

Introducing New Age Wave Staff
Please join us in welcoming two new members of our team: Director of Outreach Annie Rhodes (rhodesas2@vcu.edu) and Age Wave Administrative Coordinator Geunmi Kwon (kwong4@vcu.edu).

Advocacy Update
Age Wage would like to extend thanks to the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Ralph Northam for creating and passing the recent legislation to enable Medicaid expansion within the state. Our thanks also to the Age Wave action team members and staff who successfully advocated on behalf of this effort to benefit our fellow community members.