SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
. . . Bringing wellness home
A NEWSLETTER OF THE SENIOR VISITORS PROGRAM
___________________________________________________________
November/December 2015
The Senior Visitors Program Annual
Holiday Party
Will be held on
Saturday, December 5, 2015
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
at
Christ Lutheran Church
1300 Augustine Avenue, Fredericksburg
ALL Senior Visitors senior clients and volunteers are invited.
Our celebration will include food, entertainment, and door prizes
for our seniors.
Please RSVP to (540) 371-2704 by December 2nd
Health and Safety
Look in this section of our newsletter each month for important health and
safety tips and community health-related events or resources specifically for seniors!
This month’s tip comes from Care.com, Andrea Lee, Contributor:
Here is some helpful advice for preventing common winter dangers that the elderly
population faces.
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Avoid Slipping on Ice
Icy, snowy roads and sidewalks make it easy to slip and fall. Make sure to wear
shoes with good traction and non-skid soles, and stay inside until the roads are
clear. Replace a worn cane tip to make walking easier. Take off shoes as soon
as you return indoors because often snow and ice attach to the soles and, once
melted, can lead to slippery conditions inside.
Dress for Warmth
Cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and hypothermia -- a condition where the
body temperature dips too low. So don't let indoor temperatures go too low and
dress in layers. Going outside? Wear warm socks, a heavy coat, a warm hat,
gloves and a scarf. In very cold temperatures, cover all exposed skin. Use a scarf
to cover your mouth and protect your lungs.
Fight Wintertime Depression
Because it can be difficult and dangerous to get around, many seniors have less
contact with others during cold months. This can breed feelings of loneliness and
isolation. To help avoid these issues, family members can check in on seniors as
often as possible; even a short, daily phone call can make a big difference.
Seniors can also arrange a check-in system with neighbors and friends, where
each person looks in on one or two others daily.
Prepare for Power Outages
Winter storms can lead to power outages. Make sure you have easy access to
flashlights and a battery-powered radio in case the power goes out. Stockpile
warm blankets. Longer power outages can spoil the food in your refrigerator and
freezer so keep a supply of non-perishable foods that can be eaten cold on hand.
If the power goes out, wear several layers of clothing, including a hat. Move
around a lot to raise your body temperature.
Eat a Varied Diet
Because people spend more time indoors and may eat a smaller variety of foods,
nutritional deficits -- especially Vitamin D deficiency -- can be a problem. Nicole
Morrissey, a registered dietician in southwest Michigan, recommends consuming
foods that are fortified with Vitamin D, such as milk, grains and seafood options
like tuna and salmon.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Using a fireplace, gas heater or lanterns can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Ensure your safety by checking the batteries on your carbon monoxide detector
and buying an updated one if you need to.
Director’s Corner
Hello Seniors and Volunteers,
Fall is always a busy time of year and the holiday season is right around the corner. We
hope you will be able to join us for our annual Holiday Party on December 5, 2015.
Your invitation is included in this newsletter. It is always a nice chance to see old
friends, meet new ones and start the holiday season off with good food and
entertainment.
We are partnering with AARP for “Soup 4 Seniors” and we hope you will enjoy a cup of
soup with crackers, complements of the Fredericksburg AARP Chapter 3396. Please
ask your volunteer to stop by our office and pick up your bag of soup and crackers!
Thanks AARP!
As the holiday season approaches we hope you and your family will enjoy special time
and memories together and we wish you all Happy Holidays!
Teresa Bowers
Thank you to all those who
participated in the AARP Food
Drive!
The disAbility Resource Center at 409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, 22401 offers many
“Ongoing Events”. Check out their website at www.cildrc.org or call (540)373-2559 for more
information on programs and events that may be of interest to you!
One such program is:
Fun Fridays
Social time and activities for adults with disabilities and their friends. Come and enjoy a movie, play
some games, have some fun and make new friends! When? 1st&3rd Fridays of each month, 2 p.m. –
5 p.m. at the dRC. RSVP at least one day prior to event. Contact: Claudia DePollo at
cdepollo@cildrc.org
Join us for a Community Shopping Benefit at
Sunday, December 6
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1 Towne Centre Blvd, Ste 5750,Fredericksburg, VA 22407
(Between Tulip Spa & Books-a-million)
Free gift wrapping available.
15% of net sales during this time will go to the
Senior Visitors Program
. . . Bringing wellness home
A free community service program of Mental Health America of
Fredericksburg, serving seniors right here in our community!
Call (540) 371-2704 for more information.
Fun And Games
Mystery Christmas Carol
The words listed below are from a familiar Christmas Carol.
What is it?
Find and circle all of the words hidden in the grid.
The remaining letters spell the name of the Christmas Carol.
ALL
ANCIENT
APPAREL
AWAY
BEFORE
BLAZING
BOUGHS
CAROL
CHORUS
DON
FAST
FOLLOW
GAY
HAIL
HARP
HEEDLESS
HOLLY
JOIN
JOLLY
JOYOUS
LADS
LASSES
MEASURE
MERRY
NEW
NOW
OLD
OUR
PASSES
SEASON
SING
STRIKE
TELL
TIDE
TIS
TOGETHER
TREASURE
TROLL
WEATHER
WHILE
WIND
WITH
YEAR
YULE
Did you enjoy this puzzle? Visit: http://www.puzzles.ca/wordsearch.html
Copyright © 2009 Livewire Puzzles (www.puzzles.ca)
Free Events You and Your Volunteer May Enjoy:
Veteran’s Day Exhibit - The Centennial Anniversary, 1915-2015 "Stalemate in the
Trenches" The Museum of Valor presents a full theater exhibit to honor the memory and
lives of those who served in World War I. Wednesday, November 11, 2015 9:00am to 5:00pm at the Rappahannock Regional Library, Headquarters Branch, 1201
Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. FREE
Visit your Rappahannock Regional Library Branch for more great activities for adults
– from visiting authors to chair yoga or even join a Bridge group or get computer
training! Contact Headquarters Branch with any questions at 540-372-1144.
Rappahannock Choral Society Annual Free Christmas Concert –Concerts are
performed at Chancellor High School, located at 6300 Harrison Road in Fredericksburg,
VA. Visit our website at www.rappahannock-choral-society.org for more information
and a map to the school. December 5, 2015, 8:00 p.m. or December 6, 2015, 3:00
p.m. FREE
Courthouse Christmas Luminary - Come enjoy this outdoor celebration as the
candles are lit at dusk and the area Choirs begin to sing. Bring your blanket and your
warm gloves and let the spirit warm your heart. Over 500 luminaries light up the Historic
Courthouse lawn. Listen to music and join in singing carols of the season. 9104
Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22553. December 6, 2015, 4:45 p.m. on the lawn
of the Old Courthouse. FREE
Contacts for heating and weatherization assistance:
Local Department of Social Services
Energy Assistance Programs assist low-income households with fuel and weatherization. For more
information, contact your local DSS.
Caroline County DSS: (804) 633-5071
Fredericksburg DSS: (540) 372-1032
King George DSS: (540) 775-3544
Spotsylvania DSS: (540) 507-7896
Stafford DSS: (540) 658-8720
Energy Share – The Salvation Army
Heating Program assists individuals with all fuel types. To be eligible, applicants must have exhausted
all other state and federal resources, provide disconnect notice (unless age 60 or over), be
experiencing a recent family or personal crisis and meet income requirements. Phone: (540) 373-3431
Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging
Weatherization Assistance Program will inspect your heating system for safety, seal air leaks and
install insulation if needed. To qualify, you must meet age and income requirement guidelines and be
a homeowner. Phone: (540) 371-3375
November/December 2015 Birthdays
William N – 11/6
Helen B – 11/8
Marie B – 11/11
Shirley S – 11/11
Melba H – 11/13
Jane N – 11/16
Jan J – 12/13
Ella A – 12/14
Dorothy L – 12/15
Mary H – 12/16
Paula C – 12/17
Gloria G – 12/28
Joyce K – 12/30
If we missed your birthday, please let us know at (540)371-2704.
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to
pursue them.
-Walt Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966)
The Mystery
Christmas Carol is:
DECK THE HALLS
Mary Washington Hospice offers Grief 101: A monthly workshop for adults who have experienced the death
of a loved one and for family, friends, and professionals who wish to support them. Workshop held at John F.
Fick, III Conference Center at 1301 Sam Perry Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 (back of Carl D. Silver
building near MW Hospital). Registration is not required. For more information contact Dianne Bachman at
540-741-3597.
Ongoing Support Groups are also available, such as “Finding Words for Grief Writing Group” which
meets weekly on Wednesday, 4- 5 p.m. Registration is required for support groups. Call 540-741-3597 for
registration or information about other support groups.
The Senior Visitors Program and AARP are partnering to bring you
Soup 4 Seniors
Fredericksburg AARP Chapter 3396 members have generously donated
individual bags of soup and crackers for our Senior Visitors clients.
Sometimes nothing is better on a chilly autumn day
than a warm bowl of soup!
If you would like a bag of soup and crackers, please speak to your volunteer
or call our office for more information. (540) 371-2704
. . . Bringing wellness home
Senior Spotlight
Senior Visitors Program
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg
2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
mhafsv@mhafred.org
540-371-2704