The Senior’s Voice

H ea l t h y G e n er a t i o n s
A r ea A g e nc y o n End of Summer, 2017 Volume , Issue

A g i ng

Inside this issue:

Medicare Part D Enrollment 1
Events
Here’s to Your Health 2
Emergency Preparedness 4
News You Should Know 5
The Price is Right 6
Funnies to Make You Laugh 7

Upcoming Holiday
Closings
October 9, 2017 - Monday for Co-
lumbus Day
November 10, 2017 - Friday for
Veterans' Day
November 22, Noon - November
24, 2017 - Wednesday through
Friday for Thanksgiving
December 22, Noon - December 26,
2017 - Friday through Tuesday for
Christmas
January 1, 2018 - Monday for New
Year’s Day

460 Lendall Lane

Fredericksburg, VA 22405
540-371-3375
FAX 540-371-3384
www.healthygenerations.org
[email protected]
M - F, 8 am - 4:30 pm

To enhance the quality of life for all older citizens.

Page 2 The Senior’s Voice

You can play an active role in your health care by talking to your doctor. Clear and honest commu-
nication between you and your physician can help you both make smart choices about your health. It’s im-
portant to be honest and upfront about your symptoms even if you feel embarrassed or shy. Have an open
dialogue with your doctor – ask questions to make sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment, and re-
covery.
Here are a few tips that can help you talk to your doctor and make the most of your appointment:
• Write down a list of questions and concerns before your appointment.
• Consider bringing a close friend or family member with you.
• Take notes about what the doctor says, or ask a friend or family member to take notes for you.
• Learn how to access your medical records, so you can keep track of test results, diagnoses, treatments
plans, and medications and prepare for your next appointment.
• Ask for the doctor’s contact information and their preferred method of communication.
• Remember that nurses and pharmacists are also good sources of information.

Just What the Doctor Ordered!

At your next check-up, add a conversation about exercise to your agenda!
Physical activity is safe for almost everyone. Many doctors recommend older people make physical activity a
part of everyday life. Exercise can help you:
• Have more energy to do the things you want to do
• Maintain and improve your physical strength and fitness
• Improve mood and reduce feelings of depression
• Manage and prevent diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis
• Improve your balance and prevent falls
Volume , Issue Page 3

Hearing loss is a common problem caused by noise, aging, disease, and heredity. Hearing is a complex sense
involving both the ear's ability to detect sounds and the brain's ability to interpret those sounds, including the
sounds of speech. Factors that determine how much hearing loss will negatively affect a person’s quality of
life include:
◾ the degree of the hearing loss
◾ the pattern of hearing loss across different frequencies (pitches)
◾ whether one or both ears is affected
◾ the areas of the auditory system that are not working normally—such as the middle ear, inner ear, neural
pathways, or brain
◾ the ability to recognize speech sounds
◾the history of exposures to loud noise and environmental or drug-related toxins that are harmful to hearing
◾age.

Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Approximately 15 percent (37.5
million) of American adults ages 18 and older report some degree of hearing loss. Men are more likely to ex-
perience hearing loss than women.

Approximately 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids, but only one in four U.S. adults
ages 20 and over who could benefit from hearing aids has used them.

People with hearing loss may find it hard to have a conversation with friends and family. They may also have
trouble understanding a doctor's advice, responding to warnings, and hearing doorbells and alarms.
Assistive listening devices include telephone and cell phone amplifying devices, smart phone or tablet "apps,"
and closed circuit systems (induction coil loops) in places of worship, theaters, and auditoriums. There are
many devices that can provide assistance in helping you hear better. There is also assistance to find out what
the best devices are for you.

The disAbility Resource Center, located at 409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 has the most up-
to-date equipment and referrals that can be made to assist you with better hearing. Brittany Howard joins
them to head up the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Outreach (DHOH) division. In conjunction with the VA De-
partment for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the DHOH program provides core services as well as a variety
of other services and resources: Interpreter & CART Referrals, Sign Language classes, VDDHH Technical
Assistance Program, Loan to Own Equipment Program, as
well as Technical Assistance for Veterans. Not sure what
there is or what you need, don’t hesitate to contact Brittany
for assistance. The phone number is 540-373-2559.

The Hearing Loss Association meets from 12 noon to 2 pm

every third Thursday of the month for a potluck lunch. It’s a
great way to share lunch, gain new friends and share and
learn new things about hearing loss. The disAbility Resource
Center is located at 409 Progress Street, Fredericksburg,
VA 22401 and you can call 373-2559 for more information.
Page 4 The Senior’s Voice

Will you be prepared for the next flood or hurricane that could sweep
through your community taking with it the most essential services such as wa-
ter, electricity, gas, and communications? Would you and your family be
prepared to survive on your own for a minimum of three days post emer-
gency? Disasters, such as these, often strike quickly and without warning
leaving you with little or no time to ready yourself. The likelihood that you
and your family will recover often depends on the preparations done today.

This is especially true for older Americans. Although abilities vary, perhaps you’re not as agile as you once
were or maybe you have hearing or vision deficiencies; while others may use a wheelchair or cane to be
mobile. In either case, whether you are perfectly healthy or have functional needs to consider, preparing
makes sense. By evaluating your own personal needs and making an emergency plan that fits those needs,
you and your loved ones can be better prepared.

All citizens are encouraged to Get a Kit, Make a Plan, and Be Informed. Your local government is doing
their part to ensure you are protected, but it’s also important to do yours! In an emergency you cannot de-
pend on regular services because normal operations may be suspended. Using that as a basis, develop
your emergency plan.

In creating an emergency preparedness kit think, first, of your basic needs – food, water, clean air, and
any life sustaining items you require (for a list of basic items go to www.ready.gov). More importantly for
older adults, make sure you have enough of the medications, medical supplies, and oxygen needed to last
for three days after a disaster; on average it takes, at least, three days for rescue workers to reach eve-
ryone in need. Be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about insulin or other medications that need to
be refrigerated. Also include important documents such as family records, power of attorney documents,
social security numbers, and insurance and Medicare/Medicaid information.

Make a plan by creating a personal support network. Talk to family, friends, and others whom you can
rely on to assist you after a disaster. Make things you can do to prepare for the unexpected such as creat-
ing an emergency supply kit or making a personal preparedness plan. It’s also important to stay informed
about what might happen and to know what types of emergencies are likely to affect your area. For more
information go to www.ready.gov.
Volume , Issue Page 5

Beginning April 2018, Centers for Medicare & Medi-

caid Services will start sending out new Medicare
cards with your new identification number on it. To
combat fraud & illegal use, the cards will no longer
contain social security numbers. Keep a look out for
your new card.

Honor a friend or a loved one with a financial gift to Healthy Generations

Area Agency on Aging. Your gift of $25, $50, $150 or an amount of your
choosing will make life better for seniors who need help maintaining inde-
pendence.
Checks may be mailed to:
Healthy Generations
Attn: Donations
460 Lendall Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22405

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of seniors.

Page 6 The Senior’s Voice
 H ea l t h y G e n er a t i o n s
Volume , Issue Page 7 A r ea A g e nc y o n A g i ng

Board Chairman
James Howard

Advisory Council Chairman

Karl Karch
MAMA'S BIBLE
Four brothers became successful doctors and lawyers. Executive Director
One evening, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the 90th Leigh Wade
birthday gifts they were able to give their mother.
Finance Director
The first said, "You know I had a big house built for Mama."
Delores Roussey
The second said, "And I had a large theater built in the house."
The third said, "And I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her." Director of Client Services
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she Pat Holland
can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me
Director of Community Health and
about a parrot who could recite the entire Bible. It took ten preachers almost 8
Wellness
years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the Tiffany Roman, BSN, RN
church, but it was worth it. Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the
parrot will recite it." LTC Ombudsman
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mama sent out her "Thank Nicole Farmer
You" notes. Director of Operations
She wrote: “Milton , the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room, but I Angela Snyder
have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I never VICAP Counselor/Options Counselor
use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound and it can hold 50 peo- Receptionist/Options Counselor
ple, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing, and I'm nearly blind. I'll never Tess Harris
use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same." WX, Energy & Quality Control Housing
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little Inspector
thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious! Thank you so much." Donald Thomas
Love, Mama
Mobility Manager
MONEY LAUNDERING Denis Paddeu
Just took a load of clothes out of the washer and put them in the dryer. Found a Transportation Program Assistant
bunch of coins at the bottom of the washer tub. Does this make me guilty of money Jennifer Falknor
laundering?
Mobility Options Scheduling Assistant
Joan Hammond
GET AWAY
A Florida senior citizen drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealer- Travel Trainer
ship. Taking off down the road, he pushed it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing Don Engiles
through what little hair he had left.
Transportation Coordinator
“Amazing,” he thought as he flew down I-95, pushing the pedal even more. Boyd Elliott
Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a Florida State Trooper, blue lights flashing
and siren blaring. He floored it to 100 mph, then 110, then 120. Suddenly he thought, Education Care Navigator
“What am I doing? I’m too old for this!” and pulled over to await the trooper’s arri- Lori Foley
val. Title V Coordinator
Pulling in behind him, the trooper got out of his vehicle and walked up to the Cor- Mary Edwards
vette. He looked at his watch, then said, “Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is
Friday. If you can give me a new reason for speeding – a reason I’ve Title V Office Assistant
never before heard – I’ll let you go.” Renee Reynolds-Richardson
The old gentleman paused then said, “Three years ago, my wife ran off
with a Florida State Trooper. I thought you were bringing her back.”
“Have a good day, Sir,” replied the trooper.
 Healthy Generations Area Agency on Aging
460 Lendall Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22405

Interested in
TO:
volunteering?
Many opportunities are
available. Contact us for
more information:
www.healthygenerations.org
org

MOBILITY OPTIONS VOLUNTEER DRIVER

PROGRAM
Bay Transit offers transportation that picks up in King George and
Mobility Options, a transportation service of the Rap-
travels to FRED Central and other Fredericksburg locations on
Tuesday and Thursday
pahannock Area Agency on Aging, is recruiting area
residents for their Volunteer Driver Program. Volunteers
will have the opportunity to provide much needed
transportation to riders for a variety of trips including
medical appointments, places of employment, schools,
shopping, recreational outings, and social engagements.

BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEERING

Besides the satisfaction of knowing that they are help-

ing, they also receive a stipend of 25 cents per miles
for miles traveled while the rider is in the volunteer’s
car.

HOW TO APPLY

Persons interested in becoming a volunteer driver

should contact Mobility Options at 540-656-2985 for
additional information about the program and
Call Bay Transit at 804-250-2011 to schedule your trip. application forms.