The Seniors Voice Rappaha nn ock

A rea Agency on

Ag ing

Upcoming Holiday

Closings

July 3 - Friday for

Fourth of July

September 7 - Mon-

day for Labor Day

October 12 - Monday

for Columbus Day

460 Lendall Lane

Fredericksburg, VA

22405

540-371-3375

FAX 540-371-3384

www.raaa16.org

info@raaa16.org

Inside this issue:

Sock Hop 1

Around the Agency 3

The Maryland-Virginia

Nursing Home Improve-

ment Network

4

Word Search 6

Talking to Your Doctor 7

Volume , Issue Summer, 2015

In celebration of Older Americans Month, The Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging

and Spotsylvania County Department of Social Services hosted a Sock Hop. With

assistance from Poets Walk Assisted Living, King George and Stafford County

Departments of Social Services, Chili's Restaurant, Wegmans, and Westwood

Thompsons Florist, 200 participants reminisced on their teenage years as they joyfully

danced to the fiftys music hits, mixed by DJ Freckles. During the sock hop events we

took the opportunity to recognize and celebrate some of our participants that turned

90 years young. Sock hop goers also enjoyed a brief demonstration of healthy steps

exercises performed with

the music of James Brown

by Stafford caf seniors and

staff members. Event

highlights included some

good old fashion rock and

roll dancing performed by

RAAAs very own Director

Leigh Wade and an

enthusiastic Fredericksburg

caf senior. Seniors enjoyed

snapping photos as they

used the backdrop of a vintage pink Cadillac. The entire venue was decorated with the

theme of a fiftys diner, with

milkshakes, cupcakes, and

balloons. The seniors danced

the day away by reminiscing

to fiftys dances such as the

chacha, twist , the stroll, and

hand jive. All of these fun

dances were a throw back to

their earlier youth with no

parents or chaperons!

Marlitt Pelaez, Stafford Caf Manager

To enhance the quality of life for all older citizens.

MAY WAS BACK TO THE

50s MONTH

The Seniors Voice Page 2

Special guests, from left to right, Carrie Baker, Gladys Stevens, Serena Staples, Louise Holmes, Jeanette Mattero and

Marion Whitley celebrate the 90s Club. Each year, RAAA honors those Agency clients that have celebrated a

birthday into their 90s. Westwood Thompson Florist

donated bouquets of carnations for each special guest and

the special Still Rockin into Your 90s cake was cut and

shared with everyone.

The sock hop was awesome for the seniors it took them

back in time. They said memories flooded them. They cant

wait for next year's. I cant either. It was the best time I

had with everyone. Pam Lewis , Caroline Caf Manager

I enjoyed myself! DJ

Freckles and Mr. Music

kept the party alive and

had good song

selection. I also had fun

watching Mr.

Hollywood tearing up the dance floor. Marlitt did a great job with the decorations

and the Pink

Cadillac was

a great idea

the seniors

really

enjoyed

themselves

and are still talking about the sock hop even

today. Matthew Walker, Spotsylvania Cafe Manager

The King George seniors really enjoyed the

Sock Hop, Line Dancing, DJ Freckles, Healthy

Steps with Marlitt, 90's Celebration, just to have everyone together again was

awesome, we here at King George can't wait until the next event, it really was a

blast!!! Marletta Elliott, King George Caf Manager

THANK YOU TO ALL FOR SUCH A GREAT TIME!!!

Nicole Farmer, RAAA; Bob Brink, DARS

Division for the Aging Director; Leigh

Wade, RAAA Executive Director; and

Tiffany Roman, RAAA

Helen Harris, Stafford Caf

Mr. Hollywood & Virginia Giles

Virginia Giles & RAAA Employee Tom Jones

News Worthy - Catherine Lewis, Nelson Turner, Serena Staples and Ann Vuolo

have been attending the King George Cafe for 19 years!

Page 3 Volume , Issue

AROUND THE AGENCY HAPPENINGS

During the months on April, and a busy month of

May, Stafford caf participants celebrated their

third annual caf Easter Brunch, hunted for golden

eggs during their Easter egg hunt, and decorated

Easter eggs. They truly enjoyed a Broadway style

musical show call Nine to Five at the River Side

Center in Fredericksburg, featuring famous actress

and singer Ms. Sally Struthers.

May got to a great early start with the Mexican

Cinco de Mayo celebration where the clients en-

joyed hitting a burrito piata. Another highlight in

May was the Kentucky Derby social and hat con-

test. Finally, to

honor all the

mothers on

their very spe-

cial day,

they all re-

ceived an ar-

rangement of

a single pink

rose while

sharing each

others compa-

ny at the

mothers day

tea.

Some of the arts and crafts activities the Stafford Caf participants par-

ticipated on were paper snowflakes, sock snowmen, clover greeting

cards, Valentines Day cards, paper flower collages, made musical spoon

maracas, and recycle bottles air balloon craft. A big hit was their own

individual creation of egg head people where they planted grass seed

inside egg shell and monitored as the grass created hair for their egg

head people. The

final step they en-

joyed was the de-

sign of the clothes

for their egg head

people to match

their own personal-

ities. Do you see

any of your

friends?

All the Stafford participants are always look-

ing forward to upcoming events. July will

bring the annual caf family day with a

Rock and Roll theme; Augusts Hawaiian Lu-

au; September brings the annual caf auc-

tion, RAAA recycle fashion show and individu-

al talent show. The Stafford Caf moves and

shakes all the time.

Over 60, want to have fun?

Call us at 540-371-3375.

CORRECTION

As a correction to last

quarters newsletter,

Food Lion Grocery

stores in Virginia do

not give senior dis-

counts. RAAA is sorry

for listing this

information incorrectly.

Rachael Low is 11 years

old. She is entering Battle-

field Middle School in

Spotsylvania County next

year. She is part of Troop

120. The troop has met for

years at Courthouse Road

Elementary School.

She helped to take care of

her great-grandmother

which had a huge impact

on her. Rachael donated

23 boxes of cookies :)

Girl Scout Cookies Come to the Office for the Seniors

The Seniors Voice Page 4

Page 5 Volume , Issue

60s SONGS

The Seniors Voice Page 6

Rappaha nn ock A r ea

Agency on Ag ing

Board Chairman

James Howard

Advisory Council Chairman

Karl Karch

Executive Director

Leigh Wade

Director of Client Services

Pat Holland

Finance Director

Marny Klump

Director of Nutrition

Tiffany Roman

Director of Operations

Angela Snyder

LTC Ombudsman/VICAP

Nicole Farmer

Mobility Manager

Denis Paddeu

Transportation Program Assistant

Jennifer Falknor

Travel Trainer

Don Engiles

Transportation Coordinator

Boyd Elliott

WX, Energy & Quality Control

Housing Inspector

Donald Thomas

Education Care Navigator

Arminda Perch

Marion Schoen

Linda Wilson

Title V Assistant

Rachel McKain

Receptionist

Nicole Dubbiosi

Title V Office Assistant

Diane Johnson

Page 7 Volume , Issue

TALKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR

Making the Most of Your Appointments

Patients and health care providers share a very personal relationship. Doctors need to know a lot about you, your family, and your lifestyle to give you the best

medical care. And you need to speak up and share your concerns and questions.

Clear and honest communication between you and your physician can help you

both make smart choices about your health.

Begin with some preparation. Before your health exam, make a list of any con-

cerns and questions you have. Bring this list to your appointment, so you wont forget anything.

Do you have a new symptom? Have you noticed side effects from your medicines? Do you want to

know the meaning of a certain word? Dont wait for the doctor to bring up a certain topic, because he

or she may not know whats important to you. Speak up with your concerns.

Theres no such thing as a dumb question in the doctors office, says Dr. Matthew Memoli, an infec-tious disease doctor at NIH. I try very hard to make my patients feel comfortable so that they feel com-

fortable asking questions, no matter how dumb they think the question is.

Even if the topic seems sensitive or embarrassing, its best to be honest and upfront with your health care provider. You may feel uncomfortable talking about sexual problems, memory loss, or bowel issues,

but these are all important to your health. Its better to be thorough and share a lot of information than to be quiet or shy about what youre thinking or feeling. Remember, your doctor is used to talking about

all kinds of personal matters.

Consider taking along a family member or friend when you visit the doctor. Your companion can help if

there are language or cultural differences between you and your doctor. If you feel unsure about a topic,

the other person can help you describe your feelings or ask questions on your behalf. It also helps to

have someone elses perspective. Your friend may think of questions or raise concerns that you hadnt

considered.

Many people search online for health information. They use Web-based tools to research symptoms and

learn about different illnesses. But you cant diagnose your own condition or someone elses based on a

Web search.

As a physician, I personally have no problem with people looking on the Web for information, but they should use that information not as a way to self-diagnose or make decisions, but as a way to plan their

visit with the doctor, says Memoli. Ask your doctor to recommend specific websites or resources, so you know youre getting your facts from a trusted source. Federal agencies are among the most reliable

sources of online health information.

Many health care providers now use electronic health records. Ask your doctor how to access your

records, so you can keep track of test results, diagnoses, treatment plans, and medicines. These records

can also help you prepare for your next appointment.

After your appointment, if youre uncertain about any instructions or have other questions, call or email your health care provider. Dont wait until your next visit to make sure you understand your diagnosis,

treatment plan, or anything else that might affect your health.

Your body is complicated and theres a lot to consider, so make sure you do everything you can to get

the most out of your medical visits.

Tips for Your Doctor Visit

Write down a list of questions and concerns before your exam.

Consider bringing a close friend or family member with you.

Speak your mind. Tell your doctor how you feel, including things that may seem unimportant or embar-

rassing.

If you dont understand something, ask questions until you do.

Take notes about what the doctor says, or ask a friend or family member to take notes for you.

Ask about the best way to contact the doctor (by phone, email, etc.).

Remember that other members of your health care team, such as nurses and pharmacists, can be good

sources of information.

Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging

460 Lendall Lane

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

TO:

Interested in

volunteering?

Many

opportunities

are available

contact us for

more infor-

mation:

www.raaa16.org

MOBILITY OPTIONS VOLUNTEER DRIVER

PROGRAM

Mobility Options, a transportation service of the Rap-

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 volunteers

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

application forms. Call Bay Transit at 804-250-2011 to schedule your trips.