Yes, Virginia, the vaccine has arrived in our State!  That said, there is much we want to know about where and when the Covid-19 vaccine will be available. Join community and medical leaders to answer these questions, Wednesday, December 16, 7:00 pm during  a live broadcast on News Channel 11.  Juan Conde, ABC 8 Anchor, hosts a distinguished panel including Dr. Norm Oliver/VA State Health Commissioner; Dr. Ebony J Hilton/Anesthesiology/Critical Care, UVA Health; Dr. Ethlyn Gibson, Hampton University School of Nursing/Associate Professor; and others.

What:  Vaccine Town Hall
When: Wed, Dec. 16, 7 pm
How to access: Live Broadcast Channel 11 News 
Or Live Streaming: 
WAVY10 / wavy.com
WRIC8 / wric.com
WDCW / dcw50.com
FOX43 / wavy.com
WFXR / wfxrtv.com
WDVM / localdvm.com
 
Locally, the Fairfax County Health Department provides a vaccination page:
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/novel-coronavirus/vaccine
with links to:

• Blogs about vaccines
• Relevant partners – Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), manufacturers
• CDC and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
Based on early information from COVID-19 vaccine trials and from what we know about vaccines for other diseases, getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. People can develop antibodies and be protected against COVID-19 after they become ill with the disease. But experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you without having to experience sickness. 
 
Covid-19 vaccine utilizes mRNA in building immunity to the virus. Learn more about mRNA and other facts about the vaccine, including that it does not use the actual virus that causes COVID-19. 
 
Because vaccine supplies  will be limited, we will not reach a significant level of protection for several months. Therefore, it remains important that individuals continue taking actions to mitigate the spread of virus – washing hands, wearing masks, socially distancing and staying home and away from others if ill.  
 
From Gov. Northam - Updated Public Health Measures
In response to the current surge in cases, Governor Northam issued Executive Order 72 on Dec. 14:

• Masks are required in all indoor spaces except your home. Outdoors, masks are required when within six feet of another person.
• Social gatherings are limited to 10 individuals.
• Restaurants must stop alcohol sales at 10pm.
• Spectators are limited to 25 people for recreational sports played indoors, and there is a limit of two guests per player for outdoor sports.

 
Christkindlmarkts Along the Danube, Friday
Hosts Pat Williams and Eileen Curtis invite you to a travel party (virtual, of course). 
Since Medieval times, the towns along the Danube have nurtured a Christmas tradition known to the world as Christkindlmarkt. Viking River Cruises offer this winter treat, full of gingerbread, gluhwein, and chestnut stands. Stops include Budapest, Vienna, Regensburg, and Nuremberg, host of the largest Christkindlmarkt in the world. Side trips include a famous Bavarian farm offering beer and Schuhplatz and the ancient Benedictine Melk Abbey and its stunning library. The ship itself sets the mood, offering local cuisine and evening performances as we glide along. All aboard!  

What: Virtual Travel Party
When: Fri, Dec. 18, 5:30 pm
Cost: Free
Register: Click here.
 
Do you have friends you'd like to invite to the Travel Parties?  Send their names and email addresses and they will be added to the invitation list. 
Pat Williams Pat@GraceFulCare.com     www.PatsWisdom.com
Eileen Curtis EileendCurtis@gmail.com   www.EileenCurtisWritings.com


Lotsa Helping Hands
Supporting individuals in need of assistance while living at home may include multiple emails and phone calls among family members, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Assuring coordination by this team can be a challenge.  Lotsa Helping Hands is a free service (communication platform) available to help with coordination among family and other caregivers.  
 
Lotsa addresses this organizing need through a tech-enabled care calendar that allows caregivers to easily coordinate caregiving responsibilities such as transportation, meal preparation, visitation, medication compliance, and home maintenance across family, friends, and healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals and senior care companies may choose to customize or brand this service for a fee, making it available at no cost to families and caregivers.
 
Why Lotsa Helping Hands? In 2010, founder Barry Katz’s wife Carole died of ovarian cancer.  Several months later, he returned to his upstairs home office and began reflecting on struggles over the months in his role as husband, dad, chauffeur, tutor, caregiver---using a giant whiteboard to manage the many tasks.  Thinking about this experience, he wanted to make his family’s struggles count for something….”I wanted to start a free online service that would help other families overwhelmed by a crisis.” Learn more here. 


Cyber Security for Seniors 
From children to older adults, it appears that no one is safe. Among the most vulnerable are  seniors who often have the most to lose in dangers involving the internet. When scams occur, they are often devastating. With the right tools and information, you can actively use the internet without fear of being targeted.
 
Safety Guide For Seniors provides information on terminology (cloud, cookies, firewall, malware, vpn, etc); basics of internet safety (username and password); protect yourself on social media (privacy settings); scams (incorrect URL address, other signs); internet safety and your browser (antivirus software); and trust your gut (when it doesn’t feel right). 


Webinars
What: Hospice and Palliative Care: Courageous Conversations
Tips on how to break down barriers and dispel the myths about hospice and palliative care. 
When: Jan. 14, 11 am
Sponsor: Sunrise Senior Living
Cost: Free
Register
 
What: Miscommunication or Missed Communication: The Challenge of Hearing Loss for Caregivers
Provides a basic understanding of the continuum of hearing loss, the types and causes, how to recognize it, similarities with early onset dementia, the impact on communication, and myths and misconceptions. 
When: Jan. 28, 11 am
Sponsor: Sunrise Senior Living
Cost: Free
Register
 
What: Having Effective Conversations About Dementia
Tips on how to have honest and caring conversations with family members living with dementia about going to the doctor, deciding when to stop driving, and making legal and financial plans. 
When: Feb. 4, 11 am
Sponsor: Sunrise Senior Living
Cost: Free
Register

 

What: Catch Me a Catch by Leora Hoffman
Matchmaker’s life story revealed and lots of tips on how to catch your match!
When: Dec. 28, 3 pm  
Sponsor: Assisting Hands Home Care
Cost: Free
Register: Click Here
 
What: What’s Your Plan?
Senior Care Specialist, Steve Lorberbaum and Special Guest, Leah Nichaman will talk about money management support when paying bills is just too difficult.  
When: Jan. 8, 9:30 am  
Sponsor: Assisting Hands Home Care
Cost: Free
Register: Click Here
 
What: Yoga for Healing
A gentle yoga class to give support and ease for caregivers, loved ones and colleagues. A treat to start your week!
When: Jan. 11, 3 pm  
Sponsor: Assisting Hands Home Care
Cost: Free
Register: Click Here
 
What: Death Cafe
Death Cafe is national movement providing a place to hold a conversation about death with “a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” The café does not provide counseling or grief support but is a place where discussions can take place in a thoughtful atmosphere. 
When: Jan. 19, 7 pm
Sponsor: Assisting Hands Home Care
Cost: Free
Register: Click Here