Guidelines for a Healthy Thanksgiving 
Precautions for Thanksgiving became even more critical on Thursday  as Governor Northam announced new statewide restrictions. Virginia is averaging 1,500 newly-reported COVID-19 cases per day, up from a statewide peak of approximately 1,200 in May. Although hospital capacity remains stable, hospitalizations have increased statewide by more than 35 percent in the last four weeks. For Fairfax County, please see a  daily detailed reporting on cases and where to find CoVid-19 testing. 

New statewide restrictions limit private in—person gatherings to 25 (down from 250); expand mask mandate requiring all individuals aged 10 and over to wear face coverings in indoor public settings; and strengthen enforcement within essential retail businesses through the Virginia Department of Health as a Class One misdemeanor. 

Approaching Thanksgiving and winter holiday planning 2020 may be viewed in three areas related to risk for Covid-19, according to Fairfax County Emergency recommendations. Of course, wearing face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing remain basic to all we do. 
 
Lower risk includes:

• Having a small dinner with people who live in your household.
• Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family.
• Preparing recipes for family and neighbors and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others. 
• Shopping online (rather than in person) on the day after Thanksgiving and other sales holidays.
• Watching sports events, parades and movies from home

 
Moderate risk includes:

• Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community.
• Attending small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place.

 
Higher-risk activities to be avoided---going shopping in crowded stores, participating or being a spectator at a crowded race, attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside your household.
 
For details, please see Fairfax County Emergency Information Recommendations


Covid-19 Text Scam
Holidays are often a time for scam artists to operate when the public is distracted and focusing on family and related matters. This season is no exception as reported last week by the Virginia State Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services regarding a COVID-19 text scam.

The text message states: "You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment …" The text includes a link to a fake phishing web address.
 
This fake phishing URL, which appears to come from a state agency or relief organization, takes recipients to a fraudulent website that impersonates the IRS.gov Get My Payment website. Individuals who visit the fraudulent website and then enter their personal and financial account information will have their information collected by these scammers. 
 
As a reminder, IRS does not send unsolicited texts or emails. The IRS does not call people with threats of jail or lawsuits, nor does it demand tax payments on gift cards. The following news release provides additional information--- IR-20-249 Security Summit partners warn taxpayers of new COVID-related text scam.


Virtual Travel Party to India, Nov 20
Imagine a place where every sense is on overdrive, from the vibrant colors of silk saris to the splendid architecture of the Raj palaces; from the companionable din of the street markets to the fragrant smells of cloves, cumin and cinnamon floating on the air. Sacred cows wander the streets, elephants and their riders climb hills, mourners consign their dead to the fiery ghats along the Ganges and festival crowds defy a count. India...pulsing, colossal, a shape-shifting civilization since the dawn of humanity. 

Join hosts Pat Williams and Eileen Curtis for yet another virtual travel adventure.
What: Virtual Travel Party
When: Nov. 20, 5:30 pm
Cost: Free
Register: Contact Pat@GraceFulCare.com for this event and to be added to the monthly invitation list.  
 

Sixty and Me
Every year, millions of seniors over 55 in the U.S. volunteer with various organizations, local community services, or even abroad. According to research done by the Corporation for National & Community Service, “Older Americans who volunteer frequently live longer and report less disability.” The are many paybacks from volunteering—physical benefits, social interactions, learning new things and the effect on mind and soul. 
 
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics,“In 2015, the main organization – the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year – was most frequently religious (33.1 percent of all volunteers), followed by educational or youth service related (25.2 percent). Another 14.6 percent of volunteers performed activities mainly for social or community service organizations.” Volunteers are needed in areas such as feeding the hungry (Cornerstones ); mentoring (Big Brother and Big Sisters of America); helping military families  (National Military Family Association); and animal welfare (Human Society of America).
 
While Covid has curtailed in-person volunteering, there may be ways to help virtually by sharing knowledge and expertise. Exploring your interest now is a way to identify areas for direct future involvement.  
 
For more on volunteering, check out Sixty and Me, a community of 500,000 women over 60 whose goal is to “help the women in our community to find profitable work, stay healthy and develop a positive mindset about this amazing period of our lives.”
 


Webinars/Meetings
Just Breath! We’ve Got You!
How seniors and their adult children can prepare for the next chapter in life with presentations on financial fitness for life; breath and meditation; and music therapy to relax.
What: Webinar
Co-sponsors: The Kensington Reston and The Shepherds Center
When: Nov. 17, 9:45 am – 12:30 pm
Cost: Free
Register
 
Facing Dementia Together: Virtual Panel Discussion
Expert panel addresses questions about what to expect and where to get help regarding a family member’s dementia diagnosis or memory issues. 
What: Panel Discussion with time for Q&A
When: Tue, Nov. 17, 6-7 pm
Co-sponsors: The Kensington Reston, Insight Memory Care Center, Georgetown University, and Neuropsychology Associates of Fairfax
Cost: Free
Register

Parkinson’s Foundation Communication Club
The Parkinson’s Communication Club meets every Tuesday. Led by Susan I. Wranik, licensed speech-language therapist, the Club establishes a wellness and prevention program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners, with a focus on maintenance of communication skills. It stresses the importance of speaking louder to be heard in social settings. 
 
Susan Wranik has been trained in LSVT LOUD therapy (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, which improves vocal loudness by stimulating muscles of the voice box and speech mechanism through systematic exercises). The Club, however, is not therapy. Rather, it is a group approach to applying the exercises and skills of LOUD and/or other therapies.
 
What: Parkinson’s Wellness and Prevention 
When: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2-3pm 
Co-Sponsors: Collaboration between The Kensington Reston and The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area (PFNCA.)
Cost: Free
Registration: Upon RSVPing for this event, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a link to sign up and join The Parkinson’s Foundation Northern Capital Area (PFNCA). Please use the special offer code provided for a complimentary subscription to PFNCA’s wellness program including this event and many others.
 
 
Where to Find Covid-19 Help
Fairfax County has rolled out many actions in response to Covid-19, from offering free grocery shopping and pharmacy pick-up for older adults to daily detailed reporting on cases, and where to find CoVid-19 testing . 
 
The County’s Long Term Care Coordinating Council, whose mission is to identify needs and promote solutions to enhance the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, formed a subgroup---New Normal Committee. Now called, COVID-19 Impact & Response Committee, the group has created this comprehensive list on where to get help. In the list you will find tips on safely visiting grandparents and older adults and steps to stay safe if you are over age 60. 

   Stay Healthy...Stay Safe