The Seniors Voice

Ra p p a h a n n o ck
Area Agency on
Aging
Inside this issue:
Sock Hop

Around the Agency

The Maryland-Virginia
Nursing Home Improvement Network

Word Search

Talking to Your Doctor

Upcoming Holiday
Closings
July 3 - Friday for
Fourth of July

September 7 - Monday 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

Summer, 2015

The Seniors Voice

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Volume

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MAY WAS BACK TO THE

50s MONTH
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.

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
Helen Harris, Stafford Caf
themselves
and are still talking about the sock hop even
Nicole Farmer, RAAA; Bob Brink, DARS
Mr. Hollywood & Virginia Giles
Division for the Aging Director; Leigh
today.
Matthew Walker, Spotsylvania Cafe Manager
Wade, RAAA Executive Director; and
The King George seniors really enjoyed the
Tiffany Roman, RAAA
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!!!
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!

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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.

Girl Scout Cookies Come to the Office for the Seniors

Rachael Low is 11 years

old. She is entering Battlefield Middle School in
Spotsylvania County next
year. She is part of Troop
120. The troop has met for
years at Courthouse Road
Elementary School.

May got to a great early start with the Mexican

She helped to take care of

her great-grandmother
which had a huge impact
on her. Rachael donated
23 boxes of cookies :)

Cinco de Mayo celebration where the clients enjoyed hitting a burrito piata. Another highlight in
May was the Kentucky Derby social and hat contest. Finally, to
honor all the
mothers
on
their very special
day,
they all received an arrangement of
a single pink
rose
while
sharing each
others company
at
the
mothers day
tea.

Some of the arts and crafts activities the Stafford Caf participants participated 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 enjoyed was the design of the clothes
for their egg head
people to match
their own personalities. Do you see
any of your
friends?
All the Stafford participants are always looking forward to upcoming events. July will
bring the annual caf family day with a
Rock and Roll theme; Augusts Hawaiian Luau; September brings the annual caf auction, RAAA recycle fashion show and individual 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 discounts. RAAA is sorry
for listing this
information incorrectly.

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The Seniors Voice

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The Seniors Voice

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60s SONGS

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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 concerns 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 infectious disease doctor at NIH. I try very hard to make my patients feel comfortable so that they feel comfortable 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 embarrassing.
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.

Ra p p a h a n n o ck A r e a
Agency on Aging
Board Chairman
James Howard

Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging

460 Lendall Lane
Fredericksburg, VA 22405

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

Interested in
volunteering?

TO:

Many
opportunities
are available
contact us for
more information:
www.raaa16.org

Mobility Manager
Denis Paddeu

MOBILITY OPTIONS VOLUNTEER DRIVER

PROGRAM

Transportation Program Assistant

Jennifer Falknor

Mobility Options, a transportation service of the Rappahannock 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.

Travel Trainer
Don Engiles
Transportation Coordinator
Boyd Elliott
WX, Energy & Quality Control
Housing Inspector
Donald Thomas

BENEFITS TO VOLUNTEERING

Education Care Navigator

Arminda Perch
Marion Schoen
Linda Wilson

Besides the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping, they also receive a stipend of 25 cents per miles
for miles traveled while the rider is in the volunteers
car.

Title V Assistant
Rachel McKain

HOW TO APPLY
Receptionist
Nicole Dubbiosi
Title V Office Assistant
Diane Johnson
Call Bay Transit at 804-250-2011 to schedule your trips.

Persons interested in becoming a volunteer driver

should contact Mobility Options at 540-656-2985 for
additional information about the program and
application forms.