Making Arlington your home for a lifetime

ANVvoicesA r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

Volume 2 Summer 2015

organizing the social programs we promised. It gives us a solid platform for growth.” This year’s membership goal is 221, nearly double the June number of 112 members. You can help us reach this goal by recommending Arlington Neighborhood Villages to your friends and neighbors. Be a Villages supporter!

Virginia Hospital Center is offering a discount to Villages members for its Philips Lifeline Service. Lifeline is a personal emergency response system which comes in three versions:

Lifeline discount for members

The Villages had 58 “early adopters” when it opened in April 2014. By early June 2015, only one of those 58 had decided not to renew. The status of four other members was pending. President Carol Paquette commented, “This is strong testimony that confirms the great job our volunteers do - delivering the services and

Phenomenal renewal rate among ANV members

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More than 100 supporters turned out in June to celebrate the first anniversary of Arlington Neighborhood Villages’ founding, including Cheryl Johnson, Barbara Karro and Terri Lynch. More photos on pages 4 and 5.

Villages celebrates first year

• The HomeSafe Standard service is a small Personal Help Button that can be worn around your neck or on your wrist. A push of the button will immediately place a call for assistance.

V I S I T O R S E R V I C EN O W AV A I L A B L E At the suggestion of several members, we are introducing our Friendly Visitor Service. This service provides a volunteer to make a social visit to a member's home. The visits last 1.5 to 2 hours and the frequency is once a week. This could be a regularly scheduled, recurring service - similar to our daily check-in call - or an occasional, as requested, service. This time is for conversation, reading, playing cards or games, listening to music, or whatever socializing activity the member is interested in. No household or other tasks may be performed by the volunteer during this time.

P L E A S E J O I N U S

Arlington Neighborhood Villages is making a difference in the lives of older Arlingtonians by providing services to enable folks to remain in their homes longer.

Join the ANV family by becoming a member, by volunteering or by giving.

Visit www.arlnvil.org

or call us at 703-509-8057.

A r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

Summer 2015 page 2

THE SILVER SNEAKERS

(Continued from page 1)

Get moving with Silver SneakersBy Ramona Sandoval, volunteer

As you age, an active lifestyle becomes more important. Exercise can help prevent disease, boost your energy, reverse symptoms of aging, and help you maintain your independence. If you are ready to start a new exercise program or join a gym, you may want to consider the Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness program.

SilverSneakers is the nation’s leading exercise program for older adults. More than 65 Medicare health plans offer the program as a benefit to members across the nation.

It provides a foundation for its members to maintain an independent, active, and healthy lifestyle. One out of five people who are 65 and older are eligible for the program. If your health and/or group retirement plan provide a gym membership, you may be able to join at no cost.

One Arlington resident offered this testimonial: “My wife and I get free memberships through

Gold’s Gym. Gold’s gets reimbursed every time we use the gym. It's a win-win-win.”Program Features• Get fit, meet new friends, and have fun!• Access to approximately 10,000 participating fitness and wellness centers in the U.S.• Work out with cardio and weight equipment and access swimming pools.• Group exercise classes designed for older adults.• An advisor to provide guidance and assistance with equipment and workout routines.• Social activities with other SilverSneakers members.

Program Eligibility• To check eligibility go to www.silversneakers.com and fill in the requested information (you will need your health insurance card).

Visit the SilverSneakers website today to learn more about the program, check your eligibility, and pick a location closest to your home. Get moving

Arlington Participating Locations

Gold’s Gym Ballston Clarendon Courthouse Rosslyn Bailey’s Crossroads South ArlingtonLA Fitness Pentagon Square ArlingtonYMCA Arlington

Virginia Health Plan Providers

AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance PlanAetna MedicareAnthem Blue Cross Blue ShieldAnthem HealthKeepersHumanaUnited Healthcare

discount is available for current subscribers well as new subscribers. In addition, the installation charge is waived for new subscribers to the HomeSafe Standard and AutoAlert services. For more information, call the Virginia Hospital Center Lifeline office at 703-558-6859. Be sure to mention that you are an Arlington Neighborhood Villages member!

• The HomeSafe AutoAlert service will automatically place a call if a fall is detected. Both of these services operate in your home. • The third service, GoSafe Mobile, works in your home and also out in the community. The discount provided is an $8 reduction in the monthly fee for each of these services. This

page 3 Summer 2015

A r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

PROTECT YOURSELF!

To quote a well-known saying : JUST SAY NO! That’s the best advice I can give you to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a scam. There are so many scams now that to list them would take several pages. Not to mention the scams online that propose to show you how to protect yourself against scams. But they are all the same. Perhaps you think that if you fall for a scam only once, it is okay. Unfortunately, no. You are then on “The Big Scam List in the Sky.” Your mail box, your e-mail, your cell phone, your house phone, are now available to all and every scammer out there.

How scams work:- First, they establish a connection with you.- Then they gain your trust.- Then they extend a small favor to you.- But they expect something in return from you.- Next, they play with your emotions.- Now comes the big finale – they ask for money or personal information.

Whether over the telephone, the internet, your e-mail, or even at your front door, it is always the same. There may be a slight twist or refining of the approach, but the end result is that you and your money or personal information are soon parted.

What you should do:- On your phone or cell phone – hang up.- On your computer, don’t click your mouse.- If you didn’t initiate the e-mail, delete it.- At the front door, JUST SAY NO, smile, say thank you and close the door.

Common scams in Arlington County- The Driveway Doctor: He can heal all driveway problems. That repair may last only a week.- The Roof Rube: He is able to detect problems without going on your roof.- The Crawlspace Ace: Who knows what lurks in the crawl space? Rest assured he will find something.- The Chimney Con – He is sure to find something wrong.- The Tree Trickster – He can spot a tree that needs removal from blocks away.

Here are more scams:- The Hurricane, Tornado, Earthquake, Disaster Guys – usually at your front door.- The IRS, the utility reps, and the sheriff’s office – on your cell phone.

Final tips:- Before you open your mouth or click, THINK!- Educate yourself on how a con works. - Don’t give out personal information- When in doubt, do nothing. - Have a refusal script ready for terminating a potentially fraudulent interaction.

A last thought from Pete Seeger: “Education is when you read the fine print. Experience is what you get if you don’t.”

- Heather Hurlock, Lt. APOCrime Prevention Specialist, Arlington Police

Protect yourself from scam artists

VHC rehab works wonders A collapsed lung in 2014 landed me in cardio-pulmonary rehab at Virginia Hospital Center – and am I ever glad for that decision by my pulmonologist. The rehab center is staffed for outstanding nurses and exercise physiologists who develop individualized exercise plans for each patient – and then monitor our heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels as we ride a bike, walk a treadmill or use other devices. My goal is to strengthen my diaphragm to increase my breathing capacity. Medicare and some insurance companies cover 36 one-hour sessions. Once those sessions are completed, one can pay a small fee to continue to use rehab. Dozens and dozens of folks are doing just that, including me. So, if you experience heart or lung issues, talk with your doctor about getting enrolled in the VHC rehab program. You will not be disappointed, and you will meet lots of interesting folks from many different backgrounds.

- Joe JunodANV board member

A r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

C E L E B R AT I O N !

Summer 2015 page 4

More than 100 supporters celebrate Villages’ first year

From left, Carole Shetzich, Linda and Martin Reck, Nancy Lowenthal.

The team that planned and launched ANV were recognized at the non-profit’s first anniversary party in June. From left: Carol Paquette, Paxton Baker, Elaine Collins, Ann Connell, Susan Jungg, Peter Olivere, Gail Kutner, Marybeth Tschetter, Anita Wallgren and Andrea Walker.

A r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

MORE CELEBRATION!

page 5 Summer 2015

From left: Anne Webb, Barbara Carr, Cornelia Fraser (seated), Delores Boyer, Donna Pastore, unidentified guest and Jacqueline Cannon

Board member Maureen Markham, left, with Pat McGrady and Miriam Balutis.

Peggy Adam and Mike Goldberg

Founder Susan Jungg, right, visits with guests at the anniversary party

IDENTITY THEFTA r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

Summer 2015 page 6

Volunteers recognized

Identity theft? Here’s what to do If you are the victim of identity theft, here is how to prevent further damage to your finances and set the record straight:1) File a police report.2) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, either online at identitytheft.gov or via the FTC hotline at 1-877-438-4338 or TTY 1-866-653-4261.3) Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit records and prevent further damage: - Equifax.com at 1-800-525-6285.- Experian.com at 1-888-397-3742.- TransUnion.com at 1-800-680-7289.4) Contact your bank and credit card providers to check for unauthorized transactions or accounts you did not open.5) Complete IRS Form 14039 and mail or fax it to the IRS, following instructions on the form.-- USA TODAY

“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Dozens of ANV volunteers were thanked for their dedication during a luncheon at Barcroft Community House.

YOU CAN HELPA r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

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On June 20, an energetic group of ANV members, volunteers and neighbors got together for a lovely stroll around Roosevelt Island to celebrate the summer solstice. Led by ANV volunteer, Dave Christian, the group strolls Roosevelt Island four times a year to celebrate the change in seasons. The group enjoys seeing the changes nature brings with each new season.

ANV could not exist without the services and energy of our wonderful volunteers. We have a variety of interesting volunteer positions open for people who want to make a positive difference in someone’s life. We are offering two new services, the Friendly Visit and Walking Buddies and need volunteers who would like to provide these. In addition to direct service work, ANV has several working committees that could use more members who have planning, organizing, and program development skills. And of course we are always looking for more volunteers to provide transportation to our members and to help out with staffing the office. If you know someone who would be interested in joining our volunteer family, or if you are interested in any of these opportunities

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

- Henry Ford

yourself, please go to www.arlnvil.org and click on the Volunteer link, or send us an email at volunteer@arlnvil.org. You’ll be glad you did!

Seeking volunteers to join ANV family

Summer solstice stroll

Summer 2015 page 8

EVENTSA r l i n g t o n N e i g h b o r h o o d V i l l a g e s

Alonso Abugattas, natural resources manager for Arlington parks, will speak on “Nature at work in Arlington” as part of the lecture series sponsored by North Hills Village, an affiliate of Arlington Neighborhood Villages (ANV).

The naturalist will speak at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, in the fellowship hall of the Church of the Covenant, 2666 Military Road.

The lecture is open to the public. RSVPs are requested by calling 703-509-8057 or emailing register@arlnvil.org

Tea Party

North Hills Villages is comprised of four neighborhoods: Cherrydale, Donaldson Run, Old Dominion and Waverly Hills. It exists to provide social, educational and service opportunities for residents of the four neighborhoods. Anyone willing to get involved in planning future events is asked to call Joe Junod at 703-841-1841 or email him at joexjunod5182@gmail.com

ANV was launched in April 2014. Its mission is to provide services to enable older Arlingtonians to stay in their homes longer.

Arlington naturalist to speak at ANV event Aug. 22

“It’s not how old you are, it`s how you are old.” - Jules Renard

Twelve ANV members enjoyed a tea party in late June at the home of Lucia Heard.