As the holiday season approaches and generations gather, sometimes the joy of spending time with friends and family is tempered by concerns related to aging.
Maybe you noticed that Mom’s house isn’t as clean as it used to be. Perhaps your elderly neighbor drove over the decorations you so carefully arranged beside the driveway. Maybe you are reluctant to travel to the family reunion because you’re caring for Dad and a change in routine is upsetting for him—what if he starts yelling?
Or perhaps you feel hesitant to host dinner this year, because it’s become difficult to carry groceries up the front steps and lately there have been some mishaps involving forgotten ingredients and burned food.
Many people react to situations like these with embarrassment or shame. Bay Aging wants to remind you that aging is a normal part of life, and you are not alone—your local Area Agency on Aging has resources to assist you.
Older adults often fear losing their independence, and indeed, the time may come when you can no longer drive or prepare meals, but such challenges don’t have to lead to social isolation or result in nursing home placement. Preparation and awareness are essential, and now is the right time to initiate conversations with family, friends, and neighbors. If you don’t have family members nearby, getting to know your local AAA is especially important. And no need to wait until you retire—some AAA services are limited to people age 60 and up, but programs like caregiver support are available to people of all ages and income levels.
Bay Aging is the AAA serving the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, a 10-county region that includes four of Virginia’s five oldest counties, as measured by residents’ median age. It’s s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a 15-member policy board, with each county appointing at least one member of the Board of Directors.
“We employ nearly 350 people,” said MaDena DuChemin, Human Resource Manager at Bay Aging. “We make a difference every day, helping clients, and I’m proud that Bay Aging’s growth contributes to our local economy and provides workers with a living wage.”
Bay Transit, the transportation division of Bay Aging, offers inexpensive rides throughout the region (24 hours’ notice required). Bay Transit’s services are not limited to older adults—riders of all ages are welcome, and vehicles are accessible. More than half of Bay Transit’s on-demand trips are for the purpose of commuting to work. During the past year, Bay Transit provided over 130,000 rides, including 3,200 rides to attend classes.
An enthusiastic volunteer corps numbering over 700 helps Bay Aging deliver approximately 175,000 Meals on Wheels annually. Ken Rogers, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Manager, points out that volunteers don’t just deliver food; they provide companionship, perform safety checks, and occasionally save lives. “Recently, two volunteers were delivering a meal to the home of a regular client,” Rogers said. “The lights were on but he didn’t come to the door. The volunteers were concerned so they walked around the house, looking in windows. They spotted him lying on the floor—he had fallen two days earlier and was unable to get up.” The volunteers called the rescue squad and the client was taken to the hospital; fortunately, he recovered and was able to return home.
Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries to older adults. To help avert falls, Bay Aging provides evidence-based fall prevention classes at its Active Lifestyle Centers and service-enriched apartment communities for older adults. Health Coach La’Norsha Holden teaches Bingocize®, a 10-week program. “Bingocize® combines education, exercise, and Bingo,” Holden explained. “Our clients love the program—it’s a lot of fun and reduces their likelihood of falling in the future.” Bay Aging operates seven ALCs, which welcome new members age 60 and up. It’s free to attend, and lunch is provided.
For those with greater physical or cognitive needs, Bay Aging operates an Adult Day Care in Gloucester. Highly-trained, caring staff lead activities that enhance memory and self-worth, while a home-like setting helps clients feel comfortable and secure. Some clients attend daily while their partner or caregiver works; other clients participate only a few hours each month, to give their caregiver respite.
Veterans at risk of nursing home placement due to physical or cognitive needs may benefit from Bay Aging’s Veteran Directed Care program. With a referral from a primary care physician at a participating Veterans Administration Medical Center, qualifying veterans can receive a care budget from the VA to spend on care services and supplies. Veterans can use these funds to pay friends or family members, including their spouse, to assist with their care. Bay Aging operates VDC throughout Virginia and six other states, including North Carolina and Maryland.
Like much of the United States, the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck have a shortage of affordable and accessible housing. In June, Bay Aging celebrated the grand opening of its 11th service-enriched rental housing community for older adults. At the open house, Danny, a veteran, enthused over his good fortune in being one of the building’s first residents. Gesturing at his sparkling clean apartment and dispensing a treat to Socks, a black and white cat sporting an exceptionally shiny coat, Danny said, “Every morning when I wake up, I thank God that I’m here.” Leading the way to the community room, where residents can participate in social activities or receive assistance from an on-site Bay Aging employee, Danny pointed to a tenant in a wheelchair boarding the elevator. “That’s my new friend—we go to church together.”
Operating buildings, providing transportation, and offering dozens of services—many of them free—costs Bay Aging tens of millions each year. The majority of Bay Aging’s revenue comes from selling services to health providers, supplementing grant funds and donations to allow Bay Aging to serve over 30,000 people annually. Staff also pursue competitive funding opportunities; in September, Bay Aging’s Weatherization Department was awarded $1.18 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, which doubles the number of homes Bay Aging can improve over the next two and a half years.
When grants and other funding streams fall short, the Bay Aging Foundation steps in to help bridge the gaps. The foundation is comprised of nine community members who lead Bay Aging’s fundraising efforts. With support from the foundation, Bay Aging hired Mary Arthur in 2022 to build a caregiver support program. Arthur, an expert on dementia with personal experience as a caregiver, helps guide community members on their caregiving journey. Her classes and email bulletins provide helpful information, and she coordinates a variety of support groups with both in-person and virtual options for participation. Arthur’s newest endeavor, hosted in partnership with Riverside’s Martha W. Goodson Center in Williamsburg, is a Memory Café that meets at Daffodil Gardens in Gloucester on the second Wednesday of each month.
Details on Bay Aging’s programs are available online at bayaging.org. If you’d like to schedule a ride, call Bay Transit dispatch at 877-869-6046; staff is available Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. For all other Bay Aging services, call 800-493-0238, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
