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Fairfax City’s Home for Life Expo brought senior services, safety resources and aging-in-place support together April 4 at the Sherwood Center.
Amy Burk of TechWise Coaching offered technology instruction for older adults, while Independent You representatives Belen Eshetu and Sonia Gatling shared information about senior advocacy, home care and aging life-care management.
Several organizations highlighted specialized health services. Jane Hughes represented Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, which provides post-hospital rehabilitation, respiratory care, inpatient dialysis and memory care. Caitlin Stauffer, Sara Cochran and Sydney Palinkas represented the Regional Older Adults Facility Team, known as RAFT, which supports seniors living with dementia and serious mental illness.
Shannon Bishop presented Goodwin Living at Home, an aging-in-place program offering care coordination and payment assistance. Veronique Coker represented Seniors Helping Seniors, which provides in-home care for older adults.
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers representatives Leslie Stefanik and Leyna Batta discussed balance and pelvic-floor therapy. Esther Lee shared information about the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a nonprofit providing free support groups, education and advocacy for people with mental-health conditions, their families and the broader community.
Residents could also learn about recreation, transportation and library services. Chris Cohen and Melissa Pennett promoted Fairfax City information, activities and transportation options for seniors. Green Acres Senior Center staff member Daniel Novoa and volunteer Debra Sparkman highlighted the center’s trips, game room, fitness center and membership opportunities.
Ginger Hawkins represented the Fairfax County Public Library’s Access Services branch, which supplies specially recorded books, magazines and playback devices to Fairfax City and County residents who are blind, visually impaired, or have reading or physical disabilities. Gabi Huesca promoted adult programming at the City of Fairfax Regional Library.
Home safety demonstrations took place inside the Fairfax City Fire Department’s Life Safety Education Trailer. Community-response clinician Maleka Walters, with the Department of Human Services, and fire Lt. Jay Davison, a community paramedic, demonstrated ways residents can make their homes safer.