The Senior Safety and Support Symposium at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston on July 20th highlighted the growing problem of scams targeting older adults. Melissa Smarr and Christine Reedy from Fairfax County Consumer Affairs delivered a comprehensive presentation showing just how common many different types of scams have become—and how important it is to know the warning signs.

The Scale of the Threat
One of the biggest takeaways from the presentation was just how widespread fraud is. According to the Federal Trade Commission, about 11% of adults become victims of scams each year, which is more than 25 million people, resulting in an estimated $50 billion in losses. The presenters also shared that there are around 80 different scams actively affecting Fairfax County residents at any given time. What's particularly sobering is that this number excludes many victims who never report what happened due to embarrassment or fear, meaning the real numbers are likely much higher.

Common Scams Targeting Our Community
The presentation covered several of the most common scams currently targeting older adults. Impersonation scams continue to be one of the biggest threats, where scammers impersonate government officials, family members, celebrities, or other trusted individuals. One example the presenters discussed was a fake toll violation text message that looked incredibly realistic, complete with official-looking court seals and QR codes. It's easy to see why so many people fall for these tactics.

Romance scams were another major topic. The presenters shared a particularly heartbreaking story of a widow who lost $263,000 after developing a relationship with someone online who turned out to be a scammer. The scammers in these cases take their time to build trust and target people who may be lonely or vulnerable.
Other scams discussed included fake job opportunities, cryptocurrency investment scams, Medicare fraud, tech support scams, and a newer threat known as the "digital arrest" scam, where callers threaten victims with arrest for supposedly missing jury duty.

Recognizing the Warning Signs
Throughout the presentation, the speakers emphasized that recognizing the warning signs is one of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim. Some of the biggest red flags include:

• Unexpected phone calls, texts, or emails that ask for personal information
• Pressure that creates a sense of urgency
• Demands for secrecy
• Requests for unusual forms of payment such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency

The speakers also reminded attendees that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Protection Strategies That Work
A key message from the presentation was the phrase "Pause, Question, Protect." Before responding to any unexpected request, it's important to take a moment to pause, question why the person is contacting you, and protect your personal information.
There are many other practical ways to protect yourself as well:

• Call trusted phone numbers independently or let unknown calls go to voicemail
• Never share passwords through email or text
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account
• Enable multi-factor authentication
• Freeze your credit cards if you believe your personal information has been compromised

​Resources for Victims
​Residents facing fraud have several avenues for assistance:
Fairfax County Police Department operates a dedicated Financial Crimes Unit (five detectives) investigating identity theft, check fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crimes. Complaints can be filed online at their website, though the process takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
Fairfax County Consumer Affairs, where Reedy works, offers free consumer specialist assistance and accepts complaints. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Virginia Attorney General's Office provides support for consumers throughout the state outside of Fairfax County jurisdiction.
Federal Trade Commission operates as the nation's consumer protection agency, pursuing legal action against fraudulent companies and providing free educational materials.

The takeaway is clear: scams are sophisticated and widespread, but awareness and caution can make a real difference in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.

​State initiative expands support for rural and underserved communities seeking Village connectionsVirginia's innovative approach to tackling social isolation among older adults has earned a second year of state funding, signaling growing recognition that peer-led communities—known as Villages—offer a powerful solution to a serious public health crisis.
The Aging Well with Virginia Villages (AWVV) program, which received continued funding from the Virginia General Assembly, is doubling down on its mission to increase older Virginians' access to Village services and connections. The initiative, managed by the Virginia Villages Collective and fiscally sponsored by the Washington Area Villages Exchange, represents the nation's first statewide effort of its kind and is being designed as a replicable model for other states.
How Villages Fill a Critical GapSocial isolation among older adults poses documented health risks comparable to smoking, according to public health research. Unlike traditional reactive interventions like nursing homes or assisted living facilities, Villages operate at the front end of the care continuum, providing practical support and meaningful connections when they're most needed to help people remain independent.
"Villages promote peer-to-peer connections and offer a variety of social engagement opportunities," explains the program framework. "They also provide practical non-medical services to foster independence, such as transportation, minor home repairs and tech support, and serve as a trusted source for information and referrals."
These volunteer-driven networks range from social clubs to comprehensive support systems, but all share a common goal: helping older adults age in community rather than in institutions.
Year One Results Paint a Promising PictureThe numbers from Virginia's existing Villages tell a compelling story. In 2025 alone, the state's 11 Villages logged:

• 191,088 volunteer-driven miles for grocery shopping, medical appointments, and errands
• 52,687 volunteer hours, valued at nearly $2 million
• 14,000+ attendees at social, wellness, and cultural events

These metrics translate to meaningful everyday support and genuine connection for thousands of older Virginians. With second-year funding, the program aims to dramatically expand these numbers by both strengthening existing Villages and helping launch new ones in underserved regions.
Building Capacity, Starting New VillagesThe AWVV program has pursued two complementary strategies in its first year.
Capacity building targeted existing Villages with small grants supporting social programming, education series, health and wellness initiatives, volunteer training, and outreach. Eleven Villages benefited from this investment.
Village development took aim at communities lacking Village infrastructure. The program conducted targeted outreach to identify groups interested in starting a Village and provided structured training, mentoring, and resources to planning groups. The results: six planning groups are currently underway in Albemarle, Bedford, Clarke, Culpeper/Madison/Orange, and Louisa counties, plus the City of Roanoke. Four additional groups are forming.
Measuring Success, Building a BlueprintAn independent evaluation team has been documenting the program's effectiveness through data collection and participant interviews. In the second year, evaluators plan to develop detailed case studies following planning groups from their initial planning stages through Village launch—creating a replicable blueprint for other jurisdictions interested in expanding the Village model.
"By continuing to build the capacity of existing Villages and starting new Villages, the Aging Well with Virginia Villages program aims to make Village connections and services available in many more communities across the Commonwealth," the program statement notes.
As Virginia's Villages network continues to expand, the message is clear: when older adults have access to community, connection, and practical support, the results benefit individual health, public health, and the broader fabric of community life.

About the Organizations
The Virginia Villages Collective (VVC) is an informal collaboration promoting the Village model's benefits and supporting Village development and growth throughout the state.
The Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE), the largest and oldest regional Villages association in the country, serves 81 Villages across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

• 96% of senior living organizations report staffing shortages; the field remains 130,000 workers short of pre-pandemic levels, even as 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day.
• At Goodwin Living, 40% of 1,400+ team members are immigrants; among direct caregivers in some units, that figure reaches 90%.
• Current immigration policy offers virtually no visa pathway for non-degreed caregiving roles like certified nursing assistants.
• Goodwin Living's resident-driven Citizenship Program has issued 242 grants to fund the U.S. Citizenship Exam Fee and helped produce 128 new U.S. citizens.
• Practical steps any organization can take: send handwritten letters to legislators, connect employees to pro bono legal resources, and build a workforce tracker organized by immigration status and country of origin.

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The numbers alone tell a stark story. Twenty-five percent of active U.S. physicians are international medical graduates. Sixteen percent of nurses were educated abroad. Ninety-six percent of senior living organizations report staffing shortages. And the field remains 130,000 workers short of pre-pandemic levels — even as 10,000 Americans turn 65 every single day.
Those were among the statistics that opened a recent Northern Virginia Senior Resource Network forum hosted at Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads, where senior living operators, home care providers, and community members gathered to confront one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry: how to sustain a workforce that depends heavily on immigrant labor in an era of sweeping immigration restriction.

A Wall Everywhere
Forum moderator Steve Gurney of Positive Aging walked attendees through a policy landscape that has erected barriers well beyond the southern border. The H-1B visa — the primary pathway for physicians — requires a bachelor's degree, carries a $100,000 employer sponsorship fee, is capped at 85,000 annually, and filled by lottery from a pool of roughly 400,000 applicants. For non-degreed roles like certified nursing assistants, there is effectively no temporary visa pathway unless the worker comes from Canada or Mexico. Refugee admissions have been sharply curtailed, and immigration visas have been paused for nationals of 75 countries.
"It's not just the wall in Mexico," Gurney noted. "There's a wall everywhere."
Solutions raised by policy experts included exempting healthcare workers from H-1B caps and lotteries, reinstating a temporary visa category for nurses, lifting per-country visa caps to speed green card processing, and expanding visa waivers for clinicians willing to serve underserved areas.

The Human Reality
For Brittany DiSciullo, Vice President of Human Resources at Goodwin Living, the policy environment is anything but abstract. The organization employs more than 1,400 team members from over 65 countries, about 40 percent of whom are immigrants. Among direct caregivers in some healthcare teams, that figure reaches 90 percent.
"If you remove immigrants from our workforce, you can effectively remove 90 percent of our caregivers," DiSciullo said.
Following the 2024 presidential election, Goodwin Living moved quickly. The organization hosted "Know Your Rights" seminars with immigration attorney James Montana, built a confidential workforce tracker organized by country of origin and immigration status, and began monitoring the federal E-Verify status change report — a 2025 tool that flags employees whose work authorization has been revoked even when their documents appear current. It was through that report that Goodwin Living learned it had to part ways with four Haitian team members last year.
"They weren't just losing their job at Goodwin Living. They were losing their right to work in the United States," DiSciullo said.
Jim Lindsay of ACC Family home care described a similar landscape for smaller organizations. With roughly 150 employees — 85 percent immigrants — ACC Family must rigorously verify documentation while lacking the resources to sponsor workers for citizenship. In Alexandria, where Lindsay serves on the Commission on Aging, the local response has centered on basic needs: feeding programs for families afraid to access public services, and free legal referrals.

The Mother of the Citizenship Program
One of the forum's most resonant voices belonged not to a professional, but to a resident. Rita Siebenaler, a retired clinical social worker who lives at Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads, is credited as the driving force behind Goodwin Living's Citizenship Program.
Siebenaler recalled her outrage when the citizenship application fee jumped overnight from $325 to $725. She approached administration, was initially turned down, returned with a formal proposal arguing the program would improve recruitment and retention — and was proven right on both counts. A quiet announcement went out, and within two weeks residents raised $40,000. To date, 242 grants have been issued covering citizenship applications, green card renewals, and DACA renewals, resulting in 128 new U.S. citizens among Goodwin Living's workforce.
"This isn't a political issue, it's a human issue," she said.

Choosing to Go Public
Goodwin Living also made a deliberate decision to step into the national spotlight — appearing in major media, visiting Capitol Hill, and standing visibly alongside immigrant employees at a moment when that visibility carried real risk. Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer Lindsay Hutter described a careful vetting process for every media request, and deeply personal conversations with team members about whether they were comfortable being photographed knowing ICE could potentially come to their workplace and even go to their children's schools.
"We never had a single team member back away," Hutter said. "The heroes are the team members who said, 'I can. I've got the support, I've got the courage, I trust Goodwin Living.'"
The organization has worked closely with LeadingAge and the American Business Immigration Coalition to advocate for healthcare workforce carve-outs in immigration policy, and has organized its residents — among the most reliable voting blocs in the country — to testify before lawmakers. Siebenaler was in the House gallery when Representative Ayanna Pressley's bipartisan legislation on Temporary Protected Status for Haitians passed.
​
What Any Organization Can Do
Panelists were emphatic that meaningful action isn't reserved for large organizations. Jim urged every attendee to send handwritten letters — not emails or petitions — to their congressional representatives, explaining that personal correspondence cuts through mass advocacy noise and often lands directly on a legislator's desk.
Siebenaler pointed to three Northern Virginia organizations offering pro bono immigration legal assistance: Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, and Just Neighbors. Hutter highlighted a model for smaller operators: pooling modest contributions from multiple senior living businesses to fund additional nursing faculty at Northern Virginia Community College.
"Are we going to choose to meet the moment?" Hutter asked in closing. "We invite you on the journey."

Join us for 2026 Mid-Atlantic Chapter Conference November 8 - 9, 2026 Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park 3111 Fairview Park Drive | Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Connect and meet 150-200 Aging Life Care Managers and other related professionals, whose clients are your target market as we gather to imagine…innovate…and inform. If your company has products or services designed to improve the quality of life for seniors or those with disabilities and their families, join us for a great Sponsor Opportunity! All sponsors will receive recognition in the Mid-Atlantic Newsletter, Facebook and Website.
SPONSOR/EXHIBITOR PACKAGESAll sponsors and exhibitors will have good visibility with close proximity to meeting rooms and conference registration area. All breaks will be hosted in the exhibit area to encourage good traffic and networking. Exhibit space is assigned by committee members onsite based on sponsorship level and date registrations/payments are received so we encourage EARLY sign ups! NOTE: Continuing education units are only available to attendees registered as conference attendees (not exhibitors/sponsors).
Space Assignment:
Exhibiting space is limited and assigned by staff depending upon your date of confirmation and sponsorship level. Completed applications and payment are due in full no later than Monday, September 28, 2026. Applications for exhibit space are subject to approval of the program committee and must include a description of the products/services to be exhibited. If application is not approved, the payment will be returned in full. Sponsorships will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait, sign up today!

Rooted in Care, Radiant in Hope: Seeking to Empower Caregivers with Knowledge, Hope, and Community
For 40 years, the Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver Conference has educated, empowered, and uplifted thousands of caregivers and professionals. Your sponsorship makes a difference!
The 40th Annual Northern Virginia Dementia Caregiver Conference offers five meaningful sponsorship levels designed to fit every budget and impact goal. Each level provides valuable visibility, recognition, and opportunities to connect with a dedicated community of caregivers and professionals.
PLATINUM – $10,000 • Speaking Opportunity • Premier Logo Placement • Full Page Recognition • On-Stage Mention*
GOLD – $5,000 • Logo on Invitation & Swag Bag • Blog Post on NVDCC • Logo in Program*
SILVER – $2,500 • Logo & URL Link • Sponsor Highlight • Post-Conference Ad • On-Stage Mention*
BRONZE – $1,000 • Logo on NVDCC.org • Swag Bag Insert*
SUPPORTER – $500 • Name in Program • Exhibit Table
*Plus the other incentives from the remaining lower levels
Why Sponsor? You’ll Reach and Support: • 200+ Attendees • Expert Education Sessions • Family & Professional Caregivers • 40 Years of Regional Impact
Partner With Us. Honor the Legacy. Shape the Future of Care.
Contact: admin@nvdcc.org • www.nvdcc.org
To become a sponsor, visit: https://nvdcc2026.eventbrite.com
Your support directly fuels education, hope, and community for dementia caregivers across Northern Virginia. Join us in celebrating 40 years of making a lasting difference—become a sponsor today!

In the award-winning independent drama Familiar Touch, writer and director Sarah Friedland delivers a sensitive and deeply empathetic exploration of what it means to age with dignity amid cognitive change. The film, often described as a "coming-of-old-age" story, centers on Ruth, an octogenarian retired cook portrayed with extraordinary nuance by Kathleen Chalfant.
Familiar Touch follows Ruth as she transitions into assisted living, grappling with shifting memories, desires, and her evolving relationships with herself, her caregivers, and her family. What begins as small, puzzling disruptions in her familiar routines—preparing breakfast in her cozy kitchen—gradually reveals the quiet challenges of cognitive decline. Rather than relying on melodrama or sensationalism, Friedland's approach is intimate and grounded, allowing viewers to experience Ruth's world through her perspective, where fragments of the past intermingle with the present in poignant, sometimes joyful ways.
Chalfant's performance has been widely praised as superb and astonishing, bringing a regal yet vulnerable humanity to Ruth. Critics have highlighted how she conveys the terror of losing one's recognized life alongside intermittent moments of rediscovery and grace. The film avoids stereotypes about dementia, instead offering a precise, funny, and moving depiction of adaptation, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection. Supporting roles, including those by Carolyn Michelle Smith, Andy McQueen, and H. Jon Benjamin, add layers to the caregiving dynamics and family ties.
Since its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024, Familiar Touch has garnered significant acclaim, winning the Lion of the Future (Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best Debut Film), Orizzonti Best Director for Friedland, and Best Actress for Chalfant. It also earned nominations and wins at the Independent Spirit Awards, including recognition for Friedland as Someone to Watch. Released theatrically in the U.S. in June 2025 by Music Box Films, the film has been celebrated for its emotional heft, authenticity, and rare empathy toward older adults facing memory loss.
As the U.S. population ages—with nearly one in four citizens over 65 and projections showing the National Capital Region nearing 25% older adults by 2030—stories like Ruth's resonate more urgently than ever. Familiar Touch invites audiences of all ages to reflect on how society supports evolving identities, combats ageism, and honors the full humanity of those navigating later life.
A special opportunity to engage with the film and its themes comes soon in the National Capital Region. Goodwin Living, a faith-based nonprofit senior living and healthcare organization, is partnering with Virginia Theological Seminary to host an exclusive screening of Familiar Touch on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:30 PM ET at the Lettie Pate Evans Room, Virginia Theological Seminary (3630 Bishop Walker Circle, Alexandria, VA 22304). The event will feature a panel discussion on the film and combating ageism, moderated by The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Dean of Virginia Theological Seminary. Panelists include Trish D’Antonio, Executive Director of the National Center to Reframe Aging; Sarah Friedland, director of Familiar Touch; and Rob Liebreich, President & CEO of Goodwin Living. A light reception will follow.
This timely event underscores the film's message of empathy and understanding, bringing together community leaders, elected officials, and advocates for older adults. Media and attendees can RSVP via the event page

AARP Virginia invites local eligible nonprofit organizations and governments to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more.​

Now in its tenth year, AARP will double its investment, awarding over $8 million in grants as part of its nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for all residents, especially those age 50 and older.

“Through the Community Challenge grant program, AARP Virginia works closely with local residents, advocates and policymakers to improve the quality of life for people of all ages, especially Virginians 50 and older,” said AARP Virginia State Director Jim Dau. “We look forward to the opportunity this year to provide increased support to communities across the commonwealth.” 

This year, the AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities. All projects must be consistent with AARP’s mission to serve the needs of people 50 and older along with other eligibility criteria.

• Flagship grants support projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and disaster resilience. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000.
• Capacity-building microgrants are paired with expert support, webinars and cohort learning for projects to improve walkability and bikeability; implement safe, accessible home modifications; and disaster preparedness training. Awards are $2,500.
• Demonstration grants fund projects that encourage replication of exemplary local efforts. This year’s focus is on improving pedestrian safety, with funding support from Toyota Motor North America; expanding high-speed internet access and adoption, with funding support from Microsoft; and housing choice design competitions. Awards typically range from $10,000-$20,000, not to exceed $25,000.

“Over the last decade, AARP has invested in communities to help people of all ages and abilities to thrive,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “The impact that our Community Challenge grants have had in cities, towns and counties nationwide is significant, supporting everything from crosswalks and home improvements to increased community engagement while also serving as a catalyst for further action. We look forward to expanding the program and its cumulative results over the next ten years.”

Since 2017, AARP has invested $24.3 million toward 2,100 livability projects – including 44 in Virginia – across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through the Community Challenge. The program aims to provide support to all community types, including rural, suburban and urban communities with a special focus on the needs of those 50 and older.

AARP Virginia works in collaboration with communities across the state, bringing people together, and providing resources and expertise to help make Virginia counties, towns and cities great places to live for people of all ages. In recent years, projects funded through the Community Challenge have helped to promote universal housing designs, enhance public spaces with signage and foliage, create intergenerational playgrounds, and improve street safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

The Community Challenge is open to eligible 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and government entities. Other types of organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects.

The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. Eastern, March 4, 2026. All projects must be completed by December 15, 2026. To submit an application and view past grantees, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge.

In a state where scenic landscapes meet bustling urban hubs, creating communities that truly support residents of all ages isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential. As Virginia's population ages, the need for walkable neighborhoods, reliable transit, and affordable homes has never been more pressing. Enter AARP Virginia, which on Thursday unveiled its list of the commonwealth's 10 top-scoring livable communities, marking the 10th anniversary of its groundbreaking Livability Index platform.

The AARP Livability Index isn't your average ranking tool. Launched in 2015, this free, web-based resource evaluates every neighborhood, city, county, and town across all 50 states and the District of Columbia using more than 50 national data sources—like the U.S. Census Bureau's American Communities Survey. It breaks down livability into seven key categories: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity. In total, it assesses 61 indicators, from monthly housing costs and public transit access to social connection opportunities and the existence of age-friendly plans.

The result? A comprehensive snapshot that helps residents, planners, and policymakers pinpoint strengths and gaps. While Virginia has seen notable progress—such as expanded public transportation in several areas—challenges remain. AARP emphasizes that even the state's highest performers could do more to tackle affordable housing, ensuring families and seniors can age in place without being priced out.
Drumroll, please: Based on the latest Index scores, Virginia's top 10 livable communities are:

1. Falls Church City
2. Arlington County
3. Alexandria City
4. Vienna
5. Herndon
6. Charlottesville City
7. Vinton
8. Fairfax County
9. Fairfax City
10. Purcellville

These standouts excel in fostering environments where people can thrive at any stage of life, from young professionals navigating commutes to retirees enjoying nearby parks and healthcare.

“We encourage more communities in Virginia to use the AARP Livability Index to identify areas for improvement and help create vibrant and welcoming environments for people of all ages,” said Joyce Williams, AARP Virginia State President. “And we look forward to working with local leaders to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of residents of all ages.”

AARP Virginia isn't just talking the talk. The organization has been hands-on in driving change, including backing the Charlottesville Area Alliance's innovative proposal for a citywide "walk-audit" repository. This digital hub would catalog pedestrian safety assessments, empowering planners to enhance walkability and connectivity—one sidewalk at a time.

For anyone curious about their own backyard (or scouting a future home), the updated platform makes it easy to dive in. Simply plug in an address, ZIP code, or community name to get an overall score, drill down into category breakdowns, spot local hurdles, and benchmark against peers nationwide. There's even a fun community finder quiz to match your lifestyle with ideal spots.

As Virginia continues to grow and evolve, tools like the Livability Index offer a roadmap for inclusive progress. Whether you're a local leader brainstorming transit upgrades or a homeowner weighing a move, it's a reminder that livable communities aren't built overnight—they're shaped by data, dedication, and a dash of community spirit.
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Ready to check your score? Head to aarp.org/livabilityindex and start exploring. Your next great place to call home might be just a click away.

Paul Spring's Holiday Market Vendor OpportunityJoin us as we kick off the holiday season by supporting local businesses! Bring your handcrafted goods or showcase your services for residents, families, and the surrounding Alexandria area.
Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2025
• Time: 4 PM - 6 PM
• Location: Paul Spring, 7116 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22307
• Admission: Free
• Vendor Spots: Free of charge – includes a 6-foot table for all vendors

Email Norris Sanchez at norris.sanchez@rui.net to reserve your vendor spot today!