 AARP announced eight organizations throughout Virginia will receive 2025 Community Challenge grants. The grants are part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults. The funds will support efforts to improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and other key areas.
Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has awarded $472,915 through 44 grants in Virginia since 2017 to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. “AARP Virginia is proud to partner with communities across the state to make them more livable for people of all ages,” said Jim Dau, AARP Virginia State Director. “These projects bring smart local ideas to life and create real on-the-ground improvements that make everyday life easier and safer, especially for older Virginians.” Here in Virginia, projects funded include:
“AARP Community Challenge projects may be quick to launch, but their impact is long-lasting,” said Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “We’re proud to support communities nationwide to advance solutions that make neighborhoods and towns of all sizes better places to live where everyone can thrive. And this year, we’re particularly proud to invest in projects benefiting often overlooked rural areas.” View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.  The Virginia Fairfax Intrinsic Capacity for Older People (VFICOPE) Study is looking for volunteers living in Fairfax County to help us understand how aging affects physical and mental abilities. ICOPE is a framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to promote healthy aging by preventing, slowing, or reversing declines in physical and mental capacity among older adults. It emphasizes person-centered, community-based care and is designed to support older adults in maintaining their independence and quality of life.
Requirements to Participate:
Why participate?We hope that the results from this study are going to provide useful information to the local and regional public health authorities regarding older adult’s intrinsic capacity status (i.e. mental and physical ability) and related risk factors so they can enhance long-term healthcare intervention and prevention planning in Virginia and the rest of the US states. The data collected will help build the first U.S. database on intrinsic capacity, contributing to better aging policies and interventions. Previous studies showed that intrinsic capacity impairment limited self-care, increased dependence, and increased hospitalization visits. However, how intrinsic capacity is connected with other factors like dietary habits and psychosocial well-being (such as loneliness or social engagement) remains unclear not only for the USA but on a global level. So, there is an urgent need to measure intrinsic capacity and its determinants among older adults, through studies like this. If you are interested in participating or would like further information, please contact:
  The Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium announces sponsorship opportunities again this year at our 39th Annual Dementia Caregivers Conference. The one-day conference will be held in-person at the Fairfax County Government Center on Saturday, November 22, 2025. This year’s conference will again present the same quality speakers and information you have come to expect from over 30 years of NVDCC conferences. The conference is a wonderful opportunity for you to showcase your services and products and how you support people with dementia, family members and caregivers. There will be ample time and encouragement for conference participants to visit with you in the conference exhibit hall. The Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium consists of public and private organizations whose mission is to serve older adults and their caregivers. Founded in 1986, the Consortium is solely focused on bringing the latest in education and research to those coping with issues related to dementia in their daily lives. The Consortium exists to present an annual educational conference with presenters whose expertise is in the medical, research, social, and caregiving dimensions of the different dementias. The conference brings together approximately 350-400 family caregivers and professionals who deal with caregiving issues related to dementia. How can you help? Become a conference sponsor and take advantage of this opportunity for you to showcase your services and products and how they can support persons with dementia, family members and caregivers. The Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium Members
“Putting the Pieces Together in Dementia Caregiving” 2025 CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP & BENEFITS Saturday, November 22nd , 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, Virginia To secure your conference sponsorship, email [email protected]. For more information, questions or concerns please contact Ashley Johnson at 703.746.3389 
 AARP Virginia is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors Virginians age 50 and older who are sharing their experience, talent and skills to enrich the lives of their community members.
“AARP Virginia is excited to shine a light on Virginians age 50-pluswho are using what they’ve learned in life to make a difference in the lives of those around them,” said AARP State Director Jim Dau Nominations will be evaluated by AARP Virginia based on how the volunteer’s work has improved the community, reflected AARP’s vision and mission and inspired other volunteers. The award recipient will be announced in early fall. AARP Virginia Andrus Award for Community Service nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements:
The AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is an annual awards program developed to honor individuals whose service is a unique and valuable contribution to society. Last year, AARP recognized 49 outstanding individuals and couples from around the country. With 1 million members in Virginia, AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50-plus and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about AARP Virginia, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at www.x.com/aarpva. Find AARP events in your community at aarp.org/nearme. Join the Movement to Bridge the Generational Divide at Northern Virginia Intergenerational Summit4/15/2025
 The Northern Virginia Intergenerational Summit will take place on Tuesday, April 29, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the innovative Karter School of One Loudoun, located at 44799 Saranac St, Ashburn, VA 20147. This unique event brings together senior-serving professionals, educators, families, and community members to explore and celebrate programs that bridge the generational divide.
Summit Highlights:
Select Affordable Housing Property Waitlist In No. Virginia Applications Open Through January 191/16/2025
Older adults interested in applying for an opportunity to join a waitlist for select affordable housing properties have the opportunity to do so.
Affordable housing waitlist applications are open for select properties. Applications will remain open through Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Click here for more details All household members must be ages 62+ to qualify for the following properties:
Interested individuals must apply via Rent Café, which is an online housing application portal. The online application will be available on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., on the Fairfax County Housing and Community Development website, and will remain open until Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Instructions for using Rent Café are available in English and Spanish . Individuals who need assistance can call 703-246-5100 or come to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) office at 3700 Pender Drive in Fairfax, VA. Applications received through Rent Café will be randomly selected to be placed on a waiting list. All applications received have an equal opportunity to be selected. Once a unit becomes available, the households who were placed on a waiting list will be contacted, screened, and determined eligible based on income level, household size, and the size of the rental unit. Households cannot currently receive other federal rental housing assistance to qualify. Federal Housing Funds Make a Local Impact in Fairfax All properties are part of the Project Based Voucher program, which provides rental assistance to eligible households to live in rental units at specific properties. Through a contract with the owner of the unit, the FCRHA pays a portion of the monthly rent, while the household pays their portion of the monthly rent based upon 32% to 35% of adjusted gross income. The rental assistance is attached to the specific unit and remains at the property, even if the family moves. The FCRHA uses subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Project Based Voucher program.  Newsweek, the modern global digital news organization, in partnership with Statista, a global leader in data and market analysis, has unveiled its annual ranking of America’s Best Nursing Homes 2025, recognizing the top 1,050 nursing homes in the United States. This comprehensive ranking is designed to guide families in their search for high-quality long-term care options. With approximately 1.2 million Americans currently residing in nursing homes, the need for reliable information on nursing home quality has never been greater. The 2025 edition of Newsweek’s ranking marks the sixth consecutive year of bringing transparency and expert evaluations to an often-complex decision-making process for families and seniors. This year’s list was compiled based on an analysis of over 14,000 nursing homes across the 25 states with the highest concentration of facilities. The rankings were determined by evaluating nursing homes across four key pillars, including Performance Data, Peer Recommendations, Accreditations, and Resident Satisfaction based on Google reviews. In the 2025 rankings, new features include an expanded selection of the top nursing homes with 50 to 99 certified beds. Northern Virginia Nursing Homes Ranked 150+ Beds
Northern Virginia Nursing Homes Ranked 100-149 Beds
Northern Virginia Nursing Homes Ranked 50-99 Beds
New 2024 AARP Livability Index™ tool finds that while every community identified can support residents of all ages, Virginia requires improvement to meet aging population needs  AARP Virginia has announced the top 25 communities across the state that best support residents of all ages, according to the newly updated 2024 AARP Livability Index™ website. This comprehensive, data-driven tool evaluates the key factors that shape quality of life as people age, including housing, transportation, neighborhood safety, environmental quality, health services, and community engagement.
The latest data show that while some communities in Virginia have made significant strides in areas such as increasing access to health care, transportation, and civic engagement, every community still faces critical challenges in meeting the growing needs of older adults. Particularly, Virginia's top communities must focus on improving affordable housing options, clean air and water, and inclusion opportunities. Based on the AARP Livability Index criteria, the top 10 communities in Virginia are:
Other communities in Virginia ranking in the top 25 and their overall scores are: 11. Salem – 59 12. Purcellville – 59 13. Lexington – 59 14. Leesburg – 59 15. Albemarle County – 58 NAFSC 16. Staunton – 58 17. Bridgewater – 58 18. Roanoke County – 58 19. Loudoun County – 57 20. Warrenton – 57 21. Montgomery County – 57 22. Christiansburg – 57 23. Roanoke City – 56 NAFSC 24. Harrisonburg – 56 25. Virginia Beach – 56 The AARP Livability IndexTM platform is the most comprehensive, web-based tool of its kind that scores every neighborhood and community in all 50 states and the District of Columbia for the services and amenities that affect people’s lives the most as they age. The platform scores livability by using more than 50 national data sources to measure each community against 61 indicators of livability. Users can search the website by address, ZIP code, or community to find an overall or category score, identify challenges in their community and compare their neighborhood to others across performance benchmarks. To view the AARP Livability Index platform or see your community’s score, visit www.aarp.org/livabilityindex.  If you are connected to an agency or organization that serves older adults in Arlington and Alexandria, we look forward to collaborating with you. As service providers and advocates, we all play an essential role in ensuring older adults have the opportunity to remain in the community of their choice as they age. Join both the Arlington and Alexandria Area Agency on Aging in this important Advisory Council and meet local home and community care providers for real conversations on how we can better serve the older adults in our communities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Helen King
 Birmingham Green, a senior living facility in Manassas, Virginia, has been recognized as the top nursing home in Northern Virginia by Newsweek Magazine. The center ranked #1 among nursing homes with over 150 beds in Northern Virginia and #2 statewide in Newsweek's "America's Best Nursing Homes" list for 2025.
This recognition reflects Birmingham Green's commitment to providing exceptional long-term care and maintaining high standards of service quality. The ranking is based on a comprehensive evaluation that considers various factors, including:
Birmingham Green's success can be attributed to its dedicated staff and leadership team's commitment to continuous improvement and resident-centered care. This recognition by Newsweek serves as a testament to their efforts in providing high-quality long-term care services to seniors in Northern Virginia. Birmingham Green is deeply committed to serving individuals from all income levels, ensuring that high-quality care is accessible to everyone in the community. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Birmingham Green has a long-standing tradition of providing affordable senior living options, allowing residents with limited resources to receive the care they need without financial burden. The facility offers various programs and partnerships, such as the Virginia Auxiliary Grant program, to support low-income residents. This commitment to financial accessibility aligns with Birmingham Green's mission to create a nurturing environment where all residents can thrive, regardless of their economic background. By prioritizing inclusivity and support, Birmingham Green continues to fulfill its founding vision of being a welcoming home for all seniors in Northern Virginia. |
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