By Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck
Dedicated, beautiful 55+ communities like Spring Hill, The Fairfax and Gum Springs Glen make the Mount Vernon District a great place to age in place. Not only do we have these dedicated communities where seniors can grow and thrive, we also have many senior centers where older residents can learn, recreate and engage. I was pleased to host my 4th Senior Safety Summit this week to bring older adults together with information, education and resources, as well as to answer questions about aging and living in our area. The Summit at Hollin Hall Senior Center included presentations by County Police, INOVA, Elderlink, Department of Family Services, County Fire & Rescue, plus an exhibit hall with many resources. Thank you to all who attended!
The opening of the new Lorton Community Center and Library on October 15 was a huge community success and is a wonderful addition to our County services for older adults. The tiny former Lorton Senior Center in the Gunston Plaza Shopping Center was welcomed into the new community center with bright, airy rooms, modern amenities and new programming! Activities and programs include: bingo, book club, meditation, discussion groups, total body workouts, painting, yoga, belly dancing, rummikub and so much more. The campus includes an open gym, fitness room, fitness/walking trail and computer labs. Seniors can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the adjacent park, watch exuberant youngsters on the playground and grab a book from the library to read in the sun.
COVID helped us all realize the importance of connecting and interacting with others, making senior centers a perfect place to fill those social, physical and mental needs that promote wellbeing. We are fortunate in Mount Vernon to have several senior centers at Lorton, Hollin Hall, Kingstowne and another new center at Original Mount Vernon High School. There is also an option for those who prefer to engage from their own homes, the Virtual Center for Active Adults. Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/virtual-center-active-adults to discover live events, on-demand programs, services, resources and self-directed activities.
Did you know the County also offers Adult Day Health Care, Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, transportation, therapeutic recreation services, technology education and a variety of other services for our older residents? Learn more here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/older-adults. You can also learn about a myriad of activities, events and services in the County’s Golden Gazette publication (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults/golden-gazette)! Community based organizations also support this age group with programs like neighbors helping neighbors, free transportation and bi-lingual Spanish support lines, including Mount Vernon at Home, Shepherd’s Center Fairfax-Burke and NV Rides. Please contact our office at [email protected] or 703-780-7518 if you think there are other ways we can improve our community for all who live here.
See you around the neighborhood!