Here at Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, we are always on the lookout for events in the Richmond community that relate to senior health and wellness. Here is a great event sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association:

On Tuesday, July 20th, there will be a free special screening of the HBO documentary “The Alzheimer’s Project” at the historic Byrd Theater. This documentary provides a personal look at the country’s second most feared disease through the voices of Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers, family members, and the scientists who are working every day to look for a cure.

At this special screening, you will also get the chance to hear from Mary Ann Johnson — program director for the Alzheimer’s Association, and author/ former caregiver Robert B. Schaefer.  Caregivers, friends and family of Alzheimer’s patients, and supporters of Alzheimer’s disease research are encouraged to attend. The event is open to the public and free, so bring your friends, questions, and personal experiences.

Where:  The Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221

When: Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 5:30-7:30 PM

REMEMBER! Wear something purple to the event to show your support, and be entered to win a door prize!

Also, here are some links for more information on:

• “The Alzheimer’s Project” – an interactive site where you can watch the films, learn about the disease, and get help from organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Institutes of Health.
• The Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Richmond Chapter
• The Byrd Theatre

And as always, for more information on how our Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond can provide Alzheimer’s care and companionship to help you or a loved one remain living independently, call us in our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100 today.

You’re invited to join us and over 25 local and regional wellness organizations for the Mind, Body, and Spirit Wellness Fair at Covenant Woods Retirement Community in Mechanicsville this Friday, July 9, 2010, at 1:00 pm.

Not only can you learn about ways to keep your body healthy, but the wide array of organizations there can provide ways to boost your mind and spirit as well.  Many organizations will be  conducting health screenings such as Blood Pressure Checks, Glucose Screenings, and Strength and Grip Tests.   Vendors include the Alzheimer’s Association, Hearing Clinics of Virginia, Mary Kay, PhotoLively, and the Virginia Blood Mobile… not to mention Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond.

Covenant Woods Independent Living Cottages

In addition, guests will have the opportunity to learn more about Covenant Woods, a non-profit Continuing Care Retirement Community situated on over 70 acres in beautiful Hanover, Virginia, just outside of Richmond.

Covenant Woods has a rich history within the Richmond community, dating back to its beginnings as the “Richmond Home for Ladies” in 1883. Covenant Woods now serves both men and women, on a 70-acre campus instead of a city block. With the same mission – caring for people as long as they live – it is now called a Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Today, there is fine dining, 24-hour security, a fitness center, physical therapy facilities, a sports pool, bocce ball courts, gardening areas, a wood-working shop, art studio, nature trails surrounding a stocked pond, a barber and beauty shop, lounge areas, and meeting rooms.

They offer independent living in apartments and cottages, and your changing needs can be served all in one place there with three levels of health care services in the adjacent Health and Wellness Center – nursing, assisted living, and memory support.

Guests at the event will have a chance to win several door prizes, provided by the host and vendors. Rumor has it that Home Instead Senior Care will be donating a door prize, but you have to come to the event to find out what it is and have a chance to win!

Event Details:

Location: Multi-purpose Room, Covenant Woods. Click here for map, directions, and contact information.

Time: 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, Friday, July 9th

We hope to see you at the event, where you can talk one-on-one with our Home Instead community service staff and learn how we can help you or your senior loved one how to remain living independently, wherever home may be. And if you would like more information but you can’t make it on Friday, call Home Instead at our Richmond in-home care office at 804.527.1100.  Or visit our digital brochure at http://hisc189.digbro.com.

The just-released Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide for Making the Best Decisions

The panel discussion will be helpful for anyone who is taking care of a senior parent or elderly loved one, or if you want to make plans your own future. 

Teresa Steinfatt, co-owner of Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, will host the discussion.  Other panelists will be named in the next few days, so stay tuned!

In addition, there will be special guests available to answer questions on other senior care topics, such as Assisted Living Facilities,  Alzheimer’s and Dementia,  Rehab and Skilled Nursing, and Hospice Care.

Some of content to be discussed stems from the book, Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions, which was written by Paul & Lori Hogan, founders of Home Instead Inc.

To attend this event or for more information, please call Christy Walsh-Smith at 804.527.1100.  You must RSVP on or before June 15th.

Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging, will hold a series of public hearings to discuss the 2011 area plan for aging services and the age-wave plan for the Richmond metro.

While the meeting in Goochland was already held on May 18th, there is a second hearing to be held in Chesterfield on Friday, June 11 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Rockwood Village Friendship Cafe, 3901 Price Club Blvd., in Midlothian.

For more information, call Marge Boynton at 804.343.3054 or email mboynton@youraaa.org.

Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond has formed a walking group and will participate in the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk scheduled for October. 

In the meantime, the Richmond Memory Walk Kick-off event will be held on Thursday, June 3rd, at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at The Richmond Flying Squirrels Baseball Stadium (The Diamond).

To attend just the kick-off, RSVP at 804-967-2517.

Don’t miss a night of family fun and an opportunity to support your local Alzheimer’s Association! After the meeting, the game starts at 7:05pm.  Everyone is encouraged to wear a purple shirt to show your support in “Purple with a Purpose” (of course, you know that wearing a purple shirt isn’t too difficult for those of us a Home Instead!).  Friends of the Alzheimer’s Association will parade onto the field and throw the first pitch!

There will be fireworks after the game, too.  So come on out to the meeting and the game and support your Richmond Alzheimer’s Association by purchasing a game ticket for $6 each! To purchase your $6 tickets, come by the Alzheimer’s office located at 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or call 804-967-2580.

We’ll see you there.  GOOOOOOOO SQUIRRELS!

P.S.  The Richmond Memory Walk will take place on October 2nd at 9:00 a.m. at Genworth.  Walk starts at 10:00 a.m.  Our team this year will be called the Home Instead Senior Care CareBugs and you can register to join us for the walk or you can sponsor with your donation at this link:  Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond CareBugs Memory Walk Team

VCUHS Eldercare Education and Support Group hosts Care and Communication with your Aging Parent with Teresa Steinfatt, Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond

VCU Health System employees and VCU employees are invited to a brown bag roundtable discussion about “Care and Communication with your Aging Parent – the 40/70 Rule” on Tuesday, April 20th, from noon to 1:00 p.m.   Our very own Teresa Steinfatt of Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond will be presenting as special guest speaker. 

Teresa Steinfatt

Teresa will be providing lessons from the 40-70 RULE^® programs and emotional support services which are offered by Home Instead to develop open discussions between families relating to providing care to parents and other various senior topics.  These programs and services are intended to bridge the communication gap between adult children and their senior loved ones.

• What does a grown daughter say to her dad when he’s hit a light pole with the car?
• How does an adult son ask his mom if she’s taking her medications like she should?

The 40-70 Rule is designed to help adult children and their aging parents deal with sensitive topics that often make conversations difficult.  The idea is that if you’re 40, or your parents are 70, it’s time to start talking about these or similar senior and aging topics.

As part of VCU Health System’s commitment to its employees and those they care for, VCUHS Geriatric Services and VCUHS Human Resources are inviting their VCUHS and VCU employees to this talk which is part of their Eldercare Education and Support Group.

For more information about this event, VCUHS and VCU employees can contact Gail Davis, MS, at VCUHS Geriatric Services at 804.828.0281 or visit http://vcuhealth.org.

And for more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond or to host a Home Instead speaker at your next event, please call 804.527.1100.

Spring Arbor of Salisbury and Buford Road Pharmacy are sponsoring an informative event for women to learn “The Nuts and Bolts of Maintaining your Car” on Tuesday, March 30th, at Spring Arbor.  The event starts with a cocktail party at 5:00 p.m and the presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m. with entertaining guest speaker, Pamela Adams from The Laurels of Willow Creek.

Join Pamela in a fun educational seminar ~ arm yourself with the knowledge every woman should know about her car. 

Learn the top 5 things even your mechanic won’t tell you! Other topics include what to avoid when buying a used car, what kind of questions you need to be asking your mechanic and understanding what your car is really trying to tell you.  And there will be door prizes! (Yes, you’ll be the envy of all). 

The event will be held at Spring Arbor of Salisbury which is conveniently located at 14001 Turnberry Lane, Midlothian, VA.

To RSVP and reserve your seat, please call 804-897-2727 today.  And, yes, the Home Instead CareBug will be there!  Say hello to Christy!

About Spring Arbor of Salisbury

Spring Arbor of Salisbury, Midlothian

Spring Arbor of Salisbury brings a special combination of neighborly warmth and compassionate care to seniors in Midlothian and beyond.  Nestled in the heart of Chesterfield County’s most unique residential area, Spring Arbor of Salisbury is the perfect solution for seniors who want to spend their retirement years close to their lifelong friends, churches, social activities, and shopping.

Spring Arbor of Salisbury also provides peace of mind for our residents coping with dementia as well as their families.  We work closely with family members to ensure the best possible care for our residents. Our Special Care Cottage offers the planned programming to focus on the resident’s abilities and not their losses and provide a “safe, secure family environment.”  For more information, click on Spring Arbor of Salisbury.

About Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond provides senior care and companionship services to the active senior community in the Richmond area.  Our goal is to help seniors remain independent for a longer period of time. 

Our CAREGivers provide medication reminders, light housekeeping, transportation, meal preparation and companionship services.  For a no-obligation, senior care assessment, please call our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100 anytime.

Verena at Virginia Center offers 55+ senior lifestyle residences in Glen Allen

Verena at Virginia Center, a new senior lifestyle rental community in Glen Allen, will host “Under the Stars, A Celebration of The Crooners.” 

LTC Al Williamson

The event will be held Friday, April 9th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and will feature live entertainment by Major Al Williamson, Commandant of Fork Union Military Academy.

The event is free and will be held at the Verena at Virginia Center, 10286 Brook Rd, Glen Allen.  Hors d’oeuvres will be served. 

For more information and to register, please call Terri Melson at 804-261-1100 or visit www.verenalifestyle.com. 

About Verena at Virginia Center

Verena at Virginia Center’s active adult apartments are beautifully designed and feature full kitchen with upgraded appliances and granite countertop, full-size washer and dryer, walk-in closet, 9-foot ceiling and architectural detail. We offer a wide variety of one- and two-bedroom floor plans, including some with den, balcony or patio.

Verena’s residents pay just one monthly fee which includes your apartment, most utilities, two-chef prepared meals every day, use of our elegant clubhouse facilities, twice-monthly housekeeping, social activities, special events and private transportation. 

About Home Instead Senior Care

Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond provides senior care and companionship services to the active senior community in the Richmond area.  Our goal is to help seniors remain independent for a longer period of time. 

Our CAREGivers provide medication reminders, light housekeeping, transportation, meal preparation and companionship services.  For a no-obligation, senior care assessment, please call our Richmond home care office at 804.527.1100 anytime.

Last week, Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond sponsored a Wii Bowling Tournament at The Verena.   There were prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  A fun time was had by all!!! 

Verena’s residents are very serious about their Wii bowling, for sure.  A bit competitive!  But they all cheered each other on and it was a great event.

Verena at Virginia Center is now open to active, independent seniors who enjoy carefree living, social and fitness opportunities and a park-like setting convenient to all the cultural activities and amenities the area has to offer.

Verena’s beautifully appointed condominium-style apartments offer the amenities you’d expect to have in your home — full designer kitchens, 9-foot ceilings, washer/dryer and some with private patio or balcony – without the worries of maintenance or upkeep.

Plus, with the clubhouse, fitness center, community activities, restaurant-style dining, and housekeeping, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying the pampering of a fine hotel or resort.  For more information, visit http://verenalifestyle.com.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond and Northern Neck, please call our Richmond senior care office at 804.527.1100.

Torsten Steinfatt will be interviewed today on NBC12

At the noon hour today, Torsten Steinfatt, owner and president of Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, will be interviewed on NBC12 to talk about Home Instead’s successful Be a Santa to a Senior gift giving program.  Tune in! We understand the short segment will be on air between 12:10 and 12:20 pm today.

Our Be a Santa to a Senior gift tree program has been very successful already this year.  Three gift trees serving over 125 lonely or needy seniors in the area have been available at local Walgreens locations and today is the last day to return gifts so that we have time to wrap them all and get them ready for delivery to the seniors prior to Christmas.

“Last Friday, we had over 75% of the gifts already returned to the Walgreens stores so we have no doubt that all gifts will be received today,” says Steinfatt.  We thank the community for coming out in support of this program and for donating gifts to seniors in our area who really are in need.”

This gift giving program has drawn even more community support.  An arrangement was made with the Steward School (lower school) to decorate the gift bags for the seniors’ gifts and 4th and 5th graders have completed many of the gift bags this year already as part of their community service project.  “…And we’ve had requests from other classes to participate so we have no shortage of hand-decorated gift bags this year — a gift in and of itself,” says Steinfatt.

For more information about the Home Instead of Senior Care of Richmond’s Be a Santa to a Senior program, you can read our previous blog post which will give store locations and details and check out our social news release with more photos and video.  Or, you can visit the Be a Santa to a Senior website.  And for more information about Home Instead’s senior care and companionship services, please call our office at 804.527.1100. 

And, remember, if you’ve removed an ornament from one of the three trees in Walgreen’s stores, please return the gifts today to the store where you took the ornament.  Our Home Instead volunteers and staff will ensure all gifts will be given to the deserving seniors.  Thank you, Richmond!