Volume 2 | April 8, 2020
The Heyman Interages ® Center is a program
of JCA ® - Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington.
THE INTERAGES CONNECTOR
STAYING CONNECTED WHILE STAYING AT HOME
Staying in Touch
Hello JCA Interages Volunteers,

We hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe at home. We also hope that you enjoyed the first Interages Connector newsletter and found it to be helpful and entertaining.

While our goal is to bring you accurate information, we are not able to fact- check all of the information provided in the various websites or articles. Also, if you decide to participate in a physical activity or exercise suggested in these letters, please check with your doctor to determine if the activity is appropriate for you.

Information and safety guidelines about COVID-19 seem to change on a daily basis. In this letter we will give you some health and safety tips but for accurate and reliable information about COVID-19, please go the Centers for Disease Control Website - CDC at CDC.gov. , Maryland Department of Health or the Montgomery County Health Dept.

We want you to consider this your newsletter. We welcome your ideas, articles, suggestions, jokes (make them clean please) and ways you are entertaining yourselves during this time of social isolation. Please send your comments and recommendations to Vicki Thomas, JCA Program Coordinator at vthomas@accessjca.org . Together we'll get through these challenging times .
Let's Stay Healthy and Safe.
Is the pandemic causing you to feel overwhelmed, unproductive, lonely or stressed? This is an interesting article in Psychology Today about taking care of our mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here is a fun video about how to wash your hands. It's for hospital staff but currently we all have to clean our hands as if we are surgeons!
Let’s Have Fun
The Getty Museum in Los Angeles challenged art fans to post photos of themselves recreating their favorite works of art from the safety of their homes. Look at their creativity here !

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Let's Laugh

If you enjoyed Les Miserables, you'll love this funny video of a family singing about how the coronavirus is impacting their daily lives. You may have to click the screen to start the sound.

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The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. 

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Let's Go to the Theater!
National Theater plays are streamed free for 7 days. Now you can enjoy the theater in your pajamas! To get started click here .

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a world-renowned African American dance company and performs at the Kennedy Center every February. Take the time to enjoy their most famous dance, "Revelations" . It's about 30 minutes long, but time well spent.
Let’s Do Something

The Smithsonian offers virtual tours of many of its museums. Here is one of the Space Shuttle Discovery at the Air and Space Museum.

Make Your Own Face Mask
If you enjoy sewing, here is a video on how to make a face mask . You can keep it for yourself or donate to a doctor's office or hospital. This might be a nice activity to share with your grandchildren. Maybe they can get some community service hours for school.

Written directions for how to sew a face mask are here .

The United States Surgeon General shared this video on how to make your own face mask without sewing. It's quick and easy.

Here's another quick and easy way to make your own face mask using a bandana.

Mah Jongg Anyone?
Mah Jongg players will like 
Myjongg.net is a FREE link that is great for those of you who already play the game. You have to sign in with a username and password. You can play by yourself or with your friends!!  It is really fun and very addicting. Enjoy!!! 

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“You cannot tailor-make the situations in life but you can tailor-make the attitudes to fit those situations." 
Zig Ziglar    
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Let's Watch A Movie
Your Montgomery County Public Library card is your ticket to the movies! Go to   Kanopy  and enter your library account number to browse and stream award winning movies, documentaries and foreign films. Your account number is the 14-digit number on the back of your library card. Your PIN is the year you were born (just 4 digits). You will need to join Kanopy to access the movies. It is free and takes just 4 very easy steps.
If you do not have a library card, you can sign up for a digital card to use during the shutdown here:  MCPL Registration


Feeling Lonely?
Senior Planet wrote this article with some suggestions for " Loneliness Busters ". Do you have some you'd like to share ?


Information on COVID-19 Testing
( This information was taken from the Maryland Health Department website. )

During this time of anticipated large demand on the health care delivery system, you are asked to avoid unscheduled visits to your health care provider. It is important to call ahead. People who are mildly ill should not go to emergency departments. Mildly ill people should stay home and contact their health care provider by phone for guidance. Like all laboratory tests, testing for COVID-19 is a clinical decision made by a health care provider. Testing for COVID-19 may not be appropriate for everyone. Testing availability will expand as more testing supplies become available .   

Federal and Maryland Tax Date Postponed to July 15, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis the federal and Maryland State governments have rescheduled the due date to file income tax returns and payments to July 15, 2020. For more information Click Here .

Maryland Primary Election Postponed Until June 2, 2020 .
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis the Maryland Primary Election has been changed to June 2, 2020 with early voting May 21 - 28. This date is subject to change . Please Click Here for more information.


 
Volunteers Needed to Call or Write a Homebound Senior

The JCA's Kensington Club, which serves older adults with diagnosed early stage dementia or mild cognitive impairment, along with volunteers from Sixth and I Synagogue, have launched “KC Phone Pals,” a phone reassurance program for KC members and former members of The Misler Adult Day Center who are at home, keeping social distance from friends and family. 

Volunteer Criteria for Phone Calls:
  • Be comfortable talking to people with early stage dementia
  • Commit 1 - 3 times weekly for 5 - 15 minutes
  • Have the ability to use the volunteer website SignUp.com and fill out a google form
  • Currently have or willing to get a background check (can do from home)

If you are interested in making "friendly chat" phone calls, please contact Colleen Kemp, Director of Kensington Clubs: ckemp@accessjca.org . Please write Interages Volunteer in the subject section of your email . Colleen will provide a “Quick Start Guide” and “How and What to Say to Your Phone Pals Guide.” Several slots are available at this time. Thank you!
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JCA Interages Staff

Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington

"Jewish Council for the Aging", "JCA", "Helping All Seniors Thrive" and "Interages" are registered trademarks of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, Inc. Visit us at  AccessJCA.org .© 2019 Jewish Council for the Aging® All rights reserved.