Volume 1 | April 1, 2020
JCA® Interages®  
THE INTERAGES CONNECTOR
STAYING CONNECTED WHILE STAYING AT HOME
Staying in Touch
Hello JCA Interages Volunteers,

We hope that you and your family and friends are well and doing all you can stay healthy. These past few weeks have been filled with uncertainty and concern about our health, our loved ones, our neighbors, our community and our country.

We've also had the opportunity to find new ways to stay in contact with friends and family, entertain ourselves at home and take care of those chores we've been putting off for years.

We've even expanded our vocabulary with words like social distancing, self-quarantine and PPE or personal protective equipment.

The staff at JCA Interages wants to stay in touch by sending weekly emails with health tips, JCA and community updates and fun things to do. We hope you will enjoy the activities that we share with you as we experience the new normal of American life.
HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS
Click Here to learn how to protect yourself and groceries during the Coronavirus Crisis.

Senior Call Check is a program provided by Maryland. Adults 65+ will receive a daily call at a designated time to verify your well-being. For more information Click Here
Let’s Laugh

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Employment application blanks always ask who is to be called in case of an emergency. I think you should write, "An ambulance."
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The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
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Let’s Do Something

If you are interested in taking a virtual tour of some National Parks Click Here .

The Senior Planet offers Tech classes and other activities for older adults for more information Click Here .

Click Here for a twenty minutes exercise video for older adults which includes options for standing and sitting. Don’t let the age and shape of the trainers scare you!

A Community Activity

People across the country are creating and displaying rainbows to find. A neighborhood Rainbow Hunt during this time of physical distancing is a wonderful way for our community to get outside and do something fun. All you have to do is make a rainbow and hang it in your window or doorway. Put it on your lawn or anywhere on your house. Chalk your driveway, paint a rock, the possibilities are endless! Color it, paint it, cut it out, print it from the computer, anything goes! Then walk around your neighborhood and see how many rainbows you can find! Everyone is invited to participate. Share a little hope! Happy Hunting!

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“When it rains look for rainbows, when it's dark look for stars.”
 Oscar Wilde ________________________________

#RainbowHunt #ShareALittleHope 
#CommunitySpirit #AloneTogether
Social Security: 
The Social Security Administration sent out a press release yesterday because representatives continue receiving questions from beneficiaries about suspension of payment, scam calls and the stimulus checks.   Click here for the press release.   
What's on TV
Netflix is showing a series titled “Self Made”, the story of Madame CJ Walker. Based on a true story, she was an African American entrepreneur who became a millionaire making and selling hair care products and cosmetics for African American women in the early 1900’s.
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, 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 available at this time, but are still needed. Thank you!
We at JCA Interages want you consider this your newsletter. Feel free to share your ideas, suggestions, jokes (make them clean please) and ways you are entertaining yourself during this time of social isolation. Please send your comments and recommendations to Vicki Thomas, JCA Program Coordinator at vthomas@accessjca.org . We hope you find this newsletter helpful and entertaining.