Fall Newsletter

The New River Valley Agency on Aging supports healthy aging and aging-in-place for adults of all ages. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate with us to help make the New River Valley a great place to grow up and grow older. You can get involved by providing information about our services and programs to others who can benefit, volunteering, or donating to support our efforts. 

Tina came to the New River Valley in 1981, after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Education with a concentration in public and school health. She started her career at the New River Valley Agency on Aging in February 1983, eight years after the Agency was formed, working in the In-Home Services program performing assessments and reassessments with clients receiving homemaker services.

Within a year, she was promoted to be over the nutrition services programs, both Home Delivered Meals and Congregate Meals, now known as Friendship Cafes. Under her leadership, the Agency was one of the first Area Agencies on Aging in Virginia to receive state level certification in all of the Friendship Café’s throughout the New River Valley.

After 8 years working with the Nutrition Programs, Tina had the opportunity to serve as the Director of Programs, overseeing and supervising all Agency services and programs. During her 15 years in this position, she worked to help develop and implement several new programs and services to add to the existing nutrition, transportation and homemaker services, including the Health Insurance Counseling Program, the Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and Legal Services.

When the Virginia Department for Rails and Public Transportation provided the opportunity to apply for a grant for Mobility Coordination, she submitted a grant proposal and the Agency was awarded funding. The Mobility Transportation program has continued to grow and has proven to successfully help hundreds of people to find and access transportation services that meet their needs.

Determined to gain new skills and to be better prepared to help meet the challenges that older adults face, Tina went back to school to earn a Master’s Degree from Virginia Tech in Education with a concentration in Public Health in 2002. This was the forerunner of the current Masters of Public Health degree at Virginia Tech.

In 2007, Tina was hired as the Executive Director for the Agency on Aging and volunteer Executive Director for Senior Services, the private non-profit agency formed in 1976 following the formation of the Agency on Aging in 1975, in order to provide transportation and meal delivery services.

Recognizing that solid relationships are the basis for strong programs and resource building, she has worked among staff, board and advisory council members, community members, community- based organizations and funding sources at all levels to create trust and partnerships that have expanded and enhanced service provision to older adults in the New River Valley.

Targeted and extensive outreach in the community through the Community Engagement staff person and generous donors, has brought about programs over the years that meet additional needs beyond the funding that is allocated for regular programs. Examples of these are: Fido’s Pantry, Staples for Seniors, Supplies for Seniors.

In partnership with others, during her years as Executive Director, the Commonwealth Council on Aging, has awarded the Agency a “Best Practices” award 3 times. This is a prestigious state level award for programs that meet an identified need and that are replicable for other agencies to institute. Her work with other agencies and organizations as part of the Leadership Team on Aging in Community in the New River Valley has brought about the development of Aging -in-Place materials that can be used by individuals or in workshops to help adults be better prepared to age in their homes and communities.

Reflecting on her almost 42 years of service at the Agency on Aging, Tina is grateful for the privilege to be a part of a strong team of employees, board members, advisory council members, partnering agencies, and networks that have put so much into serving older adults and making a difference in their lives. She is also appreciative for what she has learned from the older adults that she has worked with over the years and emphasizes the value of what they bring to all of us. She is glad that so many in our communities have come together to help make the New River Valley the best place possible to grow older. In her coming retirement, beginning in January 2025, Tina plans to stay as active as possible in the community helping others meet vital needs of people of all ages, but especially older adults. 

The Agency’s Home Delivered Meals Program served 498 homebound seniors in our community in 2024. These seniors are not able to prepare meals anymore, and do not have anyone who can make meals for them. This program enables a senior to stay in their home, which is what most aging persons choose for themselves. Aging-in-place is also, by far, the most affordable option for seniors on limited incomes. Those seniors who receive home-delivered meals also enjoy the benefit of a regular wellness visit from a trained driver. Last year the Agency delivered over 74,000 meals. Referrals for these services continues to rise, just as the cost of food continues to rise.



Please consider helping us FEED the NEED in the NRV!

Just $12 provides 2 meals

$60 provides 10 meals



Visit our website to make your donation today. 

The NRV Agency on Aging held their 12^th Annual Caregivers Conference, dubbed “A Roadmap to Caregiving”, on August 9^th at Edwards Hall on the New River Community College Campus. This is a day full of support, education and community for caregivers. The last Conference was scheduled for the Spring of 2020, but was cancelled due to the pandemic. Agency staff, as well as caregivers in our community, were eager to revive this annual event. 

There were 55 industry professionals and service providers in attendance ready to share information about helpful equipment, planning, personal care, and resources available to make the caregiving journey easier. Our keynote speakers were Natalie Elliott Handy, and J.J. Elliot Hill, from the nationally renowned podcast, “Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver”. There were also several classrooms for caregivers to choose from, including: getting a loved ones’ affairs in order, conversations on driving, and avoiding common healthcare scams. 

The next Annual Caregivers Conference will be held in August of 2025. Get more information this Spring by following us on Facebook, or by visiting our website.

Thank you to this year’s SPONSORS:

New River Community College

Lewis Gale Hospital Montgomery and Lewis Gale Hospital Pulaski

Pulaski Health and Rehabilitation Center

Anthem Health Keepers

Anthem Elevance Health

Aetna Better Health

Pharmacy Solutions of the New River Valley

Pyramid Healthcare

Heritage Hall of Blacksburg

Wythe County Hospice

EZ Mobility of Roanoke

English Meadows

Medi-Home Health and Hospice

Solid Rock Enterprises

AARP Virginia

Commonwealth Senior Living

The 2024 Medicare Open Enrollment season runs from

October 15-December 7. The Agency on Aging’s

Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program offers the help that you need to navigate enrollment. Our trained professionals and volunteers offer free and unbiased counseling to assist in choosing the best healthcare plan. Last year the Agency on Aging’s VICAP office helped clients save over $450,000 in Part D Medicare expenses. 

Call 540-980-7720 for more information. 

Please note The New River Valley Agency on Aging Offices will be closed on the following dates:

• Tuesday, November 5th
• Monday, November 11th
• Wednesday, November 27th, after 12 p.m.
• Thursday, November 28th
• Friday, November 29th



This season we are grateful for all of our donors, supporters, volunteers and advocates. Happy Holidays!

Stay connected

New River Valley Agency on Aging

Phone: (540) 980 7720 | Fax (540) 980 7724

email - nrvaoa@nrvaoa.org