PositiveAge

05/19/2026

This week, we are proud to showcase the work of Sheltering Arms and their commitment to building a more accessible and inclusive community for individuals affected by physical disabilities. ♿✨

Through a full continuum of physical rehabilitation services and strong community partnerships, they help people restore independence, strengthen ability, and improve quality of life.

One standout program is Club Rec Day Recreation, a supervised day program designed for adults with a disability or physical limitation who benefit from structured social, recreational, and wellness activities. Led by recreational therapists, Club Rec supports healthy living, skill-building, and successful adjustment to life after illness or injury.

Offered Monday through Thursday from 8am to 4:30pm, members can attend one to four days per week and participate in a wide range of activities, including:
🎲 Organized recreation programs
📚 Health and leisure education
🙏 Coping skills and spirituality groups
🏋️ Adaptive recreation and fitness equipment
💻 Computer lab access
🏊 Onsite fitness center and therapeutic pool
🎨 Arts, crafts, and cooking groups
🤝 Community service projects
🚌 Community reintegration outings

Club Rec is more than a program. It is a space for connection, growth, and renewed independence. 💫💙

05/12/2026

This week for our Partners in Action Spotlight, we are proud to highlight the incredible work of Jewish Family Services (JFS).💙✨

For 175 years, JFS has served individuals and families across the Richmond community, making them one of the oldest nonprofit organizations in the region. Their vision is to be recognized as the most trusted and compassionate resource in Richmond for innovative, quality services that empower people through every stage of life, no matter their faith, race, identity, income, or insurance.

JFS provides a wide range of services that support older adults and caregivers, including home care services such as personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, transportation assistance, light housekeeping, and socialization. Their care management services also help older adults and families navigate coordination of care, legal services assistance, relocation support, medical appointments, and more. In addition, JFS offers meaningful older adult engagement programs, including friendly visitors and telephone reassurance calls that help reduce isolation and foster connection.

One of their standout initiatives is the CAPABLE Program, a free, evidence-based program designed to help older adults safely age in place through participant-directed, home-based interventions. 🏠 Over a 4-to-6-month period, participants receive personalized support from a registered nurse, occupational therapist, and handyman through 10 in-home visits.

Another impactful program is FAMILIES, an evidence-based, no-cost program that equips primary caregivers with the tools they need to manage the challenges of 24/7 dementia care. 🧠💜One caregiver who completed JFS’ FAMILIES program said, “I know I am not alone, and I can survive and thrive. FAMILIES is a place for me to find help and encouragement.”

We’re proud to share and celebrate the incredible impact our partners are making!

05/07/2026

PositiveAge is excited to share that Betsy Archer, Executive Director of PositiveAge, alongside Melissa Andrews, President & CEO of LeadingAge Virginia, will be presenting at this May in Arlington, Virginia! 🌅

The Age + Action Conference brings together aging services professionals and leaders from across the country to share ideas, build connections, and help shape the future of aging services. ✨

If you are attending, be sure to check out their session, and if you have not registered yet, there is still time. We hope to see you there! https://www.ncoa.org/article/age-action-2026/

05/05/2026

PositiveAge’s Virtual AIT Leadership Program was created to address real challenges facing aspiring long-term care administrators in Virginia. With support from the NAB Foundation, this program brought together AITs from across the Commonwealth for a 10-session virtual learning experience designed to meet those needs head-on.

Throughout the program, participants explored everything from building and managing an AIT plan, to navigating the AIT–preceptor relationship, to preparing for the NAB exam, and understanding the regulatory and operational differences across care settings. Just as important, they built connections with peers, mentors, and leaders in the field. 🤝

As we close out the final session, we’re proud of what this cohort accomplished and even more optimistic about where they’re headed.

Missed the program? Recordings and resources will be available soon. Stay tuned!

04/21/2026

The Partnership for Positive Aging is proud to spotlight the incredible work of our partnering organizations through our Partners in Action Site Visits ✨

This week, we are highlighting South Richmond Adult Day Care Center. For 51 years, SRADCC has been a cornerstone of compassionate care in the South Richmond community, a place where participants are truly known, valued, and supported. Their dedicated team provides therapeutic programming, meaningful social engagement, and intergenerational partnerships, all grounded in the trust of families who have relied on their services for decades.

SRADCC currently serves 43 participants and their families, fostering a close-knit community built on connection and care. Their person-centered approach is brought to life through partnerships that offer art therapy, music classes, and engaging exercise programs like chair yoga. Participants also enjoy daily devotion time, one-on-one conversations with staff, and consistent emotional and resource support tailored to their care needs. Looking ahead, the team is working toward an exciting goal of taking all 43 participants on field trips, creating even more opportunities for joy, exploration, and connection beyond their walls.

During our visit, we spoke with one of the participants who shared, “I really enjoy coming here. I used to just sit at home and watch TV all day, but now I have something fun to look forward to every day. Ms. Lewis is one of the best. She is one of my favorites.”

We felt a sense of warmth and love within the doors of SRADCC, and we are truly grateful to our partners for welcoming us in and allowing us to witness the amazing work they do firsthand💛

04/08/2026

Julia leads our Administrator in Training Virtual Leadership Program, and has been an amazing intern. Well deserved, Julia! We’re proud to be part of your journey 🎉

We’re proud to celebrate one of our own! 🎉

Julia Cook, our MHA Student Intern studying at Virginia Commonwealth University,, has been recognized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) as one of the 2026 Top 50 Interns in Virginia, an incredible and well-deserved honor.

Throughout her time with LeadingAge Virginia, Julia has brought fresh ideas, dedication, and a strong commitment to our mission. Her contributions have already made an impact, and we know this recognition is just the beginning of what’s ahead for her.

Join us in congratulating Julia on this outstanding achievement! 👏

04/03/2026

Last week, PositiveAge was proud to present “Impacting the Future of Aging: Partnerships, Policy, and Advocacy” with the Shenandoah Valley Advocates for Healthy Aging!

Betsy Archer highlighted how PositiveAge is elevating the voices of older adults through research, community engagement, and grant-funded programs. Dana Parsons shared key insights from the 2026 Virginia General Assembly and what it means for aging services.

Together, this work fuels the policy and advocacy efforts of LeadingAge Virginia and impacts the future of aging in the Commonwealth.

Two organizations. One vision: positive aging for each Virginian.

Interested in partnering or learning more? Let’s connect.

03/31/2026

This week, as part of the Partners in Action initiative, we had the pleasure of visiting project:HOMES.

Since 2020, project:HOMES has impacted 51,677 lives in our community. We love seeing our partners shine ⭐ At project:HOMES, the goal is to ensure every Central Virginian has access to housing that is safe, energy-efficient, and accessible.

After being founded in 1992, they have grown to offer a wide range of programs, including:

🏡 Affordable Housing: Hundreds of single-family homes developed, designed, and built to be safe and affordable. Currently expanding this program to affordable housing apartments... stay tuned!

♿ Accessibility Upgrades: A robust volunteer program that builds and installs no-cost wheelchair ramps for residents with mobility issues, in addition to handling smaller-scale accessibility projects like installing shower handles and porch railings.

🔧Critical Home Repairs: No-cost fixes to roofs, floors, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, and more to keep homes safe and lasting longer.

❄️ Weatherization: Energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, heating updates, and safety improvements.

💡 Utility Savings: Lower monthly bills with no-cost energy and water upgrades, including LED lights, low-flow fixtures, and HVAC replacements.

CEO, Lee Householder, stated, “I really like seeing action. That is what is so wonderful about this place, we can change a life every day... Our mission is to improve lives while improving homes.”

Keep up the amazing work 💫

03/24/2026

Celebrating 50 years this May! 🎉 Circle Center Adult Day Services has been a trusted, community-based nonprofit supporting older adults and the people who care for them. They create a compassionate, engaging, and safe space where participants, including those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s, can stay active, keep learning, and find joy in each day. Circle Center offers an affordable long-term care option that helps individuals remain at home longer, while giving caregivers the peace of mind, support, and much-needed respite they deserve.

Their programs and services include:
✨ Adult Day Program
✨ Activities that foster social connection, physical wellness, and cognitive stimulation
✨ Health and personal care support
✨ Onsite physical, occupational, and speech therapy through a partnership with Powerback Rehabilitation
✨ Caregiver support and respite services

When asked what she loves most about Circle Center, CEO Heather Turbyne-Pollard shared, “I love these participants. I love our staff. I love watching them interact together.”

That same love is at the heart of Circle Center’s newest initiative, Joy Circles 💛 With passion and purpose, Heather introduced this program as a way to extend connection beyond the center’s walls. Joy Circles are volunteer-led gatherings hosted in faith communities, created for individuals with early-to-moderate memory loss and the care partners who walk alongside them: offering a space for connection, understanding, and community.

03/20/2026

Yesterday, PositiveAge had the pleasure of attending the Blue Ridge Care event in Wi******er, Virginia. Caring Together: A Community Forum featuring Alexandra Dane was both engaging and impactful, shining a light on the often hidden realities of caregiving.

Alexandra, Co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS, shared how organizations can better recognize and support caregivers through thoughtful, data-driven strategies that make a measurable impact.
A highlight was learning about the ARCHANGELS Platform and its Caregiver Intensity Index (CII) — a web-based tool that helps caregivers better understand their current situation, validates their experiences, and connects them to tailored resources. By identifying both the challenges and supports in a caregiver’s journey, the CII creates meaningful opportunities for ongoing engagement and support.

I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to try the ARCHANGELS quiz and explore their website. It’s an incredible resource designed to support and empower caregivers. Even if you don’t think you identify as a caregiver, you may be surprised by what you learn. Link to quiz: https://www.archangels-cii.me/get-started/?utm_source=aahomepage&utm_medium=weblink&utm_campaign=general

Grateful to be part of conversations that elevate caregivers and move meaningful solutions forward. A sincere thank you to Blue Ridge Care for the incredible work they do every day and for bringing partners together to advance this important effort.🦋