An Essential Guide to Local Resources for Seniors

Get to know what's available in your community, from wellness and social activities to residential, health care and support services.

Community Support Services

Arlington Adult Day Program

Provides daytime caregiver services, counseling and referrals, as well as physical, therapeutic and social activities, nutritious hot lunches, snacks and more. Some activities are led by volunteers. Walter Reed Adult Day Health Center, 2909 16th St. S., Arlington, 703-228-5340; arlingtonva.us/locations/walter-reed-adult-center

Arlington Adult Protective Services

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Identifies and investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation involving persons 60 and older. 703-228-1700; aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/programs/aps

Arlington County Aging & Disability Resource Center

Check this portal for a big list of helpful resources, from emergency preparedness for seniors to adult day services, caregiver support and fraud prevention. aging-disability.arlingtonva.us Arlington County Fire Department Offers free home safety checks to residents of Arlington and the City of Falls Church, with an eye toward eliminating fire hazards. Call your local fire station to request a visit. fire.arlingtonva.us/community-services/free-home-safety-checks

Arlington County Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP)

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Provides Medicare counseling to Medicare beneficiaries within Arlington County, including free classes that help unpack the ABC’s of Medicare (2020 classes are listed here). Arlington Aging & Disability Services Division, 2100 Washington Blvd., 4th Floor, Arlington, 703-228-1711, aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/programs/vicap/classes/

Arlington Food Assistance Center

Elderly residents make up nearly 14 percent of those turning to AFAC for food assistance so they needn’t choose between buying medication or food. 2708 S. Nelson St., Arlington, 703- 845-8486; afac.org

Arlington Neighborhood Village

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This nonprofit offers programs designed to allow older residents to continue living in their own homes. Adult volunteers provide transportation and shopping assistance, access to social and cultural activities, health and wellness programs, simple home repairs and more. 2666 Military Road, Arlington, 703-509-8057; arlnvil.org

Arlington Transportation Services

County transportation options for seniors include discounts on Metro, ART bus and taxi service; shared-ride transportation to local senior centers; MetroAccess “curb-to-curb” public transportation; Senior Loops grocery shopping shuttles and more. aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/resources/transportation

Fairfax County Services for Older Adults

Visit this portal for resources on topics ranging from insurance counseling and protective services to caregiver support. The site includes videos, webinars and podcasts on a number of senior issues. fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults

Inova Health System

Inova offers a host of health and wellness classes (from strength training and chronic disease self-management to grandparenting), home safety assessments, caregiver consultations and more through its ElderLink partnership with the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging. inova.org/our-services/inova-senior-services

Legal Services of Northern Virginia

The Elder Law practice group of this nonprofit law firm provides legal services to clients 60 and older in cases involving Medicaid or Medicare coverage, Social Security, disability benefits, nursing home or assisted living care, public benefits, debt collection, elder abuse, identity theft and advance directives. 10700 Page Ave., Suite 100, Fairfax, 703-778-6800; lsnv.org

Meals on Wheels of Northern Virginia

Provides weekday meal delivery (two meals per day) to Arlington County residents who are homebound. Reduced pricing is available based on need. 703-522-0811, mealsonwheelsarlington.com

Northern Virginia Family Service Money Management

This program helps Arlingtonians 60 and older with budgeting, bill-paying and other financial services with a goal of maintaining their homeownership and independence. 4435 N. Pershing Drive, Arlington, 703-276-2309, nvfs.org/assistance/money-management-seniors

Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

As part of a nationwide network established under the federal Older Americans Act, this program advocates for the rights of residents of long-term care facilities in the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Arlington County and Loudoun County. 703-324-5861, fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults/long-term-care-ombudsman-program

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Offers coupons for adults 60 and older who meet financial eligibility to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at participating Arlington farmers markets. aging-disability.arlingtonva.us/programs/farmers-market

Social 60+ Café

This Arlington Parks & Recreation program helps older residents maintain their independence by providing affordable, hot meals in a social setting, plus transportation, fun activities and nutrition services. The café is available in multiple senior center locations. 703-228-4747 (option 3); parks.arlingtonva.us/programs/adults-55/social-60-cafe

Virginia Hospital Center

The hospital provides the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert System for all of Northern Virginia, as well as a host of exercise classes (from mall walking to chair yoga), caregiver support groups, free memory screenings and free lectures on topics ranging from stroke, depression or Parkinson’s disease to non-health-related matters such as financial scams, clutter and downsizing. virginiahospitalcenter.com/programs/community/senior/default.aspx

Virginia Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (VICAP)

Developed by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services in partnership with the Bureau of Insurance, this free, unbiased, confidential counseling program offers health insurance education and assistance to seniors and their families. Assists with decisions about Medicare, prescription drug plans, supplemental insurance and long-term care insurance, including applications for low-income subsidies. 800-552-3402, vda.virginia.gov/vicap.htm

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