Senior Living in Alexandria, Cable TV for Older Adults

Celebrating Seven Years Bringing Important News to Alexandria

By MaryAnne Beatty

Alexandria, VA – One Senior Services of Alexandria goal is to provide information and education to Alexandria’s older adult population. SSA has been corresponding several times a week to its Senior Ambassadors providing relevant information about how to stay safe during the recent COVID-19 outbreak. The Ambassadors are then forwarding it along to their respective communities. We thank them for helping to keep our older adult community informed about all the things happening to make sure we stay safe during this challenging time.

We know most people are aware of the monthly speaker series and other outreach activities including the stocking of Senior Information Corners around town, but did you know that SSA produces a monthly 30-minute cable television program? Check out the current April program that we were able to produce during the current health situation thanks to our amazing volunteers.

Senior Living in Alexandria is in its 7th year of production providing information and education around the programs and services available to Alexandria’s senior population. The first program, aired in October 2013, featured Mary Lee Anderson, SSA’s Executive Director and Sarah Drexler, former Director of SSA’s Friendly Visitor Program. They talked about the newly created Friendly Visitor Program. This program remains one of SSA’s most valuable services providing companionship to socially isolated Alexandria seniors.

We partnered with Arlington Independent Media, a nonprofit that produces local programs for Arlington. Jim Roberts, a local community activist, agreed to be the show’s host and hasn’t missed a beat in the last seven years.

“Senior Living Alexandria continues to provide valuable information to Alexandria’s older adult population”, said Jim Roberts, the host of the program. I have had the pleasure of hosting this program since its inception, and look forward to another seven years of interviews with experts in the field of aging.” The program is both useful and fun and over the years the program has evolved, featuring fitness and good nutrition segments along with the monthly featured guest. SSA is fortunate to have Madison Reeder, a local nutritionist, featured on each episode where she provides easy, healthy recipes and is grateful to Aetna Better Health of Virginia, the current local sponsor for the program.

This year’s schedule has included guests from Goodwin House Alexandria talking about various senior housing options, and staff members from the Beatley Central Library discussing technology options for older adults including Talking and e-Books and online streaming. April will feature Cheryl Beversdorf, host of Aging Matters, a radio program also produced at Arlington Independent Media’s radio station WERA serving the Arlington/Alexandria network. She will talk about her work in providing information to the area’s senior population. One of SSA’s goals is to collaborate with other outlets that provide information to older adults. The more we know, the more we can be educated on services and programs available.

Check out Senior Living in Alexandria: it is available every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on Alexandria’s Comcast Channel 70 or Arlington 69, on YouTube or SSA’s website. The current program is always listed on the home page. Let us know what you think!

ICYMI: Senior Services of Alexandria: Alexandria, A Great Place to Age!