Centered and Connected Center Newsletter May 2020

Centered & Connected Update for May 2020 May 1, 2020

Dear FiftyForward members and friends, As April ends, we hope that May finds you all doing well and managing as well as possible during these unprecedented times that we find ourselves in together.

At FiftyForward, we have been busy reviewing information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Tennessee Department of Health, federal and state guidelines and Mayor Cooper's Roadmap for Reopening Nashville. As we have all come to learn, COVID-19 will not be following any calendar, and we support Mayor Cooper’s “data-driven, not date-driven” plan for a gradual return to activity in a way that will keep us all protected as much as possible from the spread of this virus.

Based on this plan and using the best information available currently, our FiftyForward centers and programs will not be reopening for in-person activities during the month of May. We will continue to watch the data and guidelines carefully and keep you informed. We miss seeing all of our FiftyForward family, but our highest priority is to play our part in keeping everyone safe.

At this point, we now understand better what FiftyForward membership will look like for the near future - and it is exciting!

This is what your FiftyForward membership means now: •

Participating in exciting virtual programming like “Baking with Heather McNeese,” where you can connect and have fun with FiftyForward staff and other community participants both in real time through Facebook Live and whenever is convenient for you;

•

Staying connected through the thousands of phone calls made and emails sent by caring staff since the pandemic started;

•

Accessing FiftyForward support and information at a time when we all need connections with trusted resources;

•

Connecting with FiftyForward Supportive Care programs such as FiftyForward Victory Over Crime to keep up-to-date on scam prevention and FiftyForward Fresh and Care Management for access to meals, groceries and essential care management; and

•

Supporting FiftyForward in keeping the staff that you know and love employed in the jobs that they love. We are happy to report that FiftyForward has been able to keep all staff employed at this time.

We are so happy to be able to develop these new and exciting ways to keep connected. Please tell us what else would you like to see and what else you need at this time. Do you have suggestions to offer to us for fun and meaningful programming? Do you need help accessing virtual programming? We want to know because WE are here for YOU. Please email any suggestions or questions to: info@fiftyforward.org We are grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you all in person when it is safe to be together again. For now, please stay well. Enjoy our calendar of May programs and our newsletter. We hope this month’s stories from some of your fellow FiftyForward members inspire us all to stay hopeful and positive.

All our best,

Gretchen Gretchen Funk Chief Program Officer

FiftyForward supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

SPECIAL EDITION May 2020

Centered

& Connected

FiftyForward.org

Bordeaux | College Grove | Donelson Station | Knowles | Madison Station | Martin Center | J. L. Turner Center Connect with us!

How to keep faith and hope alive during the pandemic A glimpse into how members are doing during this difficult time The coronavirus has drastically changed our world, but the uniqueness of this situation is that we are all facing the same thing together, while being apart. Crisis moments like this also present an opportunity to appreciate life’s simple pleasures and each other. Our staff and members are sustaining social connections through virtual programming, and phone calls instead of face-to-face interactions. This is a drastic change especially because our centers are a place to gather, to interact, and socialize in order to minimize loneliness and isolation. While this is difficult on both ends, it really emphasizes the importance of not losing connections with others and finding ways to keep this momentum going. So the question remains, how do we keep the ability to socialize, which is critical to keeping older adults healthy and happy? How do we keep hope and faith alive during our new “normal�? Here is some insight on how two of our members are doing just that during this difficult time.

Donelson Station member, Louise Tucker (69 years old) had the following to say: You have no idea how much I miss FiftyForward and my friends, but all is good!

I am staying busy at home and loving it! I had let so many things go, and I am playing catch up. Staying positive is an attitude! I believe if you make the best of what you have and what you are given, you come out a winner! I look at the bright side and am thankful for the things I have and not what I do not have. I may not have a lot and struggle to make ends meet, but I am so richly blessed and have so much more than a lot of people. I have no schedule and can do what I want when I want. It is okay if I bounce from one project to another - there is no timeline!! I love to cook, and I am enjoying that. When I sit outside with the dogs, I feel such joy just looking around at the beauty that surrounds me. With the flowers coming up and blooming, it gives me hope because each year when they pop up, that is a new beginning. My faith gives me the most hope. I love God and trust Him. He has a plan for each of us and I bend to His will. I am staying in touch with friends by phone, Facebook, and Messenger, especially those who are alone. I have even reconnected with friends from many years ago and it is awesome!! I have also had friends and family check on me and offer to run errands if I need anything. Life is great and is what you make it.

I am loving everything FiftyForward is doing remotely. I miss all of you and your smiling faces.

You all give me hope by being there. I know we are not forgotten. When the center was shut Continued on page 2

FiftyForward supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

Centered & Connected Continued from page 1

down, you could have all gone home and stayed there, but you did not. You are still there, even remotely, and still doing whatever you can to help others. That is hope and love!!! I know you will be there when this is over, and I know they are discouraging hugs and that will be hard when I get to see everyone in person again! I love y'all and thank you for giving us so much of yourselves! You are one of the best gifts in my life!

Donelson Station’s member/yoga instructor, Jan Cronin (75 years old) shared this: I have been doing yoga, meditating, catching up on reading some wonderful books, listening to music, practicing my bass guitar, walking and being in nature at least an hour a day, checking in on people, recording deep relaxation yoga and sharing with the military, first responders, my students with cancer and their caregivers, and my precious FiftyForward senior class. I am singing in the shower and Zooming with other musicians, writing 3 things I’m grateful for each day in my gratitude book, journaling, and jumping back into a book I started to write 10 years ago, which I picked up every few years but am now determined to finish. I also pray for the healing of this world every day.

I realize that nothing like this has ever happened to us before, nothing of this magnitude. We really have nothing to compare it to. It has been a crippling time on so many levels for so many people. I am reflecting on my life before this happened, and how I can be a better Jan afterwards. I have been so richly blessed, as I learned how to pull from within, and I want to share my tools with others, through giving back, building our world back up with patience, tolerance, and loving kindness. I am working on creating ways to do this. I have a very strong faith, and I know we will all come back stronger, humbler on the other side of this pandemic. I am full of gratitude, always.

Both ladies have a passion towards helping others and staying in gratitude even during this challenging time.

We all could learn a thing or two from both of them. Reach out if you need to, we are here for you. You are NEVER alone. Remember, we are all in this together.

Member Vern Tharpe shares how he is spending his time: “I’m keeping up with my exercises and walking, and I’m continuing to move around as opposed to staying inside all day.”

Words of advice: “Gotta get up and move!”

FiftyForward supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

Staying connected!

While we stay apart, there are ways we can come together and stay connected through technology.

Here are some resources to help you connect with family and friends.

Facebook How to Create a Facebook Account Website: https://youtu.be/nkKnIRQO2KI How to Use Facebook Website: https://youtu.be/fGcHOcj1SQA Instagram What is Instagram & How Does it Work?Instagram Guide Part I Website: https://youtu.be/ChnjKdMdQqA How to Use Instagram-Instagram Guide Part 2 Website: https://youtu.be/0Z4AEDyKGdI Skype, FaceTime, and More…

FiftyForward has a blog on our website providing information and links on how to access Skype, FaceTime, and other connective services.

Website: https://fiftyforward.org/technology/stayingconnected-while-social-distancing/

Zoom How to sign up for Zoom Video Conferencing Website: https://youtu.be/ZWkdsgTlbeM How to use Zoom Video ConferencingBeginners Guide Website: https://youtu.be/POyXj9NR7FY

Member Sam Eaton shares his experience: “I sit outside and try to get at least 30 minutes of fresh air every day. I realized it’s a matter of taking everything one step at a time, one day at a time, and keeping faith in God and trusting in Him. I realize that everything that is bad will eventually come to an end. It’s important to remember that it won’t always be like this, and before long things will be looking up. While I’ve been keeping up-to-date on the news, I’ve also been enjoying all of the special programming on television, especially music programming and cheerful things like that. I’m just trying to keep things as light and bright as possible. If you concentrate on gloom that’s what you’ll see, but if you look at the bright side, you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can’t wait to get back to FiftyForward – I miss you guys and look forward to seeing you soon.”

We need your input!

1.

What would you like to see in FiftyForward’s newspaper, “Forward Focus?”

2.

We are planning to launch podcasts in the new few months. Is there a topic you’d like us to cover or someone you’d like us to interview?

3.

Are there things we can do to improve programming or communication?

We are always eager to learn new ways we can help you or assist others. Please send any comments, input and ideas to the following questions to our email address: info@FiftyForward.org

FiftyForward supports, champions and enhances life for those 50 and older.

MAY 2020 CALENDAR Join us on our FiftyForward Facebook pages for innovative virtual classes and new online experiences!

Sun Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

1 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd 2 p.m: Crafting with Beth Curtis

2

7 10 a.m.: Meditation with Kelly Lavely 11 a.m.: Watercolors with Kim Lane

8 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd 11 a.m.: Crafting with Beth Curtis

9

2 p.m.: Immunity Boosting Smoothies

Constanza Estefania Performance

.

FiftyForward.org Connect with us!

3

4 10 a.m: Stayin Alive Disco Chair Yoga 11:30 a.m.: Bird Watching with Brandy Lamb 2 p.m.: Book review with Robin Johnson

10

11 10 a.m.: Happy Together Chair Yoga Dance 2 p.m.: Book review with Shannon Freeman

17

18 10 a.m.: Can’t Stop The Feeling Chair Yoga Dance 1 p.m.: Cooking with Heather McNeese

24

31

25 10 a.m.: Forever Young Chair Yoga Dance 2 p.m.: Basquiat Post Cards

5 10 a.m.: Tabata Strength Training Workout with Lisa Maddox

6 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd

1 p.m.: Victory Over Crime Zoom Presentation

2 p.m.: Georgina’s Best Bakes

12 10 a.m.: Tabata Strength Training Workout with Lisa Maddox 11 a.m.: All of Us Q&A Café with Barbara Hunt 2 p.m.: FLIP tips for reading with grandchildren

13 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd 2 p.m.: Georgina’s Best Bakes

19 10 a.m.: Tabata Strength Training Workout with Lisa Maddox

14 10 a.m.: Meditation with Kelly Lavely 2 p.m.: Music for Seniors Rhythm

20 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd 11 a.m.: Art Class with Kim Lane 2 p.m.: Music with 2 p.m.: Georgina’s Beth Curtis Best Bakes

21 10 a.m.: Meditation with Kelly Lavely

26 10 a.m.: Tabata Strength Training Workout with Lisa Maddox 11 a.m.: All of Us Q&A Café with Lisa Maddox 2 p.m.: Music with Beth Curtis

28 10 a.m.: Meditation with Kelly Lavely

27 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd 2 p.m.: Georgina’s Best Bakes

2 p.m.: Fitness with Kim Anderson

2 p.m.: Smartphone Photo Editing with Instagram

2 p.m.:

15 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd

16

2 p.m.: Crafting with Beth Curtis

22 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd

23

2 p.m.: Optical Illusions 29 10 a.m.: Low impact aerobics with Janice Judd 2 p.m.: Cooking with Heather McNeese

30

RESOURCES For those who need resources, here are a number of ways to get assistance.

FiftyForward Resources FiftyForward Supportive Care Services: • •

Connection to resources and essential services for older adults in Davidson and Williamson counties.

Resource Line: 615-743-3416

FiftyForward Victory Over Crime: • •

Support for older adults in Davidson County who have been victims of crime Phone: 615-743-3417

Tax Relief: The United States Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has delayed the income tax filing deadline to July 15. Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers.

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief.

www.irs.gov/coronavirus

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): • Website: https://www.cdc.gov/ • Phone: 1-800-232-4636 Metro Government of Nashville & Davidson County Tennessee • Nashville COVID-19 Response: https://www.asafenashville.org/ Tennessee Department of Health • Exhibiting possible symptoms of the coronavirus or concerned about exposure to the virus, follow the public health advice and contact your health care provider for guidance. Unable to reach your medical provider, you can call: • Tennessee Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline: 1-877-857-2945 • Available daily, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., CDT • For more info, visit the website: https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov.html Williamson County Office of Public Safety • http://tn-williamsoncountyops.civicplus.com/266/ Coronavirus-Disease

Metro Nashville Behavioral Health & Wellness: • Crisis Support Center Phone: 615-244-7444 • Crisis Unit Phone: 615-726-0125 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Middle Tennessee: • Website: https://namitn.org/ • Helpline: 1-800-467-3589 YWCA Nashville Domestic Violence Crisis and Support: • Support Phone & Text Line: 615-983-5170 • Website: https://www.ywcanashville.com/

General election—Absentee ballot deadline Absentee By-mail Ballot Information for the State and Federal Primary and County General Election on Aug. 6, 2020: Voters 60 years or older are eligible to vote absentee by-mail.

Download an absentee by-mail ballot request form here, https://bit.ly/abra2020.

Although the deadline for requesting an absentee by-mail ballot is July 30, don’t wait, you may request an absentee by-mail ballot starting May 8.

Find your local election commission here, https://bit.ly/TNLCEC2020.

Local Utility Providers: Mayor John Cooper is working with local utility providers to find ways to offer financial relief to all Nashville and Davidson County residents as the community rebuilds from the March 3 tornado and responds to the coronavirus disease.

Metro Water Services phone: 615-862-4600 

Will not assess late fees or disconnect water services to any MWS customers for the next two months.

Nashville Electric Service phone: 615-736-6900  Has suspended all disconnects, including disconnects for nonpayment, and late fees until May 31.

Piedmont Natural Gas phone: 1-800-752-7504  Is suspending disconnections for non-payment, waiving late fees and insufficient check fees, and offering flexible payment terms to both residential and commercial customers upon request.