Centered & Connected
FiftyForward supports, champions, and enhances life for those 50 and older.
FIFTYFORWARD.ORG | APRIL 2022
Dollar General volunteers know how to have fun and provide generous support to FiftyForward center and programs by donating items and assembling gift bags for special holidays including Valentine’s Day.
In celebration of National Volunteer Month, FiftyForward is a giving a special shout out to our dedicated volunteers. FiftyForward engages older adults in service to others and welcomes volunteers into our centers and programs to help us support, champion, and enhance life for those 50+. With so much wisdom and experience to share, older adults are wonderful volunteers and keeping our members connected to their community through service is one of the many ways we fulfill our mission. Despite the challenges of the past two years, FiftyForward affiliated older adult volunteers have continued to serve others. Foster Grandparent and Friends Learning in Pairs (FLIP) volunteers are making a significant impact in area schools and day cares, All of Us Peer Ambassadors continue to spread the word about the importance of including diverse audiences in medical research, and FiftyForward Fresh volunteers are staffing the kitchen and delivering nutritious meals and hope to homebound seniors. Our FiftyForward center-based member volunteers continue to be absolutely critical to our operation. Whether serving as Advisory Board members, greeting guests at the front desk or leading a class or activity, center members continue to amaze us with their dedication, enthusiasm, and skill. And finally, a word of thanks to our group, corporate, and individual volunteers who assist with governance and fundraising, assemble gift and food bags for members and clients, and serve as programming support in our Adult Day Services (ADS) program. In the past year, FiftyForward engaged and welcomed over 1200 volunteers who served thousands of hours in support of others and our programs. Thank you to everyone who shares their time and talent so generously!
Our Centers BORDEAUX COLLEGE GROVE DONELSON STATION J. L. TURNER CENTER KNOWLES MADISON STATION MARTIN CENTER
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Important Center Information FiftyForward Membership Did you know that we survey FiftyForward members each year to see how FiftyForward can enhance, champion and support you in your life? Be on the lookout for our 2022 survey in June. We value your input.
As FiftyForward members, you let us know every day, and through our survey, that through connection to FiftyForward, you:
Meet new friends
Look forward to having fun together
Feel healthier
Learn new things
Are more active
Feel happier Are more connected to your community
FiftyForward is proud to be able to provide programs and services which you value and centers where you can connect with each other and live your best life!
FiftyForward Membership Fee Change The price of FiftyForward’s traditional membership will move from $12/month to $15/month ($180/year) as of May 1, 2022. It has been 4 years since our last membership fee increase and, to be able to continue to provide the excellent programs and access to all of our centers for all members, it is necessary for us to raise our membership fee. Any FiftyForward member joining for the first time after May 1 will pay this new rate immediately. Current members will continue at their current rate until it is time to renew their memberships at which time the new $15/month rate will take effect. For example, if your membership renews in September, you will continue to pay your current rate until September when your membership will renew at our new rate. Members who have a FiftyForward membership through a third-party payer (Silver Sneakers, Silver and Fit, Renew Active or Bellevue Y) will experience no change to their memberships. FiftyForward never wants financial resources to get in the way of accessing and benefiting from all that we have to offer. Individuals whose income is below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level - FPL ($1,132/month for one person, $1,525/month for a couple) are eligible for scholarships to cover their full membership fee. Those whose income is below 125% of FPL ($1,415/month for one person, $1,906 for a couple) are eligible for a half scholarship to cover half of the FiftyForward membership fee. Simply inquire at your center and provide proof of income to access these benefits.
Important Center Information Masking Guidelines at FiftyForward In March, FiftyForward decided to move to masks being optional at our locations. Everyone who chooses to continue to wear a mask will be supported completely. We will continue to pay close attention to guidance from government and health officials, and our mask policy may change again in the future if the situation with COVID-19 transmission in our community changes. Please speak with staff if you have any questions about our mask policy.
COVID-19 Resources The best way to prevent experiencing serious COVID-19 illness is to be fully vaccinated and up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. In Tennessee, only 21% of individuals have received a booster dose of the COVID vaccine. Science shows us that boosters are essential to provide the best protection from serious COVID illness. Older adults and immunocompromised individuals experience the most serious complications from COVID. We care about you and encourage you to take advantage of the free and widely available COVID-19 boosters to keep yourself, your loves ones and our community as safe as possible from COVID-19 illness. Find more information here from the CDC about the importance of being fully vaccinated and staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccination: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
April Virtual Programming To participate and connect to any of the virtual programs below, please sign up in advance via the Membership Portal to receive Zoom links and additional information. The hosting center is listed to the right of the program name (if the program is on Zoom). Writers Group (Knowles) Mondays in April, 1 p.m. on Zoom Join The FiftyForward Knowles Writers group to share stories, poems, experiences from your life or your imagination. Dementia Care Education (Martin Center) Monday, April 4, 2:15 p.m. on Zoom Join us as facilitator Tim Tuttle provides a detailed roadmap for you to follow as you or a loved one faces the challenges of a dementia diagnosis. The lecture includes managing the physical, emotional, and financial costs of family caregiving, as well as the roadmap for when and where to find help as the disease progresses.
Bluebird Café Senior Show (College Grove, Knowles, & Martin Center) Monday, April 11, 10 a.m. We’ll stream a virtual performance of the monthly Bluebird Café Senior Show! Armchair Travel (Martin Center) Monday, April 11, 2 p.m. Get those passports ready! Come travel the world with your friends, all from the comfort of the Martin Center. Call the center if you would like to watch from home. This month we will travel to Europe and learn about different Easter traditions.
Armchair Travel (College Grove) Wednesday, April 20, 11 a.m. Get those passports ready! Come travel the world with your friends, all from the comfort of the College Grove center. Call the center if you would like to watch from home. This month we will travel to Europe and learn about different Easter traditions. Chat & Chew (Bordeaux) Thursday, April 21, 12 p.m. on Zoom. Join Bordeaux Center Director, Melvin Fowler, for a current events discussion. Dementia Care Education (Donelson Station & Madison Station) Wednesday, April 27, 1 p.m. on Zoom This month’s session will be hosted at Donelson (Madison is offering a trip to Donelson for this program), as facilitator Tim Tuttle provides a detailed roadmap for you to follow as you or a loved one faces the challenges of a dementia diagnosis. The lecture includes managing the physical, emotional, and financial costs of family caregiving, as well as the roadmap for when and where to find help as the disease progresses. Walgreens Health Talk (Madison Station) Thursday, April 28, 10 a.m. on Zoom. Join pharmacists from our local Madison Walgreens to discuss relevant health topics.
In-person
Zoom
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New Additions to the Membership Portal Video Library Your access to the Membership Portal includes a video library filled with programs including Arts & Crafts, Fitness, Health & Wellness, Lifelong Learning, Entertainment, and Resources. We hope you check out the newly added programs in our video library this month: Eddie K Concert and Tribute to Sgt. Henry Particelli Cooking Vegan with Vickee – Korean Chickpea Bowl Access these programs by logging into your account here: https://fiftyforward.org/member/#myaccount
Stay Connected with FREE Technology Classes! FiftyForward is excited to team up with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP and its flagship program Senior Planet, to bring us all together! If you or someone you know is an older adult in the Nashville area, join us for FREE sessions on technology, socialization, online security and more.
Register today via the Membership Portal https://fiftyforward.org/member or call your home center.
Check out upcoming offerings at FiftyForward: April 6 at 2:30 pm at Madison Station: Smartphone Photography April 20 at 1 pm at Madison Station: What is Cloud Storage? May 16 at 10:30 am at Bordeaux Center: Protecting Your Personal Information Online May 23 at 9:30 am Bordeaux Center: Staying Safe Online Workshop
April Center Day Trips If you are interested in participating in any of the following center day trips or would like more information, please call the hosting center, sign up in the Membership Portal, or refer to each center’s calendar.
Monthly Grocery Shopping Trip – Bordeaux Friday, April 1, 10 a.m., Cost: FREE
Frist Art Museum – Turner Center Thursday, April 14, 11:15 a.m., Cost: $5
Mule Day – Donelson Station Friday, April 1, 10 a.m. Cost: $20 (includes bus & entrance fee)
Lunch at P. F. Chang’s – Bordeaux
Natchez Hills Winery – Martin Center Friday, April 1, 10:30 a.m. Cost: $5 + lunch + $6 tasting (optional) Lunch & Shopping in Hillsboro Village – Turner Center Tuesday, April 5, 10:15 a.m., Cost: $5 + meal cost Frist Art Museum & Lunch at Frist Café – Madison Station Thursday, April 7, 10:30 a.m., Cost: $5 + lunch cost Nashville Opera – Martin Center Thursday, April 7, 6:30 p.m., Cost: $35 Nashville Farmers’ Market – Bordeaux Friday, April 8, 9 a.m., Cost: FREE Cheekwood in Bloom – Martin Center Friday, April 8, 9:30 a.m., Cost: $25 + brunch Cheekwood in Bloom - Knowles Friday, April 8, 10 a.m., Cost: $20 Walk with a Doc and All of Us Research Program – Bordeaux Wednesday, April 13, 10 a.m., Cost: FREE Walk with a Doc and All of Us Research Program – Knowles Wednesday, April 13, 10:30 a.m., Cost: FREE Culinary Tourism Series – Coco’s Italian Market – Madison Station Wednesday, April 13, 11 a.m., Cost: $5 + lunch cost Mural Trip – Donelson Station Wednesday, April 13, 1 p.m. Cost: $10 + cup of coffee or treat on our stop TN State Museum & Lunch at Farmers’ Market – Madison Station Thursday, April 14, 10 a.m., Cost: $5 + lunch cost
Friday, April 15, 11 a.m., Cost: FREE + lunch cost Tasty Tuesday at Madison Station – Turner Center Tuesday, April 19, 10:15 a.m., Cost: $10 Mystery Lunch – Donelson Station Wednesday, April 20, 10:30 a.m., Cost: $10 + meal cost Supper Club – Donelson Station Thursday, April 21, 5 p.m., Cost: $10 + meal cost TN State Library & Archives – Martin Center Friday, April 22, 10 a.m., Cost: $5 + lunch 3D Mixed Media Acrylic Painting Class at Knowles – Madison Station Friday, April 22, 10:15 a.m., Cost: $25 Stones River Battlefield – College Grove Friday, April 22, 10:30 a.m., Cost: $5 + lunch cost Opry Mills Mall - Bordeaux Friday, April 22, 11 a.m., Cost: FREE Lunch Bunch – Donelson Station Tuesday, April 26, 10:30 a.m., Cost: $10 + meal cost Dementia Series Part 1 at Donelson Station – Madison Station Wednesday, April 27, 12:30 p.m., Cost: FREE Iris City Gardens – Turner Center Thursday, April 28, 9 a.m., Cost: $5 Donut Trail – College Grove Thursday, April 28, 10 a.m., Cost: $5 + donut purchases Flea Market and Lunch at Donelson Station - Knowles Friday, April 29, 10 a.m., Cost: Bring approximately $7 (cash or card) for lunch Rivergate Mall - Bordeaux Friday, April 29, 11 a.m., Cost: FREE Nunsense at Larry Keeton Theatre – Madison Station Friday, April 29, 5:30 p.m., Cost: $35 (includes dinner)
Join your FiftyForward friends to explore and travel! FiftyForward has partnered with Premier World Discovery and See America Tours to offer travel opportunities for our members. There are numerous air and motorcoach trips being planned for 2022. Destinations include: Charleston & Savannah | Iceland | Yellowstone | Grand Canyon | New England | Italy | Hawaii | New York City Holiday | Rose Parade New Year’s For more information, you can view the travel guide here:
The next See America Tour Trip Presentation is Wednesday, April 6 at 1 p.m. If you are interested in learning more about specific trips to The Greenbrier/The Virginias, Savannah/Charleston, and/or Iceland, the travel team will be presenting at Donelson Station while all other FiftyForward centers will stream the presentation live. You will be able to ask questions and sign up for any trips you are interested in! If you have any questions, please call 615-883-8375.
April 28 is Holocaust Remembrance Day Join TN Holocaust Commission State Education Coordinator Ken Gluck at FiftyForward Madison on Tuesday, April 19 at 11:30 a.m. He will be the guest speaker for Tasty Tuesday, discussing his father’s story of survival during the Holocaust. Tickets are $10 and include lunch. Call 615-860-7180 for more information, or sign up in the Membership Portal.
All of Us Café dates and locations: April 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. FiftyForward J.L. Turner
Aging Well with Dr. Amy Price Neff: Friday, April 1, 1 p.m. Topic: Dealing with Stress at 50+! Monthly, FiftyForward and Dr. Price Neff from Mindstream Integrative Medicine present Aging Well, an informative virtual health series. April is National Stress Awareness Month. Join us to learn about Ways to Deal with Stress at 50+. Watch live on Facebook. FiftyForward All of Us Online Café Presents: Step-by-Step Guide to Joining the All of Us Research Program Monday, April 4, at 1 p.m. live on our Facebook page. Join FiftyForward and the All of Us Virtual Ambassadors to learn how to enroll in the All of Us Research Program.
April 14, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. FiftyForward Bordeaux April 19, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. FiftyForward Donelson April 20, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. FiftyForward Martin April 21, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. FiftyForward Madison Station April 26, 10 am.-12 p.m. FiftyForward College Grove April 26, 12 p.m.-2 p.m. FiftyForward Knowles
All of Us Cafés: Come say hello to the All of Us Research Program team this month! Learn more about the All of Us Research Program from the National Institutes of Health. This exciting program seeks to enroll 1,000,0000 diverse people living in the U.S. in order to improve the health of future generations. Come find out how you can join by visiting us in the All of Us Café! Sign up to make a private appointment to enroll, or just drop by for a casual conversation. Snacks provided by FiftyForward. For more information on the All of Us Research Program, please visit our website at www.joinallofus.org/fiftyforward.
NEW! Walk with a Doc Nashville Chapter: Wednesday, April 13, 11 a.m. The FiftyForward All of Us team has had a blast so far with our new chapter of Walk with a Doc with Dr. Amy Price Neff. These one-hour walks meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m. at the Centennial Park Events Shelter. Spring is here, but April can still be cold and rainy please be prepared for the elements! Dr. Price Neff begins each walk with a 5-minute “health talk,” then we all walk around Centennial Park together. The trail is a flat, 1.2 mile loop. Join our next walk on Wednesday, April 13, 11 a.m. No RSVP required! The Centennial Park Events Shelter is located on the Park Plaza side of the park and houses ongoing events including the park's Big Band Dances. There is a parking lot there as well. Look for the FiftyForward vans! Please check our Facebook page for up-to-date inclement weather information. For more information about Walk with a Doc, visit https://walkwithadoc.org/join-awalk/locations/nashville-tennessee/, or please call (615) 743-3431.
FiftyForward Online Offerings FiftyForward Exchange We are eager for more folks to discover the podcast and greatly appreciate you sharing these uplifting stories of older adults. The wisdom and courage shared in these interviews is so inspiring.
3 Tips: How You Can Help
April’s FiftyForward Exchange https://fiftyforward.org/videos/ features a compelling interview with Rudy Caduff who is alive today thanks to a lung transplant he received from a 21-year-old accident victim/donor in North Carolina. Many of you may know Rudy from his years overseeing catering at Opryland Hotel or his well-loved steakhouse Nick and Rudy’s. In this interview with our Susan Sizemore, Rudy speaks about his battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and how a transplant saved his life. In this emotional and educational Exchange, Rudy shares his journey as well as the love he now has for his new donor family. Organ donation can save lives. Please pass the word and visit: https://www.organdonor.gov/signup to give the gift of life.
Please share these inspiring stories. The more engagement and listeners we have for this podcast, the more we can increase our audience and sponsors. Here’s how you can help us: 1. Download the podcast. If you need help doing so, ask your center or program director. They can help you use technology to your advantage. 2. If you have a smart speaker system (think Google Home or Alexa), ask it to “Play Squeeze the Day podcast.” 3. You may also access the podcast and read the blog here: www.fiftyforward.org/podcast.
Squeeze the Day Podcast Our Squeeze the Day podcasts continue to gain momentum. We thought you’d enjoy some of the comments and engagement we are receiving from our efforts. “I want you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated your conversation with Dr. Paul Kwami of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Very well done. Hope lots of people saw and learned from it. Good job.” “THANK YOU! The podcast is great, great, great…I love it! Just the best!” We also received a recent shout out and share from the California Elder Justice Coalition who discovered the podcast and called it an inspiration.
Next up is Jeannie Seely. Her story recounts a bit of history and speaks to her present-day commitment to our community. Watch for more in the next newsletter or when the podcast is released to learn about her passion for the Grand Ole Opry, the firsts she has pushed for women and equality, and her desire to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jeannie is a gem through and through.
Volunteer Opportunities Get Involved as a Volunteer at FiftyForward! Center Volunteers
Foster Grandparents
Each of FiftyForward’s lifelong learning centers engages volunteers in activities that support center operations and programming. From greeting visitors at a front desk, to setting up for events to supporting landscaping and beautification projects, Center staff at your home location can help you find a way to get involved.
The FiftyForward Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is currently recruiting volunteers to serve during the 2022/23 school year. Individuals who are interested in FGP program requirements and benefits can visit www.fiftyforward.org to learn more.
FiftyForward Knowles – Ann Weatherson aweatherson@fiftyforward.org FiftyForward Bordeaux – Melvin Fowler mfowler@fiftyforward.org FiftyForward Madison Station – Heather McNeese hmcneese@fiftyforward.org FiftyForward Donelson Station – Kelly Lavely klavely@fiftyforward.org FiftyForward J. L. Turner Center – Mac Huffington mhuffington@fiftyforward.org FiftyForward Martin and College Grove Centers – Liz Smith esmith@fiftyforward.org
Program Manager Christie Bearden may be reached at 615-743-3420.
FiftyForward Fresh FiftyForward’s meal delivery service is in need of kitchen assistants and delivery drivers; based out of the Patricia Hart Building/Knowles Center Contact Jen Jackson jjackson@fiftyforward.org
Photo: FiftyForward Madison Station member and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer Kate Joy and her team of knitters support local hospital patients by knitting caps for local nonprofit There with Care.
Friends Learning in Pairs (FLIP) FiftyForward’s tutoring program serving Davidson and Williamson County elementary school students. Davidson County – Lisa Hill lhill@fiftyforward.org Williamson County – Jen Jackson jjackson@fiftyforward.org
All of Us Peer Ambassador Join FiftyForward by spreading the word about the importance of enrolling a diverse group of participants in this innovative medical research program. Contact Kelsey Mahaffey at kmahaffey@fiftyforward.org
Be on the LOOKOUT for... Center-based group volunteer opportunities coordinated by Jen and Lisa, our AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer Coordinators! Remember that members are invited to participate in activities and projects at any FiftyForward center and this includes volunteer projects!
Resources & Support Groups FiftyForward Resources FiftyForward Supportive Care Services Did you know FiftyForward offers a variety of services to support older adults including: Adult Day Services FiftyForward Fresh/Meals on Wheels* Conservatorship Living at Home Care Management Care Team Victory Over Crime* *Davidson County only Click to learn more: https://fiftyforward.org/supportive-care/
Do you help care for an adult with chronic conditions? If so, you are not alone. FiftyForward offers an educational series designed to provide the tools you need to take care of yourself. As a participant, you will learn how to: reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate your feelings, balance your life, increase your ability to make tough decisions, and locate helpful resources. Classes consist of six, 90-minute sessions held once a week on Zoom. Interactive lessons, discussions, and brainstorming help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life. Class will be held via Zoom early in the evening on Wednesdays (March 9-April 13). Registration deadline is Wednesday, March 2. Contact us at the email below to sign up for these sessions!
Connect to resources and essential services for older adults in Davidson and Williamson counties by calling the FiftyForward Resource Line at 615-743-3416.
Or if you are unable to participate in this session but are interested in being contacted when we offer Powerful Tool for Caregivers again, please email Kaitlyn at kparrish@fiftyforward.org to sign up for these sessions.
FiftyForward Support Groups FiftyForward has a variety of support and peer groups currently meeting. If you are interested in joining or learning more, you may reach out to the contact provided. “Bold and Golden” retired men’s group Dan Surface 615-476-6364 dan@dansurface.me
LGBTQ+ Peer Group Ashley Hunter 615-622-4154
Center Member/Client Virtual Support Group Kristen Maloney 615-743-3436
Resources continued...
FiftyForward is planning a month-long initiative in May to celebrate Older Americans Month. We will be hosting three main events throughout the month and several special center activities, each with a Route 66 theme in honor of FiftyForward’s 66th anniversary: We are offering tickets at a special discounted price for FiftyForward members! You can buy tickets through the Member Portal or at https://fiftyforward.org/membertickets. “Get Your Kicks” Block Party Saturday, May 7 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Donelson Station To kick off Older Americans Month, we are hosting an outdoor party featuring live music, dance lessons, food trucks, sponsor booths, and other interactive activities. Member Price: $20.00 Walk 66: FiftyForward Member Challenge Wednesday, May 11 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Centennial Park We are challenging FiftyForward members to join together to collectively walk 66 miles in one day. The route each member will walk is 1 mile and if at least 66 of us do it, we will meet the challenge! All participants will receive refreshments and a goody bag. Sign up in the member portal. FREE FiftyForward Route 66 Gala Thursday, May 26 at 6 p.m. at the Martin Center Our marquee event to celebrate Older Americans Month is a formal gala where guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, and entertainment inspired by Route 66. Member Price: $150.00* *BONUS: If you purchase a ticket to the Gala, we will give you a ticket to the Block Party for free!
FiftyForward’s mission is to support, champion, and enhance life for adults 50 and older. To support our efforts, visit www.fiftyforward.org/donate.