Member Directory

Address	674 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 9 Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
Phone	(434) 817-5238
Website	http://www.jabacares.org/
Primary Contact	Valanta Lynn Childress
Primary Email	vchildress@jabacares.org
Executive Director	Marta Keane
Primary Focus Area	Seniors/Aging
Service Areas

Mission Statement

JABA’s mission is to promote, establish and preserve sustainable communities for healthy aging that benefit individuals and families of all ages. We provide a wide range of innovative services that help elderly citizens stay active in their communities and remain living at home for as long as possible. As we age, we all want to stay healthy and independent. Experts agree that home is best – and JABA’s goal is to help older adults age safely and with dignity.

Overview

Since 1975, JABA has served older adults, their families and caregivers, and is widely recognized as the organization to turn to for aging information, support and services. We provide access to comprehensive services that promote overall wellness, giving older adults the opportunity to age in the home of their choice for as long as possible. JABA serves older adults in Charlottesville and throughout Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties.

Last year alone, we served over 12,860 individuals:
• 66% of our clients are women
• 42% live alone
• 15% live below the poverty level
• 72% white; 26% African-American; 2% other ethnicities

The demographics between each of JABA’s programs can vary greatly. For instance, our Insurance Counseling Program is popular with people of all ages, ethnicities and income levels who are trying to navigate the complexities of Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. By contrast, the seniors who attend our seven Community Senior Centers are older and rely on the nutritious meals, social activities and health services to help them remain active and engaged in their communities. Over 70% of Community Senior Center members are women, many of them widowed. Most members are of a lower income level, with an astonishing 38% living at or below the federal poverty level.

Within all of our programs, JABA places top priority in serving those in greatest need, with particular attention to low-income, minority and rural populations over the age of 60.

Key Programs

Program 1
Title:	Community Meals for Older Adults in Need
Description:	JABA’s Community Meals Program supports the independence and well-being of primarily low-income seniors through nutritious and tasty meals. Good nutrition can prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases associated with aging, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Studies have demonstrated that healthy eating helps seniors live independently longer, delaying moves to more expensive options such as assisted living and nursing home facilities. Nutritious, mid-day meals are provided to seniors at JABA’s seven Community Senior Centers in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties. A nutritious meal may provide the initial motivation for seniors to visit our centers. What keeps them coming back is the broad range of activities and services we offer. For example, regular health screenings empower older adults to manage their chronic illnesses. Activities are offered that engage seniors on every level – mind, body and spirit. Regular activity and socialization improve health in ways that complement the physical nutrition of a good meal.
Examples of Program Success:	JABA’s Community Senior Centers in seven locations throughout the area offer activities, meals, and health services to help elders stay active and engaged. Last year, 469 seniors were served 15,589 hot, nutritious meals.

Program 2
Title:	Health Services for At-Risk Seniors
Description:	JABA assists vulnerable seniors in our area to improve and maintain their health so they can live independently and on their own terms for as long as possible. Chronic health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure are particularly prevalent among older adults and can lead to premature institutionalization. For many JABA clients, regular doctor visits and expensive prescriptions often take a back seat to paying utility bills or keeping food on the table. During one-on-one visits, JABA’s Health Services nurses offer health counseling, monitor health conditions and assist with medication management. Regular wellness clinics for older adults are held at JABA’s seven Community Senior Centers in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Green, Louisa and Nelson counties. Home visits are arranged when needed.
Examples of Program Success:	JABA’s Health Services provides health screenings and other services to at-risk individuals with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Last year, 605 people received a broad range of assistance with their health care needs.

Program 3
Title:	Health Insurance Counseling
Description:	JABA offers free one-on-one counseling about Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance issues. Year-round assistance is provided to seniors as they become eligible for Medicare. During Medicare Open Enrollment Period in the fall, JABA provides assistance to individuals so they can make informed decisions in choosing the optimal prescription drug plan (Part D) or advantage plan (Part C) for their specific circumstances. Free one-on-one counseling is also offered by JABA to help adults of all ages obtain health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s online Marketplace. Most people visit JABA with their ACA questions during Open Enrollment Period in the fall/winter, but we are available year-round to answer questions about how life events can affect a person’s Marketplace plan.
Examples of Program Success:	Last year, 2,428 area seniors and their families received counseling from JABA about Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance issues.

Program 4

Giving Opportunities

Opportunity 1
Title:	Give to Make the Greatest Impact
Description:	Your unrestricted donation allows JABA to allocate money to the area of greatest need in serving seniors and their caregivers. Government funding and grants from private foundations can change focus from year to year. Your gift has the greatest impact when you allow us to direct funds so that a particular – and often vital – JABA service can continue to provide much-needed assistance to vulnerable seniors. Listed below are some of JABA’s many services that support seniors and their caregivers. • Adult Care Centers in Charlottesville and Louisa offer caring, safe environments for adults who needs help with daily health or personal care activities. • Care Transitions is a new JABA program designed to assist at-risk individuals with their transition from hospital to home in order to improve health outcomes and reduce hospital readmission rates. • Community Senior Centers in seven locations throughout the area offer activities, meals, and health services to help elders stay active and engaged. • Community Health Services provides health screenings and other services to at-risk individuals with a focus on health promotion and disease prevention. • Health Insurance Counseling provides advice about Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act, and other insurance issues. • Home Delivered Meals are provided to frail, homebound, low-income elderly and disabled adults. • Information and Assistance is provided to anyone who calls with a question related to aging. • Ombudsman Program promotes quality care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and at home. • Options Counseling empowers individuals to make informed choices in obtaining services and community supports that help them maintain health and independence. • Volunteer Program gives volunteers the opportunity to meet the needs of vulnerable individuals, other community non-profits, and public schools. • You Can Live Well is a new JABA program that gives adults with chronic diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension) the skills to better manage their illnesses, resulting in improved quality of life. For more information, please contact Kim Peel at kpeel@jabacares.org or 434.817.5221.

Opportunity 2
Title:	Meals for Home-Bound, Vulnerable Seniors
Description:	Your gift to JABA’s Home-Delivered Meals Program will have a huge impact on the life of a vulnerable senior. For example, a $100 donation provides a month’s worth of food for an older adult who is home-bound, frail, and often living in isolation. All of the home-delivered meals JABA provides are nutritious, fresh (not frozen) meals that are ready-to-heat. JABA’s Home-Delivered Meals Program addresses the nutritional and dietary needs of low-income older and disabled adults who are home-bound due to frailty, illness or other conditions. These individuals are either unable to safely prepare their own meals or do not have a caregiver to prepare meals for them. JABA works with a variety of partners to coordinate outreach and prevent duplication of services. For example, our clients typically live in rural areas where Meals on Wheels does not deliver. For more information, please contact Kim Peel at kpeel@jabacares.org or 434.817.5221.

Opportunity 3