Buzz, Body, & Bites
A newsletter for actively aging adults Virginia Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences September 2025 Newsletter
As we age, the choices we make today shape the lives we’ll lead tomorrow. According to AARP, nearly 80% of adults over the age of 50 want to remain in their home. Thoughtful planning can help you successfully age within your community, navigate the unexpected, and prioritize your wishes. Here are five key areas that you should consider: Housing: Where you live affects your independence, safety, and quality of life. Simple modifications, like adding outdoor lighting and step free entries, can improve accessibility and lessen chances of an emergency move. Planning ahead can also allow you to avoid deferred home maintenance, Health and Wellness: Proactive health planning helps sustain independence and leverage local resources. This includes preparing advanced directives and creating wellness routines. Your family will appreciate knowing your preferences for treatment, should circumstances arise. Transportation: Mobility is freedom. Knowing your transportation options means you can still get to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments, or social gatherings. Explore now public transit options and rideshares, so you are prepared if health circumstances change. Finance: Setting aside resources for future care, home adaptations, or unexpected expenses keeps you in charge of decisions, rather than relying on others in a moment of crisis. Developing a clear picture of your post-retirement finances may reveal that setting aside funds for a stairlift or bathroom renovation will allow you to safely stay in your home longer. Connections and Growth: Staying socially engaged supports mental and physical health. Strong relationships mean there are people to check in on you, bring meals, or offer companionship. Someone who joins a walking group not only keeps their mind alive but also builds a circle of friends who can provide support during stressful times or after a major life transition. Why It Matters: In times of crisis, decisions often need to be made quickly. Without a plan, choices may be left to others, and outcomes may not reflect your values. Soundful planning reduces costs and increases options as you age. -CarlisleShealy,Ph.D,, MPH,AssistantDirector andExtension Specialist,Center for Gerontology -Shannon Hammons, MS, Assistant Director of Cornerstone Alumni Engagement Aging in Community: Planning Ahead & Staying in Control of Your Future
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Resource Highlight
The Aging in Place workbook, developed in the New River Valley by the Aging in Community Leadership team, helps you create a roadmap that honors your priorities and ensures you remain in control of your future. The workbook is free to download and is available online through the New River Valley Area Agency on Aging.
www.nrvaoa.org/aging-in- place/
Join us for further discussion. A virtual webinar on Aging in Community will be held on October 30th from 10:00-12:00 pm EST . Dr. Carlisle Shealy and Shannon Hammonds are facilitators of the webinar. To register for the webinar, please follow the link or use the QR code. https://alumni.vt.edu/events/2025/10/ aging-in-community-workshop.html
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender ex- pression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.
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