Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA)

JABA is #hiring! https://lnkd.in/exfWt-c2 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, JULY 8, 2024 — The Jefferson Area Board for Aging, (JABA), today announced that its CEO, Marta Keane, has decided to retire from her role at the end of the year. Since assuming leadership of the non-profit area agency on aging in April 2013, following 6 months as COO, Keane has been instrumental in shaping its growth and success, and its capacity to serve older adults, caregivers, and their families in Central Virginia. "Marta has taken JABA from a good to an excellent area agency on aging in Virginia," said JABA Board chair Dick Gibson, who has worked closely with Keane since she became JABA's CEO. "Marta possesses the proper balance between passion for mission and sound business practices, and she has brought incredible energy, compassion, knowledge, innovation, business acumen, team-building, goal setting, and success to all facets of JABA." Keane has been recognized by her peers who elected her President of the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Chair of the Charlottesville Area Alliance, and Board Member of the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and the Nelson County Community Development Fund, among other accolades. Last year, the Virginia State Legislature passed a joint resolution recognizing Keane's "profound and lasting impact" on the lives of people living in Central Virginia and calling her "an inspiration to all citizens of the Commonwealth." Keane's time as CEO came with considerable challenges. In 2018, while traveling in Australia, she suffered a spinal stroke that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She returned home and with the full support of the JABA Board, who wanted her to continue as CEO, began her difficult recovery. Less than six months later, she was able to stand and give a presentation to JABA staff on resiliency, which was an inspiration to many of her colleagues. In April, Keane received the Christopher E. Lee Servant Leader Hero Award from our local chapter of the American Red Cross, which is presented to a community member who exemplifies the humanitarian spirit and servant leadership. "Marta's visionary leadership, compassionate spirit, and commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of seniors have set her apart as a true servant leader," said Bill Brent, Executive Director at American Red Cross, Central Virginia Chapter, during a ceremony at The Center at Belvedere. "JABA has benefitted immensely from Marta’s leadership," adds Gibson," and she will be missed by all of us." JABA's Board of Directors are actively seeking a replacement for Keane and they expect to name a new CEO in December, with Keane staying on to help with the transition. To learn more about the position, interested candidates can visit www.jabacares.org/careers.

We're #hiring a new Chief Executive Officer in Charlottesville, Virginia. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine visited JABA today for a roundtable discussion on Medicare and prescription drug costs, among other issues. "I'm thrilled to be here at JABA...I very much value the Area Agencies on Aging," said Sen. Kaine, describing moving to Richmond in 1984 and becoming friends with his future wife's roommate, who became the head of the Richmond area's agency on aging. "Over my time in state government I worked very closely with the agencies, and now on the senate health committee we deal with a lot of issues that touch on these agencies." We enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion on what needs to be done to bring down prescription drug cost, problems with Medicare Advantage plans, and more. Look for stories about the visit on local media this evening and in the coming days. We'll also be sharing more highlights from the discussion as well.

It's Medicare Fraud Prevention Week #MFPW and Randy Rodgers, who manages our Insurance Counseling Program, spoke with Steve Rappaport at 29News about the problem and what people can do about it. "Medicare Fraud in the United States costs 60 billion dollars a year, and in the state of Virginia that 1.2 billion dollars that's lost." said Rodgers, "and it affects the individual who is on Medicare in terms of stress in their life, the time they have to use in combating this, even their health." Rodgers said it's important to keep track of the health services you receive and read your Medicare statements carefully, looking out for mistakes and charges you don't recognize. The Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (1-800-938-8885) and counselors at JABA (434-817-5248) can also help you identify and report Medicare fraud. https://lnkd.in/eNaVkSRv

JABA CEO Marta Keane joined 29NEWS anchor Kasey Hott to discuss this year's Older Americans Month theme "Powered by Connection." And to make a special announcement. "This is so important for seniors, and for all of us, because connection helps to prevent isolation, "said Keane. "And we know isolation creates certain declines in mental, emotional, and physical health." Keane encouraged people to look out for family and friends and neighbors, let them know about JABA services, let them know there's a helpline they can call [434-817-5244], and that there are services available in the community that they might not know about. Keane also announced that JABA is turning 50 in October and that we'll be having another music gala at the Paramount Theater on October 11 with John D'Earth as our musical director. "It's going to be a great time again this year, I already know it," said Hott. #OAM2024 #PoweredByConnection https://lnkd.in/ew3Mvsmj

May is Older Americans Month! This year's theme, "Powered by Connection," highlights the powerful impact that our relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Join us this month as we explore the many ways that "connectedness" makes us all stronger. #OAM2024 #PoweredByConnection

We join the American Society on Aging in the effort to reframe aging and combat ageism. #TalkAboutAgeism #AgeismAwarenessDay Ageism is one of the most widespread and socially accepted forms of prejudice. It harms our health and longevity, our financial well-being, our economy, and remains pervasive in our media culture. Want to learn more? See this fact sheet: https://lnkd.in/gZVxmNRu #DisruptAgeism #FreeFromAgeism #agingintoelderhood #AbundantAging #ageism #stopageism #fightageism #ableism

Happy #GrandparentsDay! Older adults play an important role in many of our lives. Some grandparents are a mentor or friend and even primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Other people have found grandparent-figures outside of their family, and today you can celebrate their supportive role in your life. For those of us who have lost grandparents, we can honor their memory. For us all, today is a chance to consider how we connect with the older generation and celebrate them. Click through the photo gallery to see how you can celebrate Grandparents Day and #DoSomethingGrand! Generations United

Community partners work together to create thriving and connected communities. Thanks to a generous grant from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s Power of Change program, our Digital Senior Program was able to purchase 35 tablets for seniors in need of technology access and support. This will transform our Community Senior Centers! Seniors enjoy computer cafés setup at each of our Community Senior Centers, and we are looking forward to providing even more resources with these tablets. "We're excited to distribute the tablets with technology mentoring," says Randy Rodgers, who runs our Digital Senior Program, “so seniors can better connect to health services, socialization opportunities, and family and friends." It is through the generosity of the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative member-owners who round-up their electric bills through The Power of Change program, that the CARE Charity can award grants to organizations like ours. Together with this support we can do great things for our communities. For more information on The Power of Change please visit thepowerofchange.org. #MyREC #ThePowerofChange