Programs And Services For Seniors

Author: Martha Cooper, former City of Falls Church member of the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging

Services for seniors in the City of Falls Church

Several City development projects proposed or underway focus on senior citizens. Seniors living in the City who are 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, and meet the income and asset eligibility requirements, can access a variety of services including information on senior housing, real estate tax relief, dental services, senior recreation programs, in-home care, adult protective services and more.

What follows is a list of City programs and services available as of July 2023. For more information, contact the City’s Housing and Human Services Department at 703-248-5005 (TTY 711) or www.fallschurchva.gov, and search under Aging Services.

Area Agency on Aging services

Through a contract with the Fairfax County Division of Adult and Aging Services, City residents may access home-based care, Meals on Wheels, employment services, insurance counseling, volunteer opportunities, mandatory adult protective services, and more. Some services have income eligibility guidelines. Call 703-324-7948, TTY 711, and a social worker will help you access appropriate services.

Fairfax Area Commission on Aging

The Commission on Aging studies and advises on a broad range of needs and services for older adult in Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. The City of Falls Church needs someone to represent the City on the Commission. Contact the City Clerk’s office to apply at 703-248-5014. This dynamic group of 12 representatives meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month from 1:00-3:00 pm in the Pennino Building at the Fairfax Government Center. All are welcome to attend meetings online or in-person. Learn more at FACOA.

City Transportation Programs

Taxi vouchers

Taxi vouchers allow eligible City residents to stretch their transportation dollars. Eligible residents may receive $40 each month in taxi coupons. A $10 co-pay is charged monthly. Recipients must be residents of the City, at least 62 years of age, or permanently and totally disabled, with gross incomes not exceeding $37,000. For more information contact Housing and Human Services.

WMATA Transportation Services

Reduced Fares
Seniors who are 65 or older automatically qualify for reduced fares. A $2 Metro Senior SmartTrip card can be purchased at the Metro Kiosk at Ballston. One must add funds to use the card. This greatly reduces the fares on Metro buses and trains. The cards can be replenished on the bus.

People with disabilities under the age of 65
People with qualifying disabilities who possess a Reduced Fare SmarTrip® Photo ID Card may ride for half the peak fare on Metrobus, Metrorail, and other participating transit agencies.

Those under 65 who are Medicare recipients, and Veterans with 60% or more disability, can apply for a reduced fare SmartTrip Photo ID Card at the Metro Accessibility Transit Center in Washington, DC.

Rides from volunteers
Shepherd’s Center of McLean, Arlington and Falls Church provides various services, including classes, phone calls, visits, food delivery, and transportation, delivered exclusively by volunteers and is free of charge to anyone age 50 or older who resides in the local community. There are no income-level requirements. Call 703-506-2199, and a volunteer will get back to you.

Dental Care

City residents without dental insurance may apply for a referral to the Northern Virginia Dental Clinic. Individuals should be over 18 years old. For a single-person household, their annual income should not exceed $29,160. For a two-person household the annual income limit is $39,440. For questions and or appointment services, contact Housing and Human Services at 703-248-5005 (TTY 711).

Housing

City of Falls Church Housing programs include programs for older residents. Contact Housing and Human Services at 703-248-5005 (TTY 711).

Rent relief

Contact Falls Church Housing and Human Services. For rent relief, you cannot be receiving a rent subsidy. Income and asset requirements vary from program to program.

City of Falls Church Assisted Living Program

Assisted living programs are designed for individuals who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) but do not require skilled nursing care. Through agreements with the City of Falls Church, Sunrise Senior Living offers set-aside beds and The Kensington offers subsidized assisted living to low and moderate-income City residents 62 years of age and older, or members of their immediate families. Eligibility for these programs can be found in the links below.

• Policy and Procedures for Assisted Living Programs
• Interest List Application for Assisted Living Programs

Sunrise Senior Living Set-Aside Program

City of Falls Church residents or immediate family members of City residents considering assisted living may be eligible for a program that offers participants with low (6 beds) and moderate incomes (12 beds), a reduced rate for room and board at Sunrise Senior Living, located in the City of Falls Church. Different levels of services are available based on needs. All costs beyond the basic monthly room and board fee are excluded from this program and charged at market rate. See the link to FAQs to learn more.

• Frequently Asked Questions on Sunrise Set-Aside Program

The Kensington Subsidized Program

Through an agreement between The Kensington and the City, Housing and Human Services offers eligible seniors the opportunity to participate in a subsidized assisted living program at this facility. This subsidy may cover one, but not more than two, seniors. See the link to FAQs below to learn the details.

• Frequently Asked Questions on The Kensington Program

Real estate and property tax relief for older adults and persons with disabilities

The City of Falls Church provides Real Estate Tax Relief and Personal Property Relief to City residents who are either 65 years old or older, or are permanently and totally disabled, and meet the income and asset eligibility requirements. Applications are available beginning in mid-February of each year with a deadline date of April 15^th for the next tax year.

Tax relief ranges from 100% for those earning $60,000 or less with assets $500,000 or less, to deferrals for those earning $90,000 or less with assets of $500,000-$800,000. The value of the property (house and up to one acre of land) and household furnishings are excluded from the asset calculation.

Applicants must be residents of the City of Falls Church as of December 31^st of the previous year. 

More information is available on the city website, here. Contact the Treasurer’s Office at 703-248-5046 (TTY 711).

Golden Gazette

This free monthly publication (online and in-print) offers information on many services and highlights volunteer opportunities, community activities, and issues affecting seniors. Subscribe at this link.

Senior centers

The City of Falls Church Community Center houses the City’s senior center. It offers a variety of programs (art, languages, history, exercise, and more). It is open from Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Non-residents may regularly attend. For more information, contact the Senior Center directly at 703-248-5020 (TTY 711).

Falls Church City residents are also welcome at Fairfax County Senior Centers. James Lee Community Center Senior Center on Annandale Road is the closest Fairfax facility.

Support for people with dementia and their caregivers

A range of services is available to people with dementia and their caregivers. Learn about Insight Memory Care and other resources at 703-324-7948, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. A knowledgeable person will always answer your call.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer Solutions offers meaningful opportunities to become involved and to receive services for seniors. This program matches the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. These services vary from one-time to regular opportunities to call, visit, get groceries, perform light yardwork, and more. Bilingual volunteers are needed, too.

Senior Centers and Adult Day Healthcare Centers need activity assistants and skilled leaders. As a volunteer, form new connections and decrease social isolation. Explore volunteer opportunities. Contact VolunteerSolutions@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-324-5406 (TTY 711). Background checks are required for all volunteers.

SHAPE the Future of Aging

In May 2023, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan 2023-2028. Over the next five years, this plan will guide the County, the Cities of Fairfax and of Falls Church, and community-based organizations in better meeting the needs of older residents. The percentage of residents aged 65 and older in Fairfax Area is rising. This change in demographics affects us all.

The SHAPE acronym stands for:

• Services for Older Adults and Family Caregivers
• Housing and Neighborhood Support
• Access to Mobility Options
• Personal Well-Being
• Economic Stability and Planning

Stay tuned as existing programs and services for seniors are reinforced and new strategies are implemented to support older adults in these important areas. The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging plays a role in this ongoing planning effort.