Staying On Your Feet!

This interactive presentation and discussion will provide immediate strategies to prevent falls. Learn when falls commonly happen and how you can lessen the likelihood of a fall. David Parker, MS, PT, OCS, Director of Rehabilitation at Galloway Ridge will be joined by Blaine Warren, Exercise Physiologist, Liz Dryden, DPT and Mary Collins, OTR in demonstrating exercises which can help in fall prevention. Discussion with fellow participants will increase the number of successful strategies we can use. For those who choose to participate, a quick test will determine if you are ready for a balance class. Please join us on Thursday, January 7 at 1:30 in the Gathering Place for this very important program.

Good Views for Old Eyes – What’s New in Ophthalmology?

Featuring: Travis A. Meredith, MD
Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, UNC
Plan to catch up on exciting new advances in the treatment of eye disorders in the aging population. Dr. Meredith is a world recognized leader in applied ocular research. He will discuss the current status of this burgeoning field of medicine that is so critical to maintaining vision, as we grow older. Most exciting for us are the recent findings in the treatment of macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in people over 65. Recent progress in retinal repair, control of diabetic retinopathy, lens replacement, and eye fluid flows will also be presented. An open forum for comments and questions from the audience will follow. Thursday, January 21, 7:30 pm in the Gathering Place

Partners in Caring:Fearrington Cares and Galloway Ridge Information Meeting

Please join us for a community-wide information meeting about Fearrington Cares’ collaboration with Galloway Ridge. Jason Cronk, Galloway’s Executive Director and Doug Oliver, Associate Executive Director and Administrator will make a presentation and be available to answer questions.
Since first opening, Galloway Ridge has had a close relationship with Fearrington Village. We share the same neighborhood, many former Village residents reside there, we share the Duke Center for Living, and many Fearrington Village clubs and activities are open to Galloway residents.

Galloway would now like to provide many of their services to residents living in their own homes in Fearrington Village. These services would include nutritional support, nursing services and supportive living services. Any resident participating in the Galloway program would have their relationship with Galloway Ridge, not Fearrington Cares. Galloway services would be paid directly to Galloway on a fee-for-service basis, while Fearrington Cares services, including nursing services, would continue to be available free of charge. We remain two independent organizations. Galloway Ridge offers the services; Fearrington Cares is helping to make them available. Of course, services from other outside suppliers will continue to be recommended.

Please join us at the Gathering Place on Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Computer Problems? Need Advice?

Fearrington Cares experienced volunteers can assist you with computer setup, software installation, troubleshooting and more. Call the office at 542-6877 for help; please leave your name and number, Mac or PC, and a brief description of your need.
If you are considering a new computer, there is a folder in the office containing general guidelines and ratings that may help you make your selection.

Fearrington Cares Building Reopens With Big Thanks to Many

Fearrington Cares’ newly renovated offices reopened on Monday, December 7 – exactly on schedule. We owe many thanks to many people:
Fitch Creations
R.B. Fitch for his generosity in underwriting the cost of design and labor
Greg Fitch for overseeing the project and providing us with beautiful new landscaping
Laura Morgan for perfection in scheduling
Brian Cather, architect, for his great design, and for windows!
John Farrell, job superintendant, for putting it all together
Jacques Condoret, painter, for a beautiful job at a beautiful cost
David Rickman, Chatham Carpets, for putting the rugs under our feet at a down-to-earth price
Kay Hunt, Fearrington Cares VP, who led the team
Tom Skiver, who coordinated one and all and found undiscovered resources
Pat Skiver, our Administrative Assistant, who coordinated moving us out and in and kept us all on our toes
Members of the Fearrington Cares Board who gave up a Saturday to lift heavy objects, climb ladders, scrub floors, and do everything possible to assure we’d be open in time for business on Monday morning.

A huge THANK YOU to you all for helping us put it together to serve our community better than ever.

Balance Classes Begin Again

Our next balance class begins February 1 at The Duke Center For Living at Galloway Ridge. The February sessions already have a waiting list, but more will follow later in the year.

Fearrington Cares sponsors these twice weekly, eight week programs because we truly do care. Falls are the leading cause of injures/ hospitalization and, often, early death in seniors.
If you can walk unassisted and if you can commit to the full 8 weeks call Fearrington Cares at 542-6877 and place your name on the list. We expect to hold at least four of these 8-week classes in 2010.

Fearrington Cares Annual Meeting and Volunteer & Donor Salute
Save the Date

Please mark you calendar for Friday, February 5 for our Annual Meeting and Volunteer and Donor Salute. There will be a brief meeting describing Fearrington Cares’ achievements over the past year, followed by entertainment. After that, we will adjourn for a festive wine and cheese celebration as a salute to our many volunteers and donors who made it all possible. More information to come.
3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Gathering Place