Alexandria Wellbeing

Alexandria Wellbeing

Subscribe

Know Stroke’s Warning Signs

Do you think you would recognize if you or a loved one were having a stroke? Early recognition and prompt treatment are critical to minimizing serious or permanent disability from stroke; yet, a study in the journal “Stroke” published in March found that one in five U.S. women couldn’t name even one symptom of stroke. In previous studies, men have fared no better.

Tease photo

C-Section Boom in Northern Virginia

Region has some of the highest rates of cesarean-section deliveries for low-risk pregnancies.

Behind the closed doors at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church and the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, a quiet change has been taking shape over the last few decades.

Tease photo

Despite Advances, Many Virginians Remain Uninsured

Affordable Care Act expands coverage, but more than 800,000 still have no health insurance.

What is the state of the uninsured in Virginia?

Column: Positive Approaches to Difficult Conversations

Senior Living

For many people, there comes a time when we need to become more involved in finding ways to address major obstacles confronted by the older members of our families.

Tease photo

Miracle League Opens Its Season

Grant to help build Alexandria’s first inclusive playground.

On April 26, CVS Caremark celebrated the start of a new baseball season at the Miracle League of Alexandria’s Opening Day festivities, with representatives from the Miracle League, the Kelley Cares Foundation and Miracle League Athletes.

Tease photo

Center Plants Pinwheel Garden To Symbolize Hope

The Center for Alexandria’s Children joined in a nationwide public awareness campaign that puts a new spin on child abuse prevention when it planted a Pinwheel Garden today at its office on North Beauregard Street. The pinwheel, the national symbol of Child Abuse Prevention and a symbol of childhood, represents the efforts of Prevent Child Abuse Virginia to demonstrate the importance of ensuring healthy, happy and full lives for all children in the community.

Tease photo

Senior Living: ‘The 5 Senses and Aging’

We all know that as we age, so do our five senses. Knowing what to expect can help us take steps to continue to live independent and productive lives. That was the message from the April Speaker Series event co-sponsored by Senior Services of Alexandria, Inova Alexandria Hospital and Alexandria’s Successful Aging Committee. More than 100 seniors flocked to the Nannie J. Lee Center last Wednesday for a lively morning filled with valuable information and a Health and Fitness Fair. Participants tried their hand at belly dancing and tai chi, sampled delicious healthy recipes, had free blood pressure and hearing tests, and even enjoyed shoulder massages.

These Shelter Pets Face Challenges

Beauty is more than skin-deep.

As the old maxim goes, you can’t judge a book by its cover. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria encourages potential adopters to apply that same advice to pets seeking new homes. “An animal can be a 10- to 20-year commitment, and it is important to select an animal that matches your lifestyle and energy level and to pick your companion based on personality rather than appearance,” said Megan Webb, executive director of the League.

ARHA Adopts Non-Smoking Policy

The Board of Commissioners of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority unanimously approved a resolution calling for a Non-Smoking Policy for all ARHA residents at its meeting last month. When fully implemented in late Spring 2015, the new policy will cover approximately 3,000 residents.

Tease photo

Food Fight: Work Group Snubbed on Food Trucks

City officials move forward with recommendations without report from work group.

Last May, City Manager Rashad Young issued a series of recommendations that would have opened the door to food trucks in Old Town, Del Ray and Carlyle.

Recycling and Earth Day

April 22 marks the 44th anniversary of Earth Day, a day specifically devised to prompt people to ask, “What can I do to make a difference for the earth?” Solving global environmental issues like climate change may be so daunting for some people that they automatically assume there is nothing they can do to help. But in reality, there are things we can each do every day that can have a big impact on our community and the environment. The simplest of these is to recycle.

Tease photo

Commentary: Celebrating Creativity, Recovery and Mental Health

Alexandria will open its fourth annual Art Uniting People celebration and exhibition on May 7 with several firsts this year. For the first time the opening exhibition and reception will take place at The Gallery@Convergence. Convergence, a faith community that explores the intersection of art, faith and the human experience, is well known for presenting the work of local artists, musicians and dancers.

Tease photo

Alone on the Road: 7 out of 10 Northern Virginia Workers Use Single-Occupancy Vehicles

Study raises concerns about amount of time drivers spend commuting alone.

Despite the decades-long war against the single-occupancy vehicle, seven out of 10 workers in Northern Virginia drive to work alone every workday.

Tease photo

Alexandria to Stop Dumping Human Waste into Potomac River by Earth Day 2035

Fixing combined sewer overflows to cost at least $200 million.

The year 2035 seems like a distant dream. But it's a Sword of Damocles hanging over the head of officials at City Hall. That's the year Alexandria will no longer dump human waste into the Potomac River.

Northern Virginia Senior Olympics Mission: Living Healthy Longer

The 2014 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics will take place Sept. 13-24 at 18 venues throughout Northern Virginia. Adults 50 years of age and over who live in one of the sponsoring jurisdictions are eligible to participate.