A Graceful Life

Melanie Benjamin, Executive Director of the Center, joins to talk with Jeanne about Older Americans Month and the many programs the Center has to offer for the aging population.  

Jeanne talks with Kimberly Hawk of Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge and Dr. Sara Holland, Jeremiah Holland, and Taylor Moore of Mobile Vet Solutions about access to affordable veterinary care.  

Les Sinclair, PR & Communications Manager, with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank provides updates on the work of the food bank and the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.  

Ron Farmer, President of Charlottesville-Albemarle TRIAD, gives helpful tips on how to avoid being scammed and the work TRIAD does with seniors in the community.  

Ophelia Lenz, Development Officer and Race Manager, and Katina Ragland-Dowell of the Prolyfyck Run Crew give a preview of the 25th annual  HOP 5K Run/Walk.

Joyce Robbins of Robbins Staffing joins Jeanne McCusker to discuss the labor market around central Virginia. 

Gordon Walker and Norm Dale join Jeanne McCusker to discuss how Charlottesville can create a dementia friendly community.  

Jeanne McCusker talks with Liz Hart, Volunteer Coordinator, of All Blessings Flow Charlottesville that aims to provide healthcare resources and services to our neighbors in need.

Doris Gelbman, Elder Law Attorney at Gelbman Law PLLC, talks with Jeanne about getting off to a good start in 2026 and managing affairs to start the year. 

Teresa Haase, Director of Bereavement Services at Hospice of the Piedmont, joins to discuss ways in which people suffering from grief during the holidays can learn to deal with it.  

Jeanne McCusker talks with Kelly Eplee, board chair, Elias Alonzo, Development Director, and Beth Neville Evans, founder, of the GuateMaya Alliance about Jeanne's recent trip to Charlottesville's sister city Huehuetenango, Guatemala and the relationship between the two locations.  

Rachael Kesler Palm joins the show again to talk about ALS, the progress made toward a cure, and the push for more government funding to find it.

Jeanne talks about the Memory Café at the Center, a new program aimed at assisting those with dementia and Alzheimer's, with Jennifer Crews, Program Director at the Center, and Steve Brinkley, a member of the Committee for the Memory Café.

Jeanne is joined by Rachael Kesler Palm to discuss her new book: Bada** Women of Charlottesville. 

Jeanne McCusker talks with Randy Rodgers, Manager of Insurance Counseling at Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA), about the ins and outs of Medicare coverage and health insurance in the wake of changes at the federal government level. 

Jeanne McCusker discusses the work of the Alzheimer's association and the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer's in October with Walk Manager for Charlottesville and Greater Augusta Sheri Owen and Matt Laird, the Charlottesville Walk Chair.

Les Sinclair of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank joins Jeanne to discuss Hunger Action Month and the continued work of the food bank serving food insecurity in central Virginia. 

Jada Edwards of the Women's Initiative joins Jeanne McCusker to discuss the mission of her organization and how mindfulness and mental health can help lead to more fulfilling lives.  

In part 2 of a two-part series, Jeanne McCusker is joined by Dr. Neal Kassell, founder and chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, to discuss the mission of the Foundation and how it contributes to ALS research. 

Libby Jones, Executive Director of the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, details the difficulties facing animal shelters around the country and why proper animal care is vital to a healthy community. 

Katy Kreienbaum, Caregiver Center Coordinator at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, discusses how the center helps caregivers in our area and the resources available to them.  

In part 1 of a two-part series, Jeanne McCusker is joined by Dr. Neal Kassell, founder and chairman of the Focused Ultrasound Foundation, to discuss the mission of the Foundation and how it contributes to ALS research. 

Doris Gelbman, Elder Law Attorney practicing in Charlottesville, joins host Jeanne McCusker to address some of the biggest questions seniors may have about Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. 

Jeanne McCusker is joined by Auther Susan Bauer-Wu to discuss her new book Leaves Falling Gently: Living Fully with Serious and Life-Limiting Illness through Mindfulness, Compassion, and Connectedness.

Mary Sandridge Director of Marketing and Communications of the Alzheimer's Association joins Jeanne to prepare for Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month. 

Jeanne is joined by Les Sinclar, Communications Manager of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, to discuss the work the food bank does in our community. 

Jeanne McCusker welcomes Tish Blackwell, Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer at JABA, to highlight Older Americans Month and how JABA is seeking to positively change the lives of our area's aging population. 

Ophelia Lenz, Development Officer, and Jenn Downs, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, from Hospice of the Piedmont join Jeanne to preview this year's Hospice of the Piedmont 5K.

HOP 5K - Hospice of the Piedmont

Aimee Carter, Director of Development at the Miller School of Albemarle, joins to discuss Historic Garden Week 2025.  

Teresa Steinfatt, owner of Gameday Men's Health in Charlottesville, joins Jeanne McCusker to discuss the facts about men's health and the services her clinic provides.

Jeanne McCusker talks with Mary Sandridge, Director of Communications & Marketing with the Alzheimer's Association, about the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's and work the Association is doing locally. 

Jeanne McCusker is joined by Les Sinclair of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to discuss Hunger Action Month and the local work the Food Bank is doing. 

Jeanne McCusker is joined by Tamara Dias, Executive Director of African American Teaching Fellows at the University of Virginia.

Jeanne McCusker continues her series discussing caregiving during Older Americans Month with Les Sinclair of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.

The second part of a conversation between Jeanne McCusker and Dr. Aron Blight centered around Caregiving for Older Americans Month.

Jeanne McCusker is joined by Dr. Aron Blight to discuss Caregiving for Older Americans Month.

Ophelia Lenz, Development Officer, and Frances Manly, Director of Hospice Home Care, join Jeanne to talk about Hospice of the Piedmont’s 23rd annual 5K Run/Walk on May 11. 

Gregg Winston, Move to Health Equity Coalition, and Kris Miller, iThryv and Co-chair of Cville Area Alliance, discuss the One Stop Shop for people over 50 at Carver Rec Center on April 27th 11-2pm. Resources will be available for attendees to discuss aging issues.

It is important for everyone over 18 to have an advanced medical directive. Jeanne and Michael give the ins and outs of the conversation.

Jeanne McCusker talks with Amy Harris, co-chair Albemarle Charlottesville Historic Garden Week Tour.