Category: News

By Alex Guerra, Crime, Safety, and Justice Reporter

For cyclists and scooter riders navigating Blacksburg’s busy roads, staying safe means more than knowing how to balance on two wheels. Local bike shop employees see firsthand the equipment, habits, and road conditions that can make the difference between a safe ride and a dangerous one.

Blacksburg’s large college population, busy streets, and growing use of bicycles and scooters make two-wheeled transportation common around town. For many students and residents, bikes and scooters offer an inexpensive and convenient way to get around, but riders face risks when sharing roads with cars and navigating intersections.

Local bicycle shops are one place where riders can turn for advice before heading onto those roads. Employees regularly interact with cyclists and scooter riders, giving them insight into the safety concerns riders face and the steps they can take to protect themselves.

In an interview, Mason Cherrics, manager at Trek Bicycle Blacksburg, discussed the biggest safety concerns for cyclists in Blacksburg, common mistakes riders make, and what drivers and riders can do to share the road more safely.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Can you tell me a little bit about your role here and how long you’ve been working with bicycles and/or other forms of alternate transportation? 


My role here is store manager at this location, so I typically do administrative work, whether that’s backend processes like budgeting or hours management. I give hours to my teams and typically serve as the communication liaison between our store and the rest of our district, which includes Virginia, D.C., and Maryland. I’ve been working on and around bicycles since 2015, so just about 11 years. I’ve only been in this role for about a year and a half, nearly two years. Prior to that, I was a service manager at a larger location and came down here for the job.

From your perspective, what are some of the biggest safety concerns for people riding bikes or even scooters around Blacksburg? 


Visibility. I would say visibility of the cyclist, visibility of the lanes they’re riding in, and visibility at different times of the day. One thing we bring up every time with any new bike sale, or with anyone interested in commuting, is lights. Be as high-visibility as possible. We even sell helmets, for instance, with attachment lights on top. If you have them on the bike, they’re down low, and a driver may or may not see them. It’s a lot easier to see because it’s up here rather than down by your waist, essentially.

What do you think makes riding in a college town particularly challenging compared to riding somewhere else? 

It’s a double-edged sword. You have a younger audience, so generally, younger cyclists will be a little bit more daring and typically may not follow into a pack or be the safest riders, and vice versa with drivers. Same idea. You may not be aware of everything around you. Additionally, people make mistakes. It happens all the time. In fact, we’ve encountered three people today alone who got hit in the last couple of days. Luckily, they’re all okay. But I think it is just a lack of time and attention.

Are there any particular situations or just places around here that you’ve noticed, like intersections, crosswalks, or crowded sidewalks that you think riders should be especially cautious around? 

Admittedly, I haven’t lived here long enough to know the exact places, but I have seen some issues over toward Prices Fork. There aren’t a whole lot of great places to ride, especially when you’re crossing over that bridge that’s back there. It’s especially difficult during that odd hour of the day when visibility starts to get lower. It’s not dark enough that you can’t see, but it’s not bright enough to see all the details either. I’ve seen some here and there up and down Main Street, but I’d say it’s pretty solid. I would like dedicated bike lanes all the way through. But, of course, I’m a cyclist. I’m going to want that.

What common patterns do you notice when cyclists have close calls with drivers?

The most common way that people get into these close-call situations is a misunderstanding of right of way, whether that’s at a traffic stop or a four-way intersection. A driver may not realize that a bike on the road is the same thing as a vehicle. They follow the exact same laws and rules. Everything is equal except for their size and their road presence. 

Are there safety issues you notice as someone who works with bicycles that you think the average person might overlook? 

A lot of e-bikes and scooters don’t have adequate brakes. There are some out there, in fact, more over time, as the industry sees this. But there’s a lot of really heavy e-bikes that do not have adequate stopping power. So if you’re cooking along at 20 or 30 miles an hour and you can’t stop, something’s going to happen, and it’s very unsafe.

What’s one piece of safety equipment that you wish more riders actually used? 


I feel like a broken record: lights. Lights. Lights. It’s one of those things that’s an afterthought for a lot of people. You don’t think you need lights until you get caught in the dark. It’s like, “Well, I’ll just never ride in the dark.” But lights are applicable to daytime use, not just at night. It’s a lot better now, but helmets are another one. For years, I knew a lot of cyclists, especially on the BMX side of things, who didn’t wear helmets, and they’ve had some really close calls over the years. Fortunately, a lot of them have learned by now. But not everyone does, and we see a lot of that clientele come through the store. They’ll make a helmet an afterthought, or they’ll say, “I’ll buy the nice bike, but I’ll cheap out on a helmet.” It’s like, do the opposite. Cheap out on the bike, get the nice helmet. You only get one brain. You can get multiple bikes. So, helmets and lights.

Mason Cherrics, manager at Trek Bicycle Blacksburg, stands in front of helmets at the store in Blacksburg, Virginia. Photo by Alex Guerra, 2026.

By Hafsa Ayubi, Politics and Government Reporter

Beginning Sept. 9, Blacksburg Police will begin enforcing speed limits with cameras in school zones, including along Prices Fork Road, in an effort to keep students and staff safer as they travel to and from school.

Andrew Webb, with Montgomery County Public Schools’ Communication and Public Relations Office, said the goal is not to “write a million tickets,” but to raise awareness and encourage drivers to slow down.

According to Webb, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office had already started a similar program in school zones in the Eastern Montgomery area, the Auburn area and along Prices Fork Road near Prices Fork Elementary. This summer, the Blacksburg Police Department installed cameras on Prices Fork and a couple of other places around town. 

The cameras only capture photos when the school-zone lights are flashing, Webb explained. Drivers should be going 25 mph through those zones, and drivers traveling a certain speed above that limit while the lights are flashing can receive a citation from the Blacksburg Police Department.

Webb said he did not have specific data or know of a particular incident that led to the program. Instead, he repeatedly came back to one goal: keeping students and staff safe. From the school side, Webb said even preventing one incident would make the program worthwhile. 

In a Sept. 3 Zoom interview, Webb discussed how the cameras work, what the school system considers success and what he hopes drivers take away from the new enforcement.

His comments were edited slightly for length and clarity.

What is the purpose of the new school-zone speed cameras? 

Blacksburg is the newest group to do it. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office originally started this program, setting up speed-enforcement cameras in school zones in the Eastern Montgomery area, the Auburn area and up on Prices Fork Road where Prices Fork Elementary is. 

This summer, Blacksburg and the town and the Blacksburg Police Department installed cameras on Prices Fork and, I believe, a couple other places around town. They’re aimed at keeping people safer on the roads as kids are getting to and from school. 

Was there a specific incident or speeding data that led to the program? 

No data that I have, but anytime we have an opportunity to do something to keep our students and staff safer as they’re headed to and from school, we’re going to take advantage of it. 

We support the Sheriff’s Office and Blacksburg Police Department for pulling this off and helping keep our kids safe. 

Could more Blacksburg schools get cameras in the future? 

I’m not sure. Right now, I know the majority of them have these cameras. I think the only ones that we’re really missing would be Harding Avenue and Margaret Beeks Elementary. 

I think the rest of them are covered by the current setup. 

How do the cameras work, and are they different from Flock cameras? 

Correct. These work where they’re only going to capture photos when the lights are flashing on the school zone. You should be going 25 through those zones anyway. 

If you’re going a certain speed above 25 while those lights are flashing, you’re going to get a citation from the Blacksburg Police Department. 

Blacksburg, Va., Sept. 3, 2026 – Andrew Webb poses for his official Montgomery County Public Schools photo. Photo: Montgomery County Public Schools.

What does success look like from the school side of the program? 

I can’t necessarily speak for the police department, but for the school side of things, success is just anything we can do to keep our kids safe. 

If we can save one life, one incident happening, we’ll take that opportunity anytime it’s presented. 

Is the goal more about giving tickets or getting people to slow down? 

That’s essentially what the goal is, to keep people safe. The way we go about that is by enforcing speed in our school zones. 

Like I said before, if we can do anything to protect our kids, we’re going to do it. I don’t think the goal is necessarily to write a million tickets. I think it’s more so just awareness and really just keeping everybody safe who’s traveling down those roads. 

How involved was the school system in putting the camera program together? 

Honestly, we didn’t really have anything to do with it. The town and the police department, I think, found a company who specializes in this, and they partnered and made it all happen and just stuck them up in front of those school zones. 

Have you heard any feedback from parents or the community about the cameras? 

I haven’t heard any public feedback specifically to this program in general, but safety’s our number one priority. 

I think the community recognizes that we’re doing our part, or making sure we can do everything we can to keep our kids, staff and everyone who’s in our buildings as safe as possible. 

What is the biggest thing you want drivers to remember? 

Just mind your speed as you’re going down Prices Fork and traveling through town whenever you see those lights flashing. 

Just know that we’re trying to get our kids to and from school as safe as possible. We want everybody to be able to have a safe trip to and from school. 

What’s the secret to a successful Hokie experience? Although the answer is not concrete. Dr. Buddy Howell and Emma Treptow give their insight.

By Allera Bee, education reporter

Emma Treptow who once benefited from the HUG program now serves as a HUG leader as an upperclassman. Credit: Emma Treptow 

Four years seems like an eternity until you’re walking across the stage and receiving your degree. College is a massive hurdle that many who are lucky enough to have got to overcome. But what’s the secret to a successful college experience? Many have come in and out of college with both fond memories and regrets. It’s a transformative period in life when you balance an education, social life and for many living on your own for the first time. 

It’s often easy to forget that college is one of the most connected times of your life. There is an entire staff directory book hired just to help you thrive. I spoke with Dr. Buddy Howell, Director of the HUG program, professor and advisor at Virginia Tech, as well as Emma Treptow, an upperclassman HUG Leader, on what students most often regret, wish they did differently, and overall, the secret to the Hokie college experience.

There is an overwhelming amount of information to learn during college, and many find this out much later in their career. There are things that students, peers, and faculty wish students understood earlier. Dr. Buddy Howell, from his years of experience, explained that one of the greatest things students take for granted is their relationships with peers and professors. How crazy is that? Something so simple yet so imperative could be taken for granted. Both Dr. Howell and Treptow agreed that it’s often as easy as looking around the class you are in and introducing yourself to the people sitting next to you. In every class students take, there are at least a dozen peers in that very class who joined for similar reasons. Whether it’s because they need to get credit for a pathway, it piques their interest, or they need it to graduate. Something as simple as ‘intro to public speaking’ could lead you to a meaningful relationship. Not only do these connections create relationships, but they also introduce a sense of belonging. Especially at a large institution like Virginia Tech, smaller communities are anchors that make Blacksburg a home away from home. 

In many departments, you have classes with a group of people throughout the four years. The positive of this is that you have the time and opportunity to cultivate relationships with these familiar faces. However, “You don’t actually get to know those people if you aren’t creating conversations,” Treptow added. It’s often a go-to move in today’s society to stare and scroll on your phone before class or in the halls, but it’s not proactive. Relationships form when you are present and focused on what’s happening and who is around you in the moment, rather than what’s on the screen. Even in today’s day and age, when we are as connected digitally as we are physically, many believe that there is still opportunity in the present moment. Acting in the present moment also creates confidence during a time when many are lacking. 

Next to relationships and people, college allows students to connect, network, and learn at the highest level. However, funny enough, many of these resources only come through people and relationships, as Dr. Howell explained. Although the faculty and student leaders almost make students’ heads explode with information at the beginning of the year, they are there for a reason. Urging students to get out there because they’ve seen what it looks like three years down the line when they don’t. Trying to help you in and out of class because they care about your success. Although the main goal of college is to get a degree, faculty and student leaders want students to find their passion, gain experience, and be prepared for their future as well. For some, they are wired naturally with a fire for future success; Applying to jobs, drafting resumes, and preparing for the future. For others, creating their own motivation is entirely foreign. School is no longer about simply passing and attending your classes. On the other side of four years is the start of a career. The good news is, you are not expected to do this entirely on your own. Career and Professional Development is just one example of a service that so many students regret not accessing sooner. Whether it’s because they think they’re shy, unbothered, or unready, so many wait or never access these services. Another one is Handshake, which is an app that allows students to browse jobs, internships, career events, and employers. The app’s job search also highlights any employers who are Virginia Tech alumni. From jobs at the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market to research coordinator positions across the State, Handshake is a student’s spot for experience. It takes a single email or conversation to learn about a potential resource. “Even if you don’t start using them, at least go online and get familiar with what’s available,” as Dr. Howell said. When students make themselves aware of what is available to them, they don’t have to scramble in a time of need. When it’s time to apply to a graduate program or interview for a research position, they are familiar with which site or service will be the most helpful. 

Although students must go out of their way to access CPD or Handshake, they automatically interact with their professors weekly. Treptow is in her Junior year and explained the importance of connecting with professors early on. Something as simple as a conversation after class or in office hours could spark a relationship that opens doors. It also shows your faculty that you are interested and that you care. “Realize how much professors are there to help you,” is a piece of advice that Treptow gave to incoming students. Professors either majored in, studied, or researched the topic they are teaching, which makes them experts. Not only this, but they also most likely know faculty and employers in their field, along with what they are looking for, having been in that position themselves. The profession that they chose also deals directly with service to others. Whether you think they are there to help or not, they are. Though it can be intimidating and requires some bravery, as Treptow said, it’s important to form these connections now for your future self.

“Realize how much professors are there to help you.”

Buddy Howell has served as Director of the HUG program, an advanced instructor, and advisor during his time at Virginia Tech. Howell is committed to learning and service. Credit: Buddy Howell 

The minute you step onto campus, life moves a mile a minute, and all of a sudden, you have to survive somehow. In these moments, it feels like you will never be able to get used to this new life or get settled enough to focus on your goals. Many panic realizing their responsibilities now include school, becoming independent, and a social life. “Be patient, be present, and be brave,” Treptow said. At the end of the day, each resource listed above boils down to relationships. From your orientation group to your dorm room hall, college surrounds your world with people. How each student chooses to use this to their advantage is up to them to decide. 

As Dr. Howell said, “It’s about people, and it’s about relationships.” Each student is in a program, dorm, or LLC that has something for them. Each niche interest students have is likely covered on campus in some capacity. The School of Communication, specifically the HUG program, is designed to help students transition into life at school before the semester begins. This program has been so impactful for students that many go on to become HUG leaders after Freshman year. 

Ultimately, there is no secret recipe for success in life or college. However, as Dr. Howell and Treptow discussed, the college experience is fundamentally about relationships. With that one note in mind, incoming students have the key to their full potential. College is an opportunity to find an all-around, deeper understanding of yourself. That includes emotionally, socially, and mentally. However, as mentioned before, we cannot do this on our own. For centuries, humans have been helping humans, and this is how we got to where we are today. 

“Be patient, be present, and be brave. ”

It’s important to start to invest in yourself and notice the people around you who already are.

By Jacob Jenkins, The News Feed NRV

Joseph Collins, a local veteran, has made it his mission to educate others about the significance of World War 2. Throughout his life, he has collected memorabilia from family members and friends alike. After hosting a field trip experience for a local Blacksburg middle school with his own collection, Joseph knew he had found his calling. On this D-Day, we explore how through this museum, he shares stories, keeps memories alive, and conveys the importance of the greatest generation.

By Josie Sellers, health and wellness reporter 

Food is something most of us never think twice about. But according to the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (NRV), roughly one in ten families in the region struggle to get enough to eat. The nonprofit says food insecurity here stems from a tangle of overlapping causes, and that tackling it requires just as many solutions. 

In the NRV, there are many reasons why a person or family may be considered food insecure, and many times, they are intertwined.  

“Food insecurity is such a complex issue in and of itself, but if you’re experiencing food insecurity, it could be that that’s a chronic issue for you, and maybe you’re dealing with an illness, or you can’t afford childcare,” said Community Foundation of the New River Valley Assistant Director Lindsey Gleason-Reed. “So often, you don’t see just one issue. You see many interconnected issues.” 

In the NRV specifically, a lack of transportation contributes largely to food insecurity. In the region, 6% of residents lack a vehicle and more than half live more than two miles from a grocery store. Also, rising gas prices can cause financial strain. This limits not only access to food in general but also access to nutritious or culturally appropriate foods, meaning foods that align with a person’s cultural identity. 

“It’s really hard for somebody who doesn’t have stable housing to think about food preparation, meal preparation and eating healthy when they just need to get something to sustain them,” said New River Health District Director Noelle S. Bissell. 

However, a lack of healthy food can lead to chronic health issues like obesity, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. In addition, it contributes to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and eating disorders.  

Another consequence of food insecurity is that it can be hard for people to complete their everyday tasks when they are hungry. 

“If you are a child or a college student, either in school or on campus, and you don’t have access to food or you’re hungry, it’s hard to focus,” said Virginia Tech research assistant professor Sarah Misyak. “It’s hard to study. It’s hard to be as productive at work.” 

In the region, there are initiatives designed to combat food insecurity. For example, food pantries and donations provide nourishment and meals. The Market at Virginia Tech provides food for students who need assistance, and it also offers times when anyone enrolled in the institution can come to get non-perishable items.  

One of the largest organizations working to address local food access issues is called Thrive. Thrive is a network of food organizations in the NRV, including “farms, food banks and pantries, community gardens and meals programs.” By working together and sharing information, they try to maximize the amount of food they can give to those in need. In addition, they hold monthly workshops for their nonprofit partners and give out grants designed to optimize their work. 

“There’s a lot of different ways to distribute food, but what we’ve seen for a long time in this community is how collaborative everyone is,” said Gleason-Reed. “So, people want to help one another. They want to share ideas.” 

Bissell emphasizes the importance of helping those in need without judging them. 

“Those in health care who are decision makers and policymakers are the very people who stigmatize the most marginalized populations the most,” said Bissell. “So, those folks tend to get forgotten, and certainly those with substance use disorders. We kind of vilify or criminalize those who have issues with substance use. Same thing with those who are homeless. We tend to kind of judge them and say that it’s through their own making, their own doing, that they end up homeless, when the reality is that a lot of these folks are dealing with so many generational issues.” 

There are certain methods of distributing food that make it more likely that people will use their services. The more convenient it is to get food, the more likely it is that people will come. People also tend to enjoy having a say about the kinds of food they receive, so some like going to places with more choices. People are also more likely to go somewhere they feel a sense of community. 

Additionally, some places require more documentation to receive help than others. For example, some organizations need to see a pay stub, while others will give anyone food who says they need it. However, the more documentation required, the more barriers to accessing food. 

Many Americans are only one financial emergency away from being food insecure. According to a Federal Reserve poll, 13% of Americans would not be able to cover a $400 emergency, and many others would struggle to pay it. 

“It could be any one of us,” said Bissell. “Maybe you just lease a really nice new car, and you lose your job, and then you drive up to the food pantry and people think, ‘Well, why is this person here?’ And it’s because you don’t know their story.” 

According to Misyak, recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, will impact many citizens’ ability to get food. Previously known as food stamps, the programhelps about 42 million Americans buy food each month, or about one in eight. 

“When you increase the administrative burden to apply for SNAP, that is effectively a way to kick people off of SNAP,” said Misyak. “So, you’re going to see huge changes across the country, and we’re already seeing them in some states where millions of people are losing access to benefits to help supply food.” 

In 2025, federal budget negotiations included proposals to reduce funding for SNAP and tighten eligibility requirements. These proposals would expand work requirements for some adults and increase documentation requirements, which changes critics say could make it harder for eligible individuals to receive benefits. Some proposals also sought to narrow eligibility for certain non-citizens. 

“People are going to have all these benefits cut, and the benefits weren’t that great to begin with,” said Gleason-Reed. “People are not living large on these benefits. So, the fear was with our pantries, was ‘Are we going to be able to help people?’ We think that there’s going to be a flood of people. Anecdotally, what folks have told us is we are seeing more people serving more people than ever, and we’re finding ways to make it meet, but I think so many organizations are stretched to capacity, and they need more volunteers.” 

The Urban Institute estimates that 5.4 million Americans will be affected. In Virginia, families could lose an average of $112 in benefits each month, limiting their ability to feed themselves. 

“People want to help one another.” 

To try to keep up with the demand for food, food pantries in the area are working together with other organizations like Thrive. In addition, individual volunteers provide help. For example, Pearisburg resident Charlie Herbert started the Giles Community Garden in his backyard. 

Herbert grows food in this garden and, with the help of volunteers, delivers truckloads of food multiple times a week to organizations around the region. Since 2024, he has delivered over 124,000 pounds of food. He emphasizes the need for help as SNAP benefit reductions leave more people struggling to afford food.  

“It could be any one of us.” 

Ending food insecurity involves more than just providing meals. It means reducing stigma, improving transportation and expanding access to local support.  

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the NRV, including through the Agape Center, Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry and Feeding Southwest Virginia. 

“It can feel like sometimes you’re like, chipping a little bit of ice off of this massive iceberg, but when you’re all chipping away together, it feels like it feels good to have those little wins likehelping a family or a student get food,” said Gleason-Reed. “And sometimes that’s all you can do within the structure that we’re living in.” 

Residents seeking food assistance can find local resources through the NRV Food Assistance Directory, which includes food pantries, churches and other organizations throughout the region. 

by Hayden McNeal, health & wellness reporter

Growing old is inevitable, but how people care for their bodies and prepare for later life can greatly affect their quality of life as they age.

Researchers studying gerontology have identified common factors that influence health and wellness as people age. Researchers and retirement facility employees said health and wellness are crucial factors in maintaining happiness later in life., but many disregard preparation when it comes to moving onto the next step for individuals’ lives. 

“I think having a plan in place as to what you’re going to do when you get older is really important,” said Sara McCarter, project manager and volunteering and academic partnership coordinator for Warm Hearth Village, a retirement community in Blacksburg, Virginia. “I see a lot of older adults who just didn’t want to do that. They wanted to stay in their homes and they thought they would just stay there. Then you get caught off guard. I see a lot of people scrambling to find places for parents that are going straight from independent living to needing full-blown health care, and that transition is not there. Assume that you might need some help, and put that into your planning. I would say plan, plan, plan.”

A major stressor in aging and long-term care is a lack of planning. Individuals and their families often don’t think about what to do when the time comes for a loved one to seek assisted care or a retirement home. 

“I think we often see that family members don’t talk about kind of the what if,” said Dr. Karen Roberto, university distinguished professor and executive director for the Institute for Society, Culture and Environment and senior fellow at the Center for Gerontology. “I think family members often don’t talk to each other. A lot of assumptions are made. If they’re in a scenario of a parent who’s going to need some care. There are often assumptions about how that family system works? How do they deal with expenses? Economics comes into play. How much does the older adult qualify for services? Is that something out of pocket? Do they have enough funds?”

Expenses for retirement communities like Warm Hearth are an unexpected burden until people reach the age of retirement. Warm Hearth itself is a model for ideal retirement living and care. There are currently 600 residents living at the retirement community and 400 on the waiting list. It ranges from a close-knit community of 115 townhomes to late-stage hospice care. This level of senior care is not a common sight to see when it comes to retirement options. With this level of amenities and care, Warm Hearth can cover many different situations depending on the resident. But this level of care comes at a cost. McCarter believes that this will become a big issue for the younger generations when they reach the age of retirement. She said she doesn’t see younger people saving like the current residents did when they were young. 

Even though expenses seem to be the biggest issue when it comes to senior living, there are still some unmet needs that still stand out when caring for the elderly community. Dr. Roberto noted that transportation is a common issue that most retirement centers disregard. Many elderly citizens have their drivers licenses taken away when their motor functions start to deteriorate. But when they are placed in these centers, there are often not many ways for them to get around.

Dr. Roberto claimed that another big issue facing senior care is mobility. Often with in-home care, what seemed to be an ordinary trip from one side of the house to the other is now a major obstacle for older adults. McCarter noted that this is front-of-mind when looking to design new additions to Warm Hearth Village. There must be options for two feet, wheelchairs, and walkers at every part of the facility. 

“Throughout our adult lives—and especially in the latter part of our lives—having certain conditions doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to develop dementia or experience physical health problems to the point that we need care,” Dr. Roberto said. “However, it really does help to be in the best possible physical, mental, and emotional state that we can be.”

It is a widely accepted fact that exercise and a healthy diet are not only good for you, but can prolong a healthy life well into your later years. A study by the National Institute of Health shows that adults 40 and older found that taking 8,000 steps a day compared to 4,000 a day was associated with a 51% lower risk of death from all causes. Simple habits people can do in adulthood can greatly improve long-term health. The National institutes of Health also revealed that a healthy diet not only will help in weight, but also brain function. This can be helpful in prolonging any signs of neurological disease.

“You are more susceptible, over time, to disease. It’s called cellular wear-and-tear theory,” said Dr. Pamela Teaster, a professor at Virginia Tech and Director of the Center for Gerontology. “As you get older, you are more vulnerable to things because you have less ability to fight them off, right? For example, if you get a cold in your 20s, you probably feel awful for some days, and you’re okay. If you get a cold in your 80s, it could lead to pneumonia that could kill you.”

Cellular wear-and-tear can also be stalled by exercise, a healthy diet, and keeping stress levels down. Dr. Teaster remarked that cellular wear-and-tear theory could be seen with the impact of COVID-19. With the younger generations, they were able to fight it off more easily. However, as you looked towards the older generations, it became more detrimental.

According to McCarter, Warm Hearth was one of the last nonprofit retirement communities in the country to get COVID-19. She claimed that the COVID-19 lockdown was a hard time for Warm Hearth. Social interaction is very crucial to residents’ physical and mental well-being. She saw that in a social setting, being around people made residents battling illness have more will to climb faster. However, the isolation of lockdown made their will weaker to fight to get better.

“We’ve sort of had this epidemic of loneliness and isolation during the pandemic,” Dr. Roberto said. “We’ve been paying much more attention to that and how that can really help a person maintain their quality of life while living with dementia. We don’t have anything that’s going to stop it there, but we can make life better for the individual and maybe slow the progression. This could be with stimulated conversation and doing activities that they like to do. That can be really helpful.”

According to the American Brain Foundation, chronic loneliness is a significant risk factor because it accelerates cognitive decline, triggering brain inflammation and increasing the risk of dementia by up to 60%. It may not seem as obvious as exercise and diet, but human interaction could also be a way to keep “cellular wear-and-tear” at bay.

Over recent years, there has been a real shift in the advancement of retirement living and care. Dr. Roberto says she’s been studying aging for a long time. She remembers when all you could do at senior centers was play bingo, but now there’s much more you can do. She has seen an array of different activities pop up that weren’t common or did not exist at all in the retirement centers in the past. She has seen health fairs, computers and computer classes for those older adults who are not tech-savvy, and much more. Dr. Roberto compared current senior living facilities as more of a college lifestyle, where people are living with people their own age and having many activities to do.

McCarter has also witnessed improvements and been working towards implementing improvements at Warm Hearth. She noted that one of the biggest improvements they have made that has changed residents’ lives for the better is more natural light and bigger windows. It sounds simple, but McCarter has seen it increase their quality of life and overall happiness. 

With all these improvements, the remaining challenge may be encouraging older adults and their families to “plan, plan, plan.”