 Linneall Naylor: Discovering Her Ancestors and Sharing Their Stories
For decades people have been exploring their family history through genealogical research, but when mail-in DNA ancestry test kits were introduced over 20 years ago, everything changed. Test results often upended what people thought they knew about themselves and their family history. For Linneall Naylor, getting the results of her DNA test 10 years ago was life-changing, revealing surprising ancestry, previously unknown family connections, and deep roots in Virginia, especially in Fairfax County. Her results put her on a path of research and discovery, igniting a passion to uncover her family history and share the stories of her ancestors.
Why “Just in Case” Antibiotics Can Do More Harm Than Good
Antibiotics are one of the greatest medical discoveries of our time. They have saved millions of lives and prevented countless complications. But like all medications, antibiotics come with risks. So when people ask, “What’s the harm in taking an antibiotic just to be safe?” The answer is sometimes: quite a lot.
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Time Management When You Finally Have Time
Judy Levenstein recently moved from her home in southern California, where she lived independently, to an assisted living facility in Fairfax County so she could be closer to her daughter. She looked forward to having people cook and clean for her, attending lots of planned activities and social events, and spending time with family. It’s a whole new lifestyle for her and she is enjoying it, but Judy is surprised by how overwhelmed and overscheduled she feels.
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What You Need to Know About Low Vision
Low vision is a condition that makes it hard to see and can affect your daily life in big ways. It is caused by different eye conditions and often has few treatments. Low vision is more common in older adults, so it’s important to know what causes it and how to prevent it. |
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February 2026 Table of Contents:
Read these additional articles online:
- Historical Markers in Fairfax County Highlighting African American History
- Family Caregiver Support: Caring for the Caregiver – Managing Stress
- Connect with Us!
- Free Classes Hosted by ElderLink
- February: Prepare for the Month of Love
- Service That Strengthens the Heart
- Activity Programs in Long-Term Care Facilities
- Mature Living – Exploring Resources for Better Health
- Struggle with Reading? We Can Help!
- Fairfax Area Commission on Aging
- Is Your Financial Institution BankSafe?
- February Community Calendar
View the print version of the February 2026 Golden Gazette.
Learn About Services to Support Older Adults and Their Changing Needs
Fairfax County’s Department of Family Services Adult and Aging Division recently created two video public service announcements about our programs and services for older adults. The goal of these PSAs is to improve community outreach, educate residents about our services, and to assist our partners in advocating for increased funding.
A Pivotal Moment in Aging brings attention to the growing older adult population and their changing needs, highlighting the many services designed to support older adults as they age well in their communities. Watch the PSA here.
Adult Protective Services addresses challenges as we age and the need for more support, warning that without sufficiently funded prevention programs and Adult Protective Services programs, older adults may face an uncertain future. Watch the PSA here.
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