Arts, Aging, and Community in Mason District

by Andres Jimenez, Mason District Supervisor (Fairfax County Board of Supervisors)

The month of May is officially recognized as Older Americans Month in the United States and in Fairfax County, a time to celebrate the lasting contributions of older adults in our community. But this May, we take time to acknowledge a more difficult reality: the rise in scams targeting seniors.

Scams targeting older adults have increased sharply in recent years. Between 2020 and 2024, the Federal Trade Commission reported a nearly 400% increase in fraud targeting older adults (those categorized as being over the age of 60), with victims losing an average of $35,000 each.

Research shows that older adults, particularly those in the early stages of cognitive decline, face heightened risk as subtle changes in the aging brain make it more difficult to detect deception while still maintaining independence in decision-making. Areas responsible for detecting risk and interpreting social cues can weaken over time, making it more difficult to recognize deception or identify common warning signs of fraud.

At the same time, social isolation intensifies these risks. In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, increased social isolation has made many seniors more vulnerable to a particularly harmful type of fraud – one that exploits trust and connection. Known as “romance scams,” these schemes involve scammers creating fake relationships to take money and or personal information. In 2025 alone, these scams accounted for $389 million in losses.

If isolation and cognitive vulnerability are part of the problem, then connection is part of the solution.

As the district with the largest senior population in Fairfax County, Mason District is taking a proactive approach and stepping up to address these challenges, not only through prevention and awareness, but by investing in community.

Music, culture, food, creative expression, nature – hallmarks of what makes Mason District the “Cultural Hub” of Fairfax County – are more than amenities. They are strategic and preventative tools that strengthen a sense of community, reduce isolation, and empower older residents to better protect themselves from scams. Together, these shared tools help address the very conditions that make individuals more vulnerable to exploitation.

Engaging in the arts has been shown to strengthen cognitive function, support neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to form and adapt new connections over time) and even physically reshape the brain as we age. Activities as simple as painting activate visual memory, decision-making, and coordination all at once. They also help to maintain fine motor skills, encourage social connection, and combat loneliness.

“The arts and culture provide a bridge within and between communities, especially valuable in a district like ours,” notes James Albright, Chair of the Mason District Arts Council; “When we encourage individuals to express themselves and share that expression, they make themselves vulnerable and open to new ideas, new friends, and new understandings. Those experiences between individuals are foundational to strengthening our larger community.”

Here in Mason District, we are proud to support that mission by advancing initiatives that expand access to arts and culture, because we know that our diversity is our strength. From establishing the Mason District Arts Council – which hosted the Inaugural Mason District Arts Festival last fall – to increasing public art through murals across the district and art in public spaces, to creating opportunities for residents to engage with culture through initiatives like Restaurant Week, we are working to ensure that arts and culture are accessible to all.

Additionally, we are fortunate to host outstanding community institutions and award-winning senior-living facilities in our district; like Goodwin House and Lincolnia Senior Center, along with Neighborhood and Community Services sites like Minnie H. Peyton and the James Lee Community Center’s, which continue to provide welcoming spaces where older adults can engage with the arts, build connections, and stay active.

Executive Direct Hwan Yi of the Goodwin House put it best: “Enriched by a lifetime of travel, music, literature, and personal discovery, older adults can leverage the arts for meaningful opportunities to expand lifelong learning, engagement with creative energy, purpose and connection. The outcomes are powerful—a deeper quality of life, better health and longevity, and legacies of their creations.”

As we recognize Older Americans Month, we must continue to invest in the tools that keep our community strong. By supporting the arts and culture and creating opportunities for all Mason residents to engage—regardless of age or ability—we can help ensure our community ages with grace, dignity, and connection.

Andres Jimenez serves as the Mason District Supervisor and Legislative Chair on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. His work focuses on building inclusive, connected communities through initiatives that support seniors, expand access to arts and culture, and promote overall well-being.