April 2023 Newsletter

Save the Date for our second annual Creative Aging Celebration on June 2, from 2:30 to 7:30 PM at Vermont College of Fine Arts!

We are excited to bring you an incredible exhibit of work from Vermont artists age 60+ along with live workshops and activities!

Artwork will include watercolors, drawings, cartoons, crafts, and poetry by Creative Care Kit participants. Local artists and community partners will also share work, including pottery, photography, and writing from the “Everyone Has a Story to Tell” project through Lamoille Neighbors. Attendees can participate in live workshops and activities, including: a participatory collage project, a painting workshop, a “Seeds of Writing” workshop, an Ageless Grace program, a sing-along with the Green Mountain Strummers, an “Aging is Living” collaborative project, and more. A full schedule can be found at www.cvcoa.org/creative-aging-celebration. 

Snacks and drinks will be available during the event by donation. Masks will be encouraged for all. Attendees can stop by anytime between 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to view artwork in the gallery. No tickets are required, and people of all ages are encouraged to attend. 

Following the event on June 2, CVCOA will sponsor Creative Aging Celebrations throughout the month at local partner nutrition programs during their regularly scheduled lunchtime congregate meals. 

You can read the full press release at https://cvcoa.org/blog/cvcoa-hosts-second-annual-creative-aging-celebration. 

Welcome, Rachel!

We're pleased to welcome Rachel Roberts to the CVCOA team as a Case Manager/Options Counselor.

She is enthusiastic to support our mission in this new role and utilize her person-centered approach to providing information and support to our communities. 

Volunteer Appreciation

National Volunteer Recognition Week is April 16-23, and we have so many amazing volunteers to thank and recognize! 

Our volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels, offer companionship and conversation, lead evidence-based exercise classes, and so much more! They make our work possible. 

Stay tuned on our social media channels for more features and recognitions throughout the month.

Central Vermont Alzheimer’s Community Forum: Identifying Needs and Supports for Care Partners

The Community Forum will be an opportunity to share your feedback about the impact of dementia on your family or the community, and to provide input on how we can better serve the community. Learn about available resources and volunteer opportunities. 

Discuss your experiences in an effort to bolster programs and services to support individuals, families and caregivers.

• Tuesday, May 9th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., at the Aldrich Library in Barre
  To register, please call the Alz Helpline at 1-800-272-3900, or just show up!
   
• Friday, May 31st from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., on Zoom
  To register, please call the Alz Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or reach out to Jo Cotto, [email protected] at the Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Chapter, to get the Zoom link. 

Join an Amazing Team!

If you're looking for an employer who values who you are and an organization that's valued by the community it serves, look no further.

We currently have openings for a hybrid Options Counselor / Case Manager position. Read more and apply at https://cvcoa.org/employment. 

Upcoming Technology Programs

• New series of Senior Planet iPad Essentials 5-week course, meeting twice a week, begins in May at both Johnson or Northfield Senior Centers. Sign up at www.cvcoa.org/senior-planet (no iPad, no problem—we have loans!)
   
• Technology for Tomorrow Digital Literacy Series begins on Zoom May 9 with "Understanding Smartphones." Check out the full series at www.cvcoa.org/technology-for-tomorrow-sessions. 

Other regular programs include: Memorable Times Online and Memorable Times Café, and Medicare & You workshops.

View the full calendar of events at cvcoa.org/calendar, where you can find details about our programs, volunteer trainings, and more! And, remember to follow along on social media for event reminders and announcements.

3SquaresVT & Crop Cash

Farmers market season is upon us, but the winter market season isn't quite over! Did you know you can receive an extra $20 to spend at a winter farmers market when using your 3SquaresVT benefits? To learn more about 3SquaresVT and Crop Cash, call Michelle, CVCOA Nutrition Outreach Specialist, at 802-479-7524.

Medically Tailored and Therapeutic Meals

On Saturday April 1st, CVCOA presented a day long training for the cooks of our 13 meal sites. This training was designed to prepare them for offering low-sodium heart healthy meals and
meals for diabetics.

Attendees began the day with a presentation by Kim Lipinski on the Older Americans Act contracted menu and meal requirements. This was followed by a presentation from Gillian Shapiro with the Vermont Department of Health about the role these specialized meals play in the management of chronic diseases. Next we heard from Alyssa Nathanson, our contracted registered dietitian, all about how to prepare menus and meals for low-sodium and diabetic diets.

After a break for lunch participants headed into the teaching kitchen where Chef Joey Buttendorf demonstrated food prep techniques and cooking methods for 6 different sample meals.