February 2022 Newsletter

We Are All Aging!

Join Blue Cross Blue Shield for an important webinar with speaker, author, and activist Aston Applewhite:

We Are All Aging, Taking Action to End Ageism
Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Time: 11:00am ET

From childhood on, we’re barraged by messages that it’s sad to be old. That wrinkles are embarrassing and old people are useless.

In this provocative, funny, and deeply informed talk, our speaker, Ashton Applewhite, explains the roots of ageism—in society and in our own age denial—and how it divides and diminishes us. Applewhite sets out the personal and professional consequences (especially for women), shows how ageist myths and stereotypes cripple the way our brains and bodies function, critiques the portrayal of elders as burdens to society, describes what an all-age-friendly world would look like, and concludes with a rousing call to action. It’s time to work together to make discrimination on the basis of age as unacceptable as any other prejudice.

Register Here!

 

New FCC Broadband Accessibility Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected devices.

This program provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward the internet for eligible households and up to $75 per month for homes on qualifying Tribal lands.

Apply and learn more at: https://acpbenefit.org/

 

Food for Older Adults: The Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Did you know the Vermont Food Bank offers a free monthly box of groceries to adults aged 60 or older who meet income guidelines? Shop for the food you like, and let the VT Food Bank take care of the rest! 

Apply or learn more at https://www.vtfoodbank.org/share-food/csfp

 

Memorable Times Online

From backyard pails to big maple farms, March is sugaring season!  

Join us on Wednesday, March 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom for our next Memorable Times Online, "Mmm Mmm Maple!"

We will share history, songs, and favorite uses of our delicious state sweet. What grade of maple syrup do you like best? 

Contact Barb Asen at [email protected] or 802-476-2681 for the Zoom link or more information.

Memorable Times Online is the virtual memory café partnership between Central Vermont Council on Aging and the ABLE Library of the Vermont Department of Libraries. It meets the first Wednesday of each month from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Zoom.  This dementia-friendly program is free and part of the memory café movement growing all around the world.  Registration is required.  Get in touch with CVCOA to find out more!  

 

"Fill Up on Fiber" Nutrition Education Event

 

Join CVCOA's Nutrition and Wellness team on February 22 at 11 AM for a nutrition education event on Zoom, led by our dietetic intern, Lindsey Robinson.

This free, public event will address factors that influence the nutritional status of older adults. Robinson will use her expertise to educate participants on nutrition-related needs and ways to meet those needs.

Join us on February 22 by clicking here, or get the link from our webpage event listing here.

 

Central Vermont Community Health Needs Assessment

 

Every three years, residents of Washington County and surrounding areas are encouraged to join the conversation about how to strengthen community health. More than 50 local organizations are working together to promote a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). This year’s CHNA survey results will inform a three-year Community Health Improvement Plan that: Identifies and prioritizes health needs Builds upon existing strengths Works on solutions with community partners Please take 10 minutes to complete the online community survey at: cvmc.org/chna2022. You'll be entered to win a $50 gift card!

 

Register for March 4 & 5 Alzheimer's Association New England Family Conference

 

We're excited to share our partnership with Alzheimer's Association for their free March 4 & 5 New England Chapter Family Conference.

This conference is designed for individuals living with dementia and family caregivers. March 4 sessions focus on individuals living with memory loss, and March 5 sessions offer a variety of topics for family caregivers.

Register for this free, virtual conference at https://www.alz.org/manh/events/family-conference

 

Keep Yourself and Your Resources Safe: Learn Ways to Avoid Scams and Fraud

Did you know The National Council on Aging has dedicated a portion of its website to sharing information about how to avoid scams and fraud? 

Articles include topics like creating strong passwords, sorting Medicare mail from junk mail, and scams directly related to COVID-19 information.

A 2019 Marketplace episode delves into the topic with a story of fraud and a look into the research about whether older adults may be more susceptible to scams. Listen to or read the transcript here: https://www.marketplace.org/2019/05/16/brains-losses-aging-fraud-financial-scams-seniors/. 

If you receive suspicious mail or phone calls, or feel unsafe using the internet to meet your needs, check out this website. Become informed and empower yourself to move through the age of information more comfortably!

Check out the NCOA Avoiding Scams website for learn more.

 

Getting vaccinated is free, safe and easy. Plus, once vaccinated, you are helping to strengthen our communities—your families, your neighbors, and the guy at the post office. We can defeat COVID-19 by adding to the number of people vaccinated.

Featured Mealsite: Quintown Senior Center

The photo below shows Phyllis Deering (left), the new director at Quintown Senior Center, with CVCOA Nutrition and Wellness Director Kathy Paquet (right).

Quintown Senior Center is just one of many mealsites receiving a 2021 Community of Strength Award, CVCOA's way of recognizing the dedication of mealsites' community service during the pandemic. 

Deering reports COVID-19 continues to create challenges for her community. She adds, "We are not discouraged but plan to keep up the fight.  Most of our ideas are at this time for the future months ahead in hopes all will be normal again."

Triple Your Crop Cash Benefits this Winter

The Cash Crop benefit from USDA and NOFA-VT has been increased for the season. Now, for every $1 of 3SquaresVT/SNAP benefits, shoppers will receive an additional $2 in Crop Cash to spend at Winter Farmer's Markets. The benefit maxes out at $20 per day.

Farmer's Markets continue this winter in  Montpelier and Northfield. More information at: https://nofavt.org/find-organic-local-food/farmers-markets

Volunteer Opportunities!

CVCOA recruits and coordinates Meals on Wheels drivers and mealsite volunteer needs throughout Central Vermont.

Can you help out?

We still need volunteers at the following locations:

• City Hotel Cafe - Barre
• Chelsea Senior Center - Chelsea
• Greater Northfield Senior Center - Northfield
• Greater Randolph Senior Center - Randolph
• Meals on Wheels of Lamoille County - Morrisville
• Montpelier Senior Activity Center - Montpelier
• Twin Valley Senior Center - East Montpelier
• Waterbury Area Senior Center - Waterbury

In addition, Green Mountain Transit seeks volunteer drivers for local rides and rides to appointments in Burlington and at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital.  Volunteers can drive as much as they would like and receive reimbursement for mileage. 

Sign up Today!

If you are interested in getting involved or want to learn more, please contact Anne Greshin, RSVP Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 802-241-4840. 

Direct Service volunteer opportunities are also available including companionship, transportation, grocery shopping, friendly calling, organizing, and more! Learn more and apply online at www.cvcoa.org/volunteering.html

 

Welcome Shai Lavi-Romer, Hybrid Case Manager / Options Counselor

We are pleased to announce that Shai will be joining us as a new Hybrid Case Management / Options Counselor. Shai grew up as the child of a rabbi and learned from a young age to be responsive to the needs of those around her. After graduating high school, Shai returned to Israel to teach and mentor children through a program called Mecchina and then served in the Israeli military. As a veteran, Shai can appreciate what some of our clients may have experienced in accessing programs or services through the VA system. After fulfilling her service in the military, Shai completed her college education and received her BA in English Literature. She has always had an interest in working with animals as well and worked at Dartmouth College as a Laboratory Animal Technician caring for animals and Rhinebeck Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Assistant supporting the Veterinarians. She left her position at Dartmouth to support her family during a time of need and is now ready to work in a position that allows her to give back to others and provide the same care, compassion, and resources she has received.

 

Welcome Lindsey Robinson, Dietetic Intern

Lindsey Robinson joins CVCOA Nutrition and Wellness team for the month of February as Dietetic Intern. Lindsey is currently completing her master's and dietetic internship through SUNY Oneonta. During her Office of the Aging rotation, she will be working to identify factors that influence the nutritional status of older adults. During her time at CVCOA, she will learn about different community nutrition programs that are intended to provide food and nutritional services to older adults.

Get Involved, Get Active: AmeriCorps Seniors

Make giving back your second act! AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers bring their unique skillsets and experiences to help people and communities thrive. AmeriCorps Seniors programs are open specifically to Americans age 55 and older. Help an older adult live independently when you join Senior Companions. Serve as a friend and companion by providing assistance and friendship to seniors who have difficulty with daily living tasks. The program aims to keep older adults independent longer, and provide respite to family caregivers.

To learn more about joining AmeriCorps Senior as a Senior Companion, contact: Sarah Semler, Director of Volunteer Services, at 802-476-0151 or [email protected].

 

Please note our offices will be closed on February 21 in observance of Presidents' Day and March 1 for Town Meeting Day.

 

Central Vermont Council on Aging does not charge central Vermonters for the services we provide. 

Change the lives of older adults in your community. 

Make a gift to CVCOA today!

 

Make an Impact: Join Our Team!

The CVCOA AmeriCorps Volunteer Outreach Member will build partnerships with community members and organizations to create a local network of direct support services for older Vermonters. This individual will also recruit and engage volunteers to provide short-term services to help people age in place.

This is a great opportunity if you are looking to transition to a new career or desire an enriching gap year. No experience necessary.

This full-time position begins March 1st, 2022 and ends August 31st, 2022. Member receives a living allowance of $10,800 (pre-tax), and an education award of $3,172.50 (pre-tax).

Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training and networking opportunities. This position is in partnership with the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps (VHCB AmeriCorps).

For a more detailed position description visit https://vhcb.org/our-programs/vhcb-americorps/positions or contact Sarah Semler, Volunteer Services Director, at 476-0151 or [email protected].