June 2022 Newsletter

What Makes it Summer for You??

Summer in Vermont makes us think of blueberries, fog-filled valleys in the morning light, a lush, variegated green seen from every window, outdoor concerts, markets, and events. What is it that encapsulates that summer feeling for you?

No matter how you prefer to spend the summer months, we have a number of programs, events, and resources to present for your consideration.

Make an intention to learn, volunteer, and engage in the community in a way that serves you this summer.

Recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.

WEAAD is a call-to-action for society’s individuals, organizations, and communities to educate each other on how to identify, address and prevent abuse so we can all do our part to support everyone as we age.

We can all take steps to prevent elder abuse from happening in our communities. The National Center on Elder Abuse makes it easy with a flyer offering 12 action items. Get started today! Click here to download 12 Things Everyone Can Do to Prevent Elder Abuse.

It's Time to Change the Narrative

Looking for a summer project? Join the movement to End Ageism by checking out Changing the Narrative and making a commitment to learn about ageist stereotypes and ideas that abound in our culture. 

Start off by downloading the free communication toolkit, and see where the movement leads you.

Together, we can reframe the way we think and talk about aging in Central Vermont!

Click here to learn more about Changing the Narrative on their website.

Donate to Support Creative Aging!

We look forward to seeing you at our community event, Creative Aging Celebration, this Friday, June 3rd between 4pm and 7pm! Click here for complete event details.

We need your help to continue our Creative Aging Initiative in Central Vermont, and to sustain and develop our Creative Care Kit program. Arts opportunities are a great way to enhance meaningful social connection and build new skills at any age. Our goal is to raise $5000 by the end of our Creative Aging Celebration event. Join us in supporting older adults to age with dignity and choice!

Click here to donate today!

Education Event for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: June 8 at 1 PM

Register today for the 3rd annual Bet Tzedek World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 8 from 1 PM to 3 PM EST. This free workshop is a great resource for our community partners. 

Visit https://www.bettzedek.org/weaad22 to register---space is limited!

Opt-in to Summer School: Check Out BrainGuide

BrainGuide by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is a first-of-its-kind platform that empowers people with knowledge and resources to take the best next steps in managing their own or a loved one’s brain health.

BrainGuide can help whether you’re interested in protecting your brain health, you’ve been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease, or you’re concerned about a family member.

BrainGuide begins with an automated, confidential, self-administered memory questionnaire, developed with input from memory experts, that can be taken on behalf of yourself or someone you care about. Once you complete the questionnaire, BrainGuide offers tailored education and resources to help you find the best next steps in your or a loved one’s brain health journey. BrainGuide does not provide a diagnosis.

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s worked in close collaboration with medical, technology, and industry experts to innovate and carefully create BrainGuide, and was developed with in-kind and financial support from Biogen. The platform runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS), using state-of-the-art technologies to power the memory questionnaire capability and make it available to anyone with a telephone or internet access. BrainGuide is part of the long-term commitment from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s to ensuring that no one is lost to Alzheimer’s disease.

We here at CVCOA are pleased to share this platform, and we encourage you to take the first step in acting on your brain health today by visiting www.MyBrainGuide.org or calling 855-272-4641.

Marcy Kreitz recently joined the team as Data Assistant for Nutrition & Wellness in the Barre office. She has a gWelcome Marcy!reat deal of experience working with older adults through social work, administrative work, and person-centered care.

She has most recently been working at CVMC at Express Care and various primary care offices as an Administrative Assistant Floater. Marcy is excited to find an organization that has a compelling mission and one where she can grow and learn as a professional.

In addition to her interest in working with older adults, Marcy is a professional photographer.

Volunteer Your Time During Longer Days

It can be daunting to offer your time and talent without knowing exactly what expectations might come along with a new volunteer position. We want to make it simple for you to join our amazing team of Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers where you will lift your spirits and someone else's.

Choose the location that's most convenient for you. We have openings in East Montpelier, Waterbury, Montpelier, Lamoille County, and Barre.

You will be assigned to one (or more, depending on your availability) shift per week. Start by picking up meals at the nutrition program. Then, you will deliver 6-10 meals to community members through a friendly handoff. Your entire shift will take less than two hours, and most nutrition programs offer mileage reimbursement to drivers.

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

Summer Tunes with Memorable Times Online

Wednesday, July 6, 10:30 - 11:30 AM  "Summer Tunes All Request Show with Scotland!" Memories of fun in the sun, cafes and jukeboxes on both sides of the Atlantic!

Come enjoy sharing of stories, memories, music and community at the next Memorable Times Online. 

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! 

Medicare and You Workshops

Join us Tuesday, June 21 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Zoom for our next Medicare & You Workshop. 

CVCOA offers this workshop regularly to help individuals who are new to the Medicare system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CVCOA is offering Medicare & You sessions remotely using Zoom.

If you want to participate, pre-register by calling 802-479-0531 or by sending an email with your name, address, phone number, and the date of the workshop you would like to register for, to: [email protected].

We will then email you information on how to join in the workshop session on Zoom.

Do Something You'll Love: Become a Senior Companion!

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.

Senior Companions receive a tax-free stipend that does not effect Social Security and mileage reimbursement. To qualify, Senior Companions must be considered low-income according to federal guidelines and commit to serving at least 10-12 hours per week. Inquire today to see if you qualify!

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].

 Summer Camp Anyone?? Virtual LGBTQ+ Elders Conference on June 24!

Whether you're looking for CEUs or resources and programs, check out the 11th annual LGBTQ+ Elders Conference. It's a virtual one-day conference focusing on interdisciplinary practice and community engagement for people working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning + older adults and caregivers. People looking for alternative resources, services, or community programs to help support their individual aging or caregiving needs are also invited to attend.

This year’s keynote speaker is award-winning filmmaker Stu Maddux, who will present Social Isolation, Loneliness and Resilience in LGBTQ Older Adults. The conference will also offer 9 workshops during 3 sessions. 

Learn more and register at https://lgbtqeldersconference.org/

Featured Nutrition Program: FEAST

FEAST Farm Stand A low-cost, city run, senior centered farm stand serving anyone who would benefit from access to local, healthy vegetables sold under the market rate. Wednesdays 1pm-3pm June 15 through October Located in Front of the Montpelier Senior Activity Center, 58 Barre Street

"Over the past few months here at FEAST we have put a lot of effort into creating robust intergenerational programming. Our aim has been to bring in volunteers and program participants of all ages. As Marc Freedman says in his book How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations, “when younger and older connect, the intergenerational relationships built are a route to success in early life and a key to happiness and well-being in our later years.” This month at FEAST, we are saying “goodbye” to our very first high school interns. Our high school internship program started in January of this year. We worked with Montpelier High School to build a program that offered job training opportunity as well as high school credits for our participants. Our first four high school interns worked in our kitchen with Chef Shalonda, washing, chopping, cooking, and packing meals for the FEAST program. They also brought smiles energy and enthusiasm to our kitchen. Chef Shalonda taught them kitchen skills and other job readiness skills. They also completed online coursework related to the service industry. The students earned 3.5 school credits for their work here. We loved having them in the kitchen and are so proud of what they accomplished in their time here. Next fall we will continue the program with a new batch of students.

As summer makes itself quite apparent here in Central Vermont we are looking forward to launching some new FARM programs. We spent the winter fundraising and planning big things with the Parks Department employees who head up our FEAST Farm. The FEAST farm is a collaboration between the Parks Department and the Montpelier Senior Activity Center. FEAST Farm grows vegetables for our FEAST meals, The Montpelier Food Pantry, and Community Harvest of Central Vermont. In addition, they hold summer camps for school aged children, host high school students from the Montpelier Youth Conservation Corps, and host Senior farm volunteer days.

The FEAST farm will also be growing vegetables so that we can have our very own affordable Farm Stand here at MSAC! This farm stand in generously funded by CVCOA and AARP. In addition to providing vegetables our farm stand will also be a chance for Covid-safe, outdoor socialization. We aim to create a welcoming and consistent gathering space including music, artwork, and even cooking demonstrations."

- Kim Myers, FEAST Senior Meals Program Manager at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center

Yo, Is This Ageist: Workplace Settings

We are big fans of Ashton Applewhite's anti-ageism work. Check out her video addressing a workplace culture that disparages older people.

 Get Set Up: June Series

Join GetSetUp for a series of free, live, online classes designed to give your mind the attention and care it needs.

And if this topic isn't of interest to you, but online learning is---click the button below to explore the over 3000 virtual classes now available for free to adults age 60 and over in Vermont!

Click here to signup for GetSetUp and book a class today!

Age Outdoors & Be Tick Smart

The best way to prevent tickborne diseases is to prevent tick bites. In Vermont, tickborne illnesses are most common from early spring through late fall since ticks are most active during warm months.

Take action to decrease your risk of infection. Wear a repellent containing up to 30% DEET, check your body daily for ticks, and limit your exposure to ticks and tick habitats.

Click here to learn more at the Vermont Dept. of Health website.

Make an Impact: Join Our Team!

CVCOA has wonderful openings for people looking to contribute to our mission. Visit https://www.cvcoa.org/employment.html to learn more!