A Matter of Balance
Chances are you know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling. A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. The Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont, Inc. is looking for volunteers to help provide this program. Learn More
HHS Launches New Web Site Promoting Long
Term Care Planning
This new Web site www.longtermcare.gov will make it easier for consumers to get the information they
need to plan for long-term care. The National Clearinghouse
for Long-Term Care Information Web site provides comprehensive
information about long-term care planning, services and financing
options, along with tools to help people begin the planning
process. The clearinghouse Web site is designed to increase
public awareness about the risks and costs of long-term care
and the potential need for services, and to provide objective
information to help people plan for the future.
Healthier Living Workshops
Healthier Living Workshops are a free, six-week series which helps participants learn to live better with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. New programs begin at regular intervals. Sessions include a variety of fun activities in a very supportive atmosphere. Some topics covered are:
- techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
- appropriate use of medications
- how to talk with family, friends and health professionals so they understand your needs
- nutrition and exercise
Programs begin regularly. For information, visit this website:
Or call the local contact (see list below).
Training programs for group leaders are given from time to time, and programs are already underway around the state. To find out about potentially becoming a leader for the Healthier Living Workshops and for general information about this program, contact Terri Price at the Vermont Department of Health: tprice@vdh.state.vt.us 802-652-2096.
The contact for HLW programs and also leadership training at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is Jane Lunt, Community Health Department, 802-251-8459, jlunt@bmhvt.org.
The contact for HLW programs at Mt. Ascutney Hospital is Steve Knisley, call 802-674-7324 or email sknisely@hcrs.org.
The contact for HLW programs in the White River Junction area is Jason Aaron at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, call 802-295-9363 ext. 5806, or email jea@hitchcock.org . The contact for HLW in Bellows Falls, Springfield and southern Windsor County is Nancy Schaefer at Springfield in Motion: 885-3744, inmotion@vermontel.net
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Workshops for Caregivers:
The Caregiving Puzzle, a free series of workshops
for anyone who is caring for someone with chronic illness
or who is at the end of life. Workshops begin on June 8th
and will be held the second Thursday of each month from
4 to 5:45 at the Gathering Place in Brattleboro. For details,
contact Cheryl Richards at 802-257-0775.
Low- or No-Cost Educational Opportunity for Seniors
The Vermont State College System recently amended their
policy on senior students. Anyone who is 65 or older
can attend any of the VSC schools (Community College
of Vermont, Lyndon State, Johnson State, Castleton State
and Vermont Technical College) tuition free.
Students must be non-degree, meaning that they are not
earning a degree. Students are still responsible for the
$50.00 registration fee, and for any other fees that may
be associated with the specific course that they elect to
take. For example, art and drawing classes sometimes have
a small fee for supplies.
Exercise Opportunities
for Seniors
 Maintaining
optimum physical and mental health are important components
of successful aging. It is never too late to gain greater
stamina, strength and flexibility. You can improve your
balance, strengthen your bones, gain or lose weight.
And as you do so, your quality of life - digestion, mood,
sleep patterns, ability and desire to be actively involved
- can all get better. Exercising alone can fit into anyone’s
schedule, and is also a healthy and fun way to spend time
with friends.
Please note: not all exercise programs and not all exercises are appropriate for all people. Before beginning a new exercise or exercise program, it is best to check with your medical doctor.
You can find all kinds of exercise opportunities tailored
for seniors in Windsor
and Windham
Counties, including the Strong Living program, Bone
Builders, community-based walking
programs, and the new Steps
to Healthy Aging program where people walk with pedometers.
 Training
for Volunteer Exercise Class Leaders: Both the Strong Living
and Bone Builders programs offer training for seniors who
have taken their classes and wish to lead a class of their
own. To find out about the next Strong Living training,
contact Ronnie Friedman at wecares@sover.net
or Jennifer Layne at jennifer-layne@hotmail.com.
For information on upcoming Bone Builders trainings, contact Peter Seares or Harry Upton at pseares@greenmtncn.org or hupton@greenntncn.org or call 802-254-7515.
Windham and Windsor Counties have many sports and fitness facilities. Click here for more information (this will open a Microsoft Word document).
If you prefer to exercise alone, the National Institute
on Aging has a free guide book on exercise called Exercise:
A Guidebook from the National Institute on Aging,
which you can get by requesting a copy at www.nih.gov/nia.
Some good resources in Vermont are The Governor’s Walking
Challenge and Get Moving Vermont programs; request information
on these two programs by emailing jnyemck@vdh.state.vt.us.
You can learn about physical activity on line at www.asaging.org/cdc/.
You can compare the benefits of different exercise options
by downloading our Exercise
options and their benefits (this page will open in a
new browser window).
You can work out with a virtual trainer at www.strongwomen.com, a website where you can follow along with an exercise program. They also offer videos and DVDs of the exercise programs for sale.
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Senior Sense Articles
Monthly articles on topics of interest for Seniors, their
families and everyone who will become a senior! Mary McCallum
writes these articles, which are published in area newspapers
and collected here. Learn about the following issues and
services, and find additional information through related
links and organizations.
| Topics - click
on a title to read any of these articles |
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Advanced Directives
The Vermont legislature passed a new Advanced Directives
bill. This law will facilitate and standardize the use of
Advanced Directives, also known as Durable Power of Attorney
for Health Care and Terminal Care Documents. These documents
communicate your wishes regarding your health care should
you be incapacitated and for your end-of-life care. For
details on their use and printed or downloadable forms,
go to www.vtethicsnetwork.org
or call 802-828-2909. The Terri Schiavo case made clear
how important it is for each person to have and use these
documents. A statewide Advanced Directives Registry should
be established before the end of 2005. To view the entire
bill, go to www.leg.state.vt.us.
Annual Successful
Aging Award - Senior of the Year
Each year since 1998, the Council on Aging for Southeastern
Vermont presents a Successful Aging award to an active senior.
The award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of
individuals 75 years or older living in Windsor or Windham
Country who through actions and leadership demonstrate a
lifetime commitment to building strong communities.
 Dorothy Benham of Springfield, VT received the 2007 Successful Aging Award, an engraved hand-blown glass bowl donated by Simon Pearce.
Presenting the award at COASEV's 2007 Annual meeting are: (L to R) Lt. Governor Brian Dubie, Dorothy Benham, COASEV Executive Director Joyce Lemire, COASEV Advisory Council Chair Woody Bickford and Springfield Senior Center Board Chair Kay Mitchell.
Please click here to read about earlier recipients.
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Safe Steps
Home Safety Visits
 Safe Steps is a home assessment/modification program offered to residents of Athens, Barnard, Bellows Falls, Bridgewater, Brownsville, Chester, Cornish, Grafton, Hartland, Jamaica, Killington, Londonderry, Perkinsville, Plymouth, Pomfret, Quechee, Reading, Rockingham, Saxtons River, South Londonderry, Springfield, Townshend, Weathersfield, Westminister, Weston, Windham, Windsor, West Windsor, and Woodstock.
Eileen Katchen from the VNA or a trained volunteer will
visit you at home to show you how you can reduce your chances
of falling. They will discuss what causes falls, identify
potential fall hazards and make on-the-spot improvements.
The assessment is free and takes about one hour.
Up to $75 worth of free materials are available per home
to residents who need assistance. Items include tub mats,
non-slip rugs, reacher sticks, grab bars, tub seats and
much more. To schedule an appointment at your convenience
call Eileen at 1-800-858-1696. This program is funded by
the Holt Fund, the Council On Aging for Southesastern Vermont
and the Vermont Community Foundation.
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Walk
& Dance for Healthy Aging, Click here
to see the schedule of this year's events
 In
May of each year the Council on Aging in partnership
with local organizations, sponsors walks for healthy aging.
These "Walks" provide opportunities for organizations
to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for all ages,
as well as to raise funds for and attention to community
programs for seniors.
This year’s walks will be held in Dummerston, Putney, Springfield, Townshend, and Windsor. They are
typically 1 to 3 miles in length and are scheduled as a
morning program. Snacks and prizes are provided at the end
of the walk. This year's Dance for Healthy Aging will be in Bellows Falls, click here for details.
For a registration form, click here.
Walks are organized for three reasons:
- Walking is an active way to celebrate and enjoy healthy
aging.
- Walking is universally recommended as an ideal form
of exercise for people of all ages, shapes, sizes and
fitness levels, and especially for older adults.
- The "Walk" both raises needed funds for programs
supporting elders as well as demonstrates a healthy approach
and celebration to aging.
So, encourage people to walk with a friend or a group, and
take pleasure in aging healthily together. Walking is
a great way to reach and enjoy our senior years!
Walk participants, 2002
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Successful Aging
Initiative Grants
 Each
year, the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont accepts
proposals for Successful Aging Initiative (SAI) grants.
These grants, which range from $500 to $2000 each, are awarded
to local groups in Windham and Windsor Counties for innovative
projects involving seniors in community activities.
Funding for the grants has been appropriated by the Vermont
Legislature to help foster "Successful Aging." Read
more.
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Help with the Cost
of New Telephone Installation
Assistance is available to assist Vermonters with a limited
income to pay for the installation costs of telephone service.
You can find more information about this program by clicking
on this link to Link
Up Vermont.
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Do You have questions
about your pension plan?
- How can I find out if I am entitled to a pension?
- What should I do if I think I am entitled to a pension,
but my employer says I am not?
- How do I find out who manages the company's pension
plan?
- Will I receive payments under my former spouse's pension?
Learn more about pension assistance
Vermont
Homestead Declaration
All Vermont property owners must file a new Form HS-131
with the Vermont
Department of Taxes. This new and required Vermont Homestead
Declaration is
due by April 15th. The form is very easy to fill in. You
do not need to send
any other tax forms with it. You can file online at www.vt.gov/DoTheForm.
The form and instructions and assistance are available at
www.state.vt.us/tax,
or you can call toll-free in Vermont 1-866-828-2865. Assistance
is also available by
emailing schooltax@tax.state.vt.us.
If you need further help, call the SeniorHelpLine 1-800-642-5119.
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