Growing older together—
CVCOA and you!
Healthy Eating, Healthy Aging
Sharing the harvest of their gardens with friends and
neighbors is a long-held tradition among Vermonters. Earl
Kalliosaari, new to Cabot last year, is one who carries it to the
extreme and has already become an important partner in
CVCOA’s Healthy Eating as We Age project.
Born and raised on a Michigan farm, then farming on his own
after thirty-three years in the Navy, Earl doesn’t call himself a
farmer anymore. But we consider him a very generous gardener. He grows beans, carrots, beets, four varieties of
squash, sweet corn, cucumbers … really, most every vegetable you can think of. “I plant a lot for myself and some to
give away. I gave several buckets a week to the Senior Center
in Marshfield during last year’s growing season and have
more in storage for these winter months as well.” Clearly, Earl
knows that fresh food is essential to healthy aging.
Earl Kalliosaari of Cabot bringing winter squash
to Rita Copeland, Director of the Twin Valley
Senior Center in Marshfield for senior meals.
According to the center’s director Rita Copeland, “Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we serve
around 30 seniors who come to the meal site. We also deliver meals to the homes of more than 50 who
cannot get here. Earl’s donations of lots of fresh vegetables allow us to purchase other needed items for
our meals program. ”
We urge other gardeners to follow Earl’s example by planting extra rows
to donate to their local senior meal site. In fact, Earl says he plans
to expand his 2,100 square-foot garden for this year’s planting
“so there will be more for senior meals . . . if I can just fake out that raccoon
who helps himself to my beautiful vegetables.”
Winter 2012
Page 2
Central Vermont Council on Aging
Our Mission
Central Vermont
Council on Aging (CVCOA)
supports elders and family
caregivers in leading healthy,
independent, meaningful
and dignified lives in their
homes & communities.
CVCOA serves adults 60 years
of age and older, as well as
family members and caregivers.
We serve 54 towns,
including all towns in the
counties of Lamoille, Orange
(except Thetford) and Washington, and also the towns of
Bethel, Granville, Hancock,
Pittsfield, Rochester, Royalton,
Sharon and Stockbridge.
Board of Directors
John Castaldo, President
Robert Borden, Vice Pres./Sec.
Dennis Minoli, Treasurer
Kay Charron
Rich Drill
Gertrude Hodge
Marty Levin
Eileen Murphy
Central VT Council on Aging
59 N. Main Street, Suite 200
Barre, VT 05641-4121
Phone: 802-479-0531 (V/TTY)
Fax: 1-802-479-4235
Toll free: 1-877-379-2600
Email: [email protected]
www.cvcoa.org
Editor: Jeanne Kern
[email protected]
CVCOA is a 501(c)(3) private
nonprofit organization
Reflections on Caregiving
Seven years ago this week, my 86-year-old
mother died. She was at home, surrounded by
Beth Stern
Executive Director
her family, and supported by hospice services so
that she was not in pain. She was able to direct
her care and her death to a large degree, informing us what services
and treatments she wanted or didn’t want , correcting our grammar in
her obituary, and letting us know what kinds of memorial service we
should have after her death.
My mother was fortunate that she was cognizant at the end of her life
and that our family, even though spread across the country, could be
with her during her last few weeks. Without her family and informal
supports, she would have been in a hospital or nursing home-- at both a
greater cost to society and to her emotional state during this sensitive
time.
While my siblings and I took care of my mother 24/7, others took care of
us. We had respite services, friends provided meals, and a case manager checked in with us to see how we were doing and what we
needed. Caregiver support is crucial to allowing elders at all stages of
life to remain at home as long as possible.
CVCOA supports caregivers in a variety of ways, including:

Our Family Caregiver Support Coordinator who provides
information, newsletters and classes;

Respite grants to help caregivers get a much-needed break;

“Reach Out,” a new “evidence based” support program for
dementia caregivers delivered by our Case Managers;

Partnership with the REACH Care Bank;

Volunteer services through our Neighbor to Neighbor AmeriCorps, Senior Companion and RSVP programs;

Case Management for individuals and caregivers.
Caregiving, continued on p. 4
Page 3
Growing Older Together!
Serving Seniors:
CVCOA Board of Directors
Kay Charron of Woodbury joined the CVCOA Board
of Directors in 2010. She was recently retired from
her 38-year career in education and human services
when CVCOA’s Executive Director, Beth Stern, called
to ask Kay if she was interested in serving on the
Board. Kay was quick to respond. “I knew I wanted
to be involved with several initiatives in my retirement. So when Beth called, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. I’d done some work with the Area
Agencies on Aging in the early 90’s and had always
been interested in senior issues.”
Front row (l. to r.) Gertrude Hodge, Rich Drill and Kay Charron.
Back row (l. to r.) Robert Borden, Dennis Minoli, John Castaldo and
Marty Levin. Board member Eileen Murphy is missing from the photo.
Kay respects and values what seniors have accomplished for their communities
and believes that seniors still offer an incredible resource of skills and contribu“If CVCOA’s Board
can influence
aging services
to better empower
tions that, sadly, often go unrecognized and under-utilized. “I watched my
grandmother and father, both strong and capable individuals, grow old. In
spite of health challenges, they each retained their positive and happy personalities and continued to adjust and adapt how they did things so they could still
do lifelong activities and contribute to others.” Kay is always amazed at the
courage and determination of seniors. Kay would like to use her role on the
and value seniors
CVCOA Board to find ways to honor and strengthen the power of seniors in
in our communities,
their communities. Societal images of aging are changing. Kay wants the social
we all benefit.”
biases and discriminations against seniors to change and for seniors to be respected elders who offer wise guidance, joy, and harmony to younger generations. “If CVCOA’s Board can influence aging services to better empower and
value seniors in our communities, we all benefit.”
Kay encourages others who are passionate about the lives of seniors to consider joining the
CVCOA Board of Directors. There are current openings. Learn more at www.cvcoa.org.
Central Vermont Council on Aging
Page 4
CVCOA Launches
New Website
Visitors to the CVCOA website will see our redesigned
website incorporating our new
logo and colors. The improved
navigation makes it easier to
locate information about caregiver support, health insurance
counseling, fuel assistance and
more. It also offers a calendar
of events and links to countless
resources. We invite you to
check it out and let us know
what you think.
Visit www.cvcoa.org
Reflections on Caregiving, continued from p.2
Caregiver Respite
Grants Available
Current projections show level funding for most of these services. However, if the proposed state budget passes as presented, we could see sigDementia Care Respite Grant
nificant revenue decreases for Case Management services we provide to  provides up to $1000 to
many vulnerable seniors and their caregivers – those in the Choices for
unpaid family caregivers of
Care program, which provides care in the home rather than a nursing
persons of any age with
irreversible dementia who
home.
live at home
If you are a caregiver and need information or support, please give us a
call. If you have a caregiver or know a caregiver, please share this information with them and encourage them to call us!
We are also looking for caregivers who are willing to share how you
make a difference for the elders you care for. A human face to go along
with the budget numbers can go a long way in helping legislators and
others understand what caregivers do and what supports they need.
Please let us help you with information and access to caregiver services,
and if you can help us with a story or letter about what you do, please let
us know.
Family Caregiver Respite Grant
 provides up to $500 to
unpaid family caregivers of
a person 60+ who needs
help with at least two activities of daily living (ADLS)
such as eating, dressing or
personal care
Call the Senior Helpline
at 1-800-642-5119
for eligibility requirements
and applications.
Page 5
Growing Older Together!
Tai Chi for Wellness
Neighbor to Neighbor AmeriCorps
(N2N) members and community
volunteers – an agile group of 20 –
are now trained and ready to lead
Tai Chi for Arthritis, an evidence-based
program sponsored by the
Arthritis Foundation.
Ellie Hayes, long term leader of
Tai Chi who participated in this class,
is offering Tai Chi at the Barre Senior
Center on Wednesday mornings,
10:45 - 11:30 am.
Additional sessions are being set up.
Call N2N at 476-2674 to find out
more about health education
programs and Tai Chi.
New Registered
Dietitian
New Eldercare
Clinician
Bobbi Rood will be
CVCOA introduces
working with CVCOA
Jayna Chelm, our
new Registered Die- as the new eldercare
clinician in Washingtitian who has a
ton County. The Verpassion for health
and wellness. Jayna mont Elder Care Cliniwill make home vis- cian Program is a service provided to help
its to meet one to
older adults 60+ who
one with elders
experience mental health concerns such as depreswith nutrition
needs to discuss ways to improve their diets. Rec- sion, anxiety, and substance abuse that interfere with
their daily lives. This program is a joint initiative of
ommendations for these visits come from our
Vermont Mental Health Services and the Division of
case management staff.
Disability and Aging Services (Department of
Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living).
Jayna will be writing nutrition articles to be distributed at meal sites and with Meals on Wheels.
Bobbi visits elders in their home and works closely
She will be working with cooks at our meal sites
with
case managers. She is a licensed clinical social
developing menus and helping them to include
worker. Her background includes working as a Medimore fresh and local foods. “I am excited to be
cal Social Worker for Central Vermont Home Health
part of the CVCOA team and strive to improve
and
Hospice and as a case manager with the CRT proquality of life in the community."
gram at Washington County Mental Health Services.
Page 6
Central Vermont Council on Aging
Healthy Eating as We Age Update
Last year, CVCOA received an initial $42,500 grant from the Walmart Foun-
Medicare & You
Workshops
dation along with $3,000 in local fundraising for our Healthy Eating as We
Age project. Our goal is to include two servings of local, fresh produce in
each meal prepared for older central Vermonters at 14 CVCOA-sponsored
meal sites. During the first year, 104,127 of these meals were served or delivered to 2,118 seniors. Much of the produce was purchased from 34 central Vermont farmers, which translates into a $38,250 investment in the local economy.
Thus far this year, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Foundation awarded a
$25,000 grant, and $2,000 from local donors has been raised. Still, we must
continue to seek additional funding because the cost of purchasing the
produce is approximately $100,000 per year. To help meet our goal, please
consider a contribution from your garden or financial support for this im-
New to Medicare?
Unsure what to do or
which plan to choose?
Join Dagny Hoff,
SHIP Regional Coordinator,
for a free workshop
that will provide you
with answers.
Medicare & You workshops
are held on the 2nd & 4th
Tuesday of the month
here at CVCOA in Barre,
3:00—4:30 pm.
portant project.
Call 479-0531 to register.
$10 will pay for 2 servings of fresh produce for 20 meals;
$25 will pay for 50 meals; $50 will pay for 100 meals;
and $100 will pay for 200 meals.
Next workshops:
February 14 & 28
March 13 & 27
April 10 & 24
We appreciate your generosity more than you can know!
CVCOA staff and volunteers brightened the holiday
for elders in the community.
They prepared and delivered 241 hot turkey
dinners on Christmas Day.
And a gift was presented with each meal.
Chris Shaw of the Senior Helpline has coordinated
this event for the past 10 years.
Many thanks to all who helped make this possible,
especially Hunger Mountain Coop for the 100 bags
of groceries, Union Mutual Insurance, and the employees
at the Vermont Agency on Transportation.
Page 7
Growing Older Together!
Thank You!
Thank you for helping elders in our communities to age with independence &
dignity through your generous support of CVCOA and its many programs including RSVP, Senior Companion & Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) AmeriCorps.
We apologize for any names we may have inadvertently omitted.
Donations received October - December 2011.
Businesses & Organizations
Concept 2
Donald P. Blake, Jr. Inc.
Hannaford's
Hooker & Whitcomb Funeral Home
Hunger Mountain Cooperative
Isham-Berwick Agency, Inc.
Laraway Youth & Family Services
Manufacturing Solutions, Inc.
Northfield Senior Center
Osterman & Burke, PC
Perry’s Oil Service
Price Chopper
Shaw’s
Swenson Granite Company
Union Bank
Union Mutual Insurance
Vermont Assn. Blind & Visually Impaired
Walmart
Wells River Savings Bank
Windshield World
Individuals
Anonymous (5)
Gladys Agell
Lucille Aja
Mark & Patricia Austin
Rico Babic
David & Priscilla Bartlett
Theresa Benway
Chuck & Barbara Bohn
Robert Borden
Greg & Susan Boyd
Annette Bryan
Becky Buchanan
Chip & Lisa Castle
Catherine Cerulli
Fred & Nancy Cleveland
Roberta Dahlkemper
Delta Dalton
Jane Deschamps
Dennis DeVaux
Norma Donovan
Sandra Doyle
William Doyle
Richard Drill
David & Claire Duke
Dorothy Duranleau
John & Julie Egenberg
Marcia Farley
William & Genevieve Fleming
Merilyn Friberg
Steve Gould
Terence & Gisele Hodgdon
Robert & Sally Harter
Maria Hartmann
Joan Higgins
Audrey Huntington
Paul & Peggy Irons
Louise Katz
Eudora Kennison
Jeanne & Otto Kinzel
Anthony Klein
Edmond Lafond
Dorothy Larsen
Paul Libercent
Virgil & Margaret Liberty
Brenda Lindeman
Thomas & Joyce MacNair
Arnold Marek
Douglas Marineau
Whitney & Priscilla Maxfield
Judy Miles
Dennis & Carol Minoli
William Mitchell
Marilyn Morey
George Mowen
Linda Paradee
Katherine & John Paterson
Catherine Pecor
Agnes Perantoni
Doris Persons
Paulette Petrelle
Linda Pomerleau
Robert & Nancy Pope
Marjorie Power
Roxanna Quero
Joanne Riddel
Frank & Caroline Scott
Mike Segale
Andrew Shuford
Brenda Sirovich
Marguerite Smyrski
Aldo & Fedora Somaini
Mona Stearns
Josephine Stocker
William & Lillian Sullivan
Frederic & Diane Swan
Alexander Thayer
Lynne Walther
Stuart & Sarah Williams
In Memory:
Robert E. Gergely
-Betty Gergely
Rosemary Harris
- Richard G. Harris
Florence Pinard
- Lori Pinard
Anne Pincus
- Jane Pincus
Rexford Roberts
- Claire Roberts
Alfred E. Tumminia
- Elia Davis
In Honor of:
Gloria Clarke
- Gerhard & Susan Botha
Suzan Condon
- Ilse Krutak
CVCOA
- Janice Aja
Eleanor Smith
- Donald Provasi
59 N. Main Street, Suite 200
Barre, VT 05641-4121
Visit:
www.cvcoa.org
Options for Seniors & Caregivers • Senior Helpline 1-800-642-5119
Call for Artists The Art of Creative Aging
CVCOA happily announces the third annual
Art of Creative Aging—a juried exhibit featuring
work of older (70+) visual artists living in
Washington, Lamoille and Orange counties.
Interested artists are asked to submit
digital photographs of up to three art works
for review by the jury.
Deadline for digital submissions is March 16th.
Send submissions to Margaret Harmon at
[email protected]. She may be reached at
802-476-2681 for more information.
All work chosen for the exhibit will be for sale.
Artists will establish a price considering 60% of the
sale for themselves, the remainder for CVCOA
and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Opening Reception will be held Thursday,
May 3rd, 5– 7 pm.
The Art of Creative Aging will be on exhibit at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier throughout May.