Every year during May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the celebration and observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year marks the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month, and the theme this year is “Aging Unbound”, which encourages and promotes the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age.
How Age Well Encourages “Aging Unbound”
Age Well is committed to reducing barriers by providing access to healthy meals, in-home care, and community resources that are designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients, their families, and caregivers here in Vermont.
Here are some of the many ways Age Well helps older Vermonters with “Aging Unbound”:
Embrace the opportunity to change
Find a new passion, go on an adventure, and push boundaries by not letting age define your limits. Invite creativity and purpose into your life by trying new activities in your community to bring in more growth, joy, and energy.
There are so many opportunities to find new passions and gain new skills as you age. There is no better time than the present to become an expert on cooking, for example. If you need extra support, 3SquaresVT is here to help provide financial assistance to purchase groceries! Age Well can help you apply and see what you may be eligible to, learn more about 3SquaresVT.
Are you ready to go on an adventure in your community? Apply for a Green Mountain Passport! This is a discount program for older adults and veterans and allows them to gain free admission to Vermont State Parks, Vermont State Historic sites, and events that are fully state sponsored. To receive your Green Mountain Passport card, you must:
- Fill out at application at your town or city’s clerk’s office
- Pay a one-time $2 fee to the municipal clerk
- Receive your card!
See the list of Vermont State Parks
Explore the rewards of growing older
With age comes knowledge, which provides insight and confidence to understand and experience the world more deeply. Continue to grow that knowledge through reading, listening, classes, and creative activities.
There are so many opportunities for older adults to reap the rewards of aging. Age Well has partnered with GetSetUp, an online learning channel that provides Vermont residents who are 60 and older with free access to live interactive online classes taught by older adults for older adults. Learners can choose from a catalog of over 3,000 classes that shift weekly and are available around the clock for the next year, to make digital learning, connection, and exploration a reality. To learn more about GetSetUp and enroll in your classes, visit https://www.getsetup.io/partner/vermont.
There are also activities and exercises such as Tai Chi that will help to improve your balance, mobility, and strength. Endorsed by The Arthritis Foundation and the Center for Disease Control and Injury Prevention (CDC), Tai Chi is an evidence-based health program that reduces stiffness and pain, keeping joints mobile. Age Well provides classes for individuals who are 60+ years of age. Taught by certified volunteer trainers, there is no charge for these classes, but donations are gratefully accepted.
“By doing Tai Chi, not only is my balance more stable standing and walking, but it’s also allowed me to be discharged from outpatient physical therapy for both my hip and wrist sooner!”
– Diane, a Tai Chi participant
Stay engaged in your community
Everyone benefits when everyone is connected and involved. Stay active by volunteering, working, mentoring, participating in social clubs, and taking part in activities at your local senior center or elsewhere in the community.
Stay engaged in your community by giving your time and impacting a life. When you volunteer with Age Well you can help take care of those who once took care of us. Opportunities include friendly visits, grocery shopping, delivering Meals on Wheels, and much more. Learn more about volunteering with Age Well.
If someone you know needs assistance, connect them with Age Well and we will ensure they stay healthy and independent as long as possible. Contact the Helpline at 1-800-642-5119.
You can also stay engaged when you watch our new show “Aging Matters”, airing on CCTV in partnership with MVP Health Care. Each episode features our CEO Jane Catton, sitting down with topic experts to discuss issues that are important to older Vermonters.
Aging Matters episodes include:
- The Social Determinants of Health with Age Well Board President and Public Health Expert, Dr. Allan Ramsay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuvmEnUsNqY
- Food Insecurity with Age Well Director of Nutrition & Wellness, Chris Moldovan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z_ZHruhVa8
- Caregivers Need Support Too with Age Well Director of Volunteer Services, Erica Marks, and Jennifer Harbison, one of Age Well’s Caregiver Support Specialists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODua_nzm9Jg
- What is Hoarding Disorder with Derek Souza, Age Well Specialized Case Manager and Co-Chair of the Hoarding Resource and Support Team in Chittenden County: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwOcpCD39Ng
These episodes can also be found on Age Well’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AgeWellVT
Form relationships
As an essential ingredient of well-being, relationships can enhance your quality of life by introducing new ideas and unique perspectives. Invest time with people to discover deeper connections with family, friends, and community members.
Form relationships with other older Vermonters when you attend any of our Community Meal events or participate in our Restaurant Ticket Program. For those able to venture out, we serve nutritious meals in over 70 gathering places and restaurants throughout Northwestern Vermont.
Learn more about these events and more: agewellvt.org/services/food-meal-delivery/community-meals/
You can also check out our Calendar of Events to see what else is going on in your local community, and where you might be able to bring your friends, or meet new ones: agewellvt.org/events/
Be sure to subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to stay up-to-date on all our programs and events: agewellvt.org/about/e-newsletter
Thank you for joining Age Well in celebrating Older Americans Month 2023!
