Act 156, the Older Vermonters Act, set forth a vision in which communities thrive because Vermonters of all ages are valued, supported, and able to live their best lives. The principles of the Act promote "aging with health, choice, and dignity in order to establish and maintain an age-friendly state for all Vermonters."
Senior Solutions, a nonprofit organization that serves adult and family caregivers throughout the state, is now partnering with the Windham Aging Initiative, a visionary group of well-informed individuals and service organizations "immersed in creating a bright future" for older Vermonters and modeling what aging well can look like.
According to a news release, more than one in four residents of Windham County - nearly 11,000 people - are 65 or older. By 2030, the U.S. Census projection is that one in three will be 65 or older.
The poverty rate for those over 65 in Windham County is about 11%, which translates into more than 1,200 older Vermonters in Windham County living at or below the federal poverty level. That number could increase substantially by the end of the decade.
Senior Solutions said "we need to ask ourselves 'what are we doing as a state and as a county to ensure that aging people in Vermont will have the opportunities and resources to survive - let alone thrive - in their communities?'" Other guiding questions include assessing whether the organization is listening to learn what is important to and for older Vermonters, and whether Windham County can be seen as an "age-friendly" corner of Vermont.
One kind of event Senior Solutions hosts throughout the state to address these concerns is Memory Cafés. They say a memory café "is a welcoming place for caregivers and their loved ones who are challenged with forms of dementia or other cognitive disorders and debilitating conditions." At these gatherings, folks may socialize, listen to music, play games, enjoy nutritious snacks, and connect.
Memory Cafés will be held monthly from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the following towns:
• Brattleboro, fourth Mondays, American Legion Post 5 (32 Linden St.).
• Chester, first Thursdays, Willard Hall at the rear of St. Luke's Episcopal Church on the Village Green (313 Main St.).
• Wilmington, third Thursdays, downtown at The Old Firehouse (18 Beaver St.).
For more information on Windham Aging, visit windhamaging.com. For info on Memory Cafés, contact Joann Erenhouse at 802-885-2669, or email [email protected].
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.