Case Managers continued to help elders with applications and problem solving regarding programs such as Fuel Assistance, SSI, Medicaid, Food Stamps, etc.  Case Management staff also provided support and assistance to frail and vulnerable elders who were facing long term care placement.  Case Managers assisted those who wished to remain independent access services and supports such as the Choices for Care Program which can prevent or delay nursing home placement.  Case Managers served 1,558 elders this year.

Senior HelpLine

Our Senior HelpLine provided access to information about available elder services and programs.  This phone line is used by elderly persons and their families, friends or neighbors, other service agencies and hospital staff.  Calls to the HelpLine put people in touch with our programs and, through referral, with other service providers who work with elders.  4,858 calls were processed during FY ’09. 

Elder Service Clinician 

Under a contract with United Counseling Service in Bennington and Rutland Mental Health in Rutland, the Council provided “Elder Service Clinician” services in our region.  Our Elder Care Clinicians provided in-home mental health support to more than 70 elders this year. 

Community Education 

Weekly newspaper columns, written by Barbara Hanson, provide information on issues of importance to elders.  These columns appear in the Rutland Herald as well as in the in the Meadows at East Mountain bi-monthly newsletter, The Messenger and in The Circle, a Rutland Town publication.  She has also started doing a monthly column in the Prime Time Journal. 

The Council also sends monthly public service announcements to wide variety of local print media highlighting timely items of interest to seniors.  A number of Council staff responded to requests from community groups for public presentations regarding senior issues and services. 

Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 

This important program helped elders deal with issues connected with health insurance benefits. Out of 3,330 contacts, 2,623 were related to Medicare Part D and 806 people were assisted. This federal program continues to be difficult for elders to understand and navigate. 

Senior Companion Program (SCP)

SVCOA serves as the host agency for the Senior Companion Program in our region.  Companions worked with homebound adults in need of regular contact and personal attention because of emotional and/or physical frailty.  Supervision is provided by case management staff. 19 Senior Companions working with our agency assisted more than 120 individuals this year. 

Community Resource Development 

Our Community Development survey process has been completed this past year in the towns of Sudbury and Shaftsbury and new senior groups and options have been established in each of these towns.  We also began the survey process in the towns of Mendon and Woodford.  We continued to provide technical assistance to all senior groups developed through our survey process with emphasis on Manchester, Stamford, Wallingford and Proctor.  The annual Community Development Summit was held in the fall of ‘09 with more than 50 participants. 

The Council awarded Successful Aging grants to 21 senior groups and organization in our area. 

Neighbor to Neighbor AmeriCorps Program

SVCOA is the host agency for AmeriCorps members who have been providing a variety of services for elders within our Case Management and Community Development Departments. Three members provided direct service to Case Management clients, assisted Community Resource Development staff and provided a variety of “Healthy Aging Programs” to area elders including workshops on adaptive devices, walking programs, bone builder sessions, and Sudoku classes.  One of our members helped re-establish a Parkinsons support group in Rutland and initiated an exercise program for this group.  AmeriCorps members continued to partner with At Home Senior Care on a popular “Stockings for Seniors” project during the holiday season.  

Nutrition Program 

The Council provided meals through contracts with the Bennington County Meals Program (BCMP) and Fitz-Vogt and Associates.  Additional service in Rutland County is provided through the Young at Heart Senior Center.  Service is also available in cooperation with senior groups throughout our region 

209,043 meals were served during the year.  133,035 of these were Meals on Wheels delivered to 923 elders, who resided in one of the 40 towns in our area.  The personal contact at the time of delivery provided a valuable check on the well-being of persons who live alone.  More than 800 “Blizzard Bags” containing three shelf stable meals were provided to Meals on Wheels participants and other vulnerable elders. These were packaged for use in weather related or other emergency situations.  United Way of Rutland County helped support the Meals on Wheels Program in its county and United Way of Bennington County provided partial funding for the meal program in Bennington County. 2,203 older persons participated at one or more of the meal sites in our region.  Sites vary in their days of operation, but each offers an opportunity to share good food and good company. 

The Council’s Registered Dietician provided  nutrition education and individual nutrition counseling sessions for elders.  In addition to this, a breakfast program for nutritionally at risk elders was continued in Rutland with the help of outside funding.  

Volunteer Opportunities 

SVCOA programs provided opportunities for the more than 230 volunteers connected with our agency.  We are grateful to these volunteers who served as Board and Advisory Council members, meal drivers and servers, Senior Companions, SHIP and Money Management volunteers, or as Community Development partners. 

National Family Caregiver Support Program 

The Council continued to support caregivers in our region, providing caregiver information through our Senior HelpLine.  In addition, we administered the Alzheimer Dementia Respite Grant Program for our region; 59 grants were awarded to eligible caregivers. 

NFCSP grants were made to community providers including the Vermont Veterans Home, the Alzheimer’s Association, Bennington Project Independence  and both the Rutland and Bennington Caregiver Coalitions.  A February day long conference event sponsored by the Rutland Coalition entitled “Care for the Caregiver” attracted 80 participants. 713 caregivers participated in a variety of presentations on topics such as “Person Centered Care”, and “Legal Issues for Caregivers” 

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