Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging
EMPOWERING VERMONTERS TO AGE WITH DIGNITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
Supporting Older Vermonters Through the Older Americans Act
The Older Americans Act (OAA) is the foundation of community-based services for older adults. Through OAA funding, SVCOA provides vital supports like Meals on Wheels, caregiver assistance, case management, wellness classes, nutrition programs, and protective services—helping older Vermonters age with dignity and independence.
Learn how the OAA shapes aging services in our region and the options available to you.
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MARY HAYDEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging
(802)225-6210
maryh@vermont4a.org
October 1, 2025
Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging Expect Spike in Medicare Counseling Demand Due to Medicare Advantage Cancellations
Many Vermonters with Medicare Advantage Plans received cancellation notices effective at the end of 2025. Affected beneficiaries should carefully review and save their cancellation letter, which provides information on how and when to timely enroll in a new plan.
Vermont’s five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) administer the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (“SHIP”), offering free, unbiased, and confidential health insurance counseling, including assistance with Medicare Plan changes, for individuals, their families, and caregivers during annual open enrollment. The annual Medicare open enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to review and make changes to their coverage. With the reduction in available Medicare Advantage plans, Area Agencies on Aging expect a significant increase in the number of Vermont Medicare beneficiaries seeking SHIP open enrollment appointments to make plan changes. AAA SHIP counselors will schedule as many open enrollment appointments as possible, while serving the most vulnerable beneficiaries with complex plan changes, and those eligible for low-income programs. AAAs are also increasing the number of SHIP volunteers and interns. Area Agencies on Aging Information, Assistance, Referral and HELPLINE (800-642-5119) staff will be available
to provide general information and assistance to callers. AAAs may refer beneficiaries directly to Medicare.gov or 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) for enrollment assistance. 1-800-Medicare is staffed 24/7 and can assist with your enrollment needs.
Vermont is the third oldest state in the nation, with 155,000 Medicare beneficiaries. “Vermonters are feeling the impact of fewer Medicare insurance plans coupled with an increasing need for many other services for older and disabled Vermonters,” according to Sam Carleton, Statewide SHIP Director. “Federal funding for SHIP Programs has been reduced or remained flat year over year while the nation’s aging demographic has grown, with 11,000 baby boomers turning 65 every day. SHIP counselors are working hard to schedule as many Medicare beneficiaries with individual appointments as possible under these circumstances,” noted Carleton.
SHIP Programs are funded and regulated under the federal Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Each year, SHIP programs assist over 6,000 Vermonters in choosing the most cost-effective Medicare Plan to meet your healthcare needs. If you need to review and change your Medicare plans, please go to Medicare.gov or contact 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) for assistance. If you are 60+ or a disabled adult under 60 in need of aging services, including health insurance counseling, please call the HELPLINE at 1-800-642-5119 to be referred to your local Area Agency on Aging.
Vermont’s five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) coordinate and provide free supports that enable Vermonters and individuals with disabilities to meet their health-related social needs and age with dignity, both at home and in their communities. Our services include: case management (long-term care coordination); home-delivered meals (“Meals on Wheels”); community meals; caregiver support; information and assistance helplines; Medicare counseling and education; wellness activities and programs; and outreach and application assistance for benefits, such as VPharm, Medicare low-income savings, housing, fuel assistance, and 3SquaresVT. Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging include:
Age Well (Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden, Addison)
Central Vermont Council on Aging (Central Vermont)
Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging (Caledonia, Essex, Orleans)
Senior Solutions (Southeastern Vermont)
Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (Bennington, Rutland)
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