You Made a Difference! Our heartfelt appreciation to all who gave to AOASCC through this year’s Great Give sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. Together we are continuing tohelp individuals remain safely at home,support caregivers &provide opportunities to stay healthy and engaged.
A special thank you also goes out to Griswold Home Carefor providing an incentive to encourage giving to agencies serving older adults!
72 artists form 29 towns throughout Connecticut, displaying 152 works of art. Come “walk the halls” of this year’s art exhibition and be inspired! Visit the Online Art Gallery & be sure to sign our guestbook and vote for your favorites! Save the date – Artist Celebration online, May 27 at 2 p.m. Be sure to RSVP.
This is our 9th year celebrating older artists in our communities as part of Older Americans Month. The theme for OAM 2021 is “Communities of Strength.” Older adults have built resilience and strength over their lives through successes, failures, joys, and difficulties. By sharing their stories and contributions, older adults inspire others and are part of building strong communities.
Your Support Makes a Difference – Donations received above the cost of the art show are added to the client fund. This provides for our clients when they have needs that available funding sources do not cover, such as help with an electric bill or out-of-pocket costs for a chairlift.
Getting Ready to Go! The Foster Grandparent and Senior Grandparent Programs held a Care Package Drive through day, coordinated by staff Judy and Jeannette. Program volunteers were given masks, gloves and hand sanitizer with the hopes that they can be active soon in their community. All the volunteers were grateful, happy to be out and ready to tackle this year. Pictured here is Miss Brenda Moore one of the many Senior Volunteers that love participating and helping others in their community. BETTER DAYS ARE COMING!
Caregiver Corner – When Communication is Difficult Are you taking care of someone who has difficulty communicating with you? Perhaps it’s due to dementia, or hearing loss? Maybe they’re in the late stages of a critical illness and speaking is too much effort for them. It is extremely frustrating for the caregiver to try and understand what the person they’re caring for wants and needs when they don’t have feedback to inform them. As caregivers, we want to solve problems; help the person we’re caring for to be as comfortable as possible, but it’s so difficult to do when they have trouble communicating. It might surprise you to learn that sometimes the best thing you can do is to stop trying to communicate, trying to help, trying to solve problems. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just sit and listen to each other breathe. It is comforting to people to know they’re not alone. Someone who cares for them is with them in their weakest moments, just breathing together. As you sit with someone is these quiet moments, you’ll be surprised at the thoughts that cross your mind, the memories that pop into your consciousness. Some of them will be happy, some melancholy, some sad or even angry. The content doesn’t matter because the impact will be the same. The memories will bring you closer to the other person. Quietly, allowing the memories to enter your mind, will afford the opportunity for the memory to be examined in the perspective of the present moment. Is this the final thought you want to hold on to? Can you let the memory go and forgive the hard feelings, let go of the sadness, enjoy the happy memories? This silent communication can be a gift to you. Spend time with the person you care for unwrapping the gift.
Care for the Caregiver Support Group Please join Patricia and Kathi every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 4pm-5pm via Zoom for our virtual support group. Our goal is to explore many topics related to caregiving as well as sharing your experiences with other caregivers. Support groups provide a safe and supportive environment and can provide additional tools that can help throughout your caregiving journey. Call Patricia Soos at 203-785-8533 X3159 or email at [email protected] to register. Once you are registered the Zoom link will be provided.
Tips for Healthy Eating Always try to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables.Remember that there are protein sources other than animal product such as nuts and beans. Choose low-fat dairy options. Check out some more tips for healthy shopping on a budge on our website & while you are there, find out how SNAP can make those grocery dollars go further!
The CHOICES program can provide you with individualized, and unbiased Medigap options counseling. You can reach a counselor at 800-994-9422. CHOICES is the state health insurance program where certified counselors are available to provide accurate, impartial information about Medicare.
This is our 9th year celebrating older artists in our communities as part of Older Americans Month. The theme for OAM 2021 is “Communities of Strength.” Older adults have built resilience and strength over their lives through successes, failures, joys, and difficulties. By sharing their stories and contributions, older adults inspire others and are part of building strong communities.
Care for the Caregiver Support Group Please join Patricia and Kathi every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 4pm-5pm via Zoom for our virtual support group. Our goal is to explore many topics related to caregiving as well as sharing your experiences with other caregivers. Support groups provide a safe and supportive environment and can provide additional tools that can help throughout your caregiving journey. Call Patricia Soos at 203-785-8533 X3159 or email at [email protected] to register. Once you are registered the Zoom link will be provided. 
Tips for Healthy Eating Always try to make half of your plate fruits and vegetables.Remember that there are protein sources other than animal product such as nuts and beans. Choose low-fat dairy options. Check out some more tips for healthy shopping on a budge on our website & while you are there, find out how SNAP can make those grocery dollars go further!