Project Grant 21SCFVT001

AGE WELL IS THE LARGEST OF THE FIVE AREA AGENCIES ON AGING (AAA) IN VERMONT. THE OTHER FOUR AGENCIES ARE IN FAVOR OF US TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS STATEWIDE APPLICATION, DUE TO OUR STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM THAT HAS NEARLY 1282 PARTICIPANTS. WE HAVE SERVED AS A SENIOR COMPANION STATION FOR THE LAST 23 YEARS AND OUR ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN SUPPORTING OLDER VERMONTERS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS IN THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES FOR OVER 46 YEARS. THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA THAT WE SERVE INCLUDES ADDISON, CHITTENDEN, FRANKLIN, AND GRAND ISLE COUNTIES IN NORTHWESTERN VERMONT, REACHING NEARLY 10,000 INDIVIDUALS ANNUALLY. WE CARRY OUT PROGRAMS AUTHORIZED BY THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT - FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT CALLS FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO TAKE THE LEAD IN CREATING A COORDINATED SYSTEM OF SERVICES, FOR OLDER PERSONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AS THE LEADING EXPERTS AND ADVOCATES FOR THE AGING POPULATION, WE BELIEVE THAT HEALTH HAPPENS AT HOME AND FOCUS ON LIFESTYLE, HAPPINESS AND WELLNESS--NOT ON AGE. WE HAVE PROVIDED VERMONTERS WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORT TO MANAGE THEIR DAILY LIVING NEEDS, WITH THE GOAL OF KEEPING THEM ACTIVE, HEALTHY AND INDEPENDENT. OUR WIDE ARRAY OF PROGRAMS ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES. COMMITTED TO HELPING INDIVIDUALS AGE WELL, WE REDUCE BARRIERS BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTHY MEALS, IN-HOME CARE AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. DELIVERED BY STAFF MEMBERS AND OUR INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS, OUR SOUGHT-AFTER SERVICES, ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS. WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR SERVICES PROVIDED. AS A NONPROFIT, WE RELY ON DONATIONS AND ENCOURAGE CLIENTS TO CONTRIBUTE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SO. AN ESTIMATED 49 AMERICORPS SENIOR COMPANION VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE AND BE PLACED IN OUTCOME ASSIGNMENTS. THEIR ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGEMENT WILL INCLUDE PROVIDING COMPANIONSHIP AND IN-HOME SUPPORT, HELP WITH SHOPPING AND MEDICAL TRIPS, ASSISTANCE PAYING BILLS, READING MAIL AND HELP WITH MEALS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES- AGING IN PLACE. AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR GRANT, 418 INDIVIDUALS WILL REPORT HAVING INCREASED SOCIAL SUPPORT OR IMPROVED CAPACITY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING. THE AMERICORPS FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $318,500 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $76,121 (ANTICIPATED LEVEL OF NON-FEDERAL RESOURCES). THE INTENDED RESULTS OF THIS SUPPORT WILL BE MORE SOCIALLY CONNECTED AND SUPPORTED OLDER VERMONTERS THAT WILL HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO LIVE AS INDEPENDENTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THEIR OWN SETTING OF CHOICE, WHICH IS TYPICALLY IN THEIR OWN HOME.