August 2024

Save the Date & Celebrate our

50th Anniversary with us!

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Spotlight on VOLUNTEERING

What do you see when you look at this picture? Just some guys hanging out together? What is really going on runs much deeper than that, you see healing.

Following a car accident Carlos quit his position as a Senior Companion. He said he was too traumatized and no longer wanted to drive. As a result, depression set in from lack of socialization and he knew this was not good. He maintained communication with the SCP program manager, Judy, and she encouraged him to return when he was ready, as driving is not a condition of the position. As time passed, more seniors joined the Atwater Senior Center, and many new folks were men. Learning of this Carlos became curious to see it for himself.

Click to read the full article and learn more about Volunteering.

CHOICES Corner

Every year Medicare recipients are advised to examine the Medicare plans in which they are enrolled and decide whether they should change plans. As fall approaches, you will see lots of paid advertising, usually sponsored by insurance companies inviting you to call them or attend a meeting about Medicare options. Some of these invitations are attractive because they come with the promise of a meal or an interesting speaker or maybe a gift. We are fortunate in CT to have an insurance department that carefully monitors marketing and promotion by insurers to be certain companies are not providing incentives to join their company that are beyond approved marketing activities. Click to read more.

This newsletter is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $577,233 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

CAREGIVER Corner:

Remembering Gary Barg our Fearless Caregiver Teacher

Many of our readers are familiar with Gary Barg, creator of the Fearless Caregiver Conferences. Gary has been working with the Agency on Aging of South Central CT for more than 20 years, bringing the conference to New Haven. We are saddened by the news from Gary’s brother Steven, whom many of you also know, that Gary died recently. It was quick and a surprise to many of us.

Gary created a legacy that will continue on long after him. I can envision the faces of so many of you who came to the conferences year after year and enjoyed all that Gary shared with us about being a caregiver. Click to read more.

In the northern hemisphere, August is considered to be the last month of summer. In the southern hemisphere, it’s the opposite of course, so it’s the last of the winter months!