Flip the Script on Aging
There is a significant need for programs and services to help older adults live as independently as possible in their environment of choice. As advocates for older adults, we strive to ensure that there are services to meet identified needs. However, older adults are so much more than the sum total of their needs. They are also important, vibrant members of our community. It’s common to speak of older adults’ contributions to community life in the past tense, as if their contributions have ended, but we know that is inaccurate.
May is Older Americans Month and the theme this year is Flip the Script on Aging. One way to Flip the Script is by recognizing the contributions to community life made by older adults through volunteerism. Twenty-seven percent of people over the age of sixty volunteer in their local communities. One program in CT that relies on older adult volunteers is the CHOICES program. CHOICES is a program that provides accurate, impartial information about Medicare. Volunteers in the program are prepared to serve through extensive initial training and ongoing training sessions to ensure volunteers have accurate, current information about Medicare to share with Medicare recipients and their caregivers.
During this month of celebration of Older Adults AOASCC salutes the older CHOICES Team members who volunteer their services to help other people and enhance the quality of life in our community.