Senator Bill Doyle was one of the speakers at the Statehouse for the Aging in Place kick-off celebration. Who is COVE? Community of Vermont Elders is an agglomeration of advocacy groups working to benefit the lives of the elderly.

COVE sponsored a program at the Capitol Plaza recently consisting of a panel of people representing the Office of the Aging, AARP, Public Assets Institute, People with Disabilities, and an performer who uses theatre to teach elders how to protect themselves from fraud and other schemes. Brian Harwood was the moderator.

Each speaker presented an overview of his or her area of expertise. They all spoke of the need to collaborate with COVE because they need to know and understand the issues the elders are dealing with. COVE gives them direct access to knowledge of the older people's problems and issues. Current Elders must pay attention to the needs of the future elders as they prepare for retirement. For example, many people 50 or older lose their medical insurance and become medical orphans seeking affordable health care as they face retirement. The real work is to think like citizens, not consumers. The solutions must be intergenerational to avoid warfare with other groups. The issues need to be brought to the policy makers in the Legislature.

National Aging in Place Week 2009 will occur from October 12-18. Central Vermont Aging in Place was introduced at a State House kick-off on October 5, 2009. The meeting was held in the Cedar Creek Room. Following the welcome by Judy Crawford and Anita Hoy, Senator Bill Doyle addressed the gathered seniors and guests. After he quipped that "I am not running for higher office," he reminded the group that once we stop making contributions, we die. Senator Anne Cummings told the group that, "I want to stay in Montpelier, where I live now." Governor Jim Douglas expressed the desire that every Vermonter should live in dignity and good health. Choices for Care, Medicare policies to help elders stay in their homes, Aging in Place and Independent Living Resource Connections are vital to fulfilling his wish.

The Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVAP) recognized two outstanding seniors who have contributed to their respective communities. Betty Ingalls of Hyde Park and Ilse Krutak of Cabot lead active and meaningful lives. They work with Meals on Wheels, cook and bake for their churches and neighbors, and knit shawls for the infirm. The important lesson is to keep active by volunteering in your community and give what you can to others in any way you can. CVAP is a local part of the movement dedicated to finding the many resources available to people in our area as they get older. With proper education, seniors can find programs to help them live independently in their homes.

Central Vermont Aging in Place is a celebration of the many resources available to our seniors. It works with COVE, a consumer advocacy organization, dedicated to help older Vermonters connect with the agencies and services that will help them to maintain, protect, and improve the quality of their lives. COVE issues several publications to its members and sponsors functions of interest to elder Vermonters.

Vermont ranks second among all the states as having the greatest proportion of older citizens. This statistic puts Vermont in a unique position at the forefront of meeting the needs of an aging population. Growing older is a family matter because the issues and challenges impact the family and the community. Vermont Elders want to age in place.