Addressing issues of agism: So that older adults can thrive

by Mark Jahne

Editor

Age Well Wethersfield is a new initiative designed to make this town a better place by building connections between older adults and the wider community. The concept is to use the qualities and infrastructure that already exist to make meaningful connections and promote an age-inclusive community.

Town officials and volunteer leaders of this effort have developed a three-pronged approach to accomplish this goal: volunteer recruitment, older adult strolls and sharing information on how to age in place.

All of this is being undertaken in collaboration with the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative and Connecticut Community Care and its Community Leaders Fellowship.

The Community Leaders Fellowship is a year-long program in which older adults and municipal leaders collaborate to make change. It explores how ageism affects a community, identifies areas where change is most needed, builds awareness, takes action, shares power and more.

Residents selected to be community fellows receive a $500 stipend funded by the collaborative. They must live in town and are expected to share their lived experience with municipal leaders. If all goes well, they will build trust, momentum and lasting relationships.

Efforts will be made to connect community groups and nonprofit organizations that need volunteers with older adults who are looking for a way to give back. Initial recruitment began July 30 at the local farmers’ market. Polly Moon, George Bartholomay and Annette Bowman are leading this effort.

The first stroll for older adults was held July 25 to coincide with the original reading of the Declaration of Independence in Wethersfield 250 years ago. It took place during the Old Wethersfield Book Walk. Mayor Ken Lesser and Hank Brown organized this activity.

Aging in place is a work in progress and involves plans to organize selected services into a one-page handout and determine if a detailed pamphlet of government and commercial services needed by older adults can be created and distributed. Bob and Pat Porell are heading this up.

“Age Well Connecticut is a statewide collaborative” designed to address issues of ageism, Pat Porrell said. “Every year they work with two communities. It’s a year-long initiative.”

This year’s towns are Wethersfield and Avon. Municipal leaders are asked to designate residents to volunteer as “community fellows” to lead this effort that includes setting local priorities and hosting community workshops.

The goal is for older residents to “age well within the Wethersfield community.”

“We’re taking a three-pronged approach. Our theme is making connections matters,” she added.

That includes providing information and resources that enable older residents to age in place. Age Well Wethersfield is working in partnership with the Wethersfield Chamber of Commerce. WL

For more information visit ctagewellcollaborative.org or email ctagewell@ctcommunitycare.org/ctcommunitycare.