Letter: Support your local agency on aging
April 4, 2025To the Community:
As we face the possibility of unprecedented changes to the way that federal funding supports aging services in Vermont, it’s important for us to take this opportunity to provide some clarity.
The federal budget continuing resolution (passed on March 14) means that all of the programs provided by the Area Agencies on Aging in Vermont (Central Vermont Council on Aging, Age Well, Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging, Senior Solutions, and Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging) are funded through Sept. 30 this year.
The Older Americans Act supports many key programs such as:
1. Home-delivered Meals on Wheels and congregate meal programs
2. Senior Helpline information and assistance
3. Case Management in the community
4. Legal support through Legal Aid
5. Caregiver support programs such as respite and education including
- Funding from other federal sources supports free Medicare counseling through the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP).
- Medicaid funding supports Choices for Care case management and homemaker programs, and home-delivered meals.
Level funding in reality is a reduction because the costs of providing these services continue to rise.
As we at Central Vermont Council on Aging, your local agency on aging, navigate these changes, we rely on the support of towns, communities, and individuals to support the work necessary to help older residents remain in the community with dignity and respect. This model of assisting people to age in place supports the independence of aging Vermonters and is a far less costly option than alternatives.
Please consider giving today. Visit online at cvcoa.networkforgood.com.
Central Vermont Council on Aging supports older Central Vermonters to age with dignity and choice in 54 towns. Visit the CVCOA website at cvcoa.org or call the CVCOA Helpline at 1-802-477-1364 for more information or assistance. CVCOA is located at 59 North Main Street, Suite 200, in Barre, with regional offices in Morrisville and Randolph.
John Mandeville
Executive Director
Central Vermont Council on Aging