Westminster Cares works with seniors and disabled adults in Westminster, Vermont to help them remain healthy and independent in the community. Volunteers deliver meals, visit those who appreciate some company, and help with rides to the grocery store and appointments. Our healthy aging programs provide social and educational opportunities in exercise, art, and nutrition and are open to residents of Westminster and surrounding towns. Westminster Cares is a local community-based volunteer organization started in 1988.
Westminster Cares Continues to Operate with Limitations to Programs and Services
During these extraordinary times, Westminster Cares is committed to continue service to older residents of our town, and those with special needs. Due to escalating health concerns of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and recommendations issued by public health authorities, the Westminster Cares Board of Directors, in consultation with the Vermont Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Senior Solutions and our Community Nurse have worked to put protocols in place to keep clients, volunteers and our community as safe as possible during this public health emergency.
Given that everyone we serve is in the high risk category due to age and/or underlying medical conditions as of March 16th we put the following programs and services on hold temporarily: all healthy aging exercise classes including Strong Living; Gentle Yoga; Chair Yoga; Tai Chi; Secrets of Healthy Aging Groups; Monthly Senior Lunches; Medical Equipment Loans; Transportation Program; and In-Home Friendly Visits. These programs and services will be on hold through April 10th when the Board of Directors will meet again to determine next steps.
We are focusing our resources and volunteer efforts on continuing to serve older adults and those with special needs through our home-delivered Meals-on-Wheels Program. We have instituted a “no contact” meals delivery system in order to protect the safety of both our clients and volunteers. We will continue to provide this service as long as we have healthy volunteers and the state says it is prudent to do so. If you are a Westminster resident (60 years or older) in need of Meals, please call the office.
In addition to home-delivered meals, Westminster Cares is organizing grocery and pharmacy assistance so those most vulnerable can remain at home. We are currently establishing a list of community members who are willing to assist with pick-up and delivery of necessary items. If you are an older adult in need of an essential item and are unable to have family or a neighbor assist with pick-ups, please call the office – either with a service request or to volunteer.
In place of in-home visits, Westminster Cares is organizing “friendly phone visits” for those in the community who would like to be contacted periodically by a volunteer. In addition, the Windham County Sheriff’s Office runs the “Are You Okay? Program,” which is a community program providing check-in calls that is operated free of charge. To register, call the dispatcher @ 802-365-4942.
Our Community Nurse, Debbie Brookes, is available to answer questions and provide support regarding COVID-19 and a wide range of topics. Determinations regarding home visits will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please call the office to be put in touch with Debbie.
For reliable information during this public health emergency, (for those with access to the internet), we recommend the following websites:
The Vermont 2-1-1 is an excellent resource that can provide callers of any age with information and referral services. They can be contacted by dialing 2-1-1.
The Senior Help Line is coordinated by the Vermont Area Agencies on Aging and can provide information and referrals by calling the Springfield office @ 802-885-2669.
Please be aware that a number of scams related to COVID-19 have been reported. These include offering opportunities to be tested or sent a free test kit. These are scams. There are no home test kits and all legitimate testing in Vermont is by doctor’s request ONLY.
In closing, the words of Dan Smith President & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation seem especially poignant: “We are determined to prevent this pandemic event from overcoming our desire to help, support and protect each other. In its path we find ourselves motivated out of urgency and uncertainty, but also ultimately out of decency and the desire to protect one another…..We don’t yet know the full extent of the disruption that will be caused by this virus, but we can be sure that each of us will feel its effect in some way and it is our most vulnerable neighbors who will feel its effects most strongly.” In Westminster, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” holds true.
To request assistance; speak to the Nurse or volunteer, please contact Donna Dawson, Westminster Cares’ Director in the office: 802.722.3607.
Given that everyone we serve is in the high risk category due to age and/or underlying medical conditions as of March 16th we put the following programs and services on hold temporarily: all healthy aging exercise classes including Strong Living; Gentle Yoga; Chair Yoga; Tai Chi; Secrets of Healthy Aging Groups; Monthly Senior Lunches; Medical Equipment Loans; Transportation Program; and In-Home Friendly Visits. These programs and services will be on hold through April 10th when the Board of Directors will meet again to determine next steps.
We are focusing our resources and volunteer efforts on continuing to serve older adults and those with special needs through our home-delivered Meals-on-Wheels Program. We have instituted a “no contact” meals delivery system in order to protect the safety of both our clients and volunteers. We will continue to provide this service as long as we have healthy volunteers and the state says it is prudent to do so. If you are a Westminster resident (60 years or older) in need of Meals, please call the office.
In addition to home-delivered meals, Westminster Cares is organizing grocery and pharmacy assistance so those most vulnerable can remain at home. We are currently establishing a list of community members who are willing to assist with pick-up and delivery of necessary items. If you are an older adult in need of an essential item and are unable to have family or a neighbor assist with pick-ups, please call the office – either with a service request or to volunteer.
In place of in-home visits, Westminster Cares is organizing “friendly phone visits” for those in the community who would like to be contacted periodically by a volunteer. In addition, the Windham County Sheriff’s Office runs the “Are You Okay? Program,” which is a community program providing check-in calls that is operated free of charge. To register, call the dispatcher @ 802-365-4942.
Our Community Nurse, Debbie Brookes, is available to answer questions and provide support regarding COVID-19 and a wide range of topics. Determinations regarding home visits will be made on a case-by-case basis. Please call the office to be put in touch with Debbie.
For reliable information during this public health emergency, (for those with access to the internet), we recommend the following websites:
- Vermont Dept. of Health – https://www.healthvermont.gov
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov
- World Health Organization (WHO) – https://www.who.int
The Vermont 2-1-1 is an excellent resource that can provide callers of any age with information and referral services. They can be contacted by dialing 2-1-1.
The Senior Help Line is coordinated by the Vermont Area Agencies on Aging and can provide information and referrals by calling the Springfield office @ 802-885-2669.
Please be aware that a number of scams related to COVID-19 have been reported. These include offering opportunities to be tested or sent a free test kit. These are scams. There are no home test kits and all legitimate testing in Vermont is by doctor’s request ONLY.
In closing, the words of Dan Smith President & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation seem especially poignant: “We are determined to prevent this pandemic event from overcoming our desire to help, support and protect each other. In its path we find ourselves motivated out of urgency and uncertainty, but also ultimately out of decency and the desire to protect one another…..We don’t yet know the full extent of the disruption that will be caused by this virus, but we can be sure that each of us will feel its effect in some way and it is our most vulnerable neighbors who will feel its effects most strongly.” In Westminster, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” holds true.
To request assistance; speak to the Nurse or volunteer, please contact Donna Dawson, Westminster Cares’ Director in the office: 802.722.3607.
SAVE THE DATE - The Westminster Garden Tour 2020 - August 1st and August 2nd
As more information about the upcoming garden tour is made available, you can find more details about the gardens, workshops and other events that will be held on that weekend. You can also bookmark the Garden Tour page, which will host all of the information including online ticket sales, when they become available.
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Click on the DONATE button below. Choose the amount that's right for you. Know you have our gratitude and appreciation for your support!
wecares@sover.net Westminster, VT 05346