TOWN CONVERSATION ON AGING
The first Roxbury Town Conversation on Aging, held on Wednesday May 2nd, proved to be a big success with close to 60 attendees. First Selectman Barbara Henry and COA Chair Sue Stauffacher graciously welcomed everyone to the Conversation. Representatives from seven local agencies providing services to Roxbury seniors each gave an overview of the services they offer. They were: Sally Irwin, Litchfield Hills Chore Service; Geri Rodda and Deborah Luongo, New Milford Visiting Nurse Association; Darylle Willenbrook, Western CT Area Agency on Aging; Kerry Larsen and Cindy Theodosen, Visiting Nurse Service of CT; Mary-Kate Gill, New Opportunities Elder Services; Brenda Crossley, Bernhardt Meadow; Donna Culbert, Newtown Health District. Their presentations were followed by a question & answer period,
followed by a break when delicious refreshments prepared by our own caterer extraordinaire Marianne DeSilva were served.
The open-mike discussion began with Municipal Agent Jerrilynn Tiso reminding everyone that the reason for this gathering was to plan for the next several years, and that we wanted to identify and prioritize 3 or 4 issues/concerns/needs/ideas that residents feel are most important for the Town to address. The issues which clearly emerged and which we will begin to work on immediately & going forward are prioritized as follows:
- Housing for those who wish to downsize yet stay in Roxbury.
- Transportation
- Communication, i.e. dissemination of information
- Isolation of homebound seniors.
I would like to thank each and everyone for making this event the success it was…without you it could not have happened. I would also like to say a special thanks to the CT Community Foundation for awarding us the grant that enabled us to put on this event.
Jerrilynn Tiso, MS
Municipal Agent/ Social Services Director
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