Updates and Announcements
Building our Future Together
We’re making progress towards our long-term goal of a larger building to accommodate the growing needs of the communities we serve. If you’ve been to the Center in the past year, attended our Annual Meeting, or a monthly advisory meeting, you know we’ve outgrown our kitchen and too often experience waiting lists for lunches and programs. You’ve also likely seen our living room filled with lunch guests, or waited in the library for the only conference room to be ready for the next program. We’re bursting at the seams and it’s wonderful, but the time has come to create a better, more accommodating space to meet the needs we’re already experiencing and increase our capacity to be ready for the growth in our older population in the next 10 years.
The first thing you can expect to see in late July or early August is a new ramp installed on the right side of our building nearest to the front porch. This will be for dropping off and picking up people who need to use a walker or wheelchair and avoid the stairs. Parking will be in our main lot and Thompson staff can assist with parking, if needed. The timeline for the rest of the project is still being determined, but we anticipate 15 months from start to finish.
The most important thing to know is that we will continue to provide meals and programs throughout the project. We will have a period of time when we need to prepare meals offsite and host programs in other locations, but we will communicate that in advance when the exact timing is known. Meals, programs, and all aging at home support will continue throughout our renovation.
Please be in touch with Deanna Jones, Executive Director, with any questions at 802-457-3277 or djones@thompsonseniorcenter.org
NEW! Aging at Home Membership Card
“I called the first 6 places on the list the hospital gave me, and I couldn’t find a caregiver that comes to Pomfret.” “I just bought a shower chair.” “I couldn’t find anyone to install my air conditioner and it was so hot.” “I didn’t know The Thompson did that.” “I wish we had called you first.”
These are phrases and situations that we’re trying to prevent from happening with our new Aging at Home membership cards. Made to look similar to your Medicare or insurance card so you’ll think of The Thompson when a question arises, each registered participant of The Thompson will be receiving a card. You can refer to it yourself or even share it with your provider or family to let them know that you have The Thompson as a resource for any aging at home need or referral.
Beginning in June, you can pick up your card when you’re at The Thompson or expect one in the mail by the end of the month. Our Aging at Home Resource Manager, Shari, and all of the staff are waiting to hear from you with any questions. (802) 457-3277 or sborz@thompsonseniorcenter.org.
May is Older Americans Month
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May and led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The theme for 2024 is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.
The Thompson Center plays a vital role in providing the connectedness that is necessary in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues. We offer delicious meals, interesting and fun in person and online programs, medical equipment, foot clinics, advance directives, Medicare counseling, vetted referrals, and more, allowing our patrons to feel supported and engaged whether at home or through social interactions at the Center.
We hope you’ll connect with us and find the inspiration, friendship, support, and fun to age well. Visit us in person, or read more about our Aging at Home program on our website or contact us at (802) 457-3277. or info@thompsonseniorcenter.org.
Join us on May 7th at noon as we celebrate Older Americans Month. All patrons are invited to the Center for a time of celebration, recognition, and door prizes. Please sign up in advance by calling 802-457-3277. Suggested donation is $7.
Celebrate March for Meals with Us
The month of March mobilizes hundreds of local Meals on Wheels (MOW) programs across the country to reach out to their communities and build the support that will enable them to serve America’s elder population all year long. As a member of the national organization, Meals on Wheels America, The Thompson participates in this annual celebration.
In 2023, we delivered 12,461 Meals on Wheels!
Volunteers for The Thompson currently deliver 45 – 50 meals each day (Monday through Friday) to older Vermonters throughout the towns of Woodstock, Bridgewater, Barnard, and Pomfret.
The highlights of our March for Meals events this year:
- Our 10th annual Thank You Walk is on Friday, March 1. Join us at 10:00 am on The Green in Woodstock to “march” down Central Street to deliver thank you notes, cookies, and balloons to local business for their support throughout the year.
- Community Champions week is March 18-24 where town officials and local celebrities nationwide are asked to participate in meal deliveries and events.
- March 27 at 10:00 am will be our annual MOW driver meeting providing an opportunity for a review of requirements/procedures, to share ideas, and to celebrate the wonderful work of our MOW volunteers!
- Special Thanks to the Woodstock Farmers’ Market for once again making our meals program the beneficiary of their “Round-Up” campaign!
- Watch for our Meals on Wheels column in the Vermont Standard and visit our Facebook page for videos and more.
front of new building
back of new building
Building our Future Together
The Thompson Board of Directors has proposed that our building be renovated and expanded to better serve the older adults of our community. The renovation involves a 3,300 square foot expansion of the facility including: ,
- A major expansion of the kitchen and dining room to accommodate the overwhelming growth of our meal services
- A reconfiguration of the second floor to include additional community, activity and meeting spaces
- Additional second floor office space for our staff
- ADA Compliant upstairs bathroom for our participants
Contact Executive Director, Deanna Jones, if you would like to support this mission-critical project. djones@thompsonseniorcenter.org or (802) 457-3277
Tips to Avoid Scams and Fraud – Be Aware and Be Informed
Scams and fraud attempts are on the rise and can happen to anyone. Learn how to protect yourself.
As of early June, Attorney General T.J. Donovan is warning Vermonters about a new variation of the family emergency scam in which scammers are demanding that cash be handed over in person to a “courier.” By presenting a fake emergency in which their loved one needs help getting out of trouble, scammers pressure panicked family members, including grandparents, into acting before they can realize it’s a scam. Until recently, scammers took a hands-off approach in collecting money, demanding gift cards, wire transfers, or virtual payments. Now, the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) is receiving reports that scammers are enlisting “couriers” to collect cash directly from unsuspecting family members at their homes to resolve the fake emergency. Vermonters who receive these calls should resist the urge to act immediately and take steps to verify the caller’s identity.
“These scenarios are designed by scammers to be emotional and high pressure,” said Attorney General Donovan. “If you are presented with this type of scenario—pause, hang up the phone, and call a friend or family member to verify. Do not give money to someone coming to your home. Instead, call local law enforcement and the Consumer Assistance Program to identify and report the scam.”
If you or someone you know has lost money to this scam, contact law enforcement and report the scam to CAP at 1-800-649-2424. Learn more about family emergency scams by watching CAP’s Avoiding the Family Emergency Scam video and reviewing steps to verify at https://ago.vermont.gov/cap/family-imposter/ and attend our upcoming program on July 21.
CAP advises Vermonters to slow down and follow a plan to not get scammed. Use the SLOW method in urgent situations.
Information taken in part from www.ago.vermont.gov