CVAA celebrated its 35th Anniversary at its Annual Meeting at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington. Over the past 35 years, CVAA has provided over 7 million meals to seniors in need, helped over 50,000 seniors in the Champlain Valley remain in their own homes and answered over 240,000 calls on the Senior HelpLine.

However the challenging economy has Executive Director John Barbour concerned about the future."There is a growing inequity of wealth and the distribution of wealth." according to Barbour. He told a story of a women in her 90's who was not accepted in the Choices for Care Program to receive at home care and as a result fell and broke her hip forcing her to go to a nursing home and now has experienced "a rapid decline in her cognitive ability, got an infection and is now in the hospital." CVAA strives to help all seniors age with independence and dignity.

CVAA mediator Gerhild Bjornson and the Arbors at Shelburne were recognized as Aging Advocates. Bjornson has helped families learn how to communicate with each other and work through emotional issues. The Arbors at Shelburne was recognized for their work in forming the Vermont Elder Resource Group, hosting support groups for caregivers and educating care providers on dementia.

Keynote speaker Marselis Parsons, longtime news anchor and former news director for WCAX-TV talked about the media's role in stories that impact Vermonters. Parsons talked about how former Vermont Agency of Human Services Secretary Con Hogan once told him that the media  is "very good at doing stories on those who tear down society but doesn't do enough good stories on the builders." According to Parsons "individual storiess are best told through the eyes of people...no one may understand the budget but they understand that families will be hurt by lay-offs."

CVAA is a private non-profit United Way organization dedicated to helping people age with independence and dignity. CVAA helps seniors age with independence and dignity by providing information, services, education, support and advocacy to seniors and caregivers. For information about services available for seniors 60 and older call the Senior Helpline at 1.800.642.5119