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It's campaign season, and health care costs are on everyone's mind. Candidates are offering ideas for improving the system, and one solution is already making a difference. As Rustam Sengupta noted in a VT Digger commentary earlier this year, Vermont is facing a growing care crisis. He's right that what many older Vermonters need most isn't more medical care. They need someone who notices when something has changed, and helps them access the support they need to stay healthy and independent at home.
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This month's Beat looks ahead to fall: the SASH Conference will be held virtually over two days, September 29 and 30, featuring keynote speaker Michael Verde presenting Love is Listening: Dementia without Loneliness. The Spotlight shines on Carol Keefe of Rutland Housing Authority, who spent 15 years as a SASH Coordinator and Implementation Manager before stepping into a new role as Resident Relations and Wellness Manager, leaving behind a legacy of collaboration and dedication to older adults. You'll also find a program impact snapshot showing group programs, blood pressure readings, and 1-on-1 visits all trending up since January.
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This month's Beat celebrates a milestone: a newly published, peer-reviewed study confirms that SASH participants gained more than a year of healthy life and stayed home at far higher rates than expected. The research puts numbers to what staff have always known to be true. The Spotlight shines on Wellness Nurse Autumn Dorman of Cornerstone Housing Partners, who took on five panels in her first year and never missed a beat. You'll also find a program impact snapshot showing ED follow-up visits, blood pressure readings, and 1-on-1 visits all trending up since January.
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This month's Beat centers on what it really means to help someone stay home: arranging a heating oil delivery, pushing back on an unfair bill, getting someone to an appointment. Casey and Liz's leadership letter introduces the 4M's framework for age-friendly care, anchored by one simple question: What matters most to you? You'll also find a Spotlight on Bristol coordinator Paula Dooley, updates on the R&R Circles, and news that the new FAMCare interface has been pushed to early April for additional testing.
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Support and Services at Home (SASH®) is a nationally recognized, team-based program of care coordination shown to improve population health, reduce Medicare spending, and help people stay healthy and independent in their homes. Operating from more than 200 affordable-housing communities across Vermont, SASH partners with over 70 organizations to provide comprehensive, no-cost support to more than 13,000 older Vermonters and people with diverse needs since 2011.
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SASH is celebrating 15 incredible years! This month's Beat looks back on how far we've come and shares our focus for 2026: taking care of ourselves, supporting our participants, and telling their stories. You'll find recent program highlights that show the real impact of your work, updates on the new FAMCare system that's making things easier to navigate, and a look ahead at health observances and training opportunities coming up in February and March—including R&R sessions and Mental Health First Aid courses.
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This month's SASH Beat addresses critical issues facing Vermont's aging community, including the government shutdown's impact on food assistance programs and Medicare Advantage closures affecting over 35,000 older Vermonters. Find resources for Medicare open enrollment support, diabetes prevention materials, and information on upcoming webinars covering SNAP benefits and Medicare Advantage cuts.
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No one goes hungry on Molly Bennett’s watch. Molly is the SASH Coordinator based out of WWHT’s Windsor Village, where, for the last four years, she has helped connect residents and low-income seniors in the community with resources, services and supports that they need to continue to live as independently as possible. That includes bringing healthy food to all who need it.
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This summer, SASH introduced on-site dental cleaning pilots across Vermont SASH panels, enhancing access to essential dental care. By addressing social determinants of health, SASH aimed to reduce barriers to dental care and improve oral health outcomes for participants, particularly those with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
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In the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 30, 2024, while people were asleep, the Lyndon/Saint Johnsbury areas were hit with a massive storm that dumped nearly 9.3 inches of rain on the already water-soaked communities. When a family in the Red Village community lost their home, SASH and RuralEdge staff stepped in to support them along with others who were impacted by this disaster.
