SASH Beat: November 2025
Leadership Letter
As we navigate these trying times together, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the immense challenges you are facing and the unwavering dedication you continue to show to the older adults in our communities.
The ongoing government shutdown and the uncertainty surrounding food assistance programs are deeply concerning. We know how critical these supports are to the wellbeing of our participants. In addition, the closure of Medicare Advantage plans is affecting over 35,000 older Vermonters, placing extraordinary pressure on our Area Agencies on Aging, many of which are stretched beyond capacity trying to provide one-on-one support.
Please know that the SASH administrative team is here for you. We’ve compiled resources to help you navigate food access and Medicare open enrollment, and we will continue to update and share these tools as the situation evolves. We also recognize that these environmental stressors are affecting all of us—not just professionally, but personally. Uncertainty can be overwhelming, and it’s okay to feel that.
In times like these, the best thing we can do is seek out facts, share them clearly, and support one another. Your work is vital, and your compassion is making a real difference. Thank you for showing up every day with strength, empathy, and resilience.
With deep appreciation,
Casey & Liz
Medicare Advantage Webinar
Congresswoman Becca Balint hosted a webinar on Medicare/Medicare Advantage with the AARP and AgeWell last week.
If you have questions, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE, visit medicare.gov to compare plans or reach out to Congresswomen Balint's office at 802-652-2450.
Medicare Advantage Cuts Webinar - November 20 at 2:00pm - Register Here - Navigating Together, hosted by the Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging.
SASH FLASH
November is Diabetes Prevention month, we highlighted several diabetes prevention resources in last month's BEAT!
Learning to Live Well with Diabetes Booklet
Cut Down on added Sugars Flyer
December:
Seasonal Affective Disorder Flyer
January:
Growing Older with HIV Article
Wellness Nurse Corner
Need to Monitor Patients Taking GLP-1RAs for Nutritional Loss Article
Timely use of nutritional therapy may help optimize nutritional status, mitigate loss of muscle mass, and improve overall health. (May need to create a free account to read the article)
The Professional Quality of Life Tool
Where do you currently stand in the stages of Compassion Fatigue? Take the free Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) tool to assess your current levels of compassion Satisfaction and compassion Fatigue. This powerful tool will assist you in creating a baseline for Compassion Fatigue and will be useful before our next compassion fatigue training - November 20 at 9:00a - please join us!
CHLP Submissions Drive Community Wellness Forward
As we approach the end of the year, Community Healthy Living Plans (CHLP) continue to serve as a vital tool in promoting health and wellness across our communities. We extend our sincere appreciation to all Panels who submitted their CHLPs on time—your efforts are instrumental in supporting our shared mission.
For those who have not yet submitted their July–December CHLPs, we kindly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. These plans help us evaluate and strengthen the impact of our health initiatives.
CHLPs may include:
- On-site SASH programs
- Off-site programs promoted by SASH staff (e.g., exercise classes, self-management workshops)
- Food support services such as pantry visits, farm shares, and commodity distribution
- Other community-based services that promote healthy living
Your continued dedication ensures that we can deliver meaningful, accessible health resources to those who need them most. Thank you for being a vital part of this work!
Monthly Webinars
November
- 11/18 at 9am - Software System Webinar
- 11/20 at 9 - 10:30am - Joint Webinar - Compassion Fatigue with Hannah Rose (Pt. 2)
- 11/ 24 at 9am - Wellness Nurse Open Forum
December
- 12/16 at 9:00am - Software Systems Webinar
January
- 1/14 at 9:00am – Joint Webinar: 3SquaresVT and Other Food Resources - Presented by Emily Cohen, Vermont Foodbank
Upcoming Classes/Conferences/Events
11/12 - 2:00pm - SNAP Benefit Cuts Webinar, Registration
11/20 - 2:00pm - Medicare Advantage Cuts Webinar, Registration
2026 - LEAP - Learning Enhancement in Aging Program, Jan - June cohort open now!