Aging Resource Center
Dartmouth Health’s Aging Resource Center provides older adults, families, and community members with information, education, and support to help them live healthier and more informed lives.
They offer families in New Hampshire and Vermont free programs and services, such as:
A comfortable and restful space in which to read, browse the internet, and view an exhibit of art by local senior artists
A lending library of books and DVDs, as well as many free materials
Advance directive assistance. They have Vermont and New Hampshire forms and can answer your questions. Please call ahead if you need assistance, or stop by to pick up the forms during regular hours.
Caregiver education classes
Fall prevention services
Friendly staff members and volunteers to assist you
Support groups
Check out their website, sign up for their free newsletter, or see their Winter/Spring course offerings.
— Highly recommended by Regina Wdowiak
Below is a sample of their weekly newsletter, from the week of February 9th, written by Lori Fortini:
Dear Friends,
"There are never enough I Love You's." — Lenny Bruce
During the lock down in 2020, when most of us could only connect with people on "Zoom", I would end my virtual meetings by blowing a kiss goodbye. Not only with family and friends - all meetings - even my work meetings.
I wanted people to know that my heart was overflowing with emotion at seeing each one of them in our little boxes.
Now I wonder, why did I ever stop? Life is still difficult and connecting is still critical to our survival. And, my heart is still overflowing.
February is a month for love. This dark and cold season may be the perfect time to go all-in expressing our love for each other to warm our hearts.
"What the world needs now is love sweet love..."
Martin Luther King Jr. said, "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear." Hate is cold and heavy. It weighs us down and makes us lose our best selves.
Love lightens our load. Love keeps us going. Love reminds us that there is beauty and joy in the world.
"...No, not just for some, but for everyone."
Everyone deserves to feel loved. No exceptions. No matter what we look like, who we love, or what we believe.
Kindness goes a long way. Telling a stranger that you love their colorful scarf, giving a generous tip at the coffee shop, or pointing out the amazing Snow Moon in the sky so others are sure not to miss it. Being kind says, "I see you, I love, you, I am you."
What expressions of love are you able to show this week? Being loving warms us twice - warming the giver as well as the receiver.
I am learning to say "I love you" more often. The more often I do, the easier the words come out. Sometimes, I even say it to myself!
May we surround ourselves with more "I love You's." Say it. Say it again. Say it louder!
With love and gratitude for each one of you,
Lori
"Love's Philosophy" Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792 – 1822
The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix for ever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single,
All things by a law divine
In one another’s being mingle—
Why not I with thine?
See the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister-flower would be forgiven
If it disdain’d its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea—
What is all this sweet work worth
If thou kiss not me?