Meet a Commit to Connect Champion: Shana Brierley
@Shana Brierley serves as a Nutrition Consultant with the Elderly Nutrition Program at the Connecticut State Unit on Aging ensuring older adults in Connecticut have access to well-balanced meals and social engagement.
Tell us about the work that your organization does. What is your mission and what population(s) do you serve?
The Connecticut State Unit on Aging, part of the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services, ensures that Connecticut's older adults have access to the supportive services necessary to live with dignity, security, and independence. The unit administers Older Americans Act funding, working with Area Agencies on Aging across Connecticut, to provide supportive services, in-home services, and congregate and home-delivered meals. The work we do makes such a huge difference in the lives of the population we work with.
Please tell us about the goals of the program you are involved with and how you support social engagement.
I work directly with the Elderly Nutrition Program. This program provides nutritionally balanced meals, reduces hunger and food insecurity, and promotes socialization to ensure the health and wellbeing of older adults. For those who come to our congregate settings, they get an opportunity to socialize with their peers while enjoying their meal. In Connecticut, our congregate meal sites do a wonderful job of making the environment open and inviting to provide the participants with a pleasant experience.
Share one of your top achievements or a success story.
Every person we deliver meals to or bring into a congregate meal site has an interactive experience of some kind. We can reach so many people with support in the form of meals and social interaction. Being able to make this impact on the aging population of the state of Connecticut is what we are here for and why we do what we do. Each individual we serve is a success story. We are so lucky to do such fulfilling work and be able to see the impact we have on our community.
Why is promoting social connectedness important to the community/population you serve? Why and when did you start incorporating social connectedness into your programming?
Socialization is so important for all people, no matter their age. For the aging population specifically, it can improve mental and physical health and prevent isolation and loneliness. For some of the participants in our programs, their lunch meal at our sites is their only opportunity for socialization throughout their day. Even those who receive home-delivered meals get some interaction with the delivery driver. Just knowing they have someone to talk to and check in on them improves their feelings of confidence and comfort if they live alone.
Any exciting projects coming up?
We are continuously working on improving our nutrition and socialization programs in Connecticut. Our local senior centers host amazing events to provide fun activities for the aging population in our state. Some of these include fashion show fundraisers, themed lunches, Lunch and Learn guest speakers, and so much more! Many of the staff are volunteers who donate their time to our programs. It is wonderful to see the community come together for such an important purpose. Connecticut also continues to work on programs to utilize technology to minimize isolation, such as our “Bridging the Digital Divide” program.
Do you have tips for others looking to increase social connection and engagement programming or a key resource you can share?
Talk to people! It's so important to share what your goals are because you never know who may have a great idea to share. Having a new set of eyes can make all the difference. This can also help with obstacles you’re facing. You may find someone else who has met the same difficulties and worked through them. Asking for help and advice from those who excel at what they do is such a great compliment to them and will provide you with new ideas to try!
Do you have any recommended reading for others interested in this topic?
Aging Brilliantly by Patricia Pimentel Selassie is a book I would definitely recommend! It goes over habits and behaviors that can lead to a happier and healthier life at any age.
How can others connect with your work? Do you have a project website?
Facebook: @ADSConnecticut
YouTube: @aginganddisabilityservicesCT
LinkedIn: Connecticut Aging and Disability Services