Awards Go to Area Volunteers and Advocates for Seniors

Awards were announced Friday for a volunteer who helped start a “telehealth” program in New Canaan, an advocate who worked to replicate effective programs for seniors in new places around Fairfield County and another who worked on health assessments for seniors at two area hospitals.

Those were some of the recipients of the second annual SilverSource Awards, announced recently by SilverSource Inc., an organization that advocates for older adults and their families in the Stamford area.

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— an announcement from SilverSource

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“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the work of those who are helping older adults,” said Kathleen Bordelon, SilverSource executive director. “The awards are a way for our community to learn about the heroes within their own neighborhoods, and become inspired to get involved in the support of our aging residents.”

The awards will be presented Oct. 17 during the third annual SilverSource Autumn Breakfast, which will focus on investment and innovation in an aging world.

The awards celebrate volunteers, individuals, organizations or businesses making a significant difference in the lives of Fairfield County’s older adults.  Nominations were evaluated by a panel of judges comprised of community, business and thought leaders.  The 2017 SilverSource Award winners are as follows:

The SilverSource Community Service Volunteer Award, goes to James Lisher, for his outstanding work as a volunteer in our community.  Jim helped to develop and install the iStep Telehealth program for the town of New Canaan, and the TIPS program in the city of Stamford.

The program improves seniors’ health and wellness, as vital signs are collected, and activity levels are tracked via Fitbit. A tele-nurse reviews the data and provides feedback.  Group meetings, an informative newsletter and one-on-one meetings all contribute to helping people become more engaged,  and take charge of their own healthcare.

“The value of the SilverSource Award is the fact that it recognizes not only my work, but a number of other people in New Canaan and the Fairfield County area who have committed to changing the lives of seniors,” Lisher said.

Two exceptional individuals will receive the SilverSource Contribution To Community Award for An Outstanding Individual.  Roni Lang helped to develop the Stamford Hospital Geriatric Assessment Program, then went on to expand the Center for Healthy Aging at Greenwich Hospital.

There she conducts geriatric assessments, psychotherapy for older adults and their families and facilitates multiple family support groups. Roni helped found the Connecticut Chapter Alzheimer’s Association educational conference, helped create the Connecticut Geriatric Society and she currently teaches a class on aging at UCONN.

“It’s really wonderful to receive this award,” Lang said. “You go to work every day not to win an award, but to do what you love to do.  Being honored by the peers that I respect is really terrific.”

Pat Knebel will also receive the SilverSource Contribution To Community Award for An Outstanding Individual for her extraordinary role as an advocate for nonprofit organizations providing services to older adults.

For the past 20 years, Pat has helped build the capacity of senior services throughout Fairfield County, connecting agencies and organizations with funding resources and strong community providers.

As the grants manager at the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging, Pat focuses on the needs of older adults and their caregivers, seeking to replicate effective programs throughout the region, reduce duplication and enhance service delivery.

Pat’s work can be witnessed in 50 southwestern Connecticut aging network programs and services, including adult day centers, nutrition programs, senior centers for low income and minority elders, health and wellness programs and caregiver support groups.

The 2017 SilverSource Outstanding Organization or Business Contribution to Community Award winner is ElderHouse. Located in Norwalk, ElderHouse provides aging seniors with a safe, nurturing environment where they can share time with others while receiving the care they need.

Their accredited medical model program is designed to improve quality of life by helping seniors remain as independent as possible and to provide caregivers peace of mind.

Older adults are connected to opportunities for community engagement and activities that enhance social, physical, and emotional health. Older adults aspire to reach new goals through a plan of care designed just for them.

Awards will be presented on Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017 at the 3^rd Annual SilverSource Autumn Breakfast: Investment and Innovation in an Aging World, where attendees will hear how exciting advances in technology will improve our lives and redefine how we will age.

Crispin Baynes, co-director of the NY Chapter of Aging 2.0, is the keynote speaker and an interactive panel of experts will continue the discussion.  The event takes place from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza Stamford Hotel.  Tickets are now on sale and sponsorship opportunities are available.  Visit www.SilverSource.org or call 203-324-6584.

About SilverSource, Inc.

SilverSource, formerly known as Senior Services of Stamford, was founded in 1908. It is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides information, financial support, and other services that positively improve the quality of life for people over age 60 while serving as a resource center and referral source for older adults and their families.

Its mission is to advance the dignity, independence and quality of life of older adults by providing guidance for families and supportive services to those who are in need, by engaging in community partnerships and by advocating for sound public policies.

SilverSource envisions a society that ensures older adults have the resources to live independent, healthy and fulfilled lives and is located at 2009 Summer Street in Stamford.  For more information visit www.silversource.org or call 203.324.6584.