AT HOME IN DARIEN ANNUAL LUNCHEON A SUCCESS! – OCTOBER 26, 2023

You’re never too old to claim your “SWAGGER”! That was one of the compelling messages from author Jennifer Mrozek Sukalo, guest speaker at At Home In Darien’s annual luncheon. The luncheon, co-sponsored by the Darien Community Association (DCA), was attended by over 100 seniors who were not only treated to a special lunch, but also provided with unique strategies to appreciate their own strengths to help them stop merely surviving but to start thriving. The positivity offered by Ms. Sukalo, an award-winning author of “Claim Your SWAGGER”, permeated the room and left all guests thinking about their own plan to develop the skills to create lasting behavioral changes.

​NAVIGATING SENIOR CARE OPTIONS – OCTOBER 17, 2023

America is getting older, or more specifically, people in America are getting older and living longer. This of course is a good thing, but it introduces a variety of challenges for seniors. On October 17, 2023, the Darien Library sponsored a panel discussion titled “Navigating Senior Care Options”, featuring local senior experts.  Panel participants included Chris Jones, At Home In Darien’s Executive Director, along with representatives from Darien Signature Health, The Residence at Selleck’s Woods and Sterling Care. Panel participants provided background on how each organization supports area seniors and as Chris noted during the discussion, “it’s important to understand the full scope of services that are available for the senior community”. To view the panel discussion, please click here.

​TV 79 FEATURES AT HOME IN DARIEN – SEPTEMBER, 2023

At Home In Darien was proud to be featured in September 2023 in TV79’s “Inside Town Hall” series. While AHID is not officially part of town hall, its proximity and partnership with the town’s Human Services team and the Mather Center indelibly tie it to activities and issues that impact Darien seniors. Jim Cameron, TV79’s Program Director and a long-time fixture within the town hall, interviewed At Home In Darien’s Executive Director Chris Jones to learn more about AHID’s special history, services and people. To view the full interview please click here.

SPRING PLANT DECORATIONS FOR SENIORS – MAY 2023

Over 20 students from the Royle Kids Care Club at the Royle Elementary School graciously volunteered their time and artistic talents to create custom planters and decorative shopping bags for senior members of At Home In Darien. The group decorated planters, planted flowers and made unique greeting cards for the seniors, which were delivered by a few of At Home In Darien’s dedicated group of volunteers. The crafts brought smiles and great joy to all recipients! 

ROCKIN’ SOCK HOP – MAY 2023

Goodness, gracious “Great Balls of Fire”!

At Home In Darien was pleased to co-sponsor a 1950’s and 1960’s themed event for Darien seniors, held at and co-sponsored by Senior Programs at the Mather Center. The vibrant and fun filled event featured the entertaining and talented musical duo “The Elderly Brothers”, and included a delicious lunch created by Chef Judi. The attendees enjoyed plenty of dancing and laughing, and look forward to coming back for the event next year!

AT HOME IN DARIEN ANNUAL MEETING – DECEMBER 2022

After two years of meetings impacted by COVID-19, At Home In Darien was happy to hold its Annual Meeting completely in person on December 8, 2022. First Selectwoman Monica McNally read a proclamation declaring the date “At Home In Darien Day”, with special guests including a variety of state and local legislative representatives. The meeting featured a panel discussion titled “Moving Forward in an Intergenerational Community”, with the panelists offering perspective on how Darien can best support seniors moving forward.

For the full video of the Annual Meeting, please click here.

ANNUAL LUNCHEON AT THE DARIEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION – NOVEMBER 2022

“He who laughs . . . lasts!”

This quote from Erma Bombeck was shared by local author and guest speaker Allia Zobel Nolan at At Home In Darien’s Annual Luncheon, held at and co-sponsored by the DCA on November 3, 2022. Ms. Nolan spoke of the benefits of laughter during her speech and shared some stories from her book “Laugh Out Loud: 40 Women Humorists Celebrate Then and Now . . . Before We Forget.” Over 100 senior citizens participated at the lunch event and laughter was clearly on the menu.

AT HOME IN DARIEN ANNUAL MEETING 2021

At Home In Darien was honored to have Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong as the featured speaker at its Annual Meeting, which was held both in-person and virtually at Darien Library on Friday, December 10, 2021.  Mr. Tong explained the rationale for the creation of the Elder Justice Hotline, and how to prevent falling victim to fraudulent activities. 

For the full video of the presentation and the meeting, please click here. 

AT HOME IN DARIEN ANNUAL MEETING 2020

On Thursday, December 10, 2020, At Home In Darien held its Annual Meeting virtually featuring Marie L. Allen, Executive Director of the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging.

Ms. Allen spoke on:

Attitudes, Anxiety and Ageism in the Time of Covid-19

• The history of ageism and how it affects the pandemic narrative and response
• Combating a pandemic that discriminately targets people older than 65 and people living in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes
• Positive and negative responses towards older adults during the Pandemic
• Efforts towards intergenerational solidarity and the importance of community-based supports like senior centers and At Home In Darien

Please read our blog for a recap of this presentation, by clicking here.