There’s a new kid on the block here at Eastern Agency on Aging – and we are delighted to have her.

Val Sauda joined EAA about a month ago and has jumped right in with both feet. As the new director of outreach, she is in charge of the community services department and caregiver support programs. While new to us, Val is no stranger to the world of aging and the senior population.

“Basically in my entire career there has been with the elderly,” she said. “But I started focusing on elders when I was teaching medical surgical nursing at the University of Maine, which came out of my work with Hospice of Eastern Maine.”

Val comes to EAA with extensive experience in such matters as Alzheimer’s disease, and home health care for seniors. She also is a registered nurse and a firm believer that, while it may take a village to raise a child, it takes that same village to help a senior live out his or her life with dignity and personal choice.

“My passion is helping to keep people at home and out of nursing facilities if at all possible,” Val said. “I believe in my heart that with the right community services and resources, seniors can safely live out their lives in their own homes. I think that is vitally important. The best thing for me to hear is that ‘my mom is living at home and doing well.’ That is just music to my ears.”

One of her goals is to “capture the model of aging that shows getting older as continued growth and sharing and not as just end of life,” she added.

She has other goals as well.

“Currently we want to ensure that seniors’ basic needs are met, such as food and adequate shelter, but it is exciting to me to look at the whole person, specifically the social and emotional sides,” she said.

For Val, telephone reassurance programs such as Phone Friends, in which volunteers are matched with seniors for some friendly conversation through the phone, are important to the continued well-being of older persons, especially those living alone.

Healthy aging is another area that will receive Val’s attention. EAA will again hold Matter of Balance exercise classes in the community and will participate with other organizations on similar projects.

And she always is thinking, and always with seniors best interests at heart.

“I envision a whole other set of programs that deliver the solid message about healthy aging,” she said. “I also love the idea of the intergenerational model where seniors and children spend time together and interact. It is beneficial for both groups. I would like to see more of that.”

And I am sure we will. Val has been here just a short time but she is making her mark. She is approachable, committed and dedicated to the betterment of seniors’ lives. And she is fun, always an important component in the work environment.

On a personal note, Val is married and mother to two young daughters, a dog and a cat. There will be an addition to the family in May. Her community spirit is not just professional. She is also a Girl Scout Brownie leader, in her limited spare time.

As always, EAA is here to serve you. Give Val a call and say “hi.” And while you’re at it, ask us about the available government programs that may save you some money. It’s our job to assist you so please keep us busy.

Welcome, Val. You are a great addition to the EAA family.

Be sure to tune into WVOM, The Voice of Maine, 103.9 FM at 6:30 a.m. Saturdays for Senior Talk with Carol Higgins. It is a show for and about seniors, covering topics from Medicare and Social Security to osteoporosis and volunteering. Not an early riser? Don’t worry. The show re-airs at 9 a.m. Wednesday on WABI AM 910, right after George Hale. I’d love to have you join me.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865 or e-mail info@eaaa.org.