CPTV Series Is Showing Seniors How To Live Fuller, More Productive Lives

Senior volunteers and avoiding becoming a victim of financial abuse are two of the topics explored in the third episode of Seniors: Living a Quality Life, a new Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) series. Episode Three premieres on Thursday, March 25, at 9 pm on CPTV (Charter Communications channel 23).

Repeats are scheduled for Sunday, March 28, at 2:30 pm, and Thursday, April 22 at 9:30 pm.

Hosted by Middletown resident Bill Wasch, the CPTV series offers practical information as well as inspirational ideas for people ages 55 to 100 who want to expand their options and live fuller, more productive lives. The series’ title sponsor is Masonicare, with additional funding provided by Qualidigm, Kearns & Kearns of West Hartford and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Seniors: Living a Quality Life is produced, directed and written by Karyl K. Evans, a New Haven resident who is the four-time Emmy Award-winning producer/director of such documentaries as The Amistad Revolt, Connecticut and Its Cities and The History of African Americans in Connecticut.

Ms Evans grew up in Newtown. Her mother, Jean Kreizinger – a retired biology professor from Western CT State University, continues to live in town.

“Volunteer Opportunities,” the first segment in episode three, follows a group of retired educators from Western Connecticut State University. Ed Rosenberg, a retired math professor from Danbury, volunteers his time in the emergency department at Danbury Hospital. Jean Kreizinger, a retired biology professor from Newtown, volunteers her expertise at Fairfield County UConn Cooperative Extension Service. Jim Pegolotti, a retired librarian from Danbury, volunteers for Literacy Volunteers of America in Danbury.

“Elder Financial Abuse,” another featured segment, explores how seniors can avoid becoming victims of scams. Mabel Draper and her daughter, Sandra Draper of New Haven, talk about how a financial scam by a Canadian sweepstakes operation resulted in the loss of Mabel Draper’s life savings.

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal explains how citizens can protect themselves against financial abuse. John DeMattia, the supervisory assistant to the state’s attorney general for elder abuse issues, and Deanne Loonin, a staff attorney at The National Consumer Law Center, also discuss ways seniors can prevent becoming victims of fraud.

Also in episode three, 80-year-old Alice “Skip” Farris, a Simsbury resident, takes viewers on a hike around Talcott Mountain and describes a recent vacation: a 120-mile hike around Mount Blanc in Europe.

New episodes of Seniors: Living a Quality Life will be broadcast on the fourth Thursday of each month through October.

Future episodes will include segments on topics including how to stay in your home as long as you can, the best ways to prevent falls and maintaining good nutrition, elder law issues, transportation options, the need for long-term care insurance, issues surrounding prescription drugs, senior housing options, and the do’s and don’ts of financial planning.

Each episode also includes an inspirational story of everyday seniors doing extraordinary things. From a band formed by seniors dedicated to keeping traditional Puerto Rican music alive to a Hartford senior who runs a performing arts center, Seniors: Living a Quality Life follows seniors who are starting new careers, nurturing old talents, keeping physically active, and sharing their time and energy with their communities.

Host Bill Wasch, a resident of Middletown, is the nationally recognized author of Home Planning for Your Later Years. With his daughter, architect Christina Wasch, he designed and built the Middletown House, a completely accessible house for older persons in Middletown.

A board member of the National Council of Aging, Inc., Mr Wasch has been featured on major television networks, and has been published in the Los Angeles Times and Business Week. He also served as chairman for the Middletown Senior Affairs Commission for 12 years and was a Connecticut delegate to the White House Conference on Aging in 1995.

Additional production credits for Seniors: Living a Quality Life include creators Bryan English and Jack Zavatsky.

Karyl K. Evans is the producer, director and writer for the series.

Associate Producer is Rebecca Benedict.Executive Producer is Jay Whitsett, the vice president of programming for Connecticut Public Television.

CPTV, with offices and production facilities in Hartford, is a nationally recognized producer and presenter of high quality public television programming in the United States.

CPTV is a leader in bringing television projects to public television, as well as to cable and home video outlets.

CPTV is also a leader in creating award-winning local productions including Connecticut & the Sea and UConn Women’s Basketball.

Now in its 41st year, Connecticut Public Television remains committed to bringing the best in arts and cultural programming and services to Connecticut and the nation.