North Branford Resident Honored in 60 Over 60 Awards

BLOOMFIELD, CT, June 20, 2017 – North Branford resident Heidi Parlato was recently honored with a 60 Over 60 Award. This is the first year the awards have been presented to Connecticut citizens over age 60 who make a difference in the lives of others or in their communities. The 60 Over 60 award was created by Duncaster as a way to showcase the lives of people 60 or better who continue to have a unique impact on their world, their communities or the lives of others. Parlato was celebrated at a reception on the Duncaster campus in Bloomfield.

Parlato was honored for her focus on “end-of-life” issues, which officially began in 2007 when she completed the introductory volunteer course and training at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford. After her initial hospice training, Parlato was assigned to the Patient Assistance department at The Connecticut Hospice. Parlato’s hospice work fueled her interest in the end-of-life journey and society’s treatment of elderly and dying populations. She took her training to yet another level with an application to Yale University where she earned a certificate in Bioethics. With this training, Parlato became a teaching volunteer at the Sherwin B. Neuland Institute for Bioethics. She continued her education to attain certification as an End-of-Life Doula, a new field. She is a member of the hospices’ Spiritual Care team, a bereavement support counselor and facilitates groups that help survivors cope with their losses.

Parlato’s interests extend beyond coping with life’s final journey. She was on the original planning committee of “Food 4 Kids” New Haven, a group that provides backpacks of food to “food insecure” elementary school children who may not have enough to eat at home on the weekends. She volunteers annually for Smilow Cancer Hospital’s “Discovery for the Cure” to raise funds for women’s reproductive cancer research and education and awareness of early cancer detection.

Duncaster began their search for 60 Over 60 on January 1. They received nominations of remarkable individuals from throughout Connecticut. “Our state has so many extraordinary people who are 60 or better so we were not surprised at the number of nominations we got. Clearly there are many people who wanted to recognize people 60 or better for their continued accomplishments,” says Carol Ann McCormick, VP Sales and Marketing at Duncaster. “We’ve all heard of 40 Under 40 awards that highlight the successes of this group of people. We thought it was high time to recognize the ongoing inspiration and achievement of those 60 or better. We were delighted with the response to it.”

For a complete list of all members of the 60 Over 60 class, go to duncaster.org/60-over-60-winners.

About Duncaster
Duncaster, the Hartford area’s first LifeCare community, is located minutes from West Hartford and Simsbury in Bloomfield CT. This boutique Life Plan Community sits on 94 acres. While catering to those who are active and engaged in independent living neighborhoods, Duncaster also offers options for those seeking assisted living, memory care, long-term care and rehab services (all private) in intimate settings. Duncaster was voted the Best Retirement Community by readers of Harford Magazine and the Connecticut Law Tribune. Residents have a role in governance and sit on the board – a rare distinction. For more information, visit http://www.Duncaster.orgor call (860) 380-5005.

Media contact
Andrea Obston aobston@aomc.com
(860) 243-1447 (office) (860) 803-1155 (cell)
(860) 653-2712 (home)