COA OCTOBER 2009 EVERGREEN NEWSLETTER
TOWN OF WESTPORT
Council on Aging
75 Reed Road
Westport, Massachusetts 02790-1135
Tel 508-636-1026 fax 508-636-1034
**EVERGREEN**
OCTOBER NEWS & EVENTS
WESTPORT SENIOR CENTER
H1N1 (SWINE) FLU SEASON IS HERE
What is H1N1 flu?
The H1N1 is a respiratory disease caused by a type of influenza virus.
What are the symptoms?
The H1N1 flu causes symptoms very similar to seasonal flu. The most common symptoms are fever, cough and sore throat and can include body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people get diarrhea and vomiting.
How can I protect myself?
The flu is transmitted primarily through the air as in talking, coughing and sneezing. It can also be spread indirectly, by having someone sneeze on their hands, on a telephone, doorknob or public space and then you come into contact with their germs by touching these objects. Avoid touching your nose, eyes or mouth. To protect yourself you should avoid holding, hugging, kissing or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
If I have swine flu, can I stay at home?
People with mild or moderate illness can and should be cared for at home to prevent spread. Get medical help right away if you have the following symptoms: difficulty breathing or chest pain, purple or blue discoloration of the lips, have signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or if you have seizures or become confused.
*****Westport COA - VIDEO Project*****
Please visit our website at www.westport-ma.gov to view our new video highlighting the role of the Westport Council on Aging in our community. You can also access this video on the Public Access Cable TV channels. This video was made possible by grants from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust and the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging. We would like to thank everyone who helped with this project and a special thank you to Heather Heath Reed, Chairman of the Council on Aging Board for the countless hours she put into making this video such a success.
**Holiday Fair**
Westport Senior Center
75 Reed Road
Monday through Friday
November - 16th - 20th
8:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Knitted Goods, quilted items,
specialty table-holiday baskets.
BAKE SALE: IS WEDNESDAY November 18th
Come in and join the fun!!!
Sponsored by the Friends of the Westport COA, Inc.
“ FOOD FOR FRIENDS”
FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN!!:
Tough times are upon us and with the holidays approaching, please pass the word that we have this great resource available to families in the Westport Community. If you have any questions on who qualifies, please call the center and ask for someone in the Outreach Department.
Thank You !!
OUR PANTRY NEEDS CANNED GOODSAND BOXED ITEMS!!---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SENIOR CENTER CLOSING POLICY: If the Westport Community Schools announce closings due to weather emergencies, the Senior Center will close for classes, transportation, and other activities--the COA office may operate for routine administrative operations only.
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL to the network of services available to Westport residents, 60 years of age and over. WCOA is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The SHINE Program (SERVING THE HEALTH INFORMATION NEEDS OF ELDERS)--information about Medicare, supplements, MassHealth. Phone consultations and office appointments.
TRANSPORTATION for Westport’s elders, and handicapped persons of all ages, Monday - Friday, to area appointments scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. When you make your doctor’s appointment, call us for a ride. Please have the exact doctor’s name, street address, and telephone number when you call.
MIND Art Bingo Drawing Games Knitting Quilting Poetry Writing Watercolor
AND BODY Aerobics, Billiards, Chair Massage, Osteoporosis
FITNESS Prevention, Reiki, T’ai Chi, YogaFit, Zumba
PROGRAMS: Call for space availability and fees-508-636-1026.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Phyllis
No group meeting for the month of October
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP w/ Andrea 3rdTuesday- 10:30-11:30
Also, BOOKS ON TAPE--VIDEO MAGNIFIER
Transportation is available for Westport residents.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
CHAIR MASSAGE w/ Heather
Every Wednesday 9:00AM-11:00AM
This is a complimentary service—no charge.
REIKI w/ Deborah--Mondays, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon. Fee schedule.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC w/Nurse Pauline
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 11:30 – 12:00 PM
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC w/Nurse Kathy
3rd Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
PODIATRY CLINIC at Dr. Spiri’s office in Somerset,
Thursday, November 5th at 10:00AM.
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WESTPORT SENIOR CENTER
(Programs for elders 60 years of age and over)
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR OCTOBER 2009 and BEYOND
October 1 10:00 a.m. Thursday, “ASTRONOMY CLASS”
October 5 12:00 noon, Monday, “MY LIFE, MY HEALTH”, Session III
October 13 7:00PM Westport Historical Society will be holding a presentation at the Westport COA
October 14 11:30 a.m.Wednesday, SOUP & SANDWICH “Butternut Squash & Roast Beef Sandwiches w/Dr. Brenda & Greg Stone with pet therapy dogs. Reservations
October Food Pantry “Food for Friends” every Thursday
October 27 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, “SING-A-LONG WITH NATALIA”.
November 15- Medical Part D annual open enrollment.
December 31
November 16-20 Holiday Fair. Knitted Goods, quilted items & specialty table- holiday baskets. Bake sale is on Wednesday Nov. 18. Come in and join the fun
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8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Senior Social Day Program, Monday through Friday.
Supervised program. Fee.
8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Aerobic Exercise, Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays. Fee.9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pool Tables, Monday through Friday.
Tables available for individual and group games. Walk-ins.
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Games, Mondays. Walk-ins.
9:45 - 11:00 a.m. Osteoporosis Prevention, Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Cost of weights and donations. Reservations.10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Reiki, Mondays. Donation.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Lunch Program, Monday through Friday.
48-hr. Advanced reservations. Donation.
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. YogaFit Class, Mondays. Fee.
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Zumba Class, Mondays. Fee.
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TUESDAYS
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Senior Social Day Program, Monday through
Friday. Supervised program. Fee.
9:00 a.m. Walking / Hiking Group9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pool Tables, Monday through Friday.
Tables available for individual and group games. Walk-ins.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Visual Impairment Support Group, 3rd Tuesday. Reservations.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Lunch Program, Monday through Friday.
48-hr. Advanced reservations. Donation.
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Chair Massage, 1st Tuesday. Walk-ins.
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Knitting Circle, Tuesdays. Walk-ins.
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Bingo, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Walk-ins.
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Blood Pressure Clinic, 3rd Tuesday. Walk-ins.
WEDNESDAYS
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Senior Social Day Program, Monday through
Friday. Supervised program. Fee.8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Aerobic Exercise, Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays. Fee.9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pool Tables, Monday through Friday.
Tables available for individual and group games. Walk-ins.
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Chair Massage - Donation
9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Watercolor, Wednesdays. Fee. Seasonal.
9:45 - 11:00 a.m. Osteoporosis Prevention, Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays. Cost of weights and
donations. Reservations.
10:00 a.m. 3rd Wednesday of the Month, “LEGAL
ADVICE” with Atty: Jennifer Heald. By Appt.11:00 - 12:00 a.m. Blood Pressure Clinic w/ Pauline 3rd Wednesday
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Lunch Program, Monday through Friday.
48-hr. Advanced reservations. Donation.
1:30 - 3:00 p.m. Poetry-Writing Workshop, Wednesdays.
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THURSDAYS
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Senior Social Day Program, Monday through
Friday. Supervised program. Fee.
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Zumba Class. Fee.
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Tai Chi, Advanced Class, Thursdays. Fee.
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pool Tables, Monday through Friday.
Tables available for individual and group games. Walk-ins.
10:00 a.m. - 12 noon Astronomy class, 1st Thursday. Reservations.
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Lunch Program, Monday through Friday.
48-hr. Advanced reservations. Donation.
12:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. Bingo for prizes. 50 cents per card. Walk-Ins
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Quilting, Thursdays. Fee.
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Drawing, Thursdays. Fee.
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Caregiver support group. 1st Thursday of the
4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Zumba Class. Fee.
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FRIDAYS
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Senior Social Day Program, Monday through
Friday. Supervised program. Fee.
8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Aerobic Exercise, Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays. Fee.9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pool Tables, Monday through Friday.
Tables available for individual and group games.
Walk-ins.9:45 - 11:00 a.m. Osteoporosis Prevention, Mondays,
Wednesdays, and Fridays. Cost of weights and
donations. Reservations.11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon Lunch Program, Monday through Friday.
48-hr. Advanced reservations. Donation.
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Tai Chi, Intermediate Class, Fridays. Fee.
* * * * * * * * * *
Walking - Hiking Group
Are you interested in walking/hiking with others who love the out-of-doors? Have you wanted to walk some of the wonderful trails in our area but have some reservations about heading out alone?
If you are interested, please call,
508-636-1026, at the Council on Aging.
--Rosemary Lenrow
LEGAL ADVICE
Attorney Jennifer Heald will be meeting individuals for fifteen minute appointments on Wednesday, October 21st from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The first six individuals to sign up will meet with Attorney Heald who will help to answer your questions at the Senior Center. Please write down your questions so you can make good use of your brief time with her.
Attorney Heald established her general civil practice in Westport handling civil matters including estate planning and landlord/tenant cases. As an Estate Planning attorney, she is able to give advice on Last Wills and Testaments, Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Proxies, Living Will Declarations, HIPAA Authorizations, and Declarations of Homesteads for clients. She can also provide legal assistance in probate administration.
“Sing-a-long with Natalia”
at 12:00 noon on Tuesday October 27.
The Senior Center is closed Monday October 12th in observance of the Columbus Day Holiday!!
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Coffee & Chat
Come and join us for coffee and donuts in the library Monday thru Friday and meet our friendly greeters Eileen &
-----------------------------------------------------------------A special thanks to Sheriff Hodgson and his staff for volunteering their time to re-paint the exterior of the Senior Center. They have also been helping with yard maintenance and the cleaning of our windows!!!
SOUP & SANDWICH
Wednesday, October14th
Dr. Brenda & Greg Stone will attend with pet therapy dogs
We will serve Butternut Squash Soup & Roast Beef Sandwiches at the Westport Senior Center. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. for the first 60 guests who make reservations--all for the bargain price of $3.00 per person.
Advance registration is required--(508) 636-1026.
MEDICARE PART D ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT!!
November 15th thru December 31
Part D is an insurance program that provides help with prescription costs and protection for catastrophic costs. Interested parties should explore the plans available to ensure that they choose a plan that provides the most comprehensive coverage. Information about the plans is available on the Medicare website - www.Medicare.gov. Or call Karen Urmson at “Shine” to schedule an appointment on the second Friday of each month here at the WCOA. 1-800-987-2510 or 508-222-1399
S.N.A.P. - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - helps low income individuals and families buy healthy, nutritious food. Please contact the Outreach department to see if you are eligible!!
My Life My Health
Chronic Disease
Self-Management Program
Created by Stanford University
The Westport C.O.A. through the Friends of the WCOA is sponsoring a trip to Charleston, Savannah & Jekyll Island April 18th - 24th, 2010. Hosted by Collette Vacations.
WESTPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Will be holding a presentation at the Westport COA on Oct.13th at 7:00PM
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