COA APRIL 2010 EVERGREEN NEWSLETTER
Council on Aging
75 Reed Road
Westport, Massachusetts 02790-1135
Tel 508-636-1026 fax 508-636-1034
***APRIL EVERGREEN***
Happy Spring!!! This is always a time of renewal and refreshing. There is one topic that comes up frequently and caused some confusion in the past.
What is the difference between the Council on Aging, the Friends of the Council on Aging and the Senior Center.
The Council on Aging is a Town Department whose primary function is to identify and meet the needs of Westport’s elders and to inform the elders and the community of available services. The Friends of the Westport Council on Aging (FWCOA) is a private non-profit organization registered as a 501 © (3) with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The purpose of the FWCOA is to communicate the aim of the Westport Council on Aging (WCOA) and to seek funds for the WCOA projects and programs.
The Senior Center located at 75 Reed Road is where the offices of the WCOA are located and many of the activities take place. Some people mistakenly believe that only old, frail people come to the Senior Center. Check out the Town website, www.westport-ma.gov, then under departments click on the Council on Aging and play our video. You will be amazed at the vibrant people who are using the Senior Center and taking advantage of our programs. Have a great day!!! Mary Ellen
**Reminder**
The Senior Center is closed:
Friday April 2, Good Friday
Monday April 19, Patriots Day
Transportation Corner - Transportation will not be provided for the following dates in April:
April 2nd - Good Friday
April 19th - Patriots Day
April 28th - Due to a Driver Van Training we will not provide transportation on this day. - Please plan your appointments accordingly.
***MEET THE CANDIDATES***
Tuesday, April 13th is Election Day. Come to the Senior Center on April 7th at 1:00 p.m. to hear the candidates discuss the issues facing the Town. It will also be a good opportunity for you to ask questions of the Town Administrator and the Superintendent of Schools about the proposed override of Proposition 2 ½.
Poll Workers Needed.......$$$
Marlene, the town clerk is looking for anyone who might be interested in serving as an extra poll worker. Poll workers are paid an hourly rate and most enjoy the day meeting and greeting our residents and voters. Anyone interested must be a registered voter in the Town. The extra poll worker would be called to work when a regular worker could not. They need Democrat, Republican and Un-enrolled voters. Town Elections are from 10:00a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Federal and State Elections are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. People may contact the town clerks office at 508-636-1000 during regular business hours.
Please join us for Chicken Rice Soup & Chow Mein Sandwich .....Wednesday April 13 - 11:30 A.M. for the first 60 guests who make reservations--all for the bargain price of $3.00 per person. Entertainment is a movie at 12:00 Advance registration is required--(508) 636-1026.
"FOOD FOR FRIENDS”
FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN!!:
This great resource is available to families in the Westport Community. If you have any questions on who qualifies, please call the center and ask for Andrea or Phyllis at 508-636-1026 in the Outreach Department. Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed to the Food Pantry. We are doing well, serving nearly 30 Westport households. “Food for Friends” depends on the community support and you and the community-at-large have been wonderful.
We always welcome whatever you can donate, whether it be canned and prepackage foods, toiletries, volunteering to work at the Pantry, or making a donation. We are now posting on the “erasable” board in the COA main hallway a list of items that are particular needed. Small sizes are more manageable than larger for our recipients. Specifically, we can use the following foods and toiletries. Please drop items off at the WCOA. Food: Cold & hot healthy Cereal, Peanut butter, Jelly, Fruit, Baked beans, Ravioli, Spaghetti, Stews & Chili, sweet & white Potatoes, Protein beans (kidney, chickpea, pinto), Hams. Toiletries: Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Paper Towels, Kleenex and disposable Razors. Thank You for all your support. Individually and together we are making a difference. Heather Heath Reed- COA Board Chair - FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN EVERY THURSDAY - 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
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.
Call Karen Urmson-508-222-1399
Volunteer Corner
Please welcome Jennifer C. Wagner, our new Volunteer Coordinator to the Westport Council on Aging. Please call her if you are interested in volunteering for the WCOA.
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, Prevention
FITNESS-Prevention, T’ai Chi, YogaFit, Zumba
PROGRAMS:Call for space availability and fees-508-636-1026.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Phyllis
*Tuesday, April 13, 1:30 p.m.*
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP w/ Andrea
3rdTuesday- 10:30-11:30
Also, BOOKS ON TAPE--VIDEO MAGNIFIER
Transportation is available for Westport residents.
CHAIR MASSAGE w/ Karen--
No massage. Good Friday
CHAIR MASSAGE w/ Heather
Every Wednesday 9:00AM-11:00AM
This is a complimentary service—no charge.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC w/Nurse Pauline
Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 10:30 – 11:30 PM
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC w/Nurse Kathy
3rd Tuesday, April 20, 2010, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
PODIATRY CLINIC at Dr. Spiri’s office in Somerset,
No clinic in April.
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? Every Tuesday at 8:45A.M there is a group that begins at the Westport COA.
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, April 21th 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.
PC & INTERNET CLASSES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Hi and welcome to Computer Classes at Westport COA. My name is Joan Hale, and I am here to help you get the most out of your PC. I want you to excel in how you use your PC, be it Internet, surfing, emailing, word processing, or just as simple as using the mouse.
I hope this training will help break down the “Typical Barriers” and “Obstacles” which are responsible for stopping the majority of senior citizens learning the value in owning a PC and getting online. Keep in mind, “You Cannot Break the Computer”. So let’s have some fun and learn together. Call me at the COA at 508-636-1026 Monday thru Wednesday to set up a training time.
WATERCOLOR CLASSES
Watercolor classes are held seasonally for 6 week sessions, for Westport Residents only, under the expert direction of Ruth Edwards on Wednesdays from 9:00-11:30AM. Classes are $25.00 per session. The next session will begin on April 21, 2010.
Sign-ups for new participants will be from April 1 – April 13, 2010.
Sign-ups for repeat participants will be from April 14- April 20, 2010.
Sign-ups are first come first serve and must be paid in full to reserve a spot. Limit of 12 participants.
Join the multi-media drawing class at the Westport Senior Center. Share the fun and comradery as you learn new ways to express yourself, responding to your surroundings with new awareness of form, perspective, and color learning techniques.
Again this year, a volunteer tax-aide, Jean-Louis Clapin, will be at the Westport Senior Center to help Westport residents over 60 years of age prepare their simple 2009 tax returns. Mr. Clapin will be at the Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appointment only, through April 14, 2010. Please contact Mr. Clapin at 508-672-5683 for an appointment. This program is offered by the AARP Foundation in conjunction with the IRS, in co-operation with the COA.
Dr. John Meehan, Ophthalmologist from South Coast Eye Care will be giving an informational on Macular Degeneration on April 20th 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Screenings may be available. Please call 508-636-1026 to sign up for this presentation. Thank You !!
OUTREACH INFORMATION
Are you or anyone you know in need of assistance? Please call our Outreach office and ask for Andrea or Phyllis.
-Home Visits, Help with applications, Information and referrals, Caregiver Support , Vision Impaired Support, & Medical equipment loaned out.
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!! Please contact with any questions or for any service request at 508-636-1026. Fuel Assistance- Forms & Assistance is now available through the Outreach department. Please call to schedule an appointment with Andrea or Phyllis.
Join the multi-media drawing class at the Westport Senior Center.Share the fun and comradery as you learn new ways to express yourself, responding to your surroundings with new awareness of form, perspective, and color learning techniques. Please call our Outreach office and ask for Andrea or Phyllis. the following assistance:-Home Visits, Help with applications, Information and referrals, Caregiver Support , Vision Impaired Support, & Medical equipment loaned out.helps low income individuals and families buy healthy, nutritious food. Please contact the Outreach department to see if you are eligible!! Please contact with any questions or for any service request at 508-636-1026.
SOS: SEASONS OF THE SKY
A guide to stars, planets, and other awesome objects revealed as we make our year-long journey around the sun on space station earth.
Your tour guide, Greg Stone, has been an amateur astronomer for half a century, published several magazine articles on astronomy, and maintains an instructional web site related to this program. His personal observatory on Drift Rd. includes a 15” reflecting telescope. Online Visit: astrojourney.wordpress.com - Take a 580-million-mile Journey! - Starting May 6, 2010 10:00am - 12:00 noon and continues on the 1st Thursday of each month for a year at the Westport COA. - Cost: $30.00 for materials; includes free, related, occasional observing sessions at Driftway Observatory and other Westport locations.
To register, sign up at the reception desk at the Westport Senior Center or call: 508-636-1026.
GREETINGS FROM THE FRIENDS - Spring is around the corner- we hope-and Spring, of course, is a time of new beginnings and renewal. This Spring, the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging have been assembling a new addition of the Westport Telephone Book-that little book that everyone reaches for several times a day. We have been asking our advertisers to renew their ads or, if you are a new business/service, we have tried to find you to give you the opportunity to be in this wonderful little book. By the time you are reading this, our deadline may have been passed but you can call to see if you can get into “the Book”. This Westport Telephone Book is one of the main sources of funds for the Friends and the Friends is an organization devoted entirely to raising funds for and supporting the Westport Senior Center. We have and will continue to provide money for “extras”-things that the regular Town budget cannot cover. Over the years we have given money for air conditioning, copy machines, new table and chairs, gardens and landscaping and many other projects. The Senior Center is a true “center” for an amazing variety of activities, classes and meetings-to benefit our many citizens over that magic age known as senior. If you are not a member of the Friends of the Westport COA, we would love to have you become a member-it’s very easy-we do a mailing to all Westport households in June, so look for our yellow and green membership form. Happy Spring from the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging.
CENSUS 2010
WHY YOU SHOULD RESPOND......
The 2010 Census is:
EASY-With just 10 questions, it is easy to complete and return.
SAFE-By law, the Census Bureau cannot share your answers with anyone.
IMPORTANT-Census data are used to determine U.S. Congressional apportionment as well as the distribution of federal funding. Federal, state and local policymakers also use Census data to: Implement the Supplemental Social Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance Programs. Plan programs for seniors living alone. Apply for grants to help seniors caring for their grand children. Create facilities and services for people with disabilities. PLEASE FILL OUT AND RETURN YOUR CENSUS FORM WHEN IT IS DELIVERED IN SPRING 2010
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - WESTPORT SENIOR CENTER
(Programs for elders 60 years of age and over)
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR APRIL 2010 and BEYOND
April 14 11:30 a.m. Wednesday – Chicken Rice soup and Chow Mein sandwich - For $3.00 A movie will follow at 12:00PM. Reservations call 508-636-1026
April 20-11:00 a.m. Dr. John Meehan, Ophthalmologist from South Coast Eye Care will be giving an informational on Macular Degeneration. Screenings may be available. Please call 508-636-1026 to sign up for this presentation.
May 6-10:00am-12:00 noon. Seasons of the Sky. A guide to stars, planets and other awesome objects revealed as we make our year-long journey around the sun on space station earth. Meets the first Thursday of each month for a year at the Westport COA. Cost: $30.00 for materials; includes free, related, occasional observing sessions at Driftway Observatory and other Westport locations.
REGULAR DAILY EVENTS FOR APRIL 2010
MONDAYS
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.
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.
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 Group
9:00 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.
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Knitting Circle, Tuesdays. Walk-ins.
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Bingo, every Tuesday. Walk-ins.
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Blood Pressure Clinic, 3rd Tuesday. Walk-ins. Nurse Kathy
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Caregiver support group. 3rd Tuesday of the Month
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Emily Dickenson Group
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 w/Heather - 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.- 11:30a.m. 3rd Wednesday of the Month, “LEGAL ADVICE” with Atty: Jennifer Heald. By Appt.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. Blood Pressure Clinic w/ Pauline 1st Wednesday of the month.
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. Walk-ins.
12:00 p.m. TSH - Book Club
THURSDAYS
Supervised program. Fee.
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Zumba Class. 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. - 11:30 a.m. TSH- Knitting Group
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Food Pantry “Food for Friends” every Thursday
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.
FRIDAYS
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Senior Social Day Program, Monday through Friday.
Supervised program. 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.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tai Chi, Advanced Class, Thursdays. Fee
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Chair Massage w/ Karen, 1st Friday. Walk-ins.
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Tai Chi, Intermediate Class, Fridays. Fee.
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Tai Chi, Basics Class, Fridays. Fee.
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