Westport News

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.

TRANSPORTATION appointments for Westport elders, and handicapped persons of all ages will be taken: Monday – Wednesday beginning July 1, 2010, to area appointments scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  Appointments to Stop & Shop are taken the 1^st Friday of the month between 10:00 & 1:00 and Wal-Mart the 3^rd. Friday of the month. When you make your doctor’s appointment, call us for a ride.  Rides must be scheduled one week in advance. Please have the exact doctor’s name, street address, and telephone number when you call.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Phyllis
Meeting on Monday July19, 2010 at 1:30. 

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP w/ Andrea 3^rdThursday, July 15, 2010, 10:30-11:30
Also, BOOKS ON TAPE - Transportation is available for Westport residents.

CHAIR MASSAGE w/ Heather
Every Wednesday 9:00AM-11:00AM
-Donations Accepted.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC w/Nurse Pauline
Wednesday, July 7, 2010, 10:30 – 11:30 AM

Why Should You Have a Health Care Proxy?
As an attorney I recommend that all adults over 18 should have a health care proxy. So what is this legal document and why should you have a health care proxy?

A Health Care Proxy is a legal document that allows:

a. An individual, you, to appoint another person to act as a health care proxy agent to convey your requests regarding life sustaining treatment, to the attending doctor involved in your medical care, in the event you are in a vegetative state or an irreversible coma (a/k/a “coma”).

b. You are to convey to your health care proxy agent just what life sustaining treatment you want if you are in a coma, i) allowing nature to take its course by choosing to do any of the following…unplug the ventilator, withdraw the feeding tube, withdraw the hydration, etc. or in the alternative, ii) requesting heroic measures be taken to keep you alive.

c. You need to have multiple detailed and private conversations with your health care proxy agent informing them of your desires regarding life sustaining treatment in the event you lapse into a coma.

d. The health care proxy agent is permitted by law, when you lapse into a coma, which must be diagnosed by a doctor in writing, to convey your wishes regarding life sustaining treatment to the attending doctor on site.

e. All doctors are to follow the decisions of the health care proxy agent when you are in a coma without the court being involved. As a matter of fact all medical doctors in Massachusetts are legally bound to follow the decision of the health care proxy agent under these conditions.

Attorney Jennifer Heald will be meeting individuals for fifteen minute appointments on Wednesday, July 21st from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  If you would like to make an appointment with me or would like to call me with any legal questions please call 508-636-9090.

“FOOD FOR FRIENDS”
FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN!!:
Food Pantry Update for June: The Pantry is growing weekly and we always welcome donations of food, toiletries, and even monetary donations.  We’ve recently had two generous donations from Curves in North Dartmouth and the Westport Elementary School children, families, and staff to whom we are very grateful. Currently, we can still use the following items in small/ medium sizes:

OUTREACH INFORMATION
Are you or anyone you know in need of assistance? Please call our Outreach office and ask for Andrea or Phyllis.

Outreach Provides the following assistance: -Home Visits, Help with applications, Information and referrals, Caregiver Support , Vision Impaired Support, & Medical equipment loaned out.

“Sing-a-long with Natalia at 12:00 noon on Wednesday June 2, 2010

PC & INTERNET CLASSES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
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 Joan at the COA at 508-636-1026 Monday thru Wednesday to set up a training time.
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CREATIVE DRAWING CLASS   - 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. Classes are on Thursdays 1:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a cost of $30.00 for a 5 week session, continuing through the year.  Barbara Farnell is the instructor.  Please call the Westport Council on Aging - 508-636-1026.

SAVE THE DATE!!
Friday September 24^th 2010 - 12 noon – 4:00 p.m.

NEWS FROM THE SHINE PROGRAM
Closure of the Doughnut Hole Begins
Starting June 10, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will begin sending the $250 rebate checks to consumers in the Medicare drug coverage gap, also known as the “doughnut hole.” This rebate is a result of provisions included in the health reform law.  HHS will send an estimated 80,000 checks to people who have entered the coverage gap since the start of 2010, and will continue to send the rebates on a rolling basis approximately every month to people who newly enter the doughnut hole. The rebate checks will be sent automatically and there are no forms to fill out.  Consumers should protect themselves from fraud, and should not provide personal information, such as, Social Security numbers, or bank account numbers, to anyone who contacts them about the rebate. People should report potential fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
The health reform law gradually phases out the doughnut hole. This year, people who enter the coverage gap will receive the one-time $250 rebate check. Beginning next year, consumers in the doughnut hole will receive a 50% discount on brand-name drugs and a 7% discount on generics.  The share consumers pay for both brand-name and generic drugs will decrease until the gap is eliminated in 2020, when consumers will pay the standard 25% of the costs for drugs while in the doughnut hole. By 2014, Medicare Advantage plans must spend 85% of taxpayer money on health benefits, rather than on administrative costs and profits. While there are cuts in overpayments to Medicare Advantage plans, which will bring the costs of the Medicare Advantage program in line with that of Original Medicare, there will be no cuts to guaranteed Medicare benefits. Plans are still required to provide coverage that is at least as good as Original Medicare.
 

 “Volunteer Corner”
Volunteers needed.:
Friendly visiters to visit elders in the community.
Brown Bag deliveries. We need  volunteers for once a month to help deliver bags on a Tuesday with a COA driver from 10:00AM to 3:00 PM.
Please call  Jennifer C. Wagner, our Volunteer Coordinator at the Westport Council on Aging if you are interested in volunteering or have any questions. 
 

WCOA “Me Book” Chronicles
If you enjoy scrapbooking or researching - WE NEED YOU! The WCOA is looking for volunteers to compile a new publication that will chronicle past and present activities and services.  We will be gathering photos and articles from the past and assembling them into an organized collection such as a photo album or scrapbook.  The purpose of this publication is to create a memoir that will also bring a greater awareness of the contributions to the community by the WCOA through its many services and activities.  If you are interested in contributing to this valuable project that will be enjoyed by many for years to come. Please call the WCOA at 508-636-1026 to sign up for our initial brainstorming meeting on Monday June 14^th at 10:00AM.

­­­­­­­­­­ PICNIC -  Wednesday July 14, 2010
Hot Dogs & Hamburgers will be provided at the Westport Senior Center – This special event is sponsored by the committee to elect Paul Schmid currently running for State Representative.  Picnic lunch will be served at 11:30 A.M. and entertainment by Silver, Gold & Bronze at 12:00 PM for the first 60 guests who make reservations - Advance registration is required-- (508) 636-1026.

NUTRITION SESSION-
Come and join Eric Esterling, a registered dietitian from Bristol Elder Services, Thursday, July 8 @ 12:00 noon for “Focus on Fiber.” He will discuss the benefits of a diet rich in fiber and how you can get enough in your diet without supplements or tree branches.         
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS - WESTPORT SENIOR CENTER
(Programs for elders 60 years of age and over)

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR JUNE 2010 and BEYOND

July 7               12:00 Wednesday entertainment by Natalia

July 6               Tuesday 11:00 a.m. Meet Congressman Barney Frank

July 8               Thursday 10:30 - Diabetes & Nutrition w/ Nutritional Bingo

July  14            11:30 a.m. Wednesday –PICNIC – Hot Dogs & Hamburgers will be provided at the Westport Senior Center – This special event is sponsored by the committee to elect Paul Schmid currently running for State Representative. Picnic lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. and entertainment by Silver, Gold & Bronze at 12:00 p.m. for the first 60 guests who make reservations – Advance registration is required – (508) 636-1026.

July 29             12:00 p.m. Thursday – Vic Solo – Elvis Impersonator

September 24th 12-4 – Wealth & Health Expo –The purpose of the Expo is to provide an informational opportunity for the entire community to learn about the wide variety of ways to improve our health and maximize our discretionary funds.  There will be over twenty booths from local doctors and national businesses including Chair Massage, Reiki, Podiatry, Ophthalmology, CPA, Attorney, Financial Planning and much more. Try your luck at the Chinese Auction and stop by the snack bar for some Clam Chowder and goodies that will be available for purchase. Free Admission

REGULAR DAILY EVENTS FOR July 2010

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.