Westport News

Attorney Jennifer Heald will be meeting individuals for fifteen minute appointments on Wednesday, August 18 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.

OUTREACH INFORMATION

Elder Law Today by Surprenant & Beneski, P.C.
July, 2010 COA Edition
People with disabilities have special needs. Many times the person on disability relies on certain governmental benefit programs such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for support and medical insurance. These programs often have strict income and asset eligibility requirements. A well meaning inheritance could in fact cause the person to lose important benefits. Proper planning can avoid these problems. In our office we often have parents of a disabled child tell us that they plan to disinherit the disabled child and leave their   estate to another well child who will they expect "look after" the disabled child.  While the parents are well intentioned, this is often a recipe for disaster. The well child has no obligation of support for the disabled child and could, without any legal consequences, keep all of the inheritance. Parents will then tell us "my child would never do that." But then we ask: what if your child gets divorced, dies, is disabled or is in a car accident?  The money could then be lost through no fault of the well child.  Are you willing to take this chance when there is a safer solution? The safer solution is to create a Supplemental Needs Trust (SNT) for the benefit of the disabled child.  In the parent's Will the parent leaves the disabled child's share to the SNT rather than directly to the disabled child. The funds in a properly crafted SNT should not disqualify the disabled child from benefits. The funds should then be   available to help pay for services and "extras" not paid for by the programs. It creates a nest egg for the disabled child and should be protected from the claims of the Trustees creditors. For example, Mom and Dad, in their Wills, leave $50,000 to a SNT created by them for the benefit of their child, Mary, who has Down's syndrome and is dependent on Medicaid/Mass health for her health insurance.  The Trust assets should not disqualify Mary and can be used to pay for things such as extra medical care not covered by Medicaid, or a vacation, or clothing, or perhaps even a car! After Mary dies, any money remaining in the trust will be paid out to whomever Mom & Dad designated when they created the SNT. A competent elder and disability attorney can guide families through the difficult issues to create an estate plan that follows the family's wishes, cares for the disabled individual properly and allows for continuation of government benefits.  If you have a loved one dependent on government benefits for support, we encourage you to see an attorney with experience in special needs.

ZUMBA!!!
Come and join us here at the WCOA for fun and easy Latin Dance Exercise. All ages are welcome. Only $5.00 per class. Now accepting new students!! Dance your way to fitness!!! Mondays 4- 5 PM & Thursdays 8:30AM – 9:30AM

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.

 “Sing-a-long with Natalia at 12:00 noon on Wednesday August 4, 2010.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS - WESTPORT SENIOR CENTER
(Programs for elders 60 years of age and over)

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR August  2010 and BEYOND

August 4         12:00 Wednesday entertainment by Natalia

August 10       6:00PM -8:00PM Tuesday Magnolia Night Family Picnic & Car Cruise

August 11       12:00 Wednesday  Under the tent at the Westport Senior Center will be our annual resident picnic for 60+ seniors. 

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 August 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.

9:45 - 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. - 3:30 p.m.               Pool Tables, Monday through Friday. Tables available for individual and group games.  Walk-ins.

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon          Lunch Program, Monday through Friday. 48-hr. Advanced reservations.  Donation.

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.                       Blood Pressure Clinic, 3^rd Tuesday.  Walk-ins. Nurse Kathy

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.                       Caregiver support group. 3rd Tuesday of the Month -No meeting in August.

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

9:45 - 11:00 a.m.                     Osteoporosis Prevention, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Cost of weights and donations.  Reservations.

10:00 a.m. - 11:30a.m.             3^rd Wednesday of the Month, “LEGAL ADVICE” with Atty:       Jennifer Heald. By Appt.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 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.

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. - 2:00 p.m.             Food Pantry “Food for Friends” every Thursday

10:00 a.m. - 12 noon               Astronomy class, 1^st Thursday.  Reservations.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.                   Visual Impairment Support Group,  3^rd Tuesday.  Cancelled until furthur notice.  Will still have a quest speaker periodically. Thank you for your past support.

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon          Lunch Program, Monday through Friday. 48-hr. Advanced reservations.  Donation.

1:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.              Bingo – Cash etc.       

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.                       Quilting, Thursdays.  Fee.

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.

12:00 - 2:00 p.m.                     Chair Massage w/ Karen, 1^st 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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