COA: June 2006 "Evergreen" newsletter
WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BANQUET
On Friday, May 19, 2006, the annual WCOA Volunteer Appreciation Banquet was held at the Hazel Tripp Senior Center, 75 Reed Road, Westport, MA. It was attended by over 70 loyal volunteers, of the 110 who have given of their time to help the COA and the elders of Westport. The event began with a 5:00 p.m. dedication ceremony of State Representative Michael Rodrigues’ donation of a beautiful Hawthorn tree to the WCOA Garden and the citizens of Westport. The tree is part of the Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association’s highest award, the “Environmental Leadership Award,” which was presented to the Representative at the MNLA’s 93rd Annual Meeting in 2003.
This award recognizes individuals who have consistently provided informed leadership in dealing with complex environmental issues. Rep. Rodrigues has proven himself worthy through all the work he has done on measures to protect open space and encourage the continuation of working farms and fisheries. The Hawthorn tree symbolizes everlasting life; thus it is an appropriate symbol of the Representative’s dedication to his constituents.
Seventeen awards from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts were also presented by State Representative Michael Rodrigues, to recognize special groups and individuals whose volunteerism has been critical to the success of the Council on Aging.
Recipients include: the WCOA Board of Directors for their direction and goal achievement; the Friends of the WCOA Board for their support, both financial and personal; the WCOA Knitters’ Group for their meaningful projects for the LINUS group; the Volunteer Landscapers who care for the Center’s grounds; the Kitchen Staff who volunteer to help at all events; the “Lees’ tapes ladies: Vivianne Cummings and Claire Ritz; William Cummings who repairs furniture routinely; two special ladies: Rosemary Lenrow and Sally Yeomans; Social Day Program volunteers Judith Turner, Ginette Merisier, Margaret Bence, and Judith Swan; Elliott Lamontagne, computer instructor; the osteoporosis instructors, who have worked with over 150 clients; and Jeanne Cassidy, our play-reading instructor for over 5 years.
The great need for volunteers was emphasized by COA Director Susan A. Oliveira, who noted that the Westport Council on Aging was started by insightful volunteers over 34 years ago, and has relied on them since. She pointed out that the value of Westport COA volunteer time is estimated at over $100,000 for this fiscal year, representing an enormous contribution to the community
The buffet dinner, catered by Brantal’s Restaurant and Catering of Tiverton, R.I., was sponsored by the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging. Entertainment was provided by the I’ve Got Rhythm Dance Center Performance Team, a group of 12 extremely talented young ladies who danced to the “Golden Oldies.” These young people are starting an early career of volunteer performances for elders in the area, at nursing homes and senior centers.
FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT
COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.
Supporting the Senior Center
P. O. Box N-192
Westport, MA 02790
The largest issue on the FWCOA agenda is the Annual Meeting and Dinner to be held at the Senior Center at 75 Reed Road on Monday, June 19, 2006. The time is 5:00 p.m. We hope all the FWCOA contributing members will join us—there is a modest charge of $5.00 for this dinner—so we do not use funds that we want to use for our many projects connected to the Senior Center.
At the FWCOA meeting, we want to give special thanks to Lees Supermarket for all they have done to support our mission. We do not know where we would be without the help and gifts to the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging. Thank you so much.
Annual FWCOA Membership Mailing—starting at 9:00 a.m., June 13, 14 and 15, we will need as many helping hands as possible to help with the mailing. Just drop by and stuff some envelopes with us.
Center Gardeners—Anyone willing to pull some weeds, etc, will be very welcome. Come anytime from 9:00 a.m., we usually are finished by 11:00 a.m.—and the more hands the faster it goes. You can call the Center at 636-1026, or Linda Olsen at 636-3809, or just show up if it is not raining.
Lees Supermarket Receipts—Thank you to the faithful who drop off cash register receipts. The funds are a welcome addition to the many fund-raising activities sponsored by the FWCOA.
For the FWCOA, Peter C. Forrester, Secretary.
SERVING HEALTH INFORMATION
NEEDS OF ELDERS (S.H.I.N.E.)
If you are looking for information about Medicare, supplements, MassHealth, etc., call the SHINE counselor. Phone consultations and one-on-one appointments can be arranged for Westport residents by calling, 508-636-1026.
COMPUTER WORKSHOP--Workshops for Introduction to Computers, using your PC or Apple, are Tuesdays, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. The cost is $50 for a five-week course.
60+ SENIOR CITIZENS I.D. CARDS—ID photos are taken by appointment at the WCOA office located at the Westport Senior Center. Photos are recognized by area merchants and SRTA transportation for discounts. You must be 60 years of age or older, and present proof of age and residency. Cost is $5.00.
COUNCIL ON AGING -- CANCELLATION POLICY
Westport COA will cancel all activities and programs at the Senior Center, as well as transportation, if the Westport Community Schools are closed due to bad weather or other local emergency.
WESTPORT C.O.A. CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
First Thursday of Each Month, 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Caring for a loved one with changing abilities can be very stressful. Join us each month as we share information on understanding and coping with behavioral problems and learn about accessing local resources for caregivers. Please call.
The next session, June 1, 2006, will feature Owen Conway, D.C., of Westport Chiropractic. Dr. Conway will emphasize proper lifting and carrying techniques to minimize the risk of injury to the caregiver.
WESTPORT C.O.A. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP
Second Tuesday of Each Month, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
VIDEO MAGNIFIER—To help read documents easier, the COA has a magnifying machine in our library room.
BOOKS ON TAPE—A wide selection of Books on Tape is available in the COA library and from our Outreach Worker.
SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Polls are open 10:00 am. to 8:00 p.m.
Eldercare Q & A New Family Leave Plan
Q: Is there a new family leave plan and tax benefit for people caring for elders?
A: The state Senate has proposed a “working families” plan with a tax cut for working families with dependents, and paid family and medical leave.
The tax cut plan would increase the deduction that state taxpayers can claim on line 13 of the state tax form for the care of a disabled or elderly parent or spouse.
If you don’t claim the line 13 deduction, the Senate proposal also increases the deduction for dependent care expenses you can claim on line 12 of the state tax form.
“This will ensure that when an employer’s aging mother suffers a heart attach or stroke, she can be with her parent in the emergency room and help with the recovery,” explained Senate President Robert Travaglini (D-East Boston), who proposed the plan. “Where I come from, family is the most important thing. Government cannot replace the family’s crucial role, but it can support families and offer them the resources to be strong.”
For more background on the “Working Families Initiative”, contact info@masshomecare.org.
The Principles of Attitudinal Healing
1. The essence of being is love.
2. Health is inner peace. Healing is letting go of fear.
3. Giving and receiving are the same.
4. We can let go of the past and the future.
5. Now is the only time there is and each instant is for loving.
6. We can learn to love ourselves and others by forgiving rather than judging.
7. We can teach ourselves to become love finders rather than fault finders.
8. We can choose to be peaceful inside regardless of what is happening outside.
9. We are students and teachers of each other.
10. We can learn to focus on the whole of life rather than fragments.
11. Since love is eternal we not need fear death.
12. We can perceive others as either extending love or giving a cry for help.
SUMMER TEMPERATURES
As summer temperatures rise, watch for signs of heat stress. If you have any of the following, you may require medical attention:
· dizziness or overwhelming weakness,
· chest pain or rapid heartbeat
· nausea, cramps or diarrhea
· throbbing headache
· dry skin (no sweating)
· problems breathing
To prevent heat stress:
· drink liquids before you become thirsty.
· avoid drinks containing alcohol or caffeine
· take cool showers, and let the air dry you
· wear light, loose-fitting clothing and a hat
· avoid prolonged, strenuous outdoor activity
· spend time in air-conditioned places, such as malls, libraries, theaters and senior centers.
· stay in regular contact with a friend or relative—you will both have help if you develop problems.
AIR CONDITIONING
If you use a room air conditioner, keep in mind there are way to reduce costs for keeping cool:
· cool only the rooms you use
· set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher
· clean cooling coils and filters
· use the re-circulate setting—it costs less to recirculate and cool indoor air.
· use the fan setting.
TICK SEASON
Lyme disease has become a serious problem in our region. The National Lyme Disease Association has shared some safety tips that everyone should remember, particularly during May, June, and July—prime months for Lyme disease.
· When doing a tick check, look very carefully—the tick that causes the most disease is about the size of a poppy seed.
· Wearing light-colored clothes makes ticks easier to spot.
· If you go into a wooded or grassy area this summer, use bug repellent and tuck long pants into socks.
· If you do find a tick, remove it right away with tweezers by grasping them as close to the skin as possible, then gently pulling straight out. Call a doctor if any symptoms of the disease occur (extreme fatigue, joint pain, unexplained shaking, memory loss, irritability, headache, facial paralysis, sensitivity to light and noise, rash at site of bite, etc.
· After returning home, remove your clothes and thoroughly inspect all skin surface areas, including your scalp. Ticks can quickly climb up your body; some ticks are easy to locate, but deer ticks especially can be small and hard to see.
How to Find a Great Doctor
How do you find a physician that is right for you? Try these tips from the Southeastern Massachusetts Health Group:
1. Talk to insiders. Ask a nurse, therapist or technician whom they would go to. Ask the same of your primary care doctor if you are looking for a specialist. If you do not know any “insiders”, call the medical staff secretary at a local hospital for doctors’ names.
2. Examine the doctor. Check educational background, professional associations and board certification. Certification means a doctor has completed an approved residency program and passed a detailed written exam. Local medical societies or hospital physician referral services can usually provide this information.
3. Arrange an interview. Take advantage of what most health plans call a “visit to establish care”. Does the doctor listen to you? Answer your questions? Make you feel comfortable? If so, you may have found the right doctor for you.
Info line: You can learn whether a physician is board-certified by calling the American Board of Medical Specialties,
1-800-776-2378.
Each day, your heart beats about 100,000 times to propel your 10 pints of blood through the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in your body. That’s as long as circling the earth nearly three times.
Thursday, June 8 – Podiatry Clinic – sign up with the COA for a routine nail cutting appointment with the foot doctor—Dr. Spiri in Somerset. Call the COA for an appointment and transportation—508-636-1026.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
There are several options for affordable housing for elders and handicapped individuals.
One of these options is to apply to the Westport Housing Authority on State Road in Westport. The Housing Authority is a state-subsidized facility, renting one-bedroom apartments to elders 62 years of age and older, or physically-handicapped individuals under 62. The project, located at 666 State Road, Greenwood Terrace, is now accepting applications, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Call WHA at 508-675-2039.
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP
The Dartmouth Council on Aging offers programs that are open to the public. Call DCOA at 508-999-4717. The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Thursday, June 8, 2006, at 1:00 p.m. at the Dartmouth Senior Center. The scheduled speaker for this meeting is Michael McCabe, Senior Neurology Specialty Representative.
HEARING SUPPORT GROUP
The Dartmouth Council on Aging offers programs that are open to the public. Call DCOA at 508-999-4717, or facilitator Bob Zeida at 508-994-0107, to obtain more information and register for the group. The next meeting of the Dartmouth COA Hearing Support Group is to be held on Monday, June 12, 2006, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Dartmouth Senior Center.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP
In addition to the Westport C.O.A., the Dartmouth Council on Aging offers
a public Visual Impairment Support Group. Call DCOA at 508-999-4717, or facilitator
Bob Zeida, to obtain more information and register for the group. The next meeting of the Dartmouth COA Visual Impairment Support Group is to be held on Monday, June 19, 2006, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the DCOA.
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'No' on 1 and 3, 'yes" on 2 |
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