COA July/August 2006 "Evergreen" newsletter
DIMAN HIGH SCHOOL FINISHES HVAC SYSTEM AT SENIOR CENTER
Over the course of the past two years, our friends at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School have provided an invaluable service to the Town of Westport; specifically to the Council on Aging. Students and instructors from the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades lent their talents to install new heating and air conditioning systems in the lower level and the main floor of the Senior Center. We cannot put into words how pleasant working conditions are now.
We also thank the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging, Inc. for providing the funding for this project. Funds were used to pay for wiring, burners, and compressors for the heating and air conditioning. Without the FWCOA and all their fund-raising efforts which support the Senior Center, we may not have had this project completed.
Thank you Friends!
Explore Westport’s History by Bus -- Saturday, July 22 -- Save the Date
The Westport Historical Society in cooperation with the Westport Council on Aging will offer a unique opportunity to explore Westport’s history by bus! Local historian, Carmen Maiocco, will lead the tour of Westport highlighting points of historical interest. Seating is limited. Advance reservations are required--$10 per person for member of the Historical Society and seniors, $14 per person for all others.
Please contact the Westport Historical Society, Bell Schoolhouse, for further information and reservations. The WHS telephone number is 508-636-6011.
Watch your local newspaper for more details.
FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.
Supporting the Senior Center
P. O. Box N-192
Westport, MA 02790
Center Gardeners—Anyone willing to pull some weeds, etc, will be very welcome. Come anytime on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to about 11:00 a.m.—and the more hands the faster it goes. You can call 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 raisers held to benefit the Senior Center.
The FWCOA has set up a Social Day Matching Fund to enable eligible Westport seniors to take advantage of the wonderful Senior Social Day Program at the Senior Center. This fund was developed to allow the eligible Westport seniors who sign up for one-day per week of the Social Day Program to receive an extra free day per week for one year, compliments of the Social Day Fund.
The Senior Social Day is an excellent program run by the COA that enables isolated seniors to enjoy a day of companionship and activities at the Senior Center. Some of the activities include craft projects, exercise program, hot lunch, field trips, gardening and mainly the enjoyment of new friendships. It allows families and caregivers to have the peace of mind that their elder is well-cared for and happy in a safe and nurturing environment. The staff at Senior Social Day gives support and advice to caregivers and families.
TOWN BEACH STICKERS-- Beach stickers are $20 per year, per vehicle. The fee for seniors aged 65 and older is $10 per year, per vehicle. The stickers are issued by the Town Clerk at Town Hall to residents and non-resident property owners. Vehicle registrations must be shown for each sticker. Non-resident property owners must also show the most recent, paid Westport real estate tax bill. The vehicle registration and tax bill must be in the same name/names.
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 the W.C.O.A. at 508-636-1026.
COMPUTER WORKSHOP—No workshops will be held during the summer. Register for fall classes.
60+ SENIOR CITIZENS I.D. CARDS—ID photos are taken by appointment at the WCOA office. 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.
W.C.O.A. 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. The Senior Center is open year round to serve Westport’s elder population.
VIDEO MAGNIFIER—To help read documents easier, the COA has a magnifying machine in our library.
BOOKS ON TAPE—A wide selection of Books on Tape is available in the COA library.
Emergency Fund
The Westport Council on Aging was awarded a grant from the Association for the Relief of Aged Women (ARAW). One purpose of this grant is to provide emergency funds for elderly women in Westport—at least 65 years of age. Individual distributions will be limited to a one-time distribution of no more than $500 per woman for emergency food, medicine, clothing, heat/utilities, shelter, or transportation situations. Payment will be made to a vendor or supplier of a service, not to the recipient directly.If you or someone you know could benefit by receiving assistance through this grant, please contact Susan or Lydia at the C.O.A. office -- 508-636-1026.
S C A M A L E R T
Courthouse Con
The phone rings, the caller tells you that you have missed jury duty for that week and there is now a warrant out for your arrest. Beware!Do not feel compelled to provide personal information over the telephone just because a person, or even the caller ID listed on you telephone, indicates the call originated from a courthouse, or any other government body. It is possible for identity thieves to use telephone “spoofing” products, widely sold on the Internet—which allow them to choose any telephone number they want to appear for jury duty—or any other number they want for that matter. –AARP Bulletin
VETERANS BENEFITS
The Westport C.O.A. will sponsor a speaker program, Tuesday, July 25, 10:00 a.m., to inform people about Chapter 115 Veterans Benefits for widows and family members, presented by Ronald Costa, Westport Veterans Agent.
Also, Wendy Frank from Sunrise Assisted Living in Dartmouth will speak on Veterans assistance, Aid and Attendance Pension, for assisted living and nursing home programs. The Pension was established to assist qualified veterans and their surviving spouses with obtaining long-term care outside of the traditional VA residential system. Aid and Attendance is a mandatory pension and is not subject to partisan spending or discretionary federal budget cuts. Not all veterans qualify!
FARMERS MARKET COUPONS -- If you are at least 60 years of age, and a Westport resident, eligible for SSI, Section 8 housing, food stamps, fuel assistance, or if your household income is less than 185% of the federal poverty level-- $18,130 for one person and $24,420 for two people--bring proof of eligibility on: THURDAY, JULY 13, 2006, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
There is a limited amount of coupons to distribute, so first-come, first-served, will apply to this program. For more information, please call the Westport C.O.A., 508-636-1026.
“HEALTHFUL TIPS”-- adding years to your life and life to your years, presented by Dr. Owen Conway, D.C. of Westport Chiropractic – Thursday, July 6, 2006, 10:00 a.m.
· “Proper Lifting and Carrying Techniques”--to minimize risk to self.
· “Healthful Tips”—adding years to your life and life to your years.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP -- Thursday, July 6 & Thursday, August 3, 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.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP -- No sessions are scheduled for the summer months of July and August.
Westport C.O.A. ANNUAL PICNIC
Wednesday
August 23
12:00 noon
“Under the tent” at the Westport Senior Center will be our annual resident picnic for 60+ seniors. Enjoy the outdoor entertainment with your scrumptious hot dog and hamburger entrée. This annual event is hosted by the boards of the C.O.A., FWCOA, local merchants, and devoted helpers. Reserve your seat for the picnic by 08/16/06.
SUMMER HEAT – TAKE HEED
During the “dog days” of August, our advice is “stay cool”—A.C. cool if possible. If you have medical problems such as heart disease, respiratory ailments, poor circulation, or diabetes, your body’s system is less able to cope with the stress of prolonged heat, increasing your vulnerability to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The Westport Senior Center is a respite during the summer—join us for the many and varied activities.
Countdown: Top 10 List of DON’TS for motorists when they see a pedestrian using a white cane or dog guide at street crossings.
10. Don’t stop your car more than five feet from the crosswalk line.
9. Don’t yell out “it’s ok to cross”.
8. Don’t get impatient when waiting for a pedestrian who is visually impaired to cross. If a person places the long cane into the street, it usually indicates the person will be stepping into the street to make the crossing. If the cane traveler takes a step back and pulls back the cane from the curb, it usually indicates the person will not be crossing at that time.
7. Don’t consider a “rolling” stop as a complete stop. A stop sign means STOP!
6. Don’t turn “right on red” without coming to a full stop and looking for pedestrians. The “right on red” law requires drivers to come to a complete STOP before making a right turn.
5. Don’t fail to stop for pedestrians at all crosswalks, whether or not there is a traffic signal or stop sign. Come to a full stop.
4. Don’t stop your car in the middle of the crosswalk.
3. Don’t pass another car, which has stopped to let pedestrians cross the street.
2. Don’t wave to pedestrians who are using a white cane or dog guide to indicate that you are waiting for them to cross. They cannot see you.
1. Don’t honk!
IT’S THE LAW!
« COA: June 2006 "Evergreen" newsletter | Main News Page | Westport Home Page | Online Boat Payments »