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COA October 2007 "Evergreen" newsletter

SATURDAY
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
October 20, 2007

C E L E B R A T E   T H E   G E N E R A T I O N S

Come by with your extended family--visit the Senior Center, the “Remembrance Garden”, and enjoy activities for the family.


          This day will be an opportunity for the community to learn more about “what we do” at the Council on Aging. There will be active and static demos of the classes and activities at the Hazel Tripp Senior Center, as well as interactive crafts and games for all ages.  We will have multiple entertainers, both outdoors and indoors, with our highlight performance to be given at 2:00 p.m. by John Root, a multi-talented musician who both performs and teaches music.  “This program is supported by the Westport Cultural Council through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America.”

          The Westport Fire and Police Departments will be on hand for demos outside, and there will be other games and face-painting.  We will have some mini-tournaments for pool and horseshoe players.  Food will be available from local Scouting groups.
Come Join the Fun!!

Pneumococcal
     “Pneumococcal disease is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in the U.S. 
In an average year pneumococcal disease causes two to four times more deaths than flu.  Pneumococcal disease is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that infect the lungs, blood, and the membranes of the brain and spinal cord.  The disease is most likely to strike in the winter and spring, but can occur year round.  The most common symptoms are chills, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, and severe cough.  Some people may even vomit or have seizures.
     Most people only need one shot in their lifetime.  Some people who have a chronic health problem, or are at higher risk of serious or fatal disease and have already received a pneumococcal vaccine in the past, may need a booster shot.”

Influenza
     “Flu (short for influenza) is a contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the body’s respiratory (breathing) system.  When people get the flu, they usually become ill quickly and experience symptoms such as, a fever, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, stuffy head, and body aches.  These symptoms can range from mild to very severe, and most people get better within a week.
     Flu can be dangerous!  Although most people are only sick for a few days, flu can be serious in the elderly, in people with severe or prolonged illnesses, or with weakened immune systems.”
     It is important to understand that you must receive this vaccine every year before flu season begins in order to be protected.  This is because the flu viruses often differ from year to year.”

The Westport Town Nurse, Kathleen Burns, RN, will be making appointments for administering vaccines--508-636-1030.


MIND                 Computers        Drawing       Knitting

AND           Poetry Writing        Quilting         Watercolor

BODY         Aerobics   Balance and Movement   

Osteoporosis Prevention    T’ai Chi  

FITNESS  PROGRAMS


 COA classes are based on space availability.
 

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.

SERVING  HEALTH  INFORMATION  NEEDS  OF  ELDERS (S.H.I.N.E.)--information about Medicare, supplements, MassHealth.  Phone consultations and one-on-one appointments.

TRANSPORTATION for Westport’s elders, and handicapped persons of all ages, Monday - Friday, to area appointments scheduled between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  When you make your doctor’s appointment, call us for a ride.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP , Thursday, October 4th, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Join us each month as we share information on understanding and coping with behavioral problems and learn about accessing local resources for caregivers.  Transportation is available.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP, Tuesday, October 16th, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
          BOOKS ON TAPE--Wide selection available.
VIDEO MAGNIFIER--To help read documents more easily.

PODIATRY CLINIC -- Routine toe nail-cutting clinic scheduled for Thursday, October 11th, at the office of Dr. Spiri in Somerset.  If you need routine nail cutting, call the COA for an appointment and a ride.

CHAIR MASSAGE BY KAREN will be changed from the first Tuesday in October and November.  In October, visit Karen on Monday October 1st, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m.  This is a complimentary service—no charge.

FUEL ASSISTANCE
     Applications will be available after November 1st for Westport households who are eligible for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (Fuel Assistance).  If you would like to apply, please call the Westport Council on Aging for an appointment—proof of identity, income and utility bills are required.  Special provisions are made for those households whose heat is included in their rent and those living in subsidized housing.
     Households with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty level are eligible for the Fuel Assistance Program.  Homeowners and renters are both eligible. 

TIME FOR A CHANGE
“As the country “falls back” to standard time on November 4th, remember that it is time to change more than just your clocks.  Batteries around the home need changing, too.
·        Start with your smoke detectors’ batteries.
·        Make sure batteries in flashlights, clock radios, and radios are fresh--power outages do occur.
·        Replace power cells in medical supplies, like hearing aids and glucometers.
·        Check to see if your digital camera needs a new set of batteries.
·        And do not forget that rechargeable batteries eventually wear out, so be sure to replace them.
·        Your electronic thermostat will need new batteries.
·        And what about your VCR/DVD player?”                --BJs Journal

The Top 10 Reasons to Join Prescription Advantage
 

10. There is no monthly premium
9.  Prescription Advantage helps to lower co-payments
8.  You may qualify to have Prescription Advantage help pay your Part D premium
7.  Prescription Advantage will pay for benzodiazepines.  (These are drugs not covered by Part D plans)
6.  As a Prescription Advantage member, you can change your Part D plan without waiting for Medicare’s open enrollment.
5.  Real people answer the phone when you call Prescription Advantage customer service.
4.  Prescription Advantage will cover a 72-hour emergency supply of medication if the pharmacy is unable to bill your Part D plan.
3.     Prescription Advantage puts a limit on what you will spend each year for your prescription drugs
2.  With Prescription Advantage there is no need to worry about the “donut hole”
And, the # 1 reason to join Prescription Advantage……….

1.     There is no reason not to join!

You no longer have to wait for an open enrollment to apply for Prescription Advantage. You can apply at any time, so call today for an application form.

Applications are available through the SHINE counselor at the Senior Center; CONTACT THE COA, 508-636-1026, FOR INFORMATION AND AN APPOINTMENT.

BINGO
 BOOST THE BRAIN
     “The human brain is a “thinking” organ that learns and grows by interacting with the world through perception and action.  Whether a particular brain is 80 hours or 80 years old, mental stimulation will improve brain function and actually protect against a decline in cognitive ability—the mental process by which knowledge is acquired. 
     In other words, your brain needs regular exercise, just like a muscle.
If you don’t use your muscles, they deteriorate.  If you use them only an average amount, they won’t grow.  But if you push your muscles through physical exercise, they get bigger and stronger, and are capable of doing more.”

In cooperation with the Westport COA, the “Golden Age Club –Westport meets at the Westport Senior Center twice a month—the first and third Tuesday.  The group leader is Irene V. Pacheco.


So play B I N G O!

CARL  BISSONNETTE

Appearing at the
Westport Senior Center

Wednesday, 12:00 noon
October 17, 2007

Country, Bluegrass, Pop
Entertaining for 50 years!

If you are 60 years of age or over and interested in having lunch prior to the performance,  please reserve your meal with the kitchen no later than October 12th, 508-636-1026.

 "SILVER & GOLD

Ray and Susan will perform for your entertainment pleasure.


Thursday, 12:00 noon
October 25, 2007

“This program is supported by the Westport Cultural council through a grant from the Helen E. Ellis Charitable Trust administered by Bank of America.”

If you are 60 years of age or over and interested in having lunch prior to the performance, please reserve your meal with the kitchen no later than October 22nd, 508-636-1026.

FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.
Supporting the Senior Center
P. O. Box N-192
Westport, MA  02790

The Friends will resume its monthly meetings on Monday, October 15th (3rd Monday of the month). 
     Thank you to everyone who participates in the partnership the FWCOA has with Lees Supermarket.  Please continue to bring your Lees cash register receipts to the Senior Center—1% of the total receipts are donated to the FWCOA.  This is one of the fund raising activities which helps support your Senior Center.
     Ideas for fundraisers to support the Senior Center are most welcome.

 
  

  
  
    

        

        

      

   
 

  
 
  
  

   

  
 

 

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