COA JANUARY 2009 Evergreen Newsletter
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
At this time of year, it is important to stop and recognize that we can all “give.
As we start a New Year, I want to send out a heartfelt “Thank-You” from both the WCOA and me for all the helpful things everyone in the Westport Council on Aging community has done for this agency in the past year. Right now, for most of this past year and for the upcoming year, we are dealing with creating and delivering more services to the community with less help; thus we are more dependent on your assistance.
From all of you who have given us help, whether it is to donate money, coordinate contributions, or volunteer your time, THANK YOU - WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU! All you do for this agency, you do for your community - many of you on an “unsung” basis. From the large businesses who help with our big events (Lees Supermarket, Kozy Nook, Cumberland Farms), to the individual daily contributions from our Friends and volunteers, THANKS! All your help assists the WCOA in fulfilling its mission to help Westport’s elders. It also takes a town to properly serve its elders and keep them in the community. The WCOA will continue to seek partnerships and consortiums to do this.
TOWN OF WESTPORT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Town of Westport will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 12, 2009, at 6:10 p.m. at Westport Town Hall, 2nd Floor, 816 Main Road, Westport, MA, on its FY 2009 Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant Program application.
The proposed application is comprised of a Housing Rehabilitation Program in North Westport and an update/development of the Westport ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. All residents, organizations, and other interested parties are encouraged to attend and participate. Any persons or organizations wishing to be heard will be afforded an opportunity to speak. If unable to attend the public hearing, comments may be forwarded to the Town of Westport Board of Selectmen office located at 816 Main Road, Westport, MA, 02790, and must be received no later than 4:00 p.m., January 12, 2009.
Caregiver Self-Advocacy: Four Messages to Live By
1. Choose to take charge of your life. We fall into care-giving often because of an unexpected event, but somewhere along the line you need to step back and consciously say, “I choose to take on this care-giving role.” It goes a long way toward eliminating the feeling of being a victim.
2. Love, honor and value yourself. Self care is not a luxury. It is your right as a human being. Step back and recognize just how extra ordinary you are, and remember your own good health is the very best present you can give your loved one.
3. Seek, accept and at times demand help. Care-giving, especially at its most intense levels, is definitely more than a one person job. Asking for help is a sign of your strength and an acknowledgement of your abilities and your limitations.
4 Stand up and be counted. Recognize that care-giving comes on top of being a parent, a child, a spouse. Honor our care-giving role and speak up for your well-deserved recognition and rights. Become your own advocate, both within your own immediate care-giving sphere and beyond. --National Family Caregivers Association
W I S H L I S T
· Large screen TV for movies at Senior Center
· Car or van--low mileage, good working order, for short trips.
· Kitchen equipment--large pots and pans for monthly lunches at Senior Center
· Wii system and games
· Good movies
SENIOR CENTER CLOSING POLICY: If the Westport Community Schools announce closings due to weather emergencies, the Senior Center will close for classes, transportation, and other activities--the COA office may operate for routine administrative operations only.
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.
The SHINE Program (SERVING THE HEALTH INFORMATION NEEDS OF ELDERS)--information about Medicare, supplements, MassHealth. Phone consultations and office appointments.
TRANSPORTATION for Westport’s elders, and handicapped persons of all ages, Monday - Friday, to area appointments scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. When you make your doctor’s appointment, call us for a ride. Please have the exact doctor’s name, street address, and telephone number when you call.
MIND Art Bingo Drawing Games Knitting Meditation Quilting Poetry Writing Watercolor
AND BODY
FITNESS Aerobics, Billiards, Chair Massage, Line Dancing, Osteoporosis Prevention, Reiki, Strength & Flex, T’ai Chi, YogaFit
PROGRAMS Call for space availability and fees-508-636-1026.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Phyllis
--1st Thursday (2nd Thursday in January 2009), Thursday, January 8, 2009, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Transportation is available to Westport residents.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP w/ Andrea
--3rd Tuesday--(4th Tuesday in January 2009), also, BOOKS ON TAPE--VIDEO MAGNIFIER, Tuesday, January 26, 2009, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Transportation is available to Westport residents.
CHAIR MASSAGE w/ Karen--1st Tuesday
Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
This is a complimentary service—no charge.
REIKI w/ Deborah--Mondays, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon. Fee schedule.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC w/Nurse Kathy
Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
PODIATRY CLINIC at Dr. Spiri’s office
Thursday, January 29, 2009, call for an appointment.
FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.
Supporting the Senior Center
P. O. Box N-192, Westport, MA 02790
The Friends of the Westport Council on Aging want to wish everyone the very best of health for the New Year - 2009; and continued enjoyment of life, including all the activities that are available at the Senior Center. The Senior Center has become a focal point for so many things over the years - exercise and strength training classes, art classes, many informational meetings as well as programs for entertainment. Even some combination lunch/movie afternoons.
The Friends will continue to do all we can to enhance the programs and services available through the Council on Aging and want to thank all of you who support our efforts - the advertisers in the Westport Telephone Book, the many visitors at our Holiday Fair. The Friends has been able to raise funds over the years to enhance the services of the Center and want everyone to enjoy it to the fullest extent. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
TRANSPORTATION NOTICE
To our transportation clients who use Dr. Dennis Callen as their physician, the Westport COA is available to transport you to his new facility in Tiverton, RI--Main Road Family Medicine Center, 3913-G Main Road.
Please continue to make your appointments for the van as soon as you make your doctor’s appointment (schedule between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) so scheduling can go smoothly.
FUEL ASSISTANCE
Applications for new enrollees are still available 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. Homeowners and renters are both eligible.
UTILITY SHUT-OFF INFORMATION
“If you have a Financial Hardship, you are protected from having your electric or gas service shut off if you have a financial hardship AND
1. You, or someone in our home, is seriously ill; or
2. You have an infant in the home under 12 months; or
3. It is between November 15 and March 15 and you need the service to heat your home.
If you are age 65 or older: Utility companies may not shut off service to households where all residents are 65 years or older without written approval from the Department of Telecommunications and Energy.”
“For limited-income households not eligible, contact the Good Neighbor Fund through your local Salvation Army at 617- 542-5420.”
Consumer complaints about home heating problems can be reported to the Attorney General’s office, Public Inquiry and Assistance Center at 617-727-8400.”
--Secretary of State
LOW-VISION ASSISTANCE
Individuals who are at least 60 years of age and who have low vision, but are not legally blind, can receive free in-home training and other services from the Vision Foundation in Watertown. Services include home management skills, appliance marking, lighting evaluations, reading and writing training, and support groups. The Vision Foundation also makes low-tech equipment , such as lamps, magnifiers, and writing guides, available at low cost, and operates an information and referral service for products, services, and other resources related to sight loss.
For more information, call 1-800-852-3029.
WINTER SAFETY
Winter winds and snow bring added risks when you are trying to get around or keep warm on a budget.
Keep the heat up. Even at 65 degrees, you can be at risk of hypothermia. So watch the thermostat. Seek help before you turn the temperature below 68 degrees to save money.
Beware of invisible “smoke”. Any fuel-burning appliance emits carbon monoxide. Regular inspections and carbon monoxide detectors can help protect you.
Take care of your body. Be particularly careful about cold exposure if you have diabetes, heart disease, or other illnesses.
Dress in layers. Many loose layers (don’t forget the hat) are best for beating the cold.
Work slowly and carefully. When you shovel, grip the top of the shovel with one hand and put the other one halfway down. Lift only small loads, and don’t twist when you throw them.
SOUP & SANDWICH and ENTERTAINMENT
On Wednesday, January 21st, we will serve a Chow Mein sandwich with a bowl of chicken rice soup at the Westport Senior Center. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. for the first 60 guests who make reservations--all for the bargain price of $3.00 per person. Advance registration is required--(508) 636-1026.
Local singer, songwriter, Susan Lainey will be the featured entertainer following the soup and sandwich luncheon. Hear her beautiful music at 12:00 noon on January 21, 2009.
“Sing-a-long with Natalia” at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 27.
Karaoke with “Tom and Terry”, Wednesday, January 7th
|
« Conservation Commission Vacancy | Main News Page | Westport Home Page | Disabilities Planning Committee Meeting -- Tuesday, January 13, 2009 »