COA Evergreen Newsletter--February 2009
SENIOR SOCIAL DAY PROGRAM
Got the winter blues? Our “Club” is just the place where you can chase them away. You will be with a caring staff in a safe environment where you can socialize and laugh with your own peers. You can participate in our various activities, such as arts and crafts, table and word games, reminiscence, current events, and exercise with your newfound friends. You can join us in our various special events—sing-a-longs, entertainment, movies, and special luncheon outings.
If you are 60 years of age or older, can take care of your personal needs, and are able to administer your own medication, we would love to have you join our friendly group. You will have a morning snack and a nutritious lunch. Contact the Senior Social Day Program office for details, such as fees and transportation—
508-636-1026.
SHINE NEWS
2009 Prescription Advantage Plan Changes
Due to the current nationwide fiscal situation, and its impact on Massachusetts, it is necessary to impose significant budgetary restrictions on the Prescription Advantage program. These restrictions will result in changes to the assistance Prescription Advantage members receive with their co-payments.
Effective January 1, 2009, for members in categories S2, S3 and S4, Prescription Advantage will not provide co-pay or deductible assistance until members have reached the coverage gap (donut hole) with Medicare. In 2009, the coverage gap is reached when the total retail cost of a member’s covered prescription drugs is $2,700.00. Once the coverage gap is reached, Prescription Advantage co-payment assistance will begin at the same levels as 2008. For members with Creditable Coverage, co-pay assistance will also begin when the total retail cost of their covered prescription drugs is $2,700.00.
On February 25th, 2009 at 12:15 p.m., Lisa Sarkis, Regional SHINE Director, will hold a presentation on Prescription Advantage changes. This is the time to have your questions answered. Please call the Westport COA at 508-636-1026 to register.
A BLOGGING WE WILL GO!
What is a blog? The word “blog” is a contraction of “web log” and essentially was developed for creating online journals. Blogs provide a very easy, and free, way to create and update a Web site, publish your own thoughts, share an online travel diary with friends, etc.
If you are interested in a mini-course on blogging, contact the Senior Center, 508-636-1026.
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 Quilting Poetry Writing Watercolor
AND BODY
FITNESS Aerobics, Billiards, Chair Massage, Osteoporosis Prevention, Reiki, T’ai Chi, YogaFit
PROGRAMS Call for space availability and fees-508-636-1026.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP w/ Phyllis
--1st Thursday
Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Transportation is available for Westport residents.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SUPPORT GROUP w/ Andrea--3rd Tuesday
also, BOOKS ON TAPE--VIDEO MAGNIFIER
Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
--On March 17th, there will be a GUEST SPEAKER,
Dr. John Meehan, Southcoast Eye Care, Glaucoma Specialist
Transportation is available for Westport residents.
CHAIR MASSAGE w/ Karen--1st Tuesday
Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
This is a complimentary service—no charge.
Tuesday, February 3, 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, February 17, 2009, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE!!!
(AT THE WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING)
· FRIENDLY GREETER RECEPTIONIST
· COFFEE & CHAT VOLUNTEER CORNER
· SOCIAL DAY PROGRAM --(FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART); ALSO - SINGERS / ENTERTAINERS / CRAFTERS
· TELEPHONE ASSURANCE PROGRAM (TAP)
· FRIENDLY VISITOR PROGRAM
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For more details, please see Toni Cormier in the downstairs Outreach/Volunteer Office,
or call 508-636-1026.
FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.
Supporting the Senior Center
P. O. Box N-192
Westport, MA 02790
Supporting the Senior Center
P. O. Box N-192
Westport, MA 02790
Did you know that St. Valentine lived back in the time of the Roman Empire? He was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II (the Cruel) edict canceling all marriages and engagements throughout the Empire. For secretly performing marriages, he was jailed and put to death. He had become friends with the jailer’s daughter and left a note to her signed “from your Valentine”. The date was February 14, 270. In 496, Pope Gelasius set aside February 14th to honor St. Valentine. Thus Valentine became the patron saint
of lovers.
Down the centuries the day has become recognized as a time to send poems and cards, flowers and candy to one’s sweetheart. Despite the fact that the day has become so commercialized in our society, one can still find sweetness in the idea of recognizing loved ones. We wish you a happy St. Valentine’s Day.
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 your 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
CONSUMER ALERT
Discount and Unlicensed Health Insurance Plans
If you are trying to purchase health insurance on your own, make sure the plans you are considering are actually insurance. Some businesses and individuals will try to take advantage of the requirement that everyone in Massachusetts have health insurance by using unfair or deceptive advertising practices or by operating scams.
All legitimate health insurance companies are licensed by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. You can call the Division at 617-521-7794 to verify that a company is a licensed insurer.
Beware of health plan promises that seem too good to be true. Don’t be fooled by bogus health plans that seek unsuspecting consumers on the internet and through unsolicited faxes and phone calls.
Don’t be fooled by discount plans or cards. Don’t buy a discount plan or card as an alternative to health plan coverage.
Read the fine print before choosing a health plan. Always take a close look at plan benefits and limitations before you sign up or pay any fees.
If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam or if you have questions about a health plan or insurance company, please call the Attorney General’s Health Care Hotline at 1-888-830-6277, or the Division at 617-521-7794. www.mass.sgov/ago/healthcareadvisory
--MA Attorney General
SOUP & SANDWICH and ENTERTAINMENT
On Wednesday, February 11th, we will serve a lasagna dish--plain and vegetable 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.
Karaoke with “Tom & Terry”
Wednesday
February 11, 12 noon
On Wednesday, February 18th, 12 noon, the COA will offer special movie presentation entitled, “Young @ Heart”, features a chorus which evokes a powerful energy that people respond to.
Sing-along with Natalia
12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 24
Tuesday, February 24
The Westport COA has two new classes starting in January 2009--call 508-636-1026!
MAH JONG -- Mah Jong, a game played with tiles, began in January in the games room. Join the group leader, Lee Tripp for a fun game on Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
ZUMBA -- A Zumba Dance Fitness class began in January on Monday afternoons at
4:00 p.m. in the exercise room. This class is led by Serena Honeycutt.
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
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