COA May 2008 "Evergreen" Newsletter
May 1, 2008
NEW
C.O.A. DIRECTOR
They say that to everything
there is a time and to everything there is a season. This is the perfect time for me to come back
home to
MAY
IS
OLDER
AMERICANS MONTH
Your local Council on Aging is here
to help you with information and referral to our programs and to other
organizations. Isolation is probably the
greatest problem facing the elder citizens of our nation. Let our staff help you overcome any anxieties
you may have in solving your problems.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Begins on Tuesday
Take this opportunity to attend each night of Town
meeting
to vote
on the budgets and other warrant articles.
MOTHER’S DAY, Sunday, May 11,
2008
ECONOMIC STIMULUS PAYMENT
WORKSHOPS
AARP tax-aide, Jean Clapin, will conduct two (2) workshops at the Westport
Senior Center to assist people in filling out the
Monday,
May 12,
2008,
or
Thursday,
May 29,
2008,
12:30 p.m.
You
should file as soon as possible, but no later than October 15, 2008 to take
advantage of the stimulus payment for 2008.
AEROBIC EXERCISE -- Space is available in the Monday-Wednesday-Friday
morning classes which start at
Stop in and sign up!
BINGO--1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Tuesdays,
May 6 and 20, 2008,
T’AI CHI – BASICS -- Space is available in the Friday afternoon Basics
class which starts at
CENTER CLOSING POLICY—When Westport Community Schools close because of unsafe
weather conditions or emergencies, it is the policy of the
INFORMATION
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 Knitting Quilting
AND Poetry Writing Watercolor
BODY
FITNESS Aerobics,
Osteoporosis Prevention, T’ai Chi
PROGRAMS Call for space availability and
fees-508-636-1026.
CAREGIVER SUPPORT
GROUP w/ Phyllis
--1st Thursday--There
will be no group meetings in May, 2008.
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
SUPPORT GROUP w/ Andrea
--3rd
Tuesday-- BOOKS ON TAPE--VIDEO
MAGNIFIER
Transportation
is available to Westport residents.
CHAIR MASSAGE
BY KAREN--1st Tuesday
Tuesday, May 6, 2008,
12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
This
is a complimentary service—no charge.
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINICS
Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Westport Town
Nurse blood pressure clinic.
SENIOR AIDES PROGRAM
Coastline Elderly Services is
eager to assist the 55+ residents in our communities to overcome barriers and
secure employment in the Senior Aides Program.
This is an income-based employment program. Contact Rita Boudreau at Coastline,
508-999-6400, Ext. 138.
“A study by DYG, Inc., a major national research firm, found that
employers have positive attitudes toward older workers and an appreciation of
their ‘work ethic’ which includes a commitment to quality, loyalty, a
dedication to the company, as well as punctuality.” --Working Age
The next routine, toe
nail-cutting clinic is scheduled for Thursday,
May 8, at the office of Dr. Spiri in
FOOD PANTRY
Donations of canned food items are needed to replenish
the food pantry at the
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
The Council on Aging will host its
Annual Volunteer Banquet.
“This affair is our way of thanking all
those people who have given so generously of their time and effort.”
Invitations are being sent to all registered
volunteers. If you did not receive your
invite, please call us--508-636-1026!
Monday
June 9th
SHAKESPEARE
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The historical character of William Shakespeare will
be brought to life in a performance by Richard Clark at
For
a number of years, Mr. Clark has focused on presenting a series of one-person
shows for community audiences throughout
“Come
and share some of the most memorable moments in dramatic literature. Laugh with the fools, cry with the afflicted,
dream with the poets. Don’t miss the
essence of the world’s greatest wordsmith.”
Call the COA in advance for seating reservations--508-636-1026.
CARL BISSONNETTE
Country, Bluegrass, Pop
Appearing at the
Wednesday, May 28, 12:00 noon
Sing-a-long
with Natalia
“Taking
Control of Your Future: A Legal
Check-Up”
Tuesday
May 27
An
elder law attorney will speak on a wide range of legal issues affecting the
lives of seniors.
ECONOMIC
STIMULUS PAYMENT
WORKSHOPS
AARP tax-aide, Jean Clapin, will conduct two (2) workshops at the Westport
Senior Center to assist people in filling out the
Monday,
May 12,
2008,
or
Thursday,
May 29,
2008,
12:30 p.m.
You should file as soon as possible, but no
later than October 15, 2008 to take advantage of the stimulus payment for 2008.
FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.
Supporting
the Senior Center
P. O. Box
N-192
Westport,
MA 02790
The FWCOA will have its Annual Meeting on Monday, June 9th
at 5:00 p.m. The brief meeting will
be followed by the COAs Annual Volunteer
Banquet at 5:30 p.m. The meal is
being catered by Brantal’s located in Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Please contact the COA,
508-636-1026, if you are a registered volunteer and would like to attend the
Banquet following the meeting.
Mark your calendar for
another event:
WESTPORT POINT
HOUSE TOUR
Wednesday
June 25, 2008.
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TOWARDS
PREVENTION for Families
·
Maintain close
ties with aging relatives and friends.
Keep abreast of changes in their health and ability to live
independently.
·
Discuss an older
relative’s wishes regarding health care, terminal medical care alternatives,
home care in the case of incapacitation, and disposition of his/her personal
assets.
·
Find sources of
help and use them. Chore services, housekeeping, home-delivered
meals, senior recreation, day programs, respite care, and transportation
assistance are available in your community.
·
With the older
person’s consent, become familiar with his/her financial records, bank
accounts, wills, safe deposit boxes, insurance debts, and sources of income
before he/she becomes incapacitated.
Talk and plan together now
about how these affairs should be handled.
·
Anticipate
potential incapacitation by planning as a family who will take responsibility,
such as power of attorney, or in-home care giving, if an aging relative becomes
incapacitated.
·
Closely examine
your family’s ability to provide long-term, in-home care for a frail and increasingly
dependent relative. Consider the
family’s physical limits.
·
Plan how your own
needs will be met when your responsibility for the dependent older relative
increases.
·
Explore
alternative sources of care, including nursing home, or other relatives’ homes,
in case your situation changes.
·
Discuss your
plans with friends, neighbors, and other sources of support before your
responsibilities become a burden. Ask
for their understand-ing and emotional support--you
may need them.
·
Familiarize
family members with emergency response agencies and services available in case
of sudden need.
“Old age is not a
disease--it is strength and survivorship.”
--Maggie Kuhn
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reserved.