MISSION
STAFF Director Florence Choate Outreach Coordinator Nancy LaFauce Administrative Asst Jill Johnston Transportation Coord Quincie-Ann Cutler Outreach Worker Patricia Gorman Programmer Carolyn Sachs BOARD Pamela Davis, Chairperson Jim Harmon Vice Chair Brendan Lynch Treasurer Rocky Carrabes Gerard Fierimonte Joan Paley Joan Powers Rita Rozen Meg Stillman Shawn Harris Selectman Liaison
MISSION
The purpose of the Council on Aging is to identify needs and implement programs that will enhance the quality of life and independence of the seniors of Scituate and to educate the community to the needs of its seniors.
ASK NANCY
Mass Health has increased its benefit limits for their BuyIn program. For help with the cost for your Medicare premiums your monthly gross income must be under $1,240 for a single person and $$1,661 for a couple. You may have assets (not including home and car) of $4,000 for a single person and $$6,000 for a couple. If you qualify under these guidelines you could have your Medicare B payment of $96.40 paid for by the State. There are other programs as well for lower-income beneficiaries where Mass Health pays for Medicare, coinsurance and deductibles as well as part B premiums. For higher income beneficiaries, there is coverage for Medicare part A. Call me to set up a confidential appointment for assistance. For those of you who are not yet 65 years old, and are not yet eligible for Medicare, the State offers help through the Commonwealth Care Program. You are eligible as a single person with an income up to $35,508 and $43,740 for a couple. Depending on your income there may be no deductible and a low co-payment. Some plans also include dental coverage. For more information contact Commonwealth Care @www.mahealthconnector.org. or call (877) 623-6765.
Newsletter 1
LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS Mid-Stage Alzheimer’s Group PLEASE TAKE NOTE! Meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month, 10:30 AM to 12:00PM at the Norwell VNA, 91 Longwater Drive Call (781) 659-2342. COA Caregivers Support Group (day) We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month 12:30 to 2:00PM @ the Scituate Senior Center. This program is open to any person (s) who is caring for a loved one at home because of illness, or incapacitation. The meetings are held to provide support and offer resources to those of you who are struggling to provide care to a loved one. Call (781)545-8722. COA Caregivers Support Group (evenings) The group meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7:00 to 8:00PM at the Hingham Elder Services 224 Central Street. Call (781)545-8722. Vision Support Group @ Hingham Elder Services on the 3rd Monday of the month. Scituate COA will provide transportation to and from this event. Please call (781) 5458722. BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING Will be available on the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Scituate Senior Center. The screening will be done by the town’s nurse, Eileen Scotti. Call (781) 545-8722. She will also be holding BP clinics at: Wheeler Park 1st Wednesday of the month Central Park 2nd Wednesday of the month Lincoln Park 4th Wednesday of the month
Newsletter 2
June-09
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
1
8:59 11:00 1:00 Men’s Breakfast Arthritis Exercise Bridge 9:00 9:00 10:30 Shaws Cardio Bridge Class
2
9:00 6:00 7:30 Yoga
3
9:00 10:30 1:30 6:30 Tai Chi Badminton @Jenkins School Nia Exercise
4
9:00 9:15 Harbor Trip Arthritis Exercise Knitting Art Class
5
Country& Western Dancing
8
10:30 1:00 Arthritis Exercise Bridge 6:45 9:00 9:00 9:00 10:30 11:00 Martha’s Vineyard Shaws Walmart Cardio Bridge Class Game Day
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9:00 1:00 5:00 6:00 6:00 7:30 Yoga Memoir Writing SSA Board Mtg SCOA Board Mtg
10
9:00 10:30 1:30 6:30 Tai Chi
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9:00 9:15 Harbor Trip Arthritis Exercise Knitting Art Class
12
Country& Western Dancing
Badminton@ Jenkins School Nia Exercise
15
9;00 10:30 1:00 Vision Support Arthritis Exercise Bridge 9:00 9:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 Shaws Cardio Bridge Class Game Day
16
9:00 12:30 6:00 7:30 Yoga
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9:00 10:00 10:30 10:30 1:30 6:30 Tai Chi Caregivers Support Group Badminton@ Jenkins School Nia Exercise
18
9:00 9:00 9:15 BP Screening Senator Hedlund Arthritis Exercise Knitting Art Class
19
Harbor Trip Ask A Lawyer Country& Western Dancing
Luncheon - Hingham Physical Therapy
22
9:00 10:30 1:00 Vision Support Arthritis Exercise Bridge 9:00 9:00 9:00 10:30 11:00 Shaws Kohls Cardio Bridge Class Game Day
23
9:00 1:00 6:00 7:30 Yoga Memoir Writing
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9:00 10:30 1:30 6:30 Tai Chi
25
9:00 9:15 Harbor Trip Arthritis Exercise Knitting Art Class
26
Country& Western Dancing
Badminton@ Jenkins School Nia Exercise
29
10:30 1:00 Arthritis Exercise Bridge 9:00 9:00 9:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 Shaws Kohls Cardio Rep Cantwell Bridge Class Game Day
30
Newsletter 3
SUBMIT A SHORT PIECE, A POEM, OR A THOUGHT YOU WANT TO SHARE
Gigi’s greatest talent came as a musician. Despite being blind, she entertained her peers at the Senior st Center as a remarkable pianist and singer. Later Gigi Linhart passed away on April 21 . She had spent many years serving as a volunteer for when Thursday lunches were held at the Congregational Church, Gigi played at them on a the Scituate Council on Aging. This article is in weekly basis. Seniors will also remember her for her recognition of an amazing woman. beautiful voice and sharp wit. More than anything she will be remembered for the kindness she Gigi Linhart was born in Pennsylvania, one of four children. Gigi and her twin brother were congenitally delivered to her community and will be deeply blind. Fortunately her disability would not hold Gigi missed. back. She attended the University of Pittsburg achieving both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. While performing her duties as a social worker Gigi raised two daughters. When her husband fell ill, Gigi retired from the Mass Commission of the Blind. Gigi's involvement with the Senior Center began shortly thereafter. She initially intended to help out at the Senior Center and enjoy interacting, however she would become one of their most valued members. Gigi volunteered at the Council on Aging and did many different jobs. However, her most important job she did was as the volunteer coordinator of transportation. Her ability to maintain an accurate schedule for booking rides for seniors to medical appointments, shopping and other errands made her the perfect candidate. This job was no walk in the park yet Gigi managed it perfectly. This article was written by Kurt Ohrenberger a Senior at Scituate High. Well Done Kurt!
In memory of Gigi Linhart
Newsletter 4
fyi
SCITUATE LIBRARY: On June 17th @ 7:00PM the Scituate library presents a Mystery Writer’s Event featuring Author, Holly Ephron and Channel 7’s own Hank Phillipe Ryan. Come early to make sure you get a seat.
Martha’s Vineyard: June 9th Leave Falmouth, MA and sail away on the Island Queen. Relax and enjoy a 35 minute cruise on the Vineyard Sound. You will arrive in Edgartown and board your coach for a 3 ½ hour tour of the 6 towns on the Island. You will THE AFTERNOON KNITTING CLUB: is seeking enjoy lunch on your own in Edgartown or historic donations of new skeins of yarn (all sorts and colors) Oak Bluffs. Soak up the local ambience while visiting the myriad of interesting shops. Price is the group is knitting for needy Americans in Appalachia. Please drop off at the Center or Call Rita $72.00 with driver’s tip included. Call: (781)5458722 and ask for Carolyn. Sign up before May 9th. @ 781-545-2099. Thank You! Hingham physical therapy luncheon: June 16th @ 12:00PM. They will be addressing the need for rehab and will explain the services available at Hingham PT. Call Florence @ (781)545-8722 to reserve a seat. MEMOIR WRITING EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY: Beginning May 13th @ 1:00PM Catherine Goldhammer, a local author, will be offering a class in memoir writing. Catherine has written two books which are based on her life experiences. She will be helping you with the planning of your project. You will be working on writing skills such as descriptive writing and dialogue. You will engage in writing exercises in each class. Classes are an hour in length and there will be a $5.00 cost, payable to the instructor. We expect that this will be a popular offering, so call early to reserve a seat. Class size is limited to (10). Call (781)545-8722 for further information. TALL SHIPS: July 9th. Join us for a 90 minute Cruise which takes you up close to these grand Ships. After the cruise we head to Faneuil Hall Market Place for shopping and lunch on your own. You will return @ 3:30PM. Price is $65.00, driver’s tip included. Call (781) 545-8722 to reserve a seat. Sign up before June 9th. THREE DAY TRIP: to Pennsylvania Dutch Country September 28th to the 30th. Two night stay at the Country Inn of Lancaster (2 breakfasts and dinner with a show. See: Founder’s Hall, Chocolate World, and experience the lifestyles of the Amish and the Mennonites. Price is $419.00 per person/ based on twin occupancy/$389 based on triple occupancy. Call before August 28th to reserve a seat. MEN’S BREAKFAST: June 1st @ 8:59AM. Speaker will be identified when post cards are sent. Call (781)656-7822 and reserve a seat.
GAME DAY? We are planning a game day on Tuesdays beginning June 9th.from 11:00AM until 3:00 PM. There will cards, trivial pursuit, and Scrabble; if you have a favorite game let us know. Bring a lunch, we will supply the drinks. There now is chess set all ready to play. Call (781)545-8722.
Newsletter 5
EXERCISE PROGRAMS
ARTHRITIS EXERCISE: Monday and Thursday mornings 10:30 to 11:15. Mary Morin, PTA of the Norwell VNA, will be your instructor. Fee is $2.00. Call: (781)5458722 for more information. CARDIO WITH CHRIS: Join Chris and her group every Tuesday morning @ 9:00AM. $3.00 fee, paid to the Instructor. Call (781545-8722) for more information. TAI-CHI: Join Tony McAleer, a master of Tai Chi, who leads a class every Thursday morning at 9:00AM. Call (781)545-8722. The class is $5.00 payable to the instructor. COUNTRY LINE DANCING: What a great way to exercise! Join the group led by Richard Jewald on Friday mornings @ 9:00am. Classes are $3.00, payable to the instructor. Call (781)545-8722. NIA EXERCISE: Instructed by Jan Yeh, the class is a form of fusion fitness that blends dance and martial arts. The fee is $45.00 for five classes. It is held at the Senior Center every Wednesday evening @ 7:30 PM. Call and learn all about it @ (781) 545-8722. BADMINTON: At Jenkins School every Wednesday evening @ 6:00PM. This program is free. If interested, call (781)545-8722. YOGA: FOR SENIORS Led by our wonderful instructor, Elizabeth Rogers, our Yoga class is just the ticket for stress relief, as well as an exercise that heals the mind and body. Come join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:00AM to 10:30AM. The fee is $5.00. Call for further information to (781)545-8722
Newsletter 6
FROM THE DESK OF THE DIRECTOR TAKING STOCK ! Fiscal year 2009 will be completed on June 30th. I would like to share with you some of the services and events that have taken place during this period. We offer many services to seniors. Transportation is the cornerstone of these services. As you are aware, advances in medicine and health care have extended the life of many seniors; many of them are living well into their 90’s. Surprising as it may seem, many of them are living at home. Needless to say, most at that age are no longer driving. Having access to transportation allows them to visit with their doctor, attend a rehab session, when needed, go to lunch, go to the library, go to their hairdresser, do their shopping and attend functions for seniors that are held in town. Transportation is also provided to seniors for out of town medical appointments. They go to appointments as close as Cohasset and as far away as Boston. Volunteer drivers take those seniors who are unable to ride the system set up for this purpose... At the close of this fiscal year we will have provided 6,621 rides to Scituate seniors.
Outreach and Advocacy: Outreach services are available to any Scituate resident 60 or over. The Social Service Coordinator provides information to elders and their families regarding available resources and makes appropriate referrals to existing programs and agencies... Some of the issues addressed are: Fuel assistance Health Insurance options Financial concerns Home Care special needs and assessments At the close of this fiscal year, Outreach and Social Services had been supplied services to 2,184 seniors. Education and Health: We offered many educational and health programs during the past fiscal year. Many of them were ongoing such as scheduled exercise programs which take place on a weekly basis. We offer programs that include knitting, memoir writing, etc. designed to promote socialization for seniors; other offerings include educational programs on the law, tax assistance, nutrition, blood pressure clinic and social events such as luncheons and parties. We also provide support for recreation for seniors who take place outside the Center, for example: senior golf, badminton and senior softball. At the end of this fiscal year 4,449 seniors benefited from these programs.
THANK YOU! Rita Rozen our knitting teacher and her knitters would like to thank those of you who so kindly donated yarn for their Appalachia project. Because of you they were able to contribute many wonderful garments to the people of this region. Thanks so much!
Newsletter 7
Catherine McGowan Senior Center
Scituate Council on Aging 27 Brook Street Scituate, MA. 02066 Center Hours: Mon to Thurs 8:30AM -4:30PM Friday 8:30AM-3:30PM
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #81 Scituate, MA
WE INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN A MONTHLY CONTEST.
We know we are not perfect , but we try. The first person that spots a mistake in the newsletter and calls us will be awarded a small prize. We are planning on doing this every month. It’s our way to keep us on our toes.
VANS TRANSPORTATION: CALL (781) 545-8722
72 hours notice is MANDATORY for all ride requests!
Daily Van runs: Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. & Friday: 8:30a.m. to 12:00noon. Please Note: Scituate/Cohasset medical trips take priority in the scheduling of the daily COA Van and may bump other ride requests if necessary.
OUT OF TOWN MEDICAL RIDES: CALL (781) 545-8722.
Newsletter 8