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| WHIP CITY'S SENIOR NEWSLETTER |
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| SPECIAL EVENTS FOR OCTOBER 2008 | The following activities are scheduled at the Westfield Senior Center. If you are interested in registering or need additional information, please feel free to visit us at 40 Main Street or call us at 562-6435 or 562-9624. We are open daily from 8:30am-4:30pm. Monday through Friday.
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| UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF MEDICINE: Eat Up! Nutritious Cooking For 1 | | Do you avoid preparing healthy meals for yourself because you can't be bothered cooking for one? The next session of our Understanding the Language of Medicine series, Eat Up! Understanding Nutritious Cooking For One, will address this very important issue. Registered Dietician Jennifer Giffune will discuss nutrition concerns that are unique to seniors, making healthy eating for one easy and enjoyable. Jennifer's areas of expertise include weight management, diabetes, heart health, osteoporosis and allergy and hypersensitivities. In all aspects of her practice, Jennifer's goal is to make nutrition plain, simple, real and ready to use immediately. Join us on Thursday, October 2nd from 10-11 AM in the Craft Room for this extremely informative presentation. |
| Health Plan Options for People with Medicare | | Melanie Miller, Senior Plan Consultant with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, will present "Health Plan Options for People with Medicare" on Monday, October 6th at 12:45 PM at the Senior Center. An explanation of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D drug benefit will be covered. The ways in which Medigap plans and Medicare Advantage plans work in conjunction with Medicare will also be discussed. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. All are welcome, regardless of individual insurance coverage. |
| THE KEYS OF KINDNESS | | There is music in the air! Pianist, Della Kindness, will be tickling the ivories on the third Tuesday of each month at 11 AM. Billed as "The Keys of Kindness," listeners can sway to the music, tap their feet, hum, or sing along as Della plays some of her favorite tunes. Why not join Della on Tuesday, October 21st at 11 AM and stay for a home-cooked meal at noon? Invite a friend and make it a morning of musical delight. Lunch is $2.00. |
| Getting Started: What To Do When A Family Member Has Memory Loss | | On Monday, October 27th from 2-4:30 PM, Ginny Sinkoski of the local Alzheimer's Association will present the Getting Started program. The focus of the presentation will be on how to get an accurate diagnosis, address behavior and communication problems, and find local resources. The program is designed for family members who are caring for someone with Alzheimer's Disease or a related dementia. There is no charge, but pre-registration is necessary. Please sign up on the registration sheet located in the Senior Center foyer or by calling the Senior Center at 562-6435. |
| TALKING BOOKS | | Our Talking Books read-aloud and discussion group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 10 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room. This group is open to anyone who would like to hear a classic short story read aloud, learn a bit about the story's author, and participate in what is often a lively follow-up discussion. Join Tina on Tuesday, October 28th at 10 AM for this month's selection, "All Souls" by Edith Wharton. One might not expect a woman of Edith Wharton's literary stature to be an author of ghost stories, but she has written some spine-tingling tales. "All Souls," is an eerie story that will leave the listener puzzled....
and possibly, believing in ghosts. |
| SIDE BY SIDE SUPPORT GROUP | | Our "Side by Side" support group meets on the fourth Friday of the month and is open to any senior who is little overwhelmed with the stresses of every day life. Whether you're dealing with the "holiday blues," health problems, the loss of close family members and friends, or caregiver responsibilities, the support of others, often "in the same boat," can be most helpful. Participants chat informally over coffee or tea and all discussions are strictly confidential. Please consider joining the group as a "regular" or a "drop-in." The "Side by Side" support group will meet on Friday, October 24th from 9:30 to 11 AM in the Senior Center Craft Room. Please call Tina at the Senior Center, 562-6435, if you have any questions. |
| Thank You from the "Walk-Abouts" | | Many thanks to each and every one of you who sponsored members of the Walk-Abouts team in the Alzheimer's Association's 2008 Pioneer Valley "Memory Walk." Through your generosity and that of family and friends of the walkers, our team raised over $1,000. Funds from Memory Walk stay in our local community to support, educate, and improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's disease. |
| TAX STIMULUS PACKAGE HELP |  |
For seniors wishing to file for the Tax Stimulus Rebate, the Council on Aging will help with the filing of the 1040 form. An IRS form 1040 needs to be filed in order to receive this refund. If you need assistance filling out the form, please call the Council on Aging for an appointment.
Seniors may apply for the stimulus from now until October 15, 2008. No rebate check will be issued after 2008 ends.
To qualify, you must have at least $3,000 in yearly income; which can include Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement, etc. Please note that SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is not eligible for the stimulus payment, however, SSDI (Supplemental Security Disability Income) is eligible for the stimulus payment. The minimum economic stimulus payment is $300 for individuals and $600 for married couples. Please bring all documents verifying income with you to your appointment.
Receiving a payment under the stimulus package does not have any effect on eligibility for needs-based programs (such as Food Stamps, Fuel Assistance, Housing, etc.)
For more information or to make an appointment, please call the Senior Center at 562-6435. |
| COMPANION PROGRAM--Volunteers Needed | Since 1989, The Westfield Council on Aging's Companionship Program has been there...Assisting with grocery shopping...Assisting with errands...Friendly visiting...And much needed rides to doctor's appointments.
The Companionship Program is presently in need of volunteers to assist homebound elders in Westfield with grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments and/or friendly visiting. It only takes two hours a week and a small stipend is awarded. There is no charge to seniors for the service.
If you have two free hours a week and would like to become a companion and improve the quality of life for an elder in Westfield, please contact Fran Aguda, Companionship Program Coordinator, at 562-6435 or 562-9624. |
| BE A "BLANKETEER" | Our Wednesday morning Knit and Crochet group has joined the local chapter of "Project Linus". The mission of Project Linus is to provide love, a sense of warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill or traumatized through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers". All styles of blankets in child friendly colors are welcome. The only requirements are that the blankets must be handmade out of materials that are machine washable and dryable. Blankets are distributed locally to Shriners Hospital, Brightside, Baystate Medical Center, and the Ronald McDonald House. If you would like to participate in the worthwhile project or if you have yarn to donate, please contact Tina Gorman at the Senior Center, 562-6435 or 562-9624.
**We are currently looking for yarn donations** |
| C.O.P.E BINGO | | Westfield High School's Council on Peer Education (C.O.P.E) will once again be hosting an evening of Bingo at the Senior Center throughout the school year. Bingo will be played from 6 to 8 PM on the following Tuesdays: October 21st; December 2nd; January 27th; March 10th; and April 28th. Please join us for some "after-hours" Senior Center fun! |
| CALLING ALL VETERANS | | In preparation of Veteran's Day, we would like to honor those seniors who have served in a branch of the armed forces. Our "Veteran's Display" will include pictures and basic information about each veteran. Please consider submitting a picture of yourself, past or present, no larger than 5 by 7 inches. Include on a separate piece of paper your name, branch of service, and the years and location in which you served. All information must be submitted to Tina by Friday, October 24th. |
| CRAZY COSTUMES & LITTLE GOBLIN GATHERING | | Halloween is for everyone....it brings out the kid in all of us. Join us on Friday, October 31st at 10 AM as we celebrate Halloween Senior Center style with a Crazy Costumes and Little Goblin Gathering. We'll play host to the preschoolers from St. Mary's Elementary School as they entertain the seniors with a dress-up parade. Not to be outdone by the "little" kids however, the "big" kids are expected to dress up too! So use your imagination and find a crazy hat, put together an outrageous costume, and join the staff as we pretend to be someone (or something) else for a day. Costumed participants will be eligible for a raffle drawing. |
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