Wareham Senior Beacon –December 2008
Front Page
Earth Thought:
“ How to be green? It’s really very simple and requires no expert knowledge or complex skills. Here’s the answer: Consume less. Share more. Enjoy life.”
Penny Kemp and Derek Wall
Holiday Blessings from the
Wareham Senior and Social Services Staff
Annual Christmas Trees and Tea Trip December 16 th at 1pm
Island Terrace Nursing Home, Lakeville, MA
Come and join the Tolles family for a fabulous tour of the most gorgeous trees you’ll see this year! The tree designer, Marylou Gomes, will be available to discuss the tree designs and offer ideas for your own theme tree at home. Cameras are welcome.
We will be treated to a Formal Afternoon Tea featuring scrumptious holiday temptations following the tour. This event is free but reservations are limited and can be made in Room #218. Directions to Lakeville are available in the office.
December Highlights:
Cinnamon Raisin Buns with Leo
Friend’s Christmas Party
Christmas Trees & Tea Trip
Men’s Luncheon
Low Vision Support
Page two
Free Disaster Preparedness for Seniors by Seniors
Pick up your free preparedness guide and learn how to protect yourself and cope with an emergency or a disaster should it happen. This free booklet contains information you will need to follow the three important steps to keep you safe in the event an emergency or a disaster: Get a kit, Make a plan and Be informed. The American Red Cross and a group of Greater Rochester New York seniors partnered together to share this valuable information. Booklets are available in the COA office and in the Multi-Service Center.
Consider taking several booklets to share with homebound friends or neighbors.
Japanese Cooking with Toshi was scheduled for Monday, December 1st and has been postponed to a future date.
Cinnamon Raisin Bun Making with Leo is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2nd at 12:30pm in the Cranberry Café Kitchen. Come and learn how to make these delicious holiday treats. Samples and recipes will be provided. Sign up in Room #218.
Alternative Holiday Giving and Celebrations
Family, friends, food and rituals were the top priorities for those gathered to talk about meaningful holiday celebrations. In the midst of challenging economic situations, times of disappointment or loss or difficult family situations, many people looked to the simple things of life and helping others to bring a sense of meaning and purpose for their holidays. Gifts that honor our own values and are friendly to the Earth include gifts of time or talents (that do not require dusting!), supporting local producers, businesses, or favorite charities. This season is a good time to ponder what you most value and wish to support.
“Senior Wisdom Tips”
Holiday Recycle Wrapping– Consider wrapping gifts in earth friendly ways: Pillowcases, sheets, or burlap bags can wrap large gifts and can be used over again. Colorful dishtowels can wrap wonderful homemade gifts from the kitchen. Newspaper or brown paper bags can be conversation pieces at your celebration.
Closing the gaps-look for places around the house where pipes and ducts penetrate walls or attic floors. These are chronic spots for heat loss, and they’re often easy to fix- just pack the gaps tightly with flexible insulation. Rolled towels can stop leaks under doors.
Untarnished- Want to shine up the silverware for the holidays without resorting to the petrochemicals in silver polish? Just boil a few strips of aluminum foil in a pan with baking soda and put the tableware in the simmering water. Presto- off comes the tarnish.
(Do you have additional tips to share? Please jot them down and bring them to Room #208)
.We’re Going GREEN!
Bring your own mug to use for coffee/tea/water and save as many as 500 disposable paper or plastic cups a year.
* Paper cups will no longer be provided in the Café or at the congregate meal site. It’s good for the environment and saves money.
Men’s Luncheon
Wareham men will gather for lunch at 11:30am on Tuesday, December 2nd in the Cranberry Café, Room 208 in the Multi-Service Center. Reservations for lunch must be made in advance with the nutrition program and will be served in the Cafe. The suggested donation is $2.00.
Low Vision Support Group meets on Monday, December 15th from 1:30-2:30pm.in the Cranberry Café Room 208. Rick Boucher, from Medical Alarms USA, will provide a short presentation on Personal Emergency Response Systems and other devices that can provide assistance and safety for persons with low vision. Visually impaired persons with glaucoma, diabetes, strokes, macular degeneration or other vision problems resulting in some loss of vision will benefit from this opportunity to receive information and support group. Non-sighted persons are also welcome to attend. Please sign up in Room #218.
The CCTV (closed circuit TV or reading machine) assists persons with low vision and is available for use in the Cranberry Café.
Rays of Sunshine group will meets Mondays from 9:30am-11:30am in Room 228 to create seasonal remembrances for homebound seniors.
The Friend’s of Wareham’s Elderly Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday, December 16th at noon at Salerno’s Function Hall in Onset. Tickets must be purchased through the Friend’s. The Friend’s Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2nd at noon. Contact Paula Hatch at 508-295-0291 to send Sunshine cards to seniors needing get-well wishes, sympathy or other messages of encouragement.
Cup of the Bay Coffee is now being served daily in the Cranberry Cafe
Love the aroma of fresh ground coffee and the taste of coffee shop coffee? We grind and brew our very own Cup of the Bay coffee. Coffee (iced coffee too) and tea is available Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, beginning at 8:45am, Thursday at 9am and Friday at 9:30am in the Café. Please drop in and enjoy. A small donation will help cover costs.
Mug ‘N Muffin
9:00am - 10:00am
Drop in Thursdays for conversation and coffee or tea and the homemade muffin/scone, fruit, and crackers /cheese in the Cranberry Café. This is made possible by our wonderful team of faithful bakers. Thanks bakers!
GATRA Dial-A-Ride provides curb-to-curb transportation service for seniors and persons who qualify for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Call us at 508-291-3130 for questions, information or to schedule transportation. Please reserve transportation by noon the day before. Please be mindful of holidays. Free van passes are still available for persons who qualify.
Out of Town Transportation for Medical Appointments is now available until December 31st for eligible seniors needing emergency transportation assistance. Call Dial-A-Ride at 508-291-3130 for an application or for additional information.
Shopping Trips
Friday morning and afternoon shopping trips travel to Shaw’s or Stop and Shop. The cost is $1.25 each way or $10 for 10 ride passes. Please have exact change, as van drivers cannot make change.
Social Security assistance will be available on the third Wednesday of the month on the fifth level of the Multi-Service Center.
Transitional Assistance is available each Wednesday on the third level. Walk-ins are welcome.
Fuel Assistance continues through April 30, 2009. All applications are done by appointment only. Documentation proving identity, address, gross income, and most recent heating, electric and (Verizon only) telephone bills should be brought to the scheduled meeting. Homeowners must submit current mortgage statement, real estate tax bill and homeowners insurance. Renters need to submit a current copy of the signed lease Renters with Subsidized Housing Assistance and current income worksheet/tenant profile from the Housing Authority with lease contract. Call 508-291-3100 X 6502 to schedule an appointment.
S.H.I.N.E. (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders)
MA MedLine is a free, confidential service for MA residents seeking information about their medication. Call toll free 1-866-633-1617 for a free packet explaining the Medicare Drug Benefit Plan or to speak to a pharmacist or case manager for personal assistance with pharmacy related questions or with finding help with the cost of medications. Choices or changes for Medicare Part D may be made from November 15 – December 31, 2008 with coverage beginning on January 1, 2009. During this open enrollment period, beneficiaries will be able to switch plans. If you are unhappy with your current medical or drug plan, now is the time to switch. . Please call (508) 291-3130 to schedule an appointment with S.H.I.N.E. Counselor, Jean Purrier. She is available Friday mornings from
9am-noon.
Foot Care appointments are being scheduled for Monday, December 22nd in the Health Clinic on the fifth level. Please note the change in day for this month. The cost is $27 ($45 for in home visit.) Pedi-care cannot accept Medicare payments.
Wareham Residents – Did you miss the opportunity for the free flu clinic or pneumococcal immunization? Free immunizations are still available Thursdays from 9-10am at the Health Clinic as long as the supply lasts.
Immunizations (Pneumococcal, Tetanus, and Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D) are available at the Health Clinic each week at the Multi-Service Center on Thursdays from 9-10am. The Health Clinic is located on level 5. Blood pressure checks and “Ask A Nurse” are available free of charge each week. Adult immunizations are available for a fee by appointment only by calling 1-800-631-3900.
Meals are served Monday through Friday at 11:30am (Thursday at 11:00am) in the Community Room for a suggested donation of $2.00. Cheryl Johannessen is the Nutrition Manager. Please call her at 508-291-3100 X 6514 for a reservation. Volunteer route drivers are needed for Home Delivered Meals. Please contact the on-site nutrition program to volunteer.
Outreach Hours
Deborah Ramos, Outreach Coordinator, is available on Fridays. Please leave messages on her voice mail by calling 508-291-3100 X6534.
SERVE, the smart alternative to supermarket shopping, is at the Multi-Service Center each month. The next distribution day is Friday, December 19th from 2:00pm-4:00pm. Persons may sign up on Tuesday December2nd from, 4:00pm-4:30pm or Thursday, December 4th from9:30am-1:30pm in Room 218. . The family package is available for $25 (plus $1 for transportation). Participants volunteer 2 hours per month in the community or at the distribution site itself. Food stamp cards (EBT) will also be honored. Credit or debit cards may be used when placing an order on line by phoning SERVE. Stop in Room #218 for details.
ACTIVITIES and CLASSES
Reservations, tickets and payment for activities or events may be in Room # 218. (508-291-3100 X 3159)
Senior Boot Camp- M-F at 8:30- 9:15am. Fee: $2.00 per class
Aerobics – M,W,F at 9:30-10:45am. Fee: $3.00 per class
Senior Tai Chi –Fridays from 11am-11:45am. Fee $20/ 4 weeks
Line Dancing will be held on the first and fourth Mondays, every Tuesday, and Thursday 9:30am-11:00am in Room 227. The cost for all line dancing classes will be $4.00 per class, payable at each class. Newcomers are welcome. Intermediate line dancing is now happening on Tuesdays from 9:30am-11:00am.
Square and Round Dance Classes- learn to square or round dance Fridays from 9:30am-11:30am. The first class is free. Additional classes cost $3.00 per week. Contact Betty at 508-295-1395 or Paul at 508-998-5937 for more information.
Sign up now for new classes/events beginning in December:
Computer Classes will resume with Mike in Room #224. Please call 508-291-3159 for details.
Cribbage Players meet in the Cranberry Café, Room 208, Mondays at 10:00am. Newcomers are welcome.
Watercolor Painting - The 3 week class will meet Thursdays in December (except Christmas Day) from 10:00am-noon. Kate Furler will teach the basics of painting with watercolor. Techniques are taught in the first hour of each session. Students do their own painting, with supervision, during the second hour of class. Participants are free to work on their own projects or to use the subjects provided for each painting session. Cost is $30 and must be paid for in advance. Class size is limited to 12 persons. Newcomers are welcome.
The Day Center
at Wareham Senior and Social Services
This adult supportive day program keeps seniors on the go; offering friends, activities and respite for caregivers Monday through Thursday at the Multi-Service Center. The program provides therapeutic and structured activities for persons with mild to moderate memory loss, medical issues needing support, depression, loss or isolation. Some of the activities include restaurant trips, picnics, pool, gentle yoga, life reminiscence workshops, baking, movies, travelogues, sing-a-longs, gardening, field trips and more. Continental breakfast, exercise, current events, conversation, creative activities, and healthy snacks are provided each day. Lunch and transportation (in Wareham) are included. Financial aid may be available for those who are eligible. Please call Day Center Director, Janet Smith-Rushton, at (508) 291-3100
X 6533 for more information about the program or to schedule a home visit.
Subscriptions to the Wareham Senior Beacon are available for $6.00 per year. Please send check made payable to the “Town of Wareham” to the Wareham Senior and Social Services, 48 Marion Road with your name, address, and phone number to receive your copy of the Beacon in the mail each month.
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