WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING

75 REED RD WESTPORT, MA 02790

Council on Aging Board Members

Marcia Liggin-Board Chair

Karin Bergeron –Vice Chair

William Gifford-Treasurer

Muriel Kokoszka

Cathy Davis

Ed Thadeu

Friends of Westport

Council on Aging

Officers: Susan Read-President

Elizabeth Brinkerhoff-Vice President

Margie Zeller-Secretary

Rose Rego-Treasurer

Director: Beverly Bisch

EVERGREEN NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2017

MISSION STATEMENT: The primary function of the Westport Council on Aging is to identify and meet the needs of Westport’s elder population and the community of available services.

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 center office may operate for routine administrative operations only. Monday-Friday 8:30a.m.-4:00p.m.Tel: 508-636-1026 / Fax 508-636-1034

Visit us on Facebook: Wcoa Council

If you would like to view the Evergreen on line, go to: Ourseniorcenter.com

Bring and

Chef on a Shoestring- will be doing his two make up classes and beginning the new sessions starting: 3/31, 4/7, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19. Classes begin at 10:00am-11:30am.The cost of this new session will be

$15.00 for 5 classes.

Meet the Candidates April 5, 10-11:30am

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK 4/23-4/29

Page 2 WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING April 2017

PROGRAMS FOR MIND BODY AND FITNESS

OSTEOPOROSIS Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:45 AM—11:00AM

An exercise program for people with or at risk for Osteopenia/Osteoporosis or those who simply wish to remain strong. Partici-pants will learn about osteoporosis and everyday activities that will improve their day- to- day lives. A physician authorization form is available at the COA that states this would be beneficial is required. There are openings in the Monday, Wednesday & Fridays sessions. For more information, contact the WCOA.

WALKING-HIKING GROUP Every Tuesday, starting at 8:45AM ,the group leaves from the WCOA.

Are you interested in walking/hiking with others who love the out-

doors? Have you wanted to walk some of the wonderful trails in our

area but have some reservations about heading out alone? Come to the

WCOA on a Tuesday morning and join the group.

STROLLING GROUP **Stroll your way to fitness**

Join us at the WCOA at 9 am on Thursday mornings if you would like

to walk short distances at a relaxed pace with a group.

Calling all bingo players. Join us every Thursday,

12:30 –2:30 pm at the Westport Council on Aging. Cof-

fee and pastry served at the break. New callers welcome.

DO YOU ENJOY TRAVELING??

Do you have a group of friends, family, or colleagues that you want to travel with? Bloom Tours can run any tour listed on their website for a group of 30 or more. They will also customize a tour to fit your needs. Ho-tels, guides, attractions, tours and of course the motor coach can all be handled by their tour department. Call Wendy at 1-508-678-0218 for more information.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meeting the 2nd

Thursday of every month , 1:00 pm at the Dartmouth

COA on Dartmouth St. ,S Dartmouth, MA.

Scleroderma

Support Group meets on the 3rd Tuesday each month

6:30–8:30 pm at Stop & Shop, 2nd floor conference room,

501 Rodman St.

Fall River, MA.

Christine T. Maroney, 508-675-4152

Donna Bernier, 774-488-6775

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Support Group meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month

6-8 pm at 181 Hillman Street, Lower Level,

New Bedford, MA.

Alzheimer’s &Dementia Caregivers

Family Resource Center

45 Rock St, Fall River, Ma

3rd Friday of each month

11:00-12:30 pm

Awaken the Artist Within Join us for Art Classes at

the WCOA Wednesday 9am-12 noon

Hosted by Robert Abele. Robert is a graduate of the School

of Visual Arts. His paintings have appeared in numerous

publications including the Washington Post and the New

York Times. This class is designed as a workshop where all

mediums are welcome. Watercolor, oil and colored pencil

are just a few mediums used by students.

Each student is given personal instruction and guidance

based on the subject they are working on.

*Aerobics: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30-9:30 am $30.00/month due the 25th of the month *Stretch & Tone: Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:30am $25.00/month due the 25th of the month T’ai Chi: Friday, Advanced 12:30pm Beginner 1:30pm $8.00/Class *Yoga: Monday and Wednesday 12:45-1:45 pm $5.00/ Class Watercolor: Wednesday, 9:00 am-12 Noon $10.00/Class Men’s Exercise Class: 3:15-4:15pm $25.00/month due the 25th of the month *A physician authorization form is available at the COA that states this would be beneficial is required.

Blood Pressure Clinic

2nd Tuesday of every month

from 10am–11am with a

Nurse from Gentiva Home

Health. NO FEE.

Page 3 WESTPORT COUNCIL ON AGING April 2017

FRIENDS OF THE WESTPORT

COUNCIL ON AGING, INC.

Supporting the Senior Center

P.O. Box N-192

Westport, MA 02790

Greetings from the FWCOA

It’s finally April and we can now turn to spring and summer planning! We appreciate your continuing support every sea-son of the year, and want to let you know about additional ways to keep the Friends’ organization strong. Please remember to donate your Lees Market Receipts to the Friends. Receipts can be dropped off at the Senior Center in a box labeled “Lees Receipts” just inside the entrance. Last year, these receipts provided over $1,300 which helped sustain the programs and activities at the Westport Council on Aging. Our thanks to Lees Market for continuing this community program! Do you participate in AmazonSmile or other on-line sites which allow you to donate a portion of your purchases to a non-profit group? If so, please consider designating the Friends of the Westport Council on Aging, Inc. as the recipient. These small donation add up, and will help strengthen our vibrant, active and healthy senior community. Would you like to be part of a group of people who believe in giving back to an organization that does so much for seniors in the community? We need you! The Friends Board works to raise supplementary funds for the Westport COA programs and services which keep our local seniors active and healthy. We are planning new and exciting activities and would en-thusiastically welcome your participation. Please stop by the Senior Center or call 508-636-1026.

Westport Free Public Library

OUTREACH TO THE HOMEBOUND HOME DELIVERY SERVICE

The Westport Free Public Library now offers a Home Delivery Service of library books ( some in LARGE

PRINT), audio books, DVDs, and more to homebound Westport residents.

Call 508-636-1100

LEGAL CORNER 2017

The 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10:00AM to 11:30AM

by appointment only Jennifer Heald, a local attorney will be meeting individuals for 30 minute appointments every month. The Attorney is

experienced in a broad variety of legal areas with expertise in Basic Estate Planning, including Living Trusts and Wills.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is available for Westport elders and handicapped persons of all ages by appointment only. The donation is $3.00 one way $5.00 round trip.

Monday– Friday 10:00am-2pm

Medical Appointments Local Grocery Stores Local Shopping Centers Pharmacies When you make your appointment, call us immediately to schedule a ride. Please have the exact business or doctor’s name, street address, telephone number, and approximate duration of your appointment (pick up time )when you call.

Norovirus Information (“Stomach Virus”)

What are the symptoms of a Norovirus infection? After a 12 - 48 hour incubation period in the digestive tract, the onset of symptoms is rela-

tively rapid. Nausea, vomiting either associated with, or followed by abdominal pain, and a watery diarrhea, are the most common symptoms. Some people may also experience a low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue (which may be associated with dehydration). Symptoms of a Norovirus infection can last up to three days and may be longer lasting in the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Most people recover with no complications. How is this virus transmitted? Norovirus infections are transmitted from person-to-person, consuming contaminated food or water, and from surfaces that have been exposed to the virus. The virus is found primarily in the stool, but can also be found in vomit (less likely). The spread of the Norovirus to others occurs by contact from hand-to-hand or by coming in contact with surf aces that may have become contaminated by direct exposure to stool, hands, or perhaps vomiting. This virus is highly infectious, resistant to many forms of disinfection, and remains viable on surfaces for quite a while. That is why doorknobs, faucet handles, and toi-let flushing handles can be exposure points when an outbreak of the Norovirus occurs. This virus is extremely contagious. However, it does not grow well outside of the body. Bleach solutions are still the most effective de-stroyers of this virus (1/3 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water). Leave the solution on the surface to be disinfected for a minimum of 5 minutes. To contain the spread from person-to -person, hand washing (use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds) after touching possible infected surfaces is still the most time proven method. Use good hygiene after using public restrooms or those areas where someone who recently had the virus has been. It is not an airborne virus, but a contact virus, so watch handrails, doorknobs, and surfaces which many people

touch.

The following is a message from Bristol County

District Attorney Tom Quinn.

“When an issue starts to get headlines, it’s almost a guarantee that a new scam will soon follow. With the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and health care in general in the news again, scammers are calling, mailing and e-mailing seniors at a relent-less pace. Scammers know that people may have questions as to whether or not certain changes might occur but these crooks are all too willing to provide false information to confuse people. Their goal is to try and get your personal and fi-nancial information and then your money. Scammers may call and pretend that they work for Medicare, they may say that they need you to verify your bank account number or Social Security number or Medicare number. However, if you pro-vide this information to them you’re giving them access to your money and their goal is to steal it. Those making these calls can be very persistent. They may say they need your information to “update your account,” to send you news about Medicare, to deposit funds, to provide benefits or to provide you with a new Medicare or prescription card. They may tell you that it’s urgent and your benefits will be cut if you don’t respond or that you’ll lose your Medicare coverage if you don’t join their prescription plan. (The Medicare prescription drug plan also known as Medicare Part D is voluntary and does not affect your Medicare coverage.) Truthfully, these are all scams to try and steal your money. Medicare will never call you and ask for your bank account information. Medicare plan representatives are also not allowed to ask you for pay-ment over the phone or online. The next time you get a call like this remember these 4 tips: 1.) Simply hang up the phone (or don’t answer) 2.) Don’t give out your bank account number, Medicare number of any part of your Social Security num-ber 3.) If you have questions about your Medicare benefits call 1-800-633- 4227 or go to medicare.gov 4.) Report your ex-perience at 1-877-FTC-HELP or ftc.gov/complaint where you can click on “Scams and Rip-offs,” and then “Imposter

Legal Helpline

Elder affairs receive funds from the federal Administration for Community Living to continue/expand access to help maxi-mize the impact of limited legal services to elder consumers in greatest need. This project was made possible by a partner-ship with the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) OF THE Boston Bar Association. A Senior Legal Helpline hosted by VLP provides free legal information and referral services to MA residents 60 or older, The helpline is open Monday through Friday 9AM-12PM. Phone 800-342-5297 Information courtesy of Theodore R. Zimmerman, State Planner Legal Assistance Developer, MA Executive Office of

Page 6 Westport Council on Aging April 2017

OUTREACH INFORMATION

Are you or anyone you know in need of assistance?

Our Outreach staff meet with the elderly and disabled Westport residents either in their home or in the office to assess the individual’s needs, to explain community programs and benefits, and assist with applications for programs such as Fuel Assistance, Food Stamps and other benefits. The Outreach Workers also assist elders in crisis; they are mandated reporters for suspected elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. The Outreach Workers strive to include family members in meetings if the elder or disabled individual agrees. The Outreach Workers and all Council on Aging staff are bound by strict confidentiality laws and are not al-lowed to release any information without permission. Referrals come from many different sources including family members, police and fire, health professionals, community agencies, nursing homes, and the elders and disabled themselves. If you would like to make a referral to the Council on Aging Outreach Workers, please contact Andrea, Cindy or Susan at 508-636-1026.

Westport’s Supportive Day Program The supportive day program provides a safe, structured environment for seniors who are

isolated, experience memory loss, recovering from personal illness or injury, or have certain physical restrictions because of age related disabilities.

This community care program allows elders to remain in their homes, providing much needed respite for caregivers. These services are provided in a non-medical facility.

Our program includes:

Trained Professional Staff Therapeutic Games Daily structured and supervised activities Day Trips Morning/afternoon snacks Health Clinics Nutritious Lunch Sing-a-longs Educational Programs Gentle Exercise Current Events Creative Activities Transportation is Available Financial Aid is Available Come visit us and receive a FREE trial day

Supportive Day Program Director – Connie McQuoid

Assistant Director – Catherine Lynch

OUR OUTREACH DEPARTMENT IS IN NEED OF GRABBERS &

BLADDER PADS (not pull-ups) FOR MEN AND WOMEN!

The WCOA has a durable medical equipment “loan closet” with wheelchairs, canes, commodes, shower chairs, etc., for Westport elderly and disabled individuals. We would like to thank our many generous donors for the equipment we are able to loan the Westport Community. Without your generosity, we would not be able to sustain this program. We accept clean, gently used medical equipment and unopened supplies.

Page 7 Westport Council on Aging April 2017

WESTPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT

24/7 Safe Disposal of Expired or Unused Medication

Bring your expired or unused medication to the Westport Police Station lobby, located at 818 Main Road. There is a free medication disposal box to safely dispose of your expired

or unused drugs. For additional information

contact the Westport Police Department at 508-636-1122

Elder Abuse is a Serious Issue If you have cause to believe that you or someone you know who is 60 or older is being abused, neglected, or exploited, call

Bristol Elder Services at 508-675-2101 to file a confidential report. After normal business hours, reports may be filed with the

statewide Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275.

ANOTHER SENIOR SCAM Don’t order a back/knee brace from a postcard!!! So – you re-ceive a colorful postcard stating that the sender has been trying to reach you about ordering a Medicare-covered back or knee brace. All they need is for you to send your Medicare informa-tion. Well – this scam is particularly deceptive, because you may actually receive something in the mail – usually a Velcro-style band for your back or knee. The scammer then bills Medi-care for a device worth hundreds or thousands of dollars more than the one you received. And, armed with your Medicare in-formation, they can continue to bill Medicare for services not rendered. Medicare has strict coverage rules for its services and supplies, and it pays to keep these tips in mind: Never respond to open solicitations for Medicare covered supplies or services. Only provide your Medicare number to health care providers or facilities at the time you are actively seeking the service. Care-fully monitor your Medicare statements for any claims for ser-vices or supplies billed to you which you did not receive. You can set up an account at MyMedicare.gov and access your claim information online anytime. If you’ve been solicited by a Possible Medicare scammer, report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447 –8477).

Location for the Food Pantry

The Westport Food Pantry is now located

at the rear entrance of the former

Westport Middle School

400 Old County Rd

Westport, MA.

774-201-0566

TUESDAY’S from 2:30—5:30

Proof of residency is required to sign up

SOUP & SANDWICH

APRIL 19, 2017

If you wish to attend, you must

make reservations by calling

508-636-1026

If you know your Boston Marthon history, you

know that when the race was first run in 1897, it

was called the American Marathon. These days,

of course, you’ll see “Boston Marathon” on en-

try forms, finisher’s medals and the race’s other

materials. At some point in the last 117 years,

then, the race’s official name changed. But

when?

No one knows for sure. Over time, and certainly

by the post-World War II era, the race was

known as the Boston Marathon.