The Watertown Senior Center is chock full of activities in November. Here is the Senior Center Newsletter submitted by the staff.
Some of our NOVEMBER 2016 events include:
With Thanks from the Director
I could not be more grateful for all those who support the Senior Center by attending an event or class, calling or visiting for assistance or information, volunteering to run a program, facilitating an activity, working at the Food Pantry, organizing a special event, donating to our efforts, or serving on the Board or a committee. You all help to make the Center a vibrant place and the staff and I thank you.
We hope to see you at the Center this month. On Election Day, November 8, we will be hosting the Friends of the COA Book Sale; on the 9 th the Registry of Motor Vehicles will be presenting “Shifting Gears,” a program on safety tips for senior drivers; and on the 30 th , the American Diabetes Association will be joining us to answer questions about the implications of diabetes. Looking ahead, mark your calendar for our Holiday Celebration on December 2! Make sure to register early for this festive party.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us! Anne-Marie Gagnon
WATERTOWN SENIOR PROPERTY TAX WORK-OFF
The Town is offering up to 10 Watertown senior homeowners (age 60 & older) a $750 deduction from their property tax bill in exchange for 68 hours of work for a Town department.
Participants should be retired and must own and occupy the property for which the taxes are deducted. The applicant’s skills must match those needed by the participating departments. Past projects have included: computer data entry, working at the library or at the Senior Center.
Preference is given to individuals whose annual income is 300% of the Federal Poverty level or less ($35,640 for one, $48,060 for 2). Applications are being accepted now. For an application or more information, call the COA at 617-972-6490 or drop by.
Case Worker Corner: Stay Warm this Season!
This month’s Case Worker Corner focuses on the Low-Income Home Energy (Fuel) Assistance Program.
Call the Senior Center if you need help with your heating bill. Eligibility is determined by household income and size of household. The income eligibility range for one person is $11, 880 to $34, 001, and for two people $16,020 to $44,463. First-time applicants must apply in person at the Watertown Senior Center. Please call and make an appointment with Marina to complete and send the application package. Households can apply from November 1 to April 30 of the program year. First-time applicants need to bring the following list of documents to the appointment:
Proof of identity for everyone in the household (usually social security card and driver’s license)
1. Most recent oil bill
2. If renting – copy of lease
3. If own – copy of mortgage payments
4. If own a 2 or 3 family house – how much rent the tenants pay
5. Copy of social security payment statement
6. Copy of any other source of income – pension statements, etc. If anyone in household is working, copies of the most recent check stubs
7. Real estate tax bill
Be advised that checking deposit information and income tax information are not accepted as proof.
Call the Senior Center for more information.
SENIOR CENTER HOLIDAY PARTY
Join us for an afternoon of music, dancing, and door prizes. We’ll enjoy a delicious luncheon with entertainment & dancing. When: Friday December 2, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. * Senior Center 31 Marshall St. Ticket cost $14.00 * (Note New Time!)
NOVEMBER SENIOR CENTER OFFERINGS
All programs start at 10:00 a.m. unless otherwise noted – call 617-972- 6490 to hold your space.
November 8: THE FRIENDS OF THE COA ELECTION DAY BOOK SALE 8:45 – 1:45 to benefit the Watertown Senior Center.
November 9: Registry of Motor Vehicles – The RMV is committed to keeping drivers safe. A representative will be here to present “Shifting Gears“, a free, hour-long program designed to educate, highlight issues facing elder drivers, and encourage them to be the best driver possible.
The program includes safe driving tips, information on how age affects one’s driving, how medications and medical conditions affect driving, and identifies the most frequent collisions for elder drivers. A list of warning signs of unsafe driving will be provided to help drivers minimize their driving risk. The benefits of not driving a vehicle and suggestions of ways to preserve one’s independence without a license will also be discussed.
November 16: CHRIS GRANDE, of Walnut Hill Advisors, HOW TO CONSTRUCT YOUR RETIREMENT INCOME PORTFOLIO – How do professionals construct portfolios? What are the risks and rewards of each method? How does inflation factor in the planning? Can you crash proof a retirement income portfolio? Can you spend it all and still leave an inheritance? Is the recent stock market behavior signaling something serious? Should I make changes now? What are the biggest annuity mistakes by investors?
November 18: MetroWest Legal Services – An attorney will hold office hours from 10 – 12.
Consultations are by appointment only.
November 30: DIABETES – Join us as Rev. Albert Whitaker, Director of Mission Delivery New England for the American Diabetes Association, is coming to discuss and raise awareness of Diabetes. The risk of people age 45 and older developing type 2 diabetes is significant, but it is a condition that is manageable if diagnosed soon enough. Rev. Whitaker will discuss how type 2 diabetes can be controlled with a healthy lifestyle, including a strong exercise program and sensible eating habits.
WATERTOWN SENIOR PROPERTY TAX WORK-OFF
The Town is offering the property tax work-off project to Watertown senior homeowners again this year. This program allows up to ten seniors (age 60 and older) a $750 deduction from their property tax bill in exchange for 68 hours of work for a Town department.
Participants should be retired and must own and occupy the property for which the taxes are deducted. In addition, the applicant’s skills must match those needed by the participating Town departments. Past projects have included: computer data entry, working at the library, or at the Senior Center.
The Town gives preference to individuals whose annual income is 300% of the Federal Poverty level or less ($35,640 for one, $48,060 for 2) Copies of your 2015 income tax return may be requested to verify income. If space is available, past participants may be considered. For an application or more information, call the COA at 617-972- 6490 or drop by.
*** IMPORTANT REMINDER *** The Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7th!
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late! Make a SHINE Appointment Now!
Every year, Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO) plans can change their premiums, co-pays, deductibles, formularies (list of drugs covered) and preferred pharmacies. It’s important to review your options EVERY year to make sure you have the plan that works best for you for next year.
Assistance is available from the SHINE program. Call the Watertown Senior Center and ask for a SHINE appointment. Trained SHINE volunteers offer free, confidential counseling on all aspects of health insurance to anyone on Medicare. Be sure to bring your Medicare card, any other drug/health insurance cards, and a detailed list of your prescription drugs to your appointment.
For Medicare related matters (other than an appointment), call 1-800- AGE-INFO (1-800- 243-4636), then press or say 3. Once you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number. A volunteer will return your call within 2 days.
For assistance 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, call 1-800- MEDICARE to speak to a Medicare customerservice representative.
NOVEMBER MOVIE MATINEE
Come on over and enjoy in our comfortable lounge Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center, 31 Marshall St.
11/3 One For The Money Janet Evanovich’s spunky heroine, Stephanie Plum, is adrift after getting a divorce and losing her job. To make ends meet she becomes a bounty hunter, with her first big case revolving around a high school boyfriend who may be falsely accused. Cast: Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara, John Leguizamo 2012 PG-13 91 mins.
11/10 Bridges of Madison County – When Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson meets National Geographic shutterbug Robert Kincaid, what begins as a guarded friendship soon erupts into an intense affair that rekindles Francesca’s forgotten passions; but she finds her emotions in conflict when the time comes to choose her future. Cast: Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep, Annie Corley 1995 PG-13 135 mins.
11/17 Breakfast At Tiffany’s – Fortune hunter Holly Golightly finds herself captivated by aspiring writer Paul Varjak, who moves into her building on a wealthy woman’s dime. As romance blooms between Paul and Holly, Doc Golightly shows up on the scene, revealing Holly’s past. Cast: Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal. 1961 NR 114 mins.
12/1 To Have And Have Not – Classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (who, rumor has it, fell in love on the set). Bogie is Harry Morgan, a charter boat owner who falls for Bacall’s seductive petty thief, Marie Browning. Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan 1944 NR 100 mins.
THE SENIOR CENTER BOOK CLUB
WHEN: Wednesday, November 16 at 9:30. WHERE: Senior Center, 31 Marshall St. Join us to discuss The Rainbow Comes & Goes by Anderson Cooper & Gloria Vanderbilt. Copies of the book are available at the Watertown Free Public Library. Both a son’s love letter to his mother and an unconventional mom’s life lessons for her grown son, The Rainbow Comes and Goes offers a rare window into their close relationship and fascinating life stories, including their tragedies and triumphs. In these often humorous and moving exchanges, they share their most private thoughts and the hard-earned truths they’ve learned along the way. In their words their distinctive personalities shine through—Anderson’s journalistic outlook on the world is a sharp contrast to his mother’s idealism and unwavering optimism.
An appealing memoir with inspirational advice, The Rainbow Comes and Goes is a beautiful and affectionate celebration of the universal bond between a parent and a child, and a thoughtful reflection on life, reminding us of the precious insight that remains to be shared, no matter our age.
New members are always welcome!
Just a reminder!
The Senior Shuttle will NOT be running on Friday, November 11 and Friday, November 25. If you need to go shopping call the office by the previous Friday to be added to the shopping run on Tuesday, November 8 and 22.
This month, trips to the Malls are on Wednesday November 9, 23, & 30.
HEALTH SCREENINGS are held on Thursday mornings
November 17 – Podiatry Clinic – 11:00 a.m. Toenails, corns, callus care only. The cost for this service is $25.00 payable to Dr. Alper. Insurance not accepted.
November 17 – Blood Pressure at 9:30 a.m. by Linda Micklay, R.N. from CareGroup Home Care. Free
TAI CHI FOR SENIORS
Tai Chi Chuan, a classic Chinese exercise, has been used for centuries for health, wellness, to assist in healing and delay the aging process. Daily Tai Chi practice promotes better energy flow in the body. Tai Chi is a great exercise for all ages, especially for seniors. If seniors have some limitations regarding physical exercises and they are not able to do many of the western style exercises, they can still do Tai Chi. The “Tai Chi for Seniors” exercise is special because it is easy to learn and easy to practice. It does not use too much space which is great for the indoors.
Practice of this Tai Chi form provides great health benefits such as: improved posture, balance, prevention of falls, improved circulation, metabolism, strengthened immune system, strengthened heart energy, improved neuromuscular function, and improved brain function. Tai Chi practice also helps reduce blood pressure, reduce stress, and restore emotional balance. Written by Dr. Kuhn
Join Tai Chi instructor, Marie Favorito, on Fridays at 12:30 pm. Drop-in cost is $5.00 / class.
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW!
Have the Watertown Senior News emailed to your home computer every month by going to the Town website: www.watertown-ma.gov and signing up on the ‘Notify Me’ list. Follow the link on the left side of the home page, scroll down to Watertown Senior News and check it off! Or call the Senior Center at 617-972- 6490 with your email address & we’ll add it for you!
FITNESS ACTIVITIES AT THE SENIOR CENTER
Exercise Classes – Mon 11:00 & Weds 11:00 Fri 10:40
Chair Exercise – Tues 10:00 (WOW)
Line Dancing – Tues 11:15
Yoga – Thurs 10:00
Tai Chi – Fri 12:30
WATERTOWN SAVINGS BANK – CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARDS
Cast your ballot for the Watertown Senior Center! You can pick up a ballot at the Senior Center, Watertown Savings Bank, or vote online. The deadline is December 31.
Curious to see how the newsletter looks?
The Watertown Senior News is published monthly. Click here to download the November 2016 issue:
http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20805
Note: The newsletter is in PDF format. PDF documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader software to open the file. If you do not have this on your computer click here: Adobe Acrobat http://get.adobe.com/reader/ to download a free copy.
We appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Call us at 617-972-6490 and let us know if there is a program, movie, or activity you’d like to see at the Watertown Senior Center, 31 Marshall St. We’re open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we’d love to hear from you. Thank you.