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HomeMy Public PortalAboutFebruary 20201673 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 • (508) 896-2737 • Fax (508) 896-7587 Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday Denise Rego, Director Andrea Nevins, COA Board Co-Chair Marilyn Dearborn, FOBE President Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-Chair February 2020 MISSION STATEMENT: To support and advocate for older adults and their families by providing programs, services and resources that promote independent living and quality of life. “If I Live to be 100, Where Will I Live?” Homes for a Lifetime Planning Series “A Home Away from Home - Evaluating Nursing Home Options” Friday, February 7 2:30 - 4:30pm Brewster Ladies Library Auditorium 1822 Main Street Nursing home care may be needed on a temporary or permanent basis. 44% of residents stay less than a year; 30% between one and three years. Learn how to ask the right questions, compare the quality of different facilities, and make a good choice if the time comes when more support may be needed. Please contact the COA at 508-896-2737 to reserve your seat. February Closings: The Brewster COA will be closed on Monday, February 17 for the President’s Day observance. Enjoy the holiday! “New to Medicare” Seminar Tuesday, February 4 6:00 pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Are you turning 65 soon? Come and get the straight story about your Medicare options from certified SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors. Call the COA at 508-896-2737 to reserve your seat! Light refreshments will be served. Income Tax Preparation Wednesdays: February 5 - April 15 Brewster Town Hall, 2198 Main Street Income Tax season is here! Make it easy on yourself and call the Brewster COA soon at 508-896-2737 to schedule an appointment with a knowledgeable tax representative from AARP. Appointments are available on Wednesdays, beginning February 5th and continuing until April 15th. The representatives will make the job of filing your taxes much easier! ***Although the program is free, donations to the Brewster COA are appreciated! Please note: This service is for basic, uncomplicated tax filing ONLY! (Form 1040 or Form 1040-EZ) Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the COA and the Friends of Brewster Elders Monday, February 10 1:30pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street $5.00 per person Please join us as the COA and the Friends of Brewster Elders celebrate all things Valentines with a concert and some delectable sweets! Our concert begins at 1:30pm and features the very talented Paul Ashley, a wonderful guitarist and entertainer (the same gentleman who performed at our Lobster Roll luncheon in August). After the concert, you’ll enjoy the “Everything Chocolate” Buffet! Tickets are $5.00 and available at the Brewster COA during the week of February 3. Drop by soon so you won’t miss this fun-filled event! Page 2 February 2020 Brewster, MA All classes are at the Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street, unless otherwise noted. Computer Help Wednesdays & Thursdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm Do you need help using your computer? We have one-on-one sessions available to help you feel more confident in your computer skills. Sessions are one hour and FREE! Our knowledgeable and dedicated volunteer instructors are Del Borah on Wednesdays and Pete Scheffer on Thursdays. For all appointments, please contact the COA at 508-896-2737. Computer Users’ Group Thursdays: 1:00 - 2:30pm This month: Feb. 6 and 13 only Topics are solicited from program attendees at each meeting and discussed at subsequent meetings in a friendly atmosphere. Skill level is from beginner to intermediate. There’s no need to sign up ahead of time; just bring a desire to learn something new! Brewster Men’s Coffee Club Thursdays: 2:00 - 4:00pm The Brewster Men’s Coffee Club meets on Thursday afternoons throughout February. Why not join us for a hot cup of coffee and some lively conversation? We’re always looking for new members. We’re also looking for guest speakers, so if you’ve got a topic of interest that you’d like to present, just let us know. W.O.W. (Wonderful Older Women) Tuesdays: 9:30 - 11:00am Are you sitting at home talking to yourself? Would you enjoy talking with others and feeling good about your day? Do you like to discuss books, movies, local events and issues? Then WOW would love to welcome you into our weekly discussion group. Join us whenever you can at the COA! You’ll find us to be a very friendly group with a positive attitude. Blood Pressure and Glucose Testing Fourth Tuesday of every month: February 25 10:00am to 12:00pm A nurse from the VNA will check your blood pressure and listen to your health concerns (glucose testing will also be available). This FREE service does not require an appointment and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Hearing Screenings Thursday, February 20 8:30 – 10:30am Advanced Audiology Associates offers FREE screenings here at the Brewster Council on Aging. Screenings are by appointment only and last approximately 15 minutes. They will include hearing screenings, ear inspections and hearing aid checks. Please call the COA at 508-896-2737 to set an appointment for this valuable service. Pain Relief Class (Alexander Technique) Mondays: 11:30am – 12:30pm Do you experience back or neck pain? Do you want to learn how to be more balanced, coordinated and have less pain? Come learn how to relieve your pain holistically and naturally by learning how to “undo” unhelpful habits of both body and mind! Please bring a yoga mat. $10.00 per class. Our instructor, Helen Manzella, is a Certified Alexander Technique teacher. She is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee's Alexander Technique Teacher Training Course and Tommy Thompson's Alexander Technique Center at Cambridge, a 3-year 1,600-hour program. Exercise Your Options! All classes are at the Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street, unless otherwise noted. Keep Movin’ 9:45 - 10:45 am Mondays and Fridays This program is primarily strength- training for seniors. The classes are friendly, and a fun way to relieve arthritis symptoms while learning important strengthening exercises. Classes help to build strength, coordination and balance each week by using hand and leg weights, balls and bands. The cost is $50.00 for the 10-weeks (20 classes per session). To sign up, stop in any Monday or Friday and speak to the instructor, Linda Fraser. You may observe the class, but may not participate unless signed up by the instructor. Tai-Chi Made Easy Mondays: 1:30 - 2:30pm This class requires no prior experience or ongoing commitments, and there is no special equipment necessary. Come learn about Tai-Chi and the many physical and spiritual benefits. Also known as “moving meditation”, Tai-Chi can help improve balance, core strength, flexibility, and provide a mind-body connection as a source for stress relief. This class will not focus on learning a particular form or sequence of movements. Instead, the essential elements of Tai-Chi will be explored: breathing, basic stances, Tai-Chi postures, and the development and awareness of the life-force called Chi. Classes will also present Push Hands: a dynamic 2-person exercise aimed at cultivating awareness of our own personal energy and that of another utilizing the circular movements inherent in Tai-Chi. The cost is $10.00 per class. Wearing loose-fitting clothing is recommended. Our instructor, A. Jay Zahn, is a long-time practitioner and has studied related martial arts, breathing exercises and meditation. Page 3 February 2020 Brewster, MA More Exercise Options! All classes are at the Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street, unless otherwise noted. Yoga 9:00 - 10:30 am Tuesdays This class uses breathing techniques as a foundation for exploring gentle and safe stretching. It is appropriate for all fitness levels, and helps with relaxation and focus. $10.00 per class. Please bring a mat. No need to sign up in advance. Feel free to check out a class to see if it’s right for you! Our long-time instructor is Marilou Raposa. Chair Yoga 11:00am - 12:00pm Tuesdays This class is designed to teach beginners, as well as accommodating all levels. The students will learn to adjust the postures according to their own body needs, using a chair as support for the poses. Chair Yoga can be beneficial in terms of minimizing stress and boosting mental clarity, managing and coping with pain brought on by aging or an illness, improving strength, and enhancing flexibility. If you would like to try Yoga but feel you can’t participate in traditional Yoga sessions, this class is for you! The cost is $10.00 per class. Please bring a mat. The class is taught by Araci Gomes, a certified Yoga instructor. Tai-Chi Tuesdays and Fridays: 2:00 - 3:00pm Learn the many physical and spiritual benefits of Tai-Chi, a gentle, flowing, standing exercise. Classes will incorporate stretching warm-ups, and participants will learn the series of movements culminating in the beautiful 24-posture Yang form. These moves can improve flexibility, coordination and balance; build muscle strength, and provide a mind-body connection for stress release. Our instructor, A. Jay Zahn, is a long-time practitioner and has studied related martial arts, breathing exercises and meditation. Tai-Chi is suitable for people at all levels of physical conditioning. The cost is $10.00 per class and drop-ins are welcome! EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing - New session! 8:00 - 8:45am Wednesdays New students are welcome in this brand new session! This course is designed for those with some dance experience who are accustomed to picking up new mate- rial with ease and are interested in learn- ing technique. In this class we’ll explore how to push past the Fourth Wall (the conceptual barrier between dancer and audience) and find a connection to an audience. We’ll start with foot placements and then embellish each dance with technique such as arm motions, spotting, Latin action and more. Whether your goal is to take your line dancing to the next level or perform with a team, this course will help you learn how to share the positive energy dance brings to your life! $4.00 per class when paid by the month. Karen Shackleford from ‘Cape Sands Ballroom’ will be your instructor. Please bring a water bottle and shoes to change into that are flat, flexible, closed and non-marking. Line Dancing - Beyond the Basics (II) 8:45 - 9:30am Wednesdays Carry your dance experience forward! This intermediate class is for those with knowledge of jazz squares, grapevines, Charlestons, diagonal travel, box steps, and mambo steps. Prerequisite: good balance, good spatial orientation and ability to memorize 32-count patterns. $4.00 per class when paid monthly, $6.00 per class for drop-ins. Discount offered for those enrolled in Fourth Wall Line Dancing and Line Dance II - $3.50 per class! Come learn fun, mini dance routines to your favorite pop, rock and Latin music! Karen Shackleford from ‘Cape Sands Ballroom’ will be your instructor. Please bring a water bottle and shoes to change into that are flat, flexible, closed and non-marking. Qi Gong 9:00 - 9:45 am Thursdays The practice of Qi Gong dates back 3000 years and is an ancient Chinese method of exercising, meditation & visualization, and breathing to manage the Qi (life force energy) in your body. Movements are slow and rhythmic, to self-massage acupoints (meridians) and release blocked Qi. You will feel refreshed, nourished, energized and relaxed. Qi Gong can benefit everyone! $2.00 per class or $10.00 per 5-week session. Our instructor is Ray DiPietro. You’re welcome to come check it out! Meditation 10:00 - 11:00am Thursdays Is your world moving too fast? Do you sometimes wish you could stop, take a deep breath and stay still for a short period of time? This meditation class focuses on building internal awareness with an orientation toward the heart and breath. Our instructor, Carol Marcy, will also talk about the many benefits of meditation, and will use a guided meditation format. Cost is $2.00 per class and drop-ins are welcome. Come and relax with us! Expressive Movement Class 11:30am – 12:30pm Fridays This class will teach you all about how to expressively move your body and how to strengthen the mind/body connection. We will utilize a variety of expressive movement forms from Authentic Movement to improvisation. Classes will be set to music from around the world. No previous dance experience is required. Please bring a yoga mat. $10.00 per class. Our instructor is Helen Manzella, an improvisational dancer. February Program Notes Check out the exciting and informative programs and events we’ve got planned for you this month! All programs take place at the Brewster COA, 1673 Main St., unless otherwise noted. ¡La clase de español comienza en febrero! (Translation: Spanish class starts in February!) Mondays: February 3 – March 16 1:00 - 2:30pm $60.00 for the entire session Have you always wanted to learn another language? This is your opportunity to learn Spanish, the language spoken by over 470 million people worldwide. The instructor has over 30 years’ experience as a college professor of Spanish and wishes to share her enthusiasm for the language and culture with you. In this course, you will learn the pronunciation of Spanish and how to form questions and statements on everyday topics such as food, family, travel, daily routines, hobbies, and shopping. The format of the class will include activities in pairs and small groups, games and short film clips. Be sure to call the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737 to reserve your spot in this fun new class! Food to Encourage Monday, February 10 and Monday, February 24 9:30 - 11:30am Lower Cape Outreach Council in partnership with the Barnstable County Public Health Nurses and the Brewster COA are looking to explore the impact of nutrition and healthy eating on diabetes and hypertension. This FREE program is open to everyone. Health monitoring by a nurse, involving blood pressure and glucose checks, is available. Each participant will receive a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables every other week, along with free recipes! No need to sign up. Please bring your own bag and stop by at any point during the time period listed. Sound Event Wednesday, February 12 1:00 - 2:30 pm $5.00 Come join Carol Marcy for an early afternoon journey into health and deep relaxation. The sounds of the crystal singing bowls and the symphony gong will create a vibrational environment which has scientifically been shown to normalize your heart rate, blood pressure, provide better blood flow and increase the oxygen carried by the blood to all cells in the body. The lymphatic circulation and immune system function are also improved. We will begin with a brief guided meditation to help focus awareness internally by initiating a simple breath rhythm and relaxation response. Please wear comfortable warm clothes. You can choose to sit in a chair or lie down on the floor. If you are on the floor, please bring some- thing comfortable to put underneath you. You may also want something to cover your eyes. Please call the COA to sign up at 508-896-2737. The Savvy Caregiver Educational Program Thursdays: February 27 – April 2 10:00am – 12:00pm Brewster Town Hall 2198 Main Street The Savvy Caregiver 6-session course covers: the pathology of dementia diseases, strategies for caregiver self-care, dementia stages, developing contented involvement for someone with dementia, how to recognize options to optimize decision making, and making the most of family This FREE program is recommend- ed for active family caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases. Free respite-care is available during class hours. This program is being offered by the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, in conjunction with the Brewster COA. For more information, or to register, please call 508-896-5170, or email: support@capecodalz.org support@capecodalz.org Tours of the COA The Brewster School Department and Council on Aging would like to keep the public and town officials informed of current space usage at the Stony Brook School and Council on Aging facilities. Accordingly, tours of the Council on Aging will be offered on Fridays from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Please call 508-896-2737 in advance to schedule a tour of the COA. Looking for Volunteers! Everyone has different talents. What is yours and would you be willing to share your skills with our community at the COA? Do you enjoy crafts and want to create something, have you traveled and wish to discuss your destination and experience, do you have a green thumb and can teach us how to care for our plants and shrubs, are you interested in theatre, arts, or dance and want to bring characters to life? How about photography? Soap carving? Genealogy? These are just a few examples of the myriad topics out there that can be offered. It doesn’t have to be a series; even an hour or two would be fun for our center. Please contact Lisa Donovan at the COA at 508-896-2737 if you are interested in being a volunteer and teaching a class or two, and thank you in advance! Page 4 February 2020 Brewster, MA resources. MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 3 9:45am Keep Movin’ 11:30am Pain Relief Class 1:00pm Spanish Class 1:30pm Tai-Chi Made Easy 4 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 11:00am Chair Yoga 1:00pm Bridge 1:00pm SHINE 2:00pm Tai-Chi 6:00pm Seminar “New to Medicare” 5 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Income Tax/TH 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 6 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Computer Users 2:00pm BMCC 7 GO RED DAY! 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 11:30am Expressive Movement 2:00pm Tai-Chi 2:30pm Seminar/BLL “Home Away from Home” (see page 1) 10 9:30am Food to Encourage 9:45am Keep Movin’ 11:30am Pain Relief Class 1:00pm Spanish Class 1:30pm Tai-Chi Made Easy 1:30pm Special Event: Celebrate Valentine’s Day! 11 9:00am Yoga 9:00am Pedicare 9:30am W.O.W. 11:00am Chair Yoga 1:00pm Bridge 1:00pm SHINE 2:00pm Tai-Chi 12 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Income Tax/TH 10:30am BINGO 11:00am Healthy Meals in Motion (Frederick Ct.) 11:30am Sight Loss/BLL 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Sound Event 13 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Computer Users 2:00pm BMCC 14 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:30am BINGO 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 11:30am Expressive Movement 2:00pm Tai-Chi HAPPY DAY! 17 PRESIDENTS DAY The COA is closed 18 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 11:00am Chair Yoga 12:30pm Massage w. Sandra 1:00pm Bridge 1:00pm SHINE 2:00pm Tai-Chi 19 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Massage w. Sandra 9:00am Income Tax/TH 9:45am Keep Movin’ 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 20 8:00am Pet Grooming 8:30am Hearing Screenings 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Financial Planning 2:00pm BMCC 21 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 11:00am Rep. Tim Whelan 11:30am Expressive Movement 2:00pm Tai-Chi 24 9:30am Food to Encourage 9:45am Keep Movin’! 11:30am Pain Relief Class 1:00pm Spanish Class 1:30pm Tai-Chi Made Easy 25 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 10:00am BP/Glucose Testing 10:00am Legal Help 11:00am Chair Yoga 1:00pm Bridge 1:00pm SHINE 2:00pm Tai-Chi 26 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Mobile Dental Hygiene Service 9:00am Income Tax/TH 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 27 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Meditation 10:00am Savvy Caregiver Program/TH 2:00pm BMCC 28 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 11:30am Expressive Movement 2:00pm Tai-Chi Page 6 Senior Happenings February 2020 Page 7 Brewster, MA Healthy Meals in Motion This popular program serves all eligible Brewster seniors, providing a few full bags of groceries, fresh produce and paper products each month. Pre-order from a wide selection of food items and your order will be ready for pick-up! The program takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Frederick Court, across from the Brewster COA. Our next date is Wednesday, February 12. Please call our Brewster COA Outreach Office to enroll at 508-896-2737. Come Join Us for Lunch! Simply call Maria in our Brewster COA Nutrition Center at (508) 896-5070 by 11:00am the day before and she will make sure your delicious, hot meal will be ready for you when you come the following day. The monthly menu is always available at the COA. Just ask us for one! Join us at 10:30am on Wednesdays and Fridays to play BINGO before lunch. Or, join us for some lively piano music on Thursdays, provided by our wonderful volunteer pianist! Requested meal donation is $3.00. Transportation can be arranged. This program is sponsored by Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands. You might enjoy the new friendships that you can make at the Senior Center! Mobile Dental Hygiene Service Wednesday, February 26 Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Mobile Dental Hygiene Services offers friendly, convenient, and affordable preventative oral health care at the Brewster Council on Aging! The following services are FREE to eligible individuals with Medicaid/MassHealth: cleanings, screenings, oral cancer exams, fluoride treatments, denture care, education, and referrals. No dental insurance? They offer reduced private-pay options such as: cleaning - $80, denture care - $25, and an exam for $30. The price of a cleaning includes an exam and denture care. Please contact Mobile Dental Hygiene Services if you have any questions or you would like to make an appoint- ment. Their telephone number is 508-827-6725 or check them out at: smiles@mobiledentalhygiene.com Fuel Assistance Need some help with your winter heating bills? You may be eligible for fuel assistance. Please contact the Outreach Department at the Brewster COA at (508) 896-2737 for more information. Brewster COA’s Inclement Weather Policy If the Nauset Public Schools are closed all activities, programs and van transportation at the COA are cancelled. If the Brewster Town Hall is closed, the Brewster COA will also be closed. Additional Programs available through the Brewster Recreation Department: Looking for even more things to do? The Brewster Recreation Department has the Senior Striders Walking Program, Pickleball, Tennis and Gentle Flow Yoga, to name a few. Please contact the Brewster Recreation office at 508-896-9430 for more information. Good News from SHINE: Medicare Savings Programs (MassHealth Buy-In programs) On January 1, 2020 the income and asset limits for the Medicare Savings Programs (also known as “MassHealth Buy-in” programs) are increasing. Under these new limits, many Massachusetts residents with Medicare may now be eligible for these programs, and existing members may be eligible for other Buy-In benefits. Medicare Savings Programs are federally funded programs administered by each individual state. These programs are for people with limited income and resources and help pay some or all of their Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. Call your certified SHINE counselors, Debra or Brenda at the COA 508-896-2737 for info. Page 9 February 2020 WEEKLY/MONTHLY PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES: ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP & ACTIVITY GROUP for PEOPLE WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: 1st & 3rd Tues. of each month ~ 1:00 - 2:30pm at Maplewood of Brewster, 820 Harwich Road (Route 124). The Caregivers support group and the Dementia support group run simultaneously. Drop-ins welcome. Dr. Molly Perdue, facilitator. Call 508-896-5170 BANKING ASSISTANCE: For help balancing seniors’ checkbooks. By appointment only. Please call the COA at 508-896-2737 to reserve. BINGO: Wednesday and Friday ~ 10:30 - 11:30am BLOOD PRESSURE & GLUCOSE TESTING/HEALTH COUNSELING: 4th Tuesday of the month at the Brewster COA. 10:00am – 12:00pm On a drop-in basis. Provided by VNA of Cape Cod. FREE. BREWSTER MEN’S COFFEE CLUB (BMCC): Thursdays ~ 2:00pm BRIDGE (men’s and women’s groups): Tuesdays ~ 1:00 - 3:45pm CHAIR YOGA: Tuesdays ~ 11:00am - 12:00pm $10.00 per class. Helps improve strength and flexibility (see page 3 for full description). COMPUTER HELP: Wednesdays & Thursdays ~ 9:00 – 12:00pm By appointment only. 1-hour sessions are hands-on, one-on-one, and participants choose their own pace and area of interest. Call 508-896-2737 COMPUTER USERS GROUP: Thursdays ~ 1:00 - 2:30pm The first part of the meeting is usually for questions and answers, followed by instructions on topics solicited from program participants. Skill level is from beginner to intermediate. This month: Feb. 6 and 13 only DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICE: 4th Wednesday ~ 9:00am - 3:00pm Mobile Dental Hygiene Service offers friendly, convenient and affordable preventative oral health care at the COA! To make an appointment, please call Mobile Dental Hygiene Svc. at 508-827-6725 or visit their website at smiles@mobiledentalhygiene.com EXPRESSIVE MOVEMENT: Fridays ~ 11:30am - 12:30pm $10.00 per class Strengthening the mind-body connection using move- ment. No experience needed (see page 3 for full description). FINANCIAL PLANNING: 3rd Thursday ~ 1:00pm By appointment only. A knowledgeable volunteer answers questions and provides information concerning Long Term Care and Financial Planning. Call 508-896-2737 HEARING SCREENINGS: 3rd Thursday of the month ~ 8:30am By appointment only. FREE. Includes ear inspections and hearing-aid checks if needed. 15-minute appointments. Call 508-896-2737. KEEP MOVIN’!: Mondays and Fridays ~ 9:45 - 10:45 am. 10-week session/20 classes: $50.00. Strength training for seniors (see page 2 for full description). PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested, please stop by the class and speak with the instructor. LEGAL HELP: 10:00am on the 4th Tuesday of even months with Atty. Katie Wibby. Atty. Adam Dupuy still offers legal advice, but does not have scheduled dates at the COA. 1/2-hour FREE appointments. Call 508-896-2737 This month: February 25 EZ FOURTH WALL LINE DANCING: Wednesdays ~ 8:00 - 8:45am For those with prior Line Dancing experience interested in learning a new technique (see page 3 for full description). $4.00 per class when paid monthly. LINE DANCING (II): Wednesdays ~ 8:45 - 9:30am Some dance experience required (see page 3 for full description). Cost: $4.00 per class when paid monthly. $6.00 per class for drop-ins. MASSAGE with Sandra: 3rd Tuesday and Wednesday. Massages last 30 minutes and are offered for $15.00. Please call for schedule and appointment: 508-896-2737 MEALS ON WHEELS: Provided to each homebound elder who is not able to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Call Brewster Nutrition at 508-896-5070. Sponsored by Elder Services of Cape Cod and Islands. WEEKLY/MONTHLY PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES: MEDITATION: Thursdays ~ 10:00 - 11:00am Guided meditation. $2.00 per session. Drop-ins welcome! (see page 3 for class description) OLD FASHIONED QUILTING BEE: Wednesdays ~ 1:00pm Fellow quilters bring in their quilting projects and enjoy the camaraderie of other quilters. Come join in with the ‘Brewster Basters’! OUTREACH ASSISTANCE: The Outreach Workers will answer any questions you have about resources and programs you may be entitled to, assist with assessing needs, file-of-life, fuel assistance applications, etc. Please call 508-896-2737 to make an appointment. PEDICARE: 2nd Tuesday of the month ~ 9:00am - 2:30pm (Diabetics must see a MD/Podiatrist). ½ hr. appointments - $29.00 Home Visit - $50.00 Please call 508-896-2737 for appointment. PET GROOMING: Buttons & Bows ~ 3rd Thursday of the month ~ 8:00 - 8:30am Nail clipping for animals will take place in a mobile van at the back of the COA parking lot. First-come, first-served. The charge is $3.00 (normally $10.00). Stop by! QI GONG: Thursdays ~ 9:00 - 9:45am. $10.00 for 5 sessions, or $2.00 per class. Chinese method for enhancing the immune system; utiliz- ing posture and breathing exercises, along with focused intentions. Gentle and calming (see page 3 for full description). PAIN RELIEF CLASS: Mondays ~ 11:30am - 12:30pm $10.00 per class. Holistic and naturally relieve your back and/or neck pain! (See page 2 for full description). REP. TIM WHELAN: 3rd Friday of the month ~ 11:00am - 12:00pm Offered on a drop-in, first-come-first served basis. SENIOR DINING: Hot lunches are provided Monday through Friday at the COA. Suggested donation is $3.00 per meal. 24-hour notice required. Please call 508-896-5070 no later than 11:00am the day before. Come at 10:30am on Wednesdays and Fridays to play BINGO before lunch! Live piano music on Thursdays at 11:30am. SHINE: Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone Scheduled appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, or call Brenda for an appointment on other days. Highly-trained volunteer counselors help seniors and Medicare beneficiaries understand their rights and benefits. Please contact the COA for a FREE appointment at: 508-896-2737. SIGHT LOSS GROUP: September - June on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Brewster Ladies Library ~ 11:30am - 1:00pm. Call Sight Loss at 508-394-3904 for more information. SWIMMING: Brewster Green Pool ~ Fridays ~ 10:00am to 12:00pm NOTE: This is ONLY available for Brewster’s senior (60+) residents. You ALSO need to have your Brewster COA Swipe Card for admittance. A donation of $1.00 per swim is recommended and this is done by an honor system. Stop by the COA monthly/quarterly to support this activity. TAI-CHI: Tuesdays & Fridays ~ 2:00 - 3:00pm $10.00 per class Improves flexibility, balance, coordination and muscle strength while providing a mind-body connection for stress release (see page 3 for full description). Come join us! TAI-CHI MADE EASY: Mondays ~ 1:30 - 2:30pm $10.00 per class Explore essential elements of Tai-Chi: breathing, basic stances, Tai-Chi postures, and develop awareness of the life-force called Chi (see page 3 for more information). No experience necessary! W.O.W.: (Wonderful Older Women): Tuesdays ~ 9:30 - 11:00am This friendly group of women review current events, talk about movies & books, give each other support & enjoy conversation. Stop by! YOGA: Tuesdays ~ 9:00 - 10:30am. $10 per class. Class uses breathing techniques as a foundation for exploring gentle & safe stretching. Drop-ins welcome! A Message from Charles Altieri, RN Public Health Wellness Nurse, VNA of Cape Cod Home visits will occur on Mondays. Page 10 February 2020 Brewster, MA ‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ Online: The ‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ is available online each month and can be found on our website at: www.brewster-ma.gov. Search under ‘Departments’ and select ‘Council on Aging’. Scroll down to where it reads: ‘our newsletters are available online’ and click on the link! Happy Reading! Free Personal Hygiene Items! The COA still has a large quantity of adult disposable incontinence products in various sizes. If you or someone whom you know could use them, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 508-896-2737, or just stop by. Let us know what size you’re looking for. If we’ve got them we will be happy to give them to you! Seeking Medical Equipment? The COA often receives donations of crutches, walkers, canes, shower/tub benches, commodes and wheelchairs that we lend out, free of charge, for indefinite periods of time. Simply give us a call at 508-896-2737. We may just have what you’re looking for! Boost your “good” Cholesterol High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is called the “good” or “happy” cholesterol because its components work to remove excess cholesterol from your blood and protect your blood vessels from damage and inflamma- tion. A higher level of HDL is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and related complications, such as a heart attack. The best way to boost your HDL cholesterol is to: Lose weight - Shedding extra pounds can lead to a 5 to 20 % increase in HDL. Get moving - Physical activity, especially aerobic activity, not only helps you lose weight but also can help improve your HDL function and raise HDL. Brisk walking, jogging, swimming and playing racquetball are all good signs of aerobic activity, as long as you safely get your heart rate up. Not smoking - If you smoke, stopping can increase your HDL by up to 5%. Quitting isn’t easy, but once you do, tobacco’s harmful effects on HDL tend to evaporate. Drink in moderation - Moderate alcohol consumption increases HDL cholesterol. This might explain why a drink a day may have protective effects on the heart. But don’t start drinking to protect your heart. Exercise and a healthy diet can be safer and just as effective! February is American Heart Month! What better way to show your heart some love than to try one or more of the suggestions above. Mayo Clinic, Nov. 2016 BE WELL! LIVE LONG! LIVE STRONG! Charles Altieri, RN Public Health Wellness Nurse VNA of Cape Cod Go Red Day is Friday, February 7 Although National Wear Red Day isn’t a public holiday, we encourage you to wear red to raise awareness of heart disease in women. Move more, eat smart and manage your blood pressure. Make a Commitment to Yourself! February 2020 Page 11 Disclaimer The Brewster Senior Center offers many legal, financial, recreational, medical screening or other services and/or activities by volunteer or nominal-cost practitioners. Seniors participating in these services do so with the understanding that the Brewster Council on Aging, The Brewster Senior Center, the Town of Brewster, Friends of Brewster Elders (aka FOBE) or its employees or agents DO NOT ASSUME ANY LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ADVICE OR SERVICES RENDERED BY SUCH VOLUNTEER OR NOMINAL COST PRACTITIONER. Any act, advice, or service by outside providers at the Council on Aging SHOULD NOT BE PRESUMED TO BE ENDORSED OR SPONSORED BY THE BCOA. Brewster, MA Sightings from the Poop Deck “Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet eating her curds and whey. Along came a spider and sat down beside her and frightened Miss Muffet away.” Dr. Thomas Muffet, English physician and entomologist. (d. 1604) You undoubtedly have heard of creatures of habit. I would be one of them. Sit in the same pew at St. Joan of Arc every Saturday night at five o’clock mass, park in the same space, sit next to the same people, etc., etc. I pick up the bulletin on the way in to church, say “Hi” to the greeters and settle in waiting for mass to begin. Usually I will go over the readings prior to mass well aware that the deacon will read them to everyone, however it’s like having done your homework and being prepared and attentive. At this particular mass I must admit, I was not very attentive, and as a matter of fact was greatly distracted. So much so that I contemplated going back to mass the next day to atone for my distraction. As I settled into my seat I noticed a little black spot suspended in the pew directly in front of me. It was a very tiny spider hanging eye level on a thread not visible to the naked eye, but suspended at least thirty feet from the ceiling. This little bugger had really worked hard to get here to this level in time for mass. People were sitting at both ends of that row and I wondered how this whole drama was going to play out. Whenever I sat or knelt, I lost sight of him and it was only when I stood up that I could see him. I did not dare to swat him, since I was the only one who knew he was there and how foolish would I have looked swatting at the air with my bulletin? I exhaled with more force than usual and watched him swinging in the breeze. I was actually playing during mass. Sister Anthony Mary should see me now. Shame. Father Bill, I’m sure, gave a well prepared and well thought out homily, but I never heard a word. I wondered when people went up to receive the sacraments if this little Araneae would hitch a ride on someone in that row, but thankfully, that did not happen, since he was still swinging in the breeze at the end of mass. Obviously I was no longer in a state of grace, since I actually did miss mass, thus my thoughts of going back the next day. Nope, didn’t! But what if he were still there? How many more masses would I have to attend before I got one that counted? I could change seats, but that would not be possible….”Creature of Habit!” Peter R. Scheffer (“Life is Good!”) - If Father Bill only knew!! P.S. By the way, Joan saw the spider too! She claims I am A.D.D. I should have asked her what the homily was about just to see if she was paying attention. poop deck, n., a deck above a ship’s main afterdeck BHT - BOSTON HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION Enjoy comfortable and safe transportation from Cape Cod DIRECT to Boston hospitals on a wheelchair -accessible van. MONDAY thru FRIDAY SCHEDULE 7:30a.m. Orleans (Shaw’s) 7:45a.m. Harwich (Route 124 Commuter Lot) 8:00a.m. Barnstable (Route 132 Commuter Lot) 8:15a.m. Sagamore (Rotary Commuter Lot) RESERVATIONS are a MUST!!! (Reserve no later than 11a.m. the day before) $30.00 Round Trip/$15.00 One-way Cash or Checks (Payable to CCRTA) accepted For reservations call 1-800-352-7155 Monday – Friday: 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. Schedule your medical appointments between 10am & 2pm. The van will leave Boston by 3pm. Please visit the website for more information: www.capecodrta.org TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION COA VAN – Scheduled trips include: Monday – Friday to nutrition site and home after lunch: This is FREE!! Grocery Shopping in Orleans: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 1pm. Post office, banking & pharmacy trips: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays The suggested donation is $2.00 for these errands. Please contact the COA at (508) 896-2737 to schedule your ride. MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS – Volunteer drivers are available for transport to medical appointments in their personal cars. Please call the COA at 508-896-2737 as soon as you make an appointment or at least four business days (Monday thru Friday) in advance so that we can find a volunteer to provide your ride. Please notify the COA if you can’t keep your appointment so we can notify our drivers. Donations are accepted for this service. WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE MEDICAL VAN – Transportation to medical appointments is provided on a volunteer basis, Monday through Friday. A one-week advanced reservation is required. Donations are accepted for this service. Call the COA for more information at (508) 896-2737. Page 12 February 2020 Brewster, MA Std. Mail US Postage PAID Permit #100 Orleans, MA 02653 DART - DIAL-A-RIDE TRANSPORTATION Service: CCRTA provides a daily general public demand response service that is wheelchair-accessible, door-to-door, and ride-by-appointment. This service is available to all Cape Cod residents and is available Monday through Saturday in all towns, with limited Sunday service. The D ART does not run on holidays. For available times in Brewster please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 352-7155, Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. OR CURRENT RESIDENT TOWN OF BREWSTER - COA 1673 MAIN STREET BREWSTER, MA 02631 This agency and its programs are funded (in whole or in part) by the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Federal Administration for Community Living by a contract from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands.