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HomeMy Public PortalAboutJanuary 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 January 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. Tai-Chi Made Easy Mondays, 1:30 - 2:30pm $10.00 per class Begins January 6, 2020 It’s a new year and time for something different! This brand new class doesn’t require any 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 personal energy and that of another utilizing the circular movements inherent in Tai-Chi. Wearing loose-fitting clothing is recommended. The January 6 class is FREE! $10.00 per class. Our instructor, A. Jay Zahn, is a long-time practitioner and has studied related martial arts, breathing exercises and meditation. January Closings: The Brewster COA will be closed on Wednesday, January 1st for the New Year’s Day holiday. We will also be closed on Monday, January 20th in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The Brewster COA would like to wish all of you a Happy New Year! We hope 2020 will be a wonderful year for everyone! Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to explore some different exercise options? Check out these three new programs. More health and wellness offerings are listed on page 3. Expressive Movement Class Fridays, 11:30am – 12:30pm Begins January 10 $10 per class Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. 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 expres- sive 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. The January 10 class is FREE! $10.00 per class. Our instruc- tor is Helen Manzella, an improvisational dancer. Pain Relief (Alexander Technique) Class Mondays, 11:30am – 12:30pm Begins January 6 $10.00 per class Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. 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. The January 6 class is FREE! $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. Page 2 January 2020 Brewster, MA Check out what’s going on during this month at the Brewster COA! Computer Help Wednesdays & Thursdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. Do you need help using your com- puter? 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 Wednesday mornings, and Pete Scheffer on Thursday mornings. For all appointments, please contact the COA at 508-896-2737. Computer Users’ Group Please note: No classes until January 30. Thursdays: 1:00 - 2:30pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. 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! W.O.W. (Wonderful Older Women) Tuesdays: 9:30 - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. 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. If you have any questions, please call the COA at 508-896-2737. Brewster Men’s Coffee Club Thursdays, 2:00 - 4:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. The Brewster Men’s Coffee Club will be meeting on Thursday afternoons throughout January. 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 speak- ers, so if you’ve got a topic of interest that you’d like to present, just let us know. Blood Pressure and Glucose Testing Fourth Tuesday of every month: January 28 10:00am to 12:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. 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, January 16 8:30 – 10:30am Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. 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. Income Tax Preparation Wednesdays: February 5 - April 15 Brewster Town Hall 2198 Main Street Income Tax season is coming! 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 6th and continuing until April 15th, on a first-come, first-served basis. 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) “New to Medicare” Seminar Tuesday, February 4 6:00 pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main St. 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. Thank You to the Friends of Brewster Elders! We would like to give a BIG Thank You to all of the Friends of Brewster Elders. They have purchased a 65” LG Smart TV for our 1st floor large room to replace our antiquated console. This will allow us to stream music during lunchtime, showcase “TED Talks” and watch current TV shows/events as well as movies. What a good way to start the New Year! Page 3 January 2020 Brewster, MA Exercise your Options! The Brewster Council on Aging offers these Exercise and Wellness classes to help you have a healthy, active and enjoyable life! All classes are at the Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street, unless otherwise noted. Check us out! 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 arthri- tis 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 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 partici- pate unless signed up by the instructor. 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 begin- ners, as well as accommodating all skill 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 boost- ing mental clarity, managing and coping with pain brought on by aging or an ill- ness, 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 material with ease and are interested in learning 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. Please Note: Classes begin January 8 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 Ball- room’ will be your instructor. Please bring a water bottle and shoes to change into that are flat, flexible, closed and non-marking. Please Note: Classes begin January 8 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! January 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 Street, unless otherwise noted. Food to Encourage Monday, January 13 and Monday, January 27 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 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 above! The Silvering Screen Film Series “Ladies in Lavender” Wednesday, January 22 12:30pm Brewster Fire Station - Multipurpose Room 1671 Main Street (behind the COA) We are continuing to show a series of movies whose producers have used older actors to make a statement about the second half of life. Our sixth presentation will be “Ladies in Lavender”. This movie, starring Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, is about two older women who discover a mysterious young man near death on the beach by their home, and take him in. The film is FREE. This is a program of the Brewster Council on Aging, and we thank the Brewster Fire Department for the use of the room. Please contact the COA at 508-896-2737 to reserve your seat. Light refreshments will be served, but you are invited to join us for lunch at the COA beforehand. For lunch reservations, please call our Brewster Nutrition Site at 508-896-5070 by 11:00am the day before to reserve your meal. Cost is $3.00. Spanish for Beginners – Last Chance to Sign up! We are looking to possibly have a “Spanish for Beginners” class. This would be a 1½ hour class for 6 weeks during the months of February and March. The fee will be $60.00. If you are interested please call Lisa Donovan, our Program Coordinator, at 508-896-2737 to ask any questions and to let us know if you would like to participate. Page 4 January 2020 Brewster, MA Census Program Friday, January 10 1:00 - 3:00pm Are you looking to make some extra money in 2020? The Census Bureau currently has a variety of job openings in preparation for conducting the 2020 Census. A representative will be on hand to discuss the opportunities available. You are invited to attend this presentation to find out more about these positions and how to apply for them. Please contact the COA at 508-896-2737 to reserve your seat. “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. Brewster COA’s Inclement Weather Policy If the Nauset Public Schools are closed all activities, programs and van transporta- tion 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. MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 (The COA is Closed) 2 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Meditation 2:00pm BMCC 3 9:45am Keep Movin’! 11:30am Expressive Movement 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 2:00pm Tai-Chi 6 9:45am Keep Movin’ 11:30am Pain Relief Class 1:30pm Tai-Chi Made Easy 7 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 8 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 10:30am BINGO 11:00am Healthy Meals in Motion (Frederick Ct.) 11:30am Sight Loss/BLL 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 9 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Meditation 2:00pm BMCC 10 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 11:30am Expressive Movement 1:00pm Census Program 2:00pm Tai-Chi 13 9:30am Food to Encourage 9:45am Keep Movin’ 11:30am Pain Relief Class 1:30pm Tai-Chi Made Easy 14 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 15 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Massage w. Sandra 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 16 8:00am Pet Grooming 8:30am Hearing Screenings 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Financial Planning 2:00pm BMCC 17 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:30am BINGO 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 11:00am Rep. Tim Whelan 11:30am Expressive Movement 2:00pm Tai-Chi 20 (The COA is Closed) 21 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 11:00am Chair Yoga 1:00pm Bridge 1:00pm SHINE 2:00pm Tai-Chi 22 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Mobile Dental Hygiene Service 9:45am Keep Movin’ 10:30am BINGO 12:30pm Movie/Fire Dept. 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 23 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Meditation 2:00pm BMCC 24 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 11:30am Expressive Movement 2:00pm Tai-Chi 27 9:30am Food to Encourage 9:45am Keep Movin’! 11:30am Pain Relief Class 1:30pm Tai-Chi Made Easy 28 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 10:00am BP/Glucose Testing 11:00am Chair Yoga 1:00pm Bridge 1:00pm SHINE 2:00pm Tai-Chi 29 8:00am EZ Fourth Wall Line Dancing 8:45am Line Dancing II 9:00am Computer Help 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 30 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Computer Users 2:00pm BMCC 31 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 January 2020 Page 7 Brewster, MA 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! 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, January 8. 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, January 22 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. Snow Season Reminder If you haven’t already done so, make sure to secure a person to snow-plow your driveway and/or shovel your walks now! The COA gets many calls asking us to recommend someone but, legally, we are not allowed to do that. Therefore, call your carpenter, landscaper, ask your neighbor whom they use, or maybe they are willing to help do the job for you at an agreed upon price. Planning ahead will secure your comfort and safety in your own home, which will make for a happier winter season! Also, with snow-season already upon us, we want to remind you to be wary of icy walkways as well as roadways. If you get services from Visiting Nurses, Elder Services, Meals on Wheels, or are using our Medical Ride program, those individuals really need to have safe access to your home. Make arrangements to have your driveway plowed and your walks shoveled throughout the winter season, and make sure they’re cleared before any volunteer driver comes to pick you up. We want everyone to stay safe this winter! Thank you for your understanding. Page 9 January 2020 BAYSIDE 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. 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 class 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 PLEASE NOTE: No Thursdays until January 30. 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. NOTE: No meetings until January 30. 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 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 3 for class 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 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 detailed information). $4.00 per class when paid monthly. Please note: Class begins January 8. LINE DANCING (II): Wednesdays ~ 8:45 - 9:30am Some dance experience required (see class description on page 3). Cost: $4.00 per class when paid monthly. $6.00 per class for drop-ins. Please note: Class begins January 8. 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 unable to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Call Brewster Nutrition at 508-896-5070. CHATTER 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 more information) 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 an appointment at: 508-896-2737. Appointments are FREE! 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 admit- tance. 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! 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 January 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! 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! Health Tips: New osteoporosis drug for women at risk for fractures Post-menopausal women who have bone-thinning osteoporosis may be at lower risk for fracture if they take a newly approved drug. The food and drug administration approved romosozumab (Eventity) in April 2019 based on the results of two studies of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The studies found that women who received romosozumab for a year had a dramatically reduced risk of breaking a bone in the spine and the hips during a two year study. Evenity was given monthly by ] injecting it under the skin. To maintain bone gain, women continued with their osteoporosis treatment with different osteoporosis drugs. One study found that this new drug reduce fractures by 73%, the other study by 50 %. It also helped regrow new bone that improved bone strength as measured by bone density. One concern with romosozumab is that in one study it was found to increase the risk of heart attack or stroke as compared to Fosamax, another medication to treat OA. Therefore, the FDA warns that women who have had a heart attack or stroke within the past year should not take romosozumab until further research can clarify the risks. Mayo clinic doctors say that romosozumab represents a welcome new treatment option for women at high risk for fracture. This is despite potential cardiovascular side effects, as well as potential high cost and insurance coverage difficulty. This drug may be especially beneficial given the larger increases in bone mineral density that are seen compared with other osteoporosis therapies. Mayo Clinic, December 2019 BE WELL! LIVE LONG! LIVE STRONG! Charles Altieri, RN Public Health Wellness Nurse VNA of Cape Cod Thank you for your help! Thank you so much for helping to support our Brewster Recreation Department’s fundraiser in December. The COA collected $220 to pass along towards the expenses for their Breakfast with Santa as well as the Giving Trees that were located at Town Hall. All funds helped to provide presents to our Brewster children. Your kindness and generosity is much appreciated. January 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 “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street” - Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka, Dr. Seuss Debbie named it the “Thanksgiving Team” which consisted of our oldest daughter Debbie, who was making her way back to Panama from Paris, our grandson Peter, who lives and works in Manhattan, and Joan and I. We met in the “Big Apple” the day before Thanksgiving and became tourists for four days. The parade was spectacular as usual, but we were watching it in Radio City, so you might say we were where the action was. The tree in Rockefeller Plaza was up, but the lights would not be turned on until the following Wednesday. Our Thanksgiving dinner was at Pete’s apartment. Since everything was prepared at Whole Foods we did not have to cook, only warm things up. After dinner we Ubered over to the hotel where we kicked off our shoes and toasted the day. Friday was special since we had tickets to the Radio City Christmas Show featuring the Rockettes. Very, very impressive. Since my bladder capacity is not what it used to be, I took a five minute side trip and when I got back Joan was quick to tell me that I had missed the best part, the live crèche with camels, mules, sheep, shepherds, etc. I explained I had no choice because everyone in the audience sitting in front of me would have drowned, since they did not issue life jackets. The show was followed by lunch at the Rock Center Cafe where we enjoyed watching the skaters and Santa Claus. Saturday was extra special with a Lyft into Chinatown and Little Italy. As we were walking along Mulberry Street it occurred to me that there were points of interest that I could share, sort of a little Italian history lesson for Joan, Debbie and Pete. We passed Umberto’s Clam House at 132 Mulberry Street where “Crazy Joey Gallo” never got to finish his spaghetti with white clam sauce. We went into Grotta Azzura Restaurant at 177 Mulberry Street, a family favorite in years gone by, where we reminisced over a bottle of Chianti Ruffino. At 247 Mulberry Street, we gawked at the site of the former Ravenite Social Club, also known as John Gotti’s Bunker and now the home of Cydwoq (pronounced “sidewalk”) New York, a shoe store. Lunch at Paesanos, 136 Mulberry Street at noon and then an Uber back to the hotel for an afternoon of rest and packing for Sunday’s trip back to Panama for Debbie and Cape Cod for us. It was an all-too-short weekend, but we filled it with photos, fun, many laughs and new memories. Our “Team” is looking forward to 2020 and wondering where Thanksgiving will find us. Peter R. Scheffer - (“Life is Good!”) - Happy New Year from the Thanksgiving Team!! P.S. "It came without ribbons, it came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." Dr.Seuss 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 January 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.