HomeMy Public PortalAboutNovember 20211673 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631 • (508) 896-2737 • Fax (508) 896-7587
Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday (open to the public: Tu, We, Th)
Denise Rego, Director Andrea Nevins, COA Board Co-Chair Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-Chair
November 2021
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.
Thanksgiving Turkey Meals
at the Brewster COA!
This year, we will be distributing 100 turkey din-
ners to make sure you have a delicious meal to eat
on Thanksgiving Day. The dinners are homemade
by Gerard Farms in Marshfield/Manomet and will
come frozen. They include breast of turkey, gravy,
stuffing, real mashed potatoes and peas. The bak-
ing instructions will be on the top wrapper. They
are not microwaveable, so an oven is needed to
cook the dinner properly.
Pick up time will be Monday, November 22nd
from noon to 2:00pm at the back of the COA
building by the end of the ramp. There is a limit of
2 per household. The cost will be $5.00 each and
payable upon reservation. All proceeds will go to
our Brewster Recreation’s Holiday Hope program
(see page 2) to purchase Christmas presents for our
Brewster children. Please stop in to the COA to
reserve and pay. The deadline is
Friday, November 12.
On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
Exercise Programs to begin at the
COA in November!
It has been a long time since we’ve had your favor-
ite exercise classes here at the Brewster Senior
Center. We are pleased to say that beginning Tues-
day, November 2nd, we will be offering these classes
inside. There will be a limit of 12 people in a class (1
instructor + 11 participants). Previous days and
times might have changed, as well as the room, to
adjust to our 3-day schedule (Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday), as we are still not open to the pub-
lic on Mondays and Fridays.
Per the Town’s request and as we move into this
next phase, all Town visitors, fully vaccinated or
not, are STRONGLY ADVISED to wear masks or
face coverings when indoors at any public Brewster
building or facility until further notice. Meanwhile,
turn to page 4 to see what’s back!
November Holiday Closings
The COA will be closed on Thursday,
November 11 in honor of Veterans Day.
Thank you to all of you who have served
and to all of those who are still in the service.
We will also be closed on Thursday, November 25
and Friday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving
holiday.
May all of us have something to be
thankful for this year.
Mark Your Calendar
The regular Fall Town Meeting will be
held on Monday, November 15 at
6:00pm (check-in at 5:00pm) indoors at
the Stonybrook school cafetorium,
384 Underpass Rd.
If you are interested in attending the meeting and
need a ride, please call the COA at 508-896-2737
by Friday, November 12 to schedule.
Set Your Clocks Back
Turns out you CAN turn back time!
Daylight Saving time ends on
Sunday, November 7. Remember to set your
clocks back one hour and check the batteries in
your smoke detectors too!
Page 2 Brewster, MA November 2021
Brewster Holiday Hope
The Brewster Recrea-
tion Department runs a
fundraiser called
“Holiday Hope” during
the months of November & De-
cember. All the proceeds from
this fundraiser supports Break-
fast with Santa” and the “Giving
Trees” at Town Hall and the Rec-
reation Office for our Brewster
kids. You can donate funds made
payable to “Brewster Rec-Holiday
Hope” or by picking the name of
an item to purchase for a specific
child. For more information,
please call Mike Gradone
(508-896-9430) or Denise Rego
(508-896-2737). Thank you for
your continued support for our
children during this holiday
season!
Senior Tax Work-off
Program
The Senior Real Estate
Tax Abatement Program matches
municipal volunteer opportuni-
ties in the Town of Brewster with
eligible senior citizens who are
qualified and able to volunteer
their services in exchange for a
reduction in their real estate tax
bill.
In exchange for 70.5 hours of
volunteer service, the Town
will abate the annual real estate
property tax by $1,000 * (*less
mandatory deductions), OR in
exchange for 35.5 hours of vol-
unteer service, the Town will
abate the annual real estate prop-
erty tax by $500 * (*less manda-
tory deductions). You need to
complete the volunteer hours by
September 1, 2022.
Are you eligible?
• Town of Brewster Taxpayer
who is age sixty (60) or older.
• Homeowner and occupant as
of July 1st of the prior calendar
year for the property that the
abatement is requested.
• Owned and occupied real
estate in Brewster for the
preceding five (5) years.
• Limit of one (1) Senior Real
Estate Tax Abatement per
property. Residents may only
participate in either the
Senior Tax Work-Off OR
Veterans Work-Off Program,
not both.
• Priority will be given to those
residents whose annual in-
come is less than $55,031 if
single, $62,901 if married.
• Must be current with payment
of all Town taxes.
Application deadline is
Friday, December 3, 2021.
As of November 1, applications
can be picked up at the COA or
found on the Town’s website. If
you have any questions, please
call Regina at the COA at
508-896-2737.
This program is subject to
future changes due to the
Covid-19 Pandemic.
Are You Interested in
Becoming a Volunteer
Medical Driver for the COA?
We are pleased to
announce that on
September 1st,
the Board of
Directors of Elder
Services of Cape Cod and the
Islands, Inc. approved a federal
fiscal year 2022 grant (October 1,
2021 – September 30, 2022)
award to the Brewster COA under
the Older Americans Act Title III.
This means that if you are a
volunteer driver, you will be
reimbursed $.60 per mile when
you provide a ride for a senior to
medical appointments no further
than Hyannis between 9am –
2pm, Monday through Friday.
If you are interested in finding
out more information about this
program, please stop in to see
Regina or call her at
508-896-2737.
Senior Shellfish Licenses
They are available at our office,
from 8am to 4pm on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Please bring your driver’s license
(showing that you are at least 70
years of age). If your license does
not have a Brewster address,
please bring a copy of your latest
tax bill to show you are a
Brewster resident.
Licenses are a one-time charge of
$5.00 (we accept check or cash)
and are good for your lifetime!
Medical Equipment Loans
Our medical shed is open on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays for equipment pick-
up. Stop by to see what is availa-
ble. If we have what you are
looking for you are welcome to
take it. There is no cost and no
set return date. If you find you no
longer need the item, you may
return it to us if it is clean and in
good working order.
We also welcome donations of
clean, durable medical
equipment in good working
order. Please call us to tell us
what you would like to donate at
508-896-2737.
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.
Page 3 Brewster, MA November 2021
Check out what’s going on
this month at the
Brewster COA!
Computer Help
Wednesdays
9:00 - 11:00am
Brewster COA, 1673 Main St.
Do you need help using your
computer? We have one-on-one,
one hour sessions available to
help you feel more confident in
your computer skills. Sessions are
FREE! Our knowledgeable and
dedicated volunteer instructor
Del Borah is here to help you on
Wednesday mornings, through-
out the month. For all
appointments, 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
meets on Thursday afternoons
throughout the month (except
on Thursday, November 25).
Why not come in out of the cold
and join us for some lively con-
versation? We’re always looking
for new members. We’re also
seeking 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
Brewster COA, 1673 Main St.
Do 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 wel-
come you into our weekly discus-
sion group. Join us whenever you
can at the COA. You’ll find us to
be a very friendly group with a
positive attitude!
Hearing Screenings
Thursday, November 18
9:00 – 11:00am
Brewster COA, 1673 Main St.
Advanced Audiology Associates
offers FREE screenings here at
the Brewster Council on
Aging. Screenings are by ap-
pointment only and last
approximately 15 minutes. They
will include hearing screenings,
ear inspections and hearing aid
checks. Call the COA at
508-896-2737 to set an appoint-
ment for this valuable service.
Pedicure
Friday, November 5
$35.00
9:00am - 3:00pm
Brewster COA, 1673 Main St.
Come and meet our pedicure
nurse at the COA, Autumn
Knight. She has a lot of experi-
ence in the field and works for
Cape Cod Healthcare in their
clinical education department. In
addition to being a RN, she is also
a Certified Foot Care Nurse/
Specialist (CFCN / CFCS).
Autumn is available for pedicure
services the first Friday of every
month. ½-hour appointments
are available from 9am to 3pm
with a fee of $35.00. Call the COA
to schedule your appointment at
508-896-2737.
Pet Nail Trimming
Thursday, November 18
8:00 - 8:30am
Brewster COA, 1673 Main St.
(back parking lot)
The cost is $3.00 per pet’s nail
trim for senior (60+) pet owners,
and is offered on a first come,
first served basis in the COA
parking lot behind the building
(look for the van!). For more in-
formation, please text (preferred)
or call Karen Duble of Buttons
and Bows at 508-360-2596.
Blood Pressure and Glucose
Testing
Second and Fourth Mondays
of each month:
November 8 and 22
10:00 - 11:00am
Brewster COA, 1673 Main St.
First come, first served
The Barnstable County Public
Health Nursing program provides
services here at the COA on the
2nd and 4th Mondays of each
month. A Public Health nurse
will take your blood pressure and
check glucose if needed.
This program is offered on a
drop-in basis and includes the
opportunity to speak with the
nurse regarding any health
issues. FREE!
Mobile Dental Hygiene
Service
Wednesday, November 17
9:00am to 3:00pm
Brewster COA, 1673 Main St.
Mobile Dental Hygiene Services
offers friendly, convenient, and
affordable preventative oral
health care at the Brewster Coun-
cil on Aging! The following
services are FREE to eligible
individuals with Medicaid/
MassHealth: cleanings, screen-
ings, oral cancer exams, fluoride
treatments, denture care, educa-
tion, referrals. This service will be
held every other month.
Please contact Mobile Dental
Hygiene Services if you have any
questions or you would like to
make an appointment. Their tele-
phone number is 508-827-6725
or check them out online at:
smiles@mobiledentalhygiene.com
Page 4
Look What’s Back!
Advanced Tai Chi
Thursdays $15/class
10:00 – 11:00am
This class is offered to people
who have learned the 24 Posture
Yang Tai Chi Form (National Bei-
jing Form). Class includes basic
warm-up exercises, and focuses
on exploring the "meditation-in-
motion" aspect of practicing Tai
Chi. Our instructor, A.Jay Zahn,
has been practicing Tai Chi for 40
years and teaching on the Cape
since 2018.
The cost is $15 per class, and
class size is limited to 11 people.
Please email AJay Zahn at
capecodtaichisociety@
gmail.com
to register for the class.
Keep Movin’
Wednesdays and Thursdays
1:00 – 2:00pm
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, coordina-
tion and balance each week by
using hand and leg weights, balls
and bands. Class fee will be
discussed upon registration.
Please email Cindy Doutrich
at cdoutric@ycp.edu
to register for the class.
Qi Gong
Tuesdays
9:00 – 9:45am
The practice of Qi Gong dates
back 3000 years and is an an-
cient Chinese method of exercis-
ing, meditation, visualization,
and breathing to manage the Qi
(life force energy) in your body.
Movements are slow and rhyth-
mic, to self-massage acupoints
(meridians) and release blocked
Qi. You will feel refreshed, nour-
ished, energized and relaxed.
Qi Gong can benefit everyone!
Please email Ray DiPietro at
rayvector@hotmail.com
to register for the class.
Meditation
Thursdays on ZOOM
10:00 - 11:00am
Please join us for an ongoing
meditation class taught by Carol
Marcy. We meet once a week on
ZOOM, Thursdays from 10:00 to
11:00am. The class that was start-
ed at the COA pre-pandemic is
now FREE (however you may
donate to the COA). Meditation
has proven to have many im-
portant benefits. Physically, good
health and well-being are pro-
moted. Mentally, peace, calm and
centeredness are created. Spiritu-
ally, we come to see ourselves an
integral part of the living Whole-
ness of all of life.
Carol Marcy has been certified to
teach meditation by the Washing-
ton Center for Consciousness
Studies. She is a long time
meditator who has studied a
variety of spiritual traditions.
Because she is a deep lover of
Nature her images often come
from our magnificent Earth
community. She currently leads
Forest Bathing Walks with the
Cape Cod Museum of Natural
History and Pilgrims Landing of
Chatham.
If you are interested please
email her so that she can
send you the ZOOM link:
drcarolmarcy@gmail.com
Cape COAST (Councils On
Aging Serving Together) has
been collaborating to strength-
en our partnerships and lever-
age our collective resources to offer old-
er adults on Cape Cod enhanced options
for virtual programming. Join us as we
connect visually through Zoom, widen
our circles and take advantage of greater
opportunities for engagement, enrich-
ment and education. Below is a list of
virtual programs open to all.
LET’S TALK ABOUT TOMORROW
Monday, November 15 at 9:30 am
(via Zoom)
This info session, presented by the
Homeless Prevention Council (HPC),
is designed to create awareness about
senior housing on the Lower Cape, to
encourage attendees to work with case
managers to apply as soon as possible,
and to connect residents to the many
local resources available. This infor-
mation is crucial for older adults who are
considering either applying for affordable
senior housing or aging in place.
To register call the Chatham COA at
508-945-5190.
Keeping the Holidays Healthy with
Chef Heather Bailey
Wednesday, November 17 at 9:30 am
(via Zoom)
Join this free online cooking class and
watch as Chef Heather demonstrates
some of your favorite recipes and pro-
vides tips for making your meals healthy
and delicious! To register call the
Chatham COA at 508-945-5190.
Chef Kelli’s Surprise Holiday Treat
Tuesday, November 30 at 11:00 am
(via Facebook & Instagram Live)
We’re breaking in the new kitchen at the
Dennis Center for Active Living (DCAL)
with Kelli showing us how to make
special holiday treats this season.
To register call the Dennis COA at
508-385-5067.
Brewster, MA November 2021
Page 6 November 2021 Brewster, MA
NOVEMBER PROGRAMS
The following programs are
all featured on Channel 18:
Emergency Preparedness
Presented by
Chip Reilly, Emergency Pre-
paredness Specialist for
Barnstable County
Chip Reilly, the Emergency Pre-
paredness Specialist for the Barn-
stable County Department of
Health and the Environment,
holds a discussion about emer-
gency preparedness with a con-
centration on senior prepared-
ness. Mr. Reilly talks about the
importance of building a kit,
making a plan, and staying in-
formed as a means of preparing
for emergencies.
Channel 18 air times/dates:
November 1, 10, 24 and 30 at
11:00am
November 20 at 3:00pm
Homeopathy
Presented by
Casey Hammond, RN
Homeopathy is a gentle and natu-
ral healing discipline that works
with the body’s own capacity to
relieve symptoms, restore vitality,
and improve overall health. It is
recognized worldwide as a form
of medicine that is backed by
thousands of research studies,
papers, and clinical trials and
used by millions of Americans,
over 200 million people world-
wide, and in 70+ countries.
Channel 18 air times/dates:
November 6 at 3:00pm
November 15 & 25 at
11:00am
Long Term Care Ombuds-
man: Resident Advocacy
Presented by
Julianna Santiago, LTC Om-
budsman Program Director
The Long Term Care Ombuds-
man program provides advocacy
to Nursing and Rest Home Resi-
dents across the country, helping
to ensure quality of life and care.
Julianna Santiago, Ombudsman
Program Director at Elder
Services of Cape Cod & Islands,
discusses the program, resident
rights and what you can do to
empower yourself and loved ones
in a long term care facility.
Channel 18 air times/dates:
November 8 and 16 at
11:00am
November 27 at 3:00pm
Becalmed and Homesick:
The Heart of Scrimshaw
Presented by Mary Everett-
Patriquin, Cape Cod
Maritime Museum Public
Program Coordinator
Scrimshaw was a unique mari-
time craft of the nineteenth
century, made using the teeth of
sperm whales. Hear about how
scrimshaw was made, the variety
of forms it took, the origins of its
decorative motifs, and the lives of
the men who made it.
Channel 18 air times/dates:
November 3, 22 and 29 at
11:00am
November 13 at 3:00pm
Chair Yoga
This class is designed to teach
beginners, as well as accommo-
dating 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 clari-
ty, managing and coping with
pain brought on by aging or an
illness, improving strength, and
enhancing flexibility. The class is
taught by Araci Gomes, a certified
Yoga instructor.
Channel 18 air times/dates:
November 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18,
23 and 24 at 7:00am.
Funky Fitness
This workout program addresses
four major categories of fitness:
endurance, strength, balance &
flexibility. Music provides the
backdrop and inspiration for all
exercises in each 60-minute class.
Frank Callahan will be your
instructor.
Channel 18 air times/dates:
Part 1 & 2 - 7:00am:
November 1, 8, 10, 17, 25 , 29
Part 1 & 2 - 11:00am
November 4, 18, 23
Part 3 & 4 - 7:00am
November 3, 15, 22, 30
Part 3 & 4 - 11:00a
November 2, 9, 11, 17
Did you know?
COA video presentations may be
viewed anywhere, anytime from
your computer, laptop, or phone.
To watch any video presentation
via your device of choice please
go to the Brewster MA Council on
Aging website.
Scroll down to COA Video Pro-
gram Presentations (in blue ink,
bottom of page).
Click on COA Video Presenta-
tions, then click on any vimeo to
enjoy a presentation and/or class.
The COA has various exercise
books and CD’s along with Emer-
gency Preparedness materials. If
you would like a FREE copy of
any, please stop by and we will be
happy to share with you.
Page 7 Brewster, MA November 2021
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
1 2
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Open
Enrollment
9:30am W.O.W.
3
9:00am Computer Help
1:00pm Keep Movin’!
1:00pm Quilters
4
9:00am Open
Enrollment
10:00am Advanced
Tai Chi
1:00pm Keep Movin’!
2:00pm BMCC
5
9:00am Pedicure
8
10:00 to 11:00am
Blood Pressure &
Glucose Testing
9
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Open
Enrollment
9:30am W.O.W.
10
9:00am Computer Help
11:00am Healthy Meals
In Motion
(Frederick Court)
1:00pm Keep Movin’!
1:00pm Quilters
11
(The COA is closed)
12
15
6:00pm
Fall Town Meeting
at Stonybrook School
16
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Open
Enrollment
9:30am W.O.W.
17
9:00am Computer Help
9:00am Mobile Dental
1:00pm Quilters
1:00pm Keep Movin’!
18
8:00am Pet Grooming
9:00am Hearing
Screenings
9:00am Open
Enrollment
10:00am Advanced
Tai Chi
1:00pm Keep Movin’!
2:00pm BMCC
19
22
10:00 to 11:00am
Blood Pressure &
Glucose Testing
12:00pm
Thanksgiving Turkey
Meal Distribution (behind
The COA - see page 1)
23
9:00am Qi Gong
9:30am W.O.W.
24
9:00am Computer Help
1:00pm Keep Movin’!
1:00pm Quilters
25
Happy Thanksgiving!
(The COA is closed)
26
Day after
Thanksgiving
(The COA is closed)
29
30
9:00am Qi Gong
9:00am Open
Enrollment
9:30am W.O.W.
Senior Happenings
Page 9 November 2021 Brewster, MA
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.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to people aged 60 and over who are homebound and unable to prepare
their own meals. For more information call Elder Services, Information and Referral at 508 -394-4630
or 1-800-244-4630.
If you are already a client and need to reach our Nutrition Site, please contact Maria at 508 -896-5070.
OUTREACH Notes
Our Outreach staff is available for information about: Fuel Assistance, SNAP Assistance, Emergency
Buttons , Homecare Assistance, Medical Equipment , Elder Services, and referrals of all types. For help
with any of these, please contact the Outreach Office at 508-896-2737.
Healthy Meals in Motion
This popular program serves all eligible Brewster seniors, providing a few bags of groceries,
fresh produce and paper products each month. Preorder from a wide selection of food items
and your order will be ready for pickup at Senior Housing at Frederick Court between
11:00am and 12:00pm.
Brewster’s date is always the second Wednesday of each month, so the next date will be Wednesday,
November 10. Please call the COA Outreach Office to enroll at 508-896-2737.
Property Tax Relief
Applications are now available for the Fiscal Year 2022 tax season to qualifying seniors who meet
certain eligibility requirements. Please call Brenda Locke or Debra Johnson to find out if you qualify for
significant savings at 508-896-2737 or email blocke@brewster-ma.gov.
Fuel Assistance begins November 1st!
Do you need some help with your upcoming winter heating bills? Fuel Assistance season has begun, so
please contact the Outreach Office at the COA at 508-896-2737 to see if you are eligible.
Do you think it’s going to Snow this winter?
Take control of your life and secure a person to snow-plow or shovel your driveway and
walkway soon! The COA gets many calls each winter asking us to recommend someone
but, legally, we are not allowed to do that. Therefore, call your carpenter or landscaper,
ask your neighbor whom they use, or maybe they are willing to help do the job for you
at an agreed upon price.
Please remember that if you receive services from the Visiting Nurses, Elder Services,
Meals on Wheels, or are using the COA’s Medical Rides program, those individuals really need to have
safe access to your home. In addition, it will make getting in/out of your driveway a whole lot easier for
yourself. By making your snow removal plans early, you can eliminate the worry and secure your
comfort and safety in your own home, which will make for a happier winter season!
Page 10 November 2021 Brewster, MA
A Message from Stephanie Lattanzio, RN-BSN
Public Health and Wellness Town Nurse, VNA of Cape Cod
Home visits will occur on Mondays.
Senior Fitness Hour
“Senior Fitness Hour” is found on Channel 99 of Lower Cape Community Access TV for older adults in
the communities of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro. It is the result of a collaborative
effort between Lower Cape TV and the Councils on Aging in these communities. Every weekday there
will be fitness classes featuring instructors from various senior centers. From 10:00 - 10:30am, there
will be regular senior fitness classes, and from 10:30 - 11:00am there will be chair fitness classes. See
below for the schedule:
10-10:30am: Regular Senior Fitness 10:30-11am: Chair Fitness
M Frank’s Funky Fitness M,W,F Life Exercises with Janet
Tue, Th Morning Fitness with Becky Tue Chair Fitness with Melissa
W Fitness with Melissa Th Sit Fitness with Becky
F Gentle Yoga with Debra
Stroke Prevention
“Stroke ranks as the fourth leading killer in the
United States,” according to the National Institute
of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
“It is the most common cause of adult disability.”
There are some risk factors for stroke that cannot
be changed such as: gender, race, age, and family
history. However, 80% of strokes can be prevented.
Below are the risk factors you can change as listed
by the NINDS:
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the
most powerful risk factor for stroke.
“Hypertension causes a two-to four-fold in-
crease in the risk of stroke before age 80.”
Cigarette smoking “causes about a two-fold
increase in the risk of ischemic stroke and
up to a four-fold increase in the risk of
hemorrhagic stroke.”
Heart disease such as atrial fibrillation,
coronary artery disease, valve defects and
high blood pressure all raise the risk of
suffering a stroke.
Diabetes “is the equivalent of aging 15 years,”
when it comes to cardiovascular disease and
stroke risk. Diabetes causes damage in the
blood vessels. Also, higher levels of glucose
present in the body when the stroke occurs
can lead to more extensive and severe brain
damage.
Excess cholesterol builds up in blood vessels
causing narrowing and increases risk of both
heart attack and stroke.
Physical inactivity and obesity are associ-
ated with conditions such as: hypertension,
diabetes, and heart disease which increase
your risk of stroke.
If you or someone you know begins to exhibit any
symptoms of a stroke, call 911. The following
signs and symptoms listed are directly from the
NINDS:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm,
or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, or trouble talking or
understanding speech.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of
balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known
cause.
As always, prevention is key! The NINDS website
has a scoring tool you can use to help determine
your risk of stroke and better identify the risk
factors you may be able to change:
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/
Patient-Caregiver-Education/Preventing-
Stroke
Page 11 November 2021 Brewster, MA
‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ Online:
The ‘Brewster Bayside Chatter’ is available online each month and can be found at:
https://www.brewster-ma.gov/council-on-aging
Scroll down to where it reads: ‘our newsletters are available online’ and click on the link! Or go directly
to:
http://records.brewster-ma.gov/weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&startid =75664&row
=1&cr=1
Personal Hygiene Items
The COA has some adult disposable incontinence
products in various sizes. We still have a large
supply of gentlemen’s disposables in sizes L, XL
and XXL. If you or someone you know could use
them, don’t hesitate to call us at 508-896-2737
and let us know what size you’re looking for.
Please note that we are running low on women’s
disposables, so if you have some that you’d like to
donate to us, we will happily accept them as long
as they are unopened. Let us know what you want
to donate at 508-896-2737.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
For the latest information on town topics, we encourage you to visit the Town of Brewster
website at: www.brewster-ma.gov
Do you have a ‘My Senior Center Card’?
If not, please stop by the front desk and request
one. By obtaining a card and using it to ‘swipe in’
each time you visit the COA for a program, you
are helping us track attendance, which in turn
helps the COA qualify for various grants. If you’ve
lost your card, or don’t know how easy it is to use
it, just stop by our office. And to all those who
have been using theirs, many thanks!!
Sightings from the Poop Deck
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men
who died. Rather we should thank God that
such men lived.”
General George S. Patton, Jr.
“All Gave Some, Some Gave All!”
Massachusetts RMV News
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles
(RMV) is offering Senior Hours every Wednesday
from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for customers age 65
and older at 27 Service Center locations, and by
reservation only. South Yarmouth is one of these
Service Centers.
The RMV offers three ways to make a reservation:
Call (857) 368-8005, a dedicated phone line for
customers over age 65, visit the myRMV Online
Service Center to make an online reservation,
or email:
MassDOTRMVSeniors@dot.state.ma.us
BHT - BOSTON HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION
Enjoy comfortable and safe transportation from Cape
Cod DIRECT to Boston hospitals on a wheelchair-
accessible bus Service available Mon. thru Thur. only.
MONDAY thru THURSDAY SCHEDULE
7:30am Orleans (Shaw’s Market)
7:40am Fontaine Medical Center (Entrance)
7:45am Harwich (Route 6 & 124 Commuter Lot)
8:00am Barnstable (Route 6 & 132 (Burger King)
8:15am Sagamore (Commuter Lot)
RESERVATIONS are a MUST!!!
(Reserve no later than 9:00am 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: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Schedule your medical appointments between
10am & 2pm. The bus will leave Boston by 3pm.
Please visit the website for more information:
www.capecodrta.org
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
COA VAN - We now offer trips for Grocery Shopping in Orleans on
Thursdays, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. We require two days notice. There will
be a maximum of 4 people per trip. A suggested donation of $2 is accepted for
this service. Please call the COA to schedule your ride at 508-896-2737.
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS - Volunteer drivers are available for transport to
routine medical appointments in their personal cars. We travel as far as
Hyannis and regret we can not accommodate patients having procedures.
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 schedule your ride. Please notify the COA if you can’t keep your appoint-
ment so we can notify our driver. Donations are accepted for this service. All
appointments should be booked for times between 9:00am and 2:00pm.
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 November 2021 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. Rides must be scheduled by no later than noon on the day prior to a ride. Rides can be scheduled up to 30 days in
advance. The DART 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.
Please note: There is currently no Senior Dining on-site at the Brewster COA.
This menu is for the Meals on Wheels home lunch-delivery program only.
For more information, please contact Maria at 508-896-5070. Thank you.