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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMay 2018 1673 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 Alice Stelzer, FOBE President Sharon Tennstedt, COA Board Co-Chair May 2018 MISSION STATEMENT: To support and advocate for older adults and their families by providing programs, services and resources that promote individual living and quality of life. Holiday Closing Notes The COA will be closed on Monday, May 28th in honor of Memorial Day. Enjoy the holiday! I Scream... You Scream … We all Scream for Ice Cream! Join us for an Ice Cream Social! Sponsored by the Friends of Brewster Elders and the Brewster Council on Aging Friday, May 4th 2:30pm – 5:00 pm Brewster COA 1673 Main St. Choose from two flavors of ice cream (vanilla or Moose Tracks), hot fudge or strawberry topping, plus many different “add-ons” such as M&Ms, jimmies, Oreo cookies, cherries and whipped toppings to make a delicious sundae! Cost per sundae is only: $2.00 for Adults $1.00 for children under the age of 12 Come one...come all… young and older alike! This a fun-filled event for all ages! See you there! Reminder: Annual Town Meeting Monday, May 7th at 7:00pm Stony Brook Elementary School 384 Underpass Rd. Happy Mother’s Day to All! We would like to honor all mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers and great-grandmothers on their special day, Sunday, May 13th. Thank you from the rest of us! May your day be especially happy! Volunteers of the Year Meryl & Rob Gartside We are pleased to announce that Meryl & Rob Gartside are the 2017 Volunteers of the Year! They became extremely interested in gardening when they lived in England and visited many of the famous gardens there. They had a plot in the Wellesley community garden for a number of years which is where they learned to love the community in gardening. In 2006 they moved to Brewster. They worked on their own gardens here and joined the Brewster Community Garden in 2010. They fully retired in 2011 and became the managers of the BCG. The garden has become a labor of love for them. Meryl is a Master Gardener and mentors children 8 to 12 at the Lower Cape Children’s Garden located adjacent to the BCG. Among their contributions are: helping with the yearly garden plot renewals, assisting individual gardeners with issues, purchasing specific products and services to enhance the garden, and organizing the annual garden clean-up. In addition, they oversee a yearly program of donating extra produce to the food pantry so that others in the community might benefit from the garden’s bounty. They have been instrumental in transitioning the garden to an organic one, as well as fostering a sense of community among the gardeners. Thank you both for making Brewster’s Community Garden the best it can be! Page 2 May 2018 Brewster, MA Sea Captains’ Thrift Shop News 66 Harwich Road (Route 124) Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm The Sea Captains’ Thrift Shop will be hosting a Yard Sale, in conjunction with Brewster in Bloom weekend, Saturday, May 5th from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Thrift Shop. If you’re looking for a bargain, please stop by! Also, if you have small furniture, gardening, or household items, or lots of little “what nots”, please bring them to the Thrift Shop on May 2, 3 or 4 during our regular hours. If you can volunteer a couple of hours during the sale, please call Donna at (508) 896-8180. Thank you to our Legal Help Attorney, Tom Kosman! After many years of helping our seniors with legal advice, Attorney Tom Kosman has entered a new field: retirement! We are very grateful to him for his excellent help in the past providing legal counsel to our seniors and wish him the very best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life! Good luck, Tom! The Brewster COA will miss you! Introducing Attorney Katie Wibby, our new Legal Help Attorney! Katie is looking forward to continuing the work of Attorney Kosman. She attended Boston University for her undergraduate degree and Roger Williams School of Law for her Juris Doctorate. She was barred in Massachusetts in 2012 and has been employed with South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) since 2015. Her primary practice with SCCLS has been in housing and governmental benefits, but she has recently expanded her practice into Elder law. Welcome Attorney Wibby! Legal help appointments will still be held on the fourth Wednesday of every month here at the COA. The first appointment - 30 minutes - is free! To schedule an appointment, please call the COA at (508) 896-2737 Hope Health Walk for Alzheimer’s On Sunday, May 6th, Denise, our director, will be participating in her 9th walk to support “Hope Health Walk for Alzheimer’s”. After her mother’s passing in January of 2010, she is committed to helping others with the disease. If you would like to sponsor her for the walk, please stop by the COA with your donation. Checks should be made payable to: Hope Health. With your help, we have donated a total of $5,160 over the past 8 years. This year, we hope to reach our goal of $5,500, which means we need to raise $340. Thank you for your ongoing support! Town Elections Tuesday, May 22nd Here is your chance to make a difference! If you need a ride, please call the COA no later than Friday, May 18th to reserve your spot: (508) 896-2737 RAVE Mobile Safety Don’t have a landline and wish you did in order to get emergency information during our nor’easters and/or power outages? Our Brewster Police Department has implemented a new program just for you. Go to: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ registration/registrationLanding.action to register your cellphone number, which will allow you to get text messages and information. Don’t be left in the dark about what is happening around you! If you need help registering, please stop in or call the Brewster COA at (508) 896-2737. And the Thanks goes to… The Brewster COA would like to say thank-you to the Friends of Brewster Elders for allowing us to use their bulk mail permit to get these informative newsletters out to our readers! The COA is grateful, as are our seniors! Page 3 May 2018 W.O.W. Tuesdays: 9:30am - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Are you sitting at home talking to yourself? Do you like to discuss books, movies, current events and issues, or whatever? Then WOW would love to welcome you into our weekly discussion group. You don’t have to come every week. Just join us when you can at the COA! You’ll find us to be a very welcoming group. If you have any questions, please call the COA at (508) 896-2737. Brewster, MA Computer Help Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street 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! If you’d like to make an appointment, please contact the Brewster COA at (508) 896-2737 Brewster Mens’ Coffee Club Thursdays, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Spring is coming! We will be meeting every Thursday in May! Come enjoy a cup of hot coffee and some lively conversation. We’re always looking for new members as well as Guest Speakers! We welcome you to join us! Computer Users Group Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Thursdays: 1:00pm - 3:00pm In May, the Computer Users Group will be meeting on the following dates: 10, 17, 24, 31 Topics are solicited from program attendees at each meeting and discussed at subsequent meetings, all within a friendly atmosphere. Skill level is from beginner to intermediate. There’s no need to sign up. Just come and learn something new! Beach and Transfer Station Stickers Brewster COA 1673 Main Street Friday, May 11th 10:00am to 1:00pm Like last year, Donna, from the Town Hall, will be selling beach and transfer station stickers for our seniors at our Senior Center. The “Sticker Form” was included in your tax bill. We have extra forms available here at the COA or it can be printed from the Town’s website. Just fill it out and bring it in with you, along with your vehicle registration, and Donna will be able to sell you your stickers! Another option is to fill out the form, copy your registration, include your check and leave it all with us before Donna comes. When she is here on May 11th, she will be able to process it and we can return it to you! Attention all Volunteers! Please join us for our Annual Thank You Luncheon on Thursday, June 7th at the Captain’s Golf Course! Volunteers of the Year, Meryl and Rob Gartside, Community Garden Volunteers, will be recognized for their many hours of service. Invitations will be mailed out in mid-May. Please contact the COA if you volunteered in 2017 but did not receive an invitation: (508) 896-2737 Beginner’s Meditation Class with Carol Marcy Thursdays, 5 Sessions: 10:00am - 11:00am May 24 & 31 and June 7, 14 & 28 (no class on June 21) $10.00 for the five classes 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? We will be offering a beginner’s meditation class that will focus on building internal awareness with an orientation toward the heart and breath. Carol will also talk about the many benefits of meditation, as well as some of the research, and use a guided meditation format. Carol has a Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy, a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, had a private practice for 26 years in Maryland, and was the Director of the Office of Stress Management for the Montgomery County Police Department for 7 years. She comes with a lot of knowledge, and you can benefit from it! Please stop in or call the Brewster COA to sign up at (508) 896-2737. Page 4 May 2018 Brewster, MA May Program Notes Check out the exciting and informative programs and events we’ve got planned for you! All programs take place at the Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street. (unless otherwise noted) Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Wednesday, May 2nd 10:00am Major snow storms, frigid temperatures, driving rains and high winds; should we be better prepared? This 1-hour presentation will cover general disaster preparedness, as well as home fire preparedness. Caitlin Rasche and Hannah Vourassa from AmeriCorps will be giving this presentation. Please call us at (508) 896-2737 to register. Chronic Pain Self-Management Program with Charlie Altieri Brewster’s Town Wellness Nurse Fridays: 6 Sessions May 4th to June 8th 1:00pm - 3:30pm This workshop meets once a week for six weeks at 2-½ hours per session. Subjects covered include: 1. Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, isolation, and poor sleep 2. Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance 3. Appropriate use of medications 4. Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals 5. Nutrition 6. Pacing activity and rest 7. How to evaluate new treatments There’s still time to take charge of your health this year! Please call (508) 896-2737 to register for this very important health program! Crafts with Megan! Thursday, May 17th 10:30am - 12:30pm Free! Come join us for another great day! You’ll be creating an easy, fun new craft each month. All supplies are included. Meet new friends and indulge your creative side while our instructor, Megan, offers guidance in all projects. May’s project is a painted flowerpot, which you will then plant a lovely flower in! Please contact the COA by Monday, May 14th to let us know you are interested: (508) 896-2737 Food to Encourage 2nd & 4th Thursdays: May 10th & 24th 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Participants Needed! 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 & Healthy eating on Diabetes & Hypertension. This program is open to everyone, and there will be complete confidentiality for every participant. Health monitoring by a nurse, involving Blood Pressure and Glucose checks, will be provided. Each participant will receive a bag of fresh fruits/veggies every other week, along with free recipes! Call the COA at (508) 896-2737 to reserve your spot. Shop Smart at the Doctor Mart Monday, May 21st 1:00pm This presentation explores various ways to make the most of each visit to the doctor. Healthcare has drastically changed over the past decade and knowing how to prepare for your time with the doctor will help you meet all of your goals for each appointment. You will learn about making question lists, medication updates, and how to be assertive when speaking with your doctor. Time is money for both you and your healthcare provider! Make sure you are getting your money’s worth! Please call us at (508) 896-2737 to reserve your seat. Refreshments will be served. Save the Date! COA Night at the Brewster Whitecaps Friday, June 22nd 5:00pm at Stony Brook Field The COA is pleased to announce that, once again, the Brewster Whitecaps game is recognizing us with a “Brewster Council on Aging Night at the Ball Game”. Special seats will be reserved for our seniors. We are also looking for seniors who are willing to lend their voice to lead the singing of the National Anthem! Please call the COA to let us know if this is something you would like to do or if you just want to come to enjoy the game with us! Rides can be provided if needed. Contact us at (508) 896-2737 to let us know your plans and mark your calendar so you don’t miss a thing! Page 5 May 2018 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Bridge 2 8:45am Line Dancing 8:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Seminar: Disaster Preparedness 10:30am BINGO 11:00am Massages with Sandra 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Quilters 3 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Computer Users Group 2:00pm BMCC 4 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Program: Chronic Pain Self-Mgmt. 2:30pm Ice Cream Social! 7 9:45am Keep Movin’! 8 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Bridge 9 8:45am Line Dancing 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:30am BINGO 11:30am Sight Loss/BLL 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Quilters 10 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 10:00am Food to Encourage 1:00pm Computer Users Group 2:00pm BMCC 11 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Beach & Transfer Sticker Sales 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Program: Chronic Pain Self-Mgmt. 14 9:00am Pedicare 9:45am Keep Movin’! 15 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Bridge 16 8:45am Line Dancing 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Quilters 17 8:00am Pet Grooming 8:30am Hearing Screenings 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 10:30am Crafts with Megan 1:00pm Financial Planning 1:00pm Computer Users Group 2:00pm BMCC 18 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 11:00am Rep. Tim Whelan 1:00pm Program: Chronic Pain Self-Mgmt. 21 1:00pm Seminar: Shop Smart at the Doctor Mart 22 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 10:00am BP/Glucose Testing & Health/BLL 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Bridge 23 8:45am Line Dancing 9:00am Mobile Dental Hygiene Service 10:00am Legal Help with Atty. Katie Wibby 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Quilters 24 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Beginner’s Meditation 9:00am Computer Help 10:00am Food to Encourage 1:00pm Computer Users Group 2:00pm BMCC 25 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Program: Chronic Pain Self-Mgmt. No Swimming at Brewster Green 28 The COA is closed 29 9:00am Yoga 9:30am W.O.W. 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Bridge 1:00pm Massages with Marilou 30 8:45am Line Dancing 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Quilters 31 9:00am Qi Gong 10:00am Beginner’s Meditation 9:00am Computer Help 1:00pm Computer Users Group 2:00pm BMCC Page 6 Senior Happenings May 2018 Page 7 Mobile Pantry - “Healthy Food to Go” We are pleased to bring to you this program in cooperation with The Family Pantry of Cape Cod. Participants select their food in advance using the provided shopping list, which includes standard non-perishable foods, along with special non-perishable foods, fresh produce, bread products, dairy and meats. Your shopping order is pre-bagged on the morning that you pick it up. Pick -up is the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Frederick Court. Our next date is Wednesday, May 9th. Participants must register and be income-qualified. For more information, please call Debra or Brenda at our Outreach Office at (508) 896-2737. Brewster, MA Mobile Dental Hygiene Service Mobile Dental Hygiene Services will now be offering 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, referrals. No dental insurance? They offer affordable options! This service will be held on the 4th Wednesday of every month. This month, the date will be Wednesday, May 23. Please contact Mobile Dental Hygiene Services if you have any questions or you would like to make an appointment. Their telephone number is (508) 827-6725 or check them out at: smiles@mobiledentalhygiene.com SHINE News Need help with prescription drug costs? Prescription Advantage may be your answer. By now some of you may have reached, or are getting close to, the gap or “donut hole” with your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). In 2018, you fall into the Medicare Part D gap when the negotiated retail cost of your medications reach $3,750. Once in the gap you are now responsible for 35% of the negotiated retail cost for brand-name medications and 44% for generics. Prescription Advantage, which is a state pharmaceutical assistance program, can assist you in this gap and/or put a cap on your out-of-pocket cost for medications. Eligibility is based on income only and there is no asset limit! There is no charge for joining Prescription Advantage if you have an annual income at or less than $36,420 for a single person, or $49,380 for a married couple. However, there is a $200 per person annual enrollment fee for those with higher incomes. You may also join if you are 65 years or older and not eligible for Medicare. If you are not eligible for Medicare, Prescription Advantage will be your primary prescription drug plan and there is no income limit. Please contact the Brewster COA SHINE office for an appointment to find out about your eligibility for this program: (508) 896-2737 Advertising Page 8 May 2018 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. Dr. Molly Perdue, facilitator. Drop-ins welcome. Call (508) 896-5170 for more information. ANGELCARE: Please call the COA for information: (508) 896-2737 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 Ladies Library, lower level. 10:00am – 2:00pm - 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 ~ 1:00pm. COMPUTER HELP: Thursdays ~ 9:00am – 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: This month’s dates: May 10, 17, 24, 31 COMPUTER USERS GROUP: Thursdays ~ 1:00pm. The first hour will be for questions and answers, followed by instructions on topics solicited from program participants that day. Skill level is from beginner to intermediate. No need to sign up; just drop in! PLEASE NOTE: This months dates: May 10, 17, 24, 31 DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICE: 4th Wednesday ~ 9:00am 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 ~ 8:30am By appointment only. FREE. Includes ear inspections and hearing-aid checks if needed. Appointments are 15 minutes each. Call (508) 896-2737. KEEP MOVIN’!: Mondays and Fridays ~ 9:45 -10:45 am. 10-week session/20 classes, for the cost of $50.00. Strength training for seniors. Classes help to relieve arthritis symptoms using adjustable weights and stretch bands. PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested, please stop by the class and speak with the instructor. Also, Please refer to calendar on page 6 for dates of classes in May. LEGAL HELP: 10:00am on the 4th Wednesday with Atty. Katie Wibby. Atty. Adam Dupuy still offers legal advice, but does not have scheduled dates at the COA. 1/2-hour appointments. By appointment only: (508) 896-2737 The attorney will answer your legal questions. Free for initial appointment. LINE DANCING: Wednesdays ~ 8:45am No dance experience required. $4.00/class when paid monthly, or $6.00/class for drop ins. Cash or checks payable to “Cape Sands Ballroom”. No need to call first; just come and join us! MASSAGE: Sandra Smith’s schedule is the 3rd Wednesday of the month beginning at 11:00am at the COA. This month, Sandra will be with us on Wednesday, May 2nd. Massages with Marilou are held the last Tuesday of every month beginning at 1:00pm. Massages last 30 minutes and are $15.00. By appointment only: (508) 896-2737 CHATTER WEEKLY/MONTHLY PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES: MEALS ON WHEELS: Provided to each homebound elder who is unable to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Call Kelly Kirby at (508) 896-5070. 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 Monday 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, nail clipping will take place for animals in a grooming van at the back of the COA, from 8:00am – 8:30am for $3.00, normally $10.00. Stop by! POKER: Wednesdays ~ 12:30pm - 3:45pm PLEASE NOTE: Call the COA at (508) 896-2737 for May game dates QI GONG: Thursdays ~ 9:00am - 9:45am. $10.00 for 5 sessions. Chinese method for enhancing the immune system; utilizing posture and breathing exercises, along with focused intentions. Gentle and calming. Please call the Brewster COA at (508) 896-2737 for more information. REP. TIM WHELAN: 3rd Friday of the month ~ 11:00am - 12:00 pm 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 Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11:30am. SENIOR STRIDERS: This program has been discontinued until further notice per the Brewster Recreation Dept. SHINE: Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone Tuesdays & Wednesdays - 1:00pm - 3:15pm 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 the Brewster Ladies Library ~ 11:30am -1:00pm ~ Call Sight Loss at (508) 394-3904 for more information. SWIMMING: Brewster Green Pool ~ Fridays: 10:00am - 12:00pm. 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 on a monthly or quarterly basis to support this activity! PLEASE NOTE: No Swimming on Friday, May 25th. TENNIS: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays ~ 9:00am – 11:00am (Open play during winter months). Playing at the tennis courts off Underpass Road. Please call the Brewster Recreation Department at (508) 896-9430 for more information. W.O.W.: (Wonderful Older Women): Tuesdays ~ 9:30am - 11:00am This friendly group of women review current events, talk about movies & books, give each other support & enjoy conversation. Stop by! YOGA: Tuesday mornings from 9:00am - 10:30am. $10 per class. Class uses breathing techniques as a foundation for exploring gentle & safe stretching. Drop-ins welcome! Page 9 May 2018 A Message from Charles Altieri, RN Public Health Wellness Nurse, VNA of Cape Cod Home visits will occur on Mondays. Page 10 May 2018 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 F.O.B.E.) 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 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! Most People Don’t Have an Advanced Directive An advanced directive is a valuable tool in making your personal health care decisions known, particularly in the event you’re unable to express them. But a recent study found that many do not have any advanced directives. This review of 150 different studies published between 2011 and 2016, was released in a July 2017 issue of Health Affairs. Researchers found that 1 in 3 had advanced directives. Specifically, 29 % had completed a living will and 33 % had a health care power of attorney, which designates a representative (proxy) to make decisions on their behalf. People 65 and older had higher completion rates than did young adults, but the rate was still less than 50%. The highest rates, just 60%, were found in people nearing the end of life in hospice or palliative care. An advance directive will not affect the quality of health care you receive. Having a directive on file allows you to decline consent to future treatments, or gives a person you trust the power to make those decisions for you. Overall, it gives you a better chance of having your wishes carried out. It can also prevent your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions. Your hospital or health care facility may have advanced directive forms available. You also can obtain the information you need to prepare an advance directive through organizations such as National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. To do so, call 800-658-8898, or visit: WWW.caringinfo.org/AdvanceDirectives. Mayo Clinic - April 2018 BE WELL! LIVE STRONG! LIVE LONG! Charlie Altieri, RN, Public Health Nurse PLEASE NOTE: In addition to the above information, the Outreach office here at the Brewster COA has a supply of HCP and HIPPA forms as well! Just give us a call at (508) 896-2737 and we’d be happy to assist you! May 2018 Page 11 Brewster, MA Looking for Medical Equipment? If you are currently looking for Medical Equipment, either for yourself or for someone you know, please contact the COA to find out if we have anything that you could use. We often receive donations of crutches, walkers, canes, shower/tub benches, commodes and wheelchairs that we lend out, free of charge, for indefinite periods of time. Just give us a call at (508) 896-2737 Sightings from the Poop Deck “Many of us who aren’t farmers or gardeners still have some element of farm nostalgia in our family past, real or imagined: a secret longing for some connection to a life where a rooster crows in the yard.” Barbara Kingsolver I have no idea exactly when he showed up, or where he came from. For the first couple weeks it was comical to hear him crowing at the crack of dawn and Joanie Carfora went out to feed him as did all our other neighbors who welcomed him with open arms. He was tame, friendly, and not afraid to approach you when you showed up with food and water. If he wasn’t satisfied with your daily offering he went next door to see if the pickings there were more to his liking. He followed people on their daily walks thinking they were there to serve him only. After all, he was a proud rooster upholding a long standing tradition. After two weeks he began to crow at 4:30 in the morning, a little early even for Joan and I. We began to worry that our neighbors’ tolerance might outweigh the joy he brought, and we soon discovered that if we turned off our outside light he might even quiet down and crow at a more acceptable time. It worked like magic. The light went out and he stopped crowing, left our front door and ambled down to the neighbor where he spends his nights. The neighbors have named him “Rudy the Rooster.” I, on the other hand, have named him the neighborhood P.I.T.A., aka, Pain In The A--. Right now he is out there chasing the joggers and walkers, but not very far when he figures out that they have no gifts. He poses for pictures and I’m sure that if he could say anything besides cock-a-doodle-do he would be charging a handsome fee for the photos. There is some chatter about finding him some adoptive parents and truthfully I would be very sad to see him go. However, I have been assured that all prospective adopters will be carefully screened and interviewed and we will be given visitation rights. We will also insist that he be given a few girlfriends. Peter R. Scheffer - (“Life is Good”!) - When the sun comes up!! P.S. Remember to observe Memorial Day to honor our fallen heroes. Epilogue: Rudy the PITA was adopted this afternoon by a lady with a five-acre farm. She currently owns a dozen chickens and no roosters. Knock yourself out Rudy. You’ll be too tired to do much crowing! I miss him already. 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. 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 for 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. MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS – Volunteer drivers are available for transportation 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 through Friday) in advance so that we can find a volunteer to provide your ride. Please notify the COA if you cannot keep your appointment so we can notify our drivers. Make sure your house number is visible from the road. 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. There is a graduated donation schedule, depending upon the destination. Call for more information at (508) 896-2737. All medical rides are made possible thru Title III funding, Elder Services of Cape Cod & The Islands, Inc., and the donations of our riders. Page 12 May 2018 Brewster, MA Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Permit #25 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 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 FRIENDS OF BREWSTER ELDERS 1673 MAIN STREET BREWSTER, MA 02631