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HomeMy Public PortalAboutNovember 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 November 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. Flu Clinic Thursday, November 8 10:00am - 12:00pm Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main Street This clinic is for any Brewster resident 18 or older. Pre-registration is available at the Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street. Just stop by our office. To register by phone, please have your insurance card ready and contact us at 508-896-2737. Rides to the clinic can be provided. Just let the COA know when you sign up. Please do not contact the Church! November Holiday Closings The Brewster COA will be closed on Monday, November 12 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 and Friday, November 22 and November 23, for the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Meal Food Distribution Saturday, November 17, 2018 Our annual Thanksgiving “free turkey” distribution method has changed. This year, the COA has only a limited number of turkeys “with all the trimmings” available. If you are unable to afford to purchase a turkey and assorted side dishes, but would like to prepare and share the holiday meal with friends and/or loved ones, we would be happy to deliver a frozen bird and all the “fixins” to your home. These holiday food packs have been generously donated through Lower Cape Outreach Council. Distribution will be on the morning of Saturday, November 17. You must be at home to receive this delivery, so plan ahead. Contact the COA at 508-896-2737 to get your name on the list. Please consider your friends and neighbors who are truly in need before you make a request. November is National Memory Screening Month! FREE, Confidential Memory Screenings Friday, November 2 1:00pm – 3:00pm Brewster Council on Aging 1673 Main Street, Brewster (508) 896-2737 We are happy to announce that the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center is offering free, 30-minute memory screenings here at the COA. These screenings are not diagnostic but may indicate whether participants should see a doctor for further testing. Screenings are open to the public. Please call the Brewster Council on Aging at 508-896-2737 to make an appointment. The Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, provides free comprehensive support services for families and individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. For more information, or if you have an urgent need for a screening, please call (508) 896-5170 or email support@capecodalz.org. Reminder: Daylight Savings time ends on Sunday, November 4. Remember to set your clocks back one hour, and don’t forget to check those batteries in your smoke detectors! Page 2 November 2018 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. Come check us out! Keep Movin’ Mondays and Fridays 9:45 - 10:45 am This program is primarily strength-training for seniors. The classes are friendly, and a fun way to relieve arthritis symptoms and learn important strengthening exercises. Classes help to build strength and coordination each week by using hand & leg weights 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 participate unless signed up by the instructor. Yoga Tuesdays 9:00 - 10:30 am 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. 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. Line Dancing Wednesdays 8:45 - 9:30 am A fun, new way to get light exercise and meet new friends. This is NOT your usual Country-Western line dance class. We dance to all styles of music! No dancing experience required! $4.00 per class when paid monthly, $6.00 per class for drop-ins. Come at 8:35am for an optional 10-minute warm-up period for students with knowledge of jazz boxes, grapevines, paddle turns, etc. Our instructor, Karen Shackleford, comes to us from ‘Cape Sands Ballroom’. Dance your cares away! Balancing Act Wednesdays 9:30am - 10:15am Better Balance through Body Awareness and Fun! This class explores a number of ways to build more awareness of our bodies in order to establish good balance. There is a combination of seated and standing exercises, utilizing our chairs. Good posture while standing, as well as walking and moving, is emphasized. There will be some exercises to help build a stronger body core and sense of being centered in our bodies. Easy movement games help you build confidence physically from the inside out. Come join us for building good balance and having fun with it at the same time! No need to call the COA to register. Cost is $2.00 per class and drop-ins are welcome! Our instructor is Carol Marcy. Why not give it a try! Qi Gong Thursdays 9:00 - 9:45 am Qi Gong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intentions. The gentle, rhythmic movements help to reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality and enhance the immune system. Qi Gong’s greatest appeal is that everyone can benefit! The instructor also incorporates some elements of Tai Chi into each session. $2.00 per class or $10.00 per 5-week session. You’re welcome to come check it out! Our instructor is Ray DiPietro. Meditation Class Thursdays 10:00am - 11:00am 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, as well as some of the research, and use a guided meditation format. No need to call the COA to register. Cost is $2.00 per class and drop-ins are welcome! Come and relax! Gentle Flow Yoga Class with Karen Corcoran Mondays 2:30pm - 3:45pm Eddy School, 2298 Main Street, Brewster In collaboration with the Brewster Recreation Dept., we will be offering a new Gentle Flow Yoga Class on Mondays at 2:30pm at the Eddy School. Join this Hatha-based yoga class suitable for all levels; classes will be geared to attendees. Variety from week to week and season to season ensures a sustainable practice – one that nourishes all aspects of being: mental, emotional and spiritual, as well as physical. Come learn “tools you can use” in daily life to calm and energize the mind while strengthening and lengthening the body and renewing the spirit. Karen is certified in Hatha, Kundalini and Yin and has been teaching on Cape Cod for over 2 years. Drawing from these yogic traditions keeps classes fresh, interesting and balanced. This will be an ongoing class and the Recreation Department will sell a 5-class card at $10/class. Drop-in rate is $12.00 per class. Please bring a mat. Page 3 November 2018 W.O.W. (Wonderful Older Women) Tuesdays: 9:30am - 11:00am Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street 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, MA Computer Help Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Thursdays: 9:00am - 12:00pm (No appointments on Nov. 22 due to Thanksgiving) 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 completely 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 The Brewster Mens’ Coffee Club will be meeting on the following Thursday afternoons in November: 1, 8, 15, 29 Come join us for a hot cup of coffee and some lively conversation on these cool, autumn days. We’re always looking for new members. We’re also looking for Guest Speakers, so if you’ve got a topic of interest that you’d like to present, just let us know! Computer Users Group Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Thursdays: 1:00pm - 2:30pm (No class on Nov. 22 due to Thanksgiving) Are you interested in computer technology? Then you are invited to join this friendly group to learn about all things tech! Each week’s topics are solicited from program attendees, and covered in subsequent meetings. The skill level is from beginner to intermediate. All questions are welcome and there’s no need to sign up. Just come and enjoy the fun! Come and learn something new! Mobile Dental Hygiene Service 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, referrals. No dental insurance? They offer reduced private-pay options such as: cleaning - $80 , fluoride treatment - $20 , denture care - $25 and an exam for $30. The price of a cleaning includes an exam and denture care. They will also see children if there are any visiting grandchildren! This service will be held on the 4th Wednesday of every month. This month’s date will be Wednesday, November 28th. 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 It’s Medicare’s Open Enrollment Time! We’re offering appointments here at the COA on Tuesdays and Thursdays through December 6th. See the article on page 7 of this newsletter and don’t delay! Make your appointment soon! Hearing Screenings 8:30am – 10:30am Thursday, November 15 Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street Advanced Audiology Associates offers FREE screenings here at the Brewster Council on Aging. These screenings are by appointment only and last around 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. Christmas Ornaments Can you think of 1 or 2 words that best describes your interest in our Brewster Senior Center? Would you help us decorate the Senior Center by coloring an ornament and writing that word(s) on the ornament? We will be setting up a small Christmas tree early this month in the 1st floor large room for you to do just that. We hope you enjoy this activity, and thanks for helping us decorate our tree! November 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 Food to Encourage Thursday, November 8 9:45am - 11:30am (No program on November 22nd due to Thanksgiving) 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. Health monitoring by a nurse, involving Blood Pressure and Glucose checks, is available. Each participant will receive a bag of fresh fruits/veggies every other week, along with free recipes! Just stop by at any point during the time period listed above! Everything you need to know about pre-arranging Funeral Services, but were afraid to ask! Monday, November 5 1:00pm Christine Damery, from Doane, Beal and Ames/ Nickerson Funeral Home, will be here to discuss the importance of pre-planning the one event we do not like to think of – or sometimes even talk about: our final arrangements. Help your family know what your wishes are and make this easier for them. Christine will also be able to answer any questions you might have. This is not a subject most of us like to discuss, but it is a very important one for those we leave behind. Refreshments will be served. Don’t be afraid to come and listen to what she has to say! Please call the Brewster COA at 896-2737 to register for this very important program. Crafts with Megan Thursday, November 15 10:30am - 12:30pm Free! 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. This month’s project will be a rustic candle votive with twine, faux maple leaves and twigs! Please contact the COA by Friday, November 9th to let us know you are interested: 508-896-2737 Trip to the Bourne National Cemetery Friday, November 16 12:30pm - 3:30pm If you are interested in taking a ride to the Bourne National Cemetery to visit your loved one’s grave, please call the COA at 508-896-2737. We are able to take 8 people on this special trip. When you call us to sign up, please give us the name of the loved one that you would like to visit. We will make sure everyone has a chance to stop by their loved one’s resting place. Why not join us for lunch at the COA beforehand (lunch is served at 11:30am)? Just let us know when you reserve your seat that you’d like to join us for lunch as well. Our bus will be leaving the COA at 12:30pm. Color Me Creative! Monday, November 19 1:00pm Free! If you love to color, you’ll LOVE this workshop! First, we view and discuss a painting from the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Next, we grab our colored pencils, markers and a coloring-book version of that same painting and get creative! Come meet new friends and relax while you unlock your own creativity. Light refreshments will be served! Call the COA at 508-896-2737 to sign up! Monthly General Grief Support Group Wednesday, November 21 2:30 - 3:45 pm Have you lost a loved one? It might be difficult when it seems that everyone else is happy but you are still grieving. Hope Hospice hosts a support group here at our senior center every month. All Hope Hospice grief support groups provide a safe, confidential and supportive setting for anyone experiencing a loss. These are mutual support groups led by specially-trained facilitators. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please contact Hope Hospice at 508-957-0304. Orleans Bowling Center Senior Discount! Orleans Bowling Center, 191 Route 6A, will be giving us a senior discount every Wednesday during the off-season from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Cost is $1.00 per senior for shoes, and $3.00 per senior per game. At 4:00pm the restaurant opens, so this makes for a fun outing with your friends while getting a little exercise! Page 4 November 2018 Brewster, MA Property Tax Exemption Information You may qualify for a substantial Real Estate Tax Exemption. Please contact the Outreach office at the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737. Page 5 November 2018 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 1 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Open Enrollment 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Computer Users Group 2:00pm BMCC 2 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Memory Screenings 5 9:45am Keep Movin’! 1:00pm Seminar: Pre-arranging Funeral Services 6 9:00am Yoga 9:00am Open Enrollment 9:30am W.O.W. 1:00pm Bridge 2:30pm Gentle Flow Yoga/Eddy School 7 8:45am Line Dancing 9:30am Balancing Act 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 8 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Open Enrollment 9:45am Food to Encourage 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Computer Users 2:00pm BMCC 9 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 12 (The COA is closed) 13 9:00am Yoga 9:00am Open Enrollment 9:30am W.O.W. 1:00pm Bridge 2:30pm Gentle Flow Yoga/Eddy School 14 8:45am Line Dancing 9:00am Pedicare 9:30am Balancing Act 10:30am BINGO 11:00am Mobile Pantry (Frederick Ct.) 11:00am Sight Loss/BLL 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 15 8:00am Pet Grooming 8:30am Hearing Screenings 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Open Enrollment 10:00am Meditation 10:30am Crafts with Megan 1:00pm Financial Planning 1:00pm Computer Users 2:00pm BMCC 16 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO 11:00am Rep. Tim Whelan 12:30pm Trip: Bourne National Cemetery 19 9:45am Keep Movin’! 1:00pm Color Me Creative! 20 9:00am Yoga 9:00am Open Enrollment 9:30am W.O.W. 11:00am Massage with Sandra 1:00pm Bridge 2:30pm Gentle Flow Yoga/Eddy School 21 8:45am Line Dancing 9:30am Balancing Act 10:30am BINGO 10:30am Massage with Sandra 1:00pm SHINE 1:00pm Quilters 2:30pm Grief Support Group 22 (The COA is closed) 23 Day after Thanksgiving The COA is closed and there will be No Swimming at Brewster Green Resort today. 26 9:45am Keep Movin’! Decorate the COA for the holidays this Week! 27 9:00am Yoga 9:00am Open Enrollment 9:30am W.O.W. 10:00am BP/Glucose Testing & Health/BLL 1:00pm Bridge 2:30pm Gentle Flow Yoga/Eddy School 28 8:45am Line Dancing 9:00am Mobile Dental Hygiene Service 9:30am Balancing Act 10:30am BINGO 1:00pm Quilters 1:00pm SHINE 29 9:00am Qi Gong 9:00am Computer Help 9:00am Open Enrollment 10:00am Meditation 1:00pm Computer Users 2:00pm BMCC 30 9:45am Keep Movin’! 10:00am Swimming at Brewster Green 10:30am BINGO Page 6 Senior Happenings 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. November 2018 Page 7 Mobile Pantry - “Healthy Food to Go” We are pleased to bring 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 at the Family Pantry and kept in a refrigerated truck until you pick it up. This takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Frederick Court. Our next date is Wednesday, November 14th. 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 SHINE News…Don’t Delay - Medicare Open Enrollment is going on now! Medicare’s Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) and Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) Annual Open Enrollment begins is going on now through December 7th. Please make sure you review your 2019 Medicare options during this period. During the Annual Open Enrollment (October 15 - December 7), you will have a chance to CHANGE your plan. This change will take effect January 1, 2019. SHINE Counselors can help you understand your plan’s changes, screen you for assistance programs and discuss other options you may have. If you do not change your plan during this period you may have to stay with your existing plan for another whole year. (Note: the open enrollment may not affect those with retiree coverage). Don’t wait until it’s too late - appointments fill up fast! Call the Brewster COA at 508-896-2737 and make an appointment with a SHINE counselor for this year’s open enrollment. Appointments will be held right here at the COA! Make sure you bring your Medicare card, as well as a list (or bottles) of your current medications (including dosages) to the appointment. This service is FREE! Senior Real Estate Tax Abatement Program This program matches municipal volunteer opportunities in the Town of Brewster with eligible citizens who are qualified and able to volunteer their services in exchange for a reduction in their real estate property tax bill. Program participants may work in a variety of jobs for the Town. In exchange for volunteer services, the Town will rebate your annual real estate property tax bill in the amount of $500.00* (* minus mandatory deductions). You need to be sixty (60) years old or older and complete the hours of volunteer service by September 1, 2019. For the 2019 program, the Town has twenty (20) available positions and priority will be given to those residents whose income is less than $50,201 if single, or $57,381 if married. Applications for the 2019 program will be available at Town Hall and the Council on Aging on November 1, 2018 and are due on December 15, 2018. Town Meeting is on Monday, December 3rd 7:00pm at the Stony Brook School The COA is offering rides! Just give us a call at 508-896-2737. We’ll see you there! Advertising Page 8 November 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. 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: November dates: 1, 8, 15, 29 COMPUTER USERS GROUP: Thursdays ~ 1:00pm - 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. Just drop in! PLEASE NOTE: November dates: 1, 8, 15, 29 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 PLEASE NOTE: This month’s date is November 28. 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. 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. PLEASE NOTE: No appointments at the COA in November. LINE DANCING: Wednesdays ~ 8:45am - 9:30am 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 with Sandra: 3rd Tuesday, beginning at 11:00am, and 3rd Wednesday, beginning at 10:30am. Massages last 30 minutes and are offered for $15.00. By appointment only. Call (508) 896-2737 MEALS ON WHEELS: Provided to each homebound elder who is unable to prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Call Kelly Kirby at (508) 896-5070. CHATTER WEEKLY/MONTHLY PROGRAMS/ACTIVITIES: 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. PLEASE NOTE: This month’s date is Wednesday, November 14th. PET GROOMING: Buttons & Bows ~ 3rd Thursday of the month ~ 8:00am - 8:30am Nail clipping for animals will take place in a mobile van at the back of the COA. First-come, first-served. The charge is $3.00 (normally $10.00). Stop by! PICKLEBALL: Courts are available at 384 Underpass Road, by Stony Brook School. Contact Brewster Rec. Dept.: 508-896-9430 POKER: Wednesdays ~ 12:30pm - 3:45pm PLEASE NOTE: Call the COA for information as to dates of play. 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. 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: Monday - Friday (during school session) 6:30am - 7:15am and 3:00pm - 5:00pm. Visit the Brewster Rec. Office at Eddy Elementary School to register! Program is at Stony Brook Elem. SHINE: Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone Tuesdays & Wednesdays - 1:00pm - 4:00pm 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! PLEASE NOTE: OPEN ENROLLMENT appointments are going on now at the COA. Call now to schedule yours: 508-896-2737 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! TENNIS: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays ~ 9:00am – 11:00am (Open play during winter months). Tennis courts are at 384 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 November 2018 A Message from Charles Altieri, RN Public Health Wellness Nurse, VNA of Cape Cod Home visits will occur on Mondays. Page 10 November 2018 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! Senior Striders The Senior Striders Walking Program continues throughout the school year! Seniors are able to walk laps at the Stony Brook Elementary School, both before and after school. Due to new security measures, all participants will need to be CORI-checked and have a name badge that they will wear while walking. This program is FREE, but you must register with the Brewster Recreation Department. Walking hours are 6:30am - 7:15am and 3:00pm - 5:00pm (during school session). Walk in comfort at Stony Brook! To register for this great program, please visit the Brewster Recreation Department office in-person, located at the Eddy Elementary School, 2298 Main Street. Go4Life Program Channel 18 7:00am Go4Life, a simple in-home 60-minute exercise program developed by the National Council on Aging, will air on local TV Channel 18 at 7:00am each morning. Free resources, including a CD and Exercise Guide, can be ordered online at: go4lifenia.nih.gov. Exercise and remain active this winter by tuning in! Flu Season! When to seek care? Your first winter illness came on fairly suddenly, with a fever and a slight sore throat. You had your flu shot but wonder if this could be the flu. Should you seek medical care? For older adults and those with chronic medical conditions, the best advice is to call your doctor’s office and to be seen for an appointment if you are asked to come in. Sometimes, symptoms clearly suggest whether you’re dealing with viral influenza (flu) or another illness, such as a common cold. Symptoms of the flu can vary in atypical ways, particularly in older adults. In addition, adults 65 and older are at high risk of complications with influenza, such as bacterial pneumonia. Taking action when dealing with the flu involves several key steps: ●Getting the flu vaccine each year: this reduces the risk of flu infections and lessens the severity of illnesses if you get the flu. Vaccine effectiveness varies from year to year, but it’s still the single best protective measure available. ●Practicing good hand hygiene; clean your hands frequently using an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer or soap and water. Avoid large crowds and close contact with people who are sick. ●Contact your doctor as soon as you suspect that you have the flu; your doctor can determine if you have the flu and if you need an antiviral drug. Your doctor may order a simple test that detects flu viruses. These antivirals include Tamiflu, and Relenza, which are prescribed to prevent further complications. They can reduce the flu’s severity. It is best to take them within 48 hours of the start of the illness. However, studies have shown the benefits can extend beyond the 48-hour window, especially in people at high risk. Be alert to complications; contact your doctor if symptoms become more severe, improve and then become worse, or if you have unusual symptoms such as severe sore throat, chest pain, confused thinking, dizziness, lightheadedness or breathing difficulty. Mayo Clinic, October 2018 BE WELL! LIVE STRONG! LIVE LONG! Charlie Altieri, RN, Public Health Nurse November2018 Page 11 Brewster, MA Sightings from the Poop Deck “A kiss on the hand might be quite continental, but diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” September is always a special month in the Carfora/Scheffer household; special because it is the month when Joan and I were married and this year was particularly important, since the traditional gift for this anniversary is…..wait for it….DIAMONDS!! Understand that Joanie Carfora and I are fairly modest when it comes to wearing jewelry and, if you ever noticed, the only gold I wear is my wedding band. Soooo, I was particularly surprised when JC came to me and said that since this year was such an important milestone, the only thing she wanted was a diamond tennis bracelet. I looked at her waiting for a wink, or some clue indicating that she was kidding, but it never came and who am I to argue? Joan has never asked for jewelry. I’m very accommodating in matters such as this and said, “Let’s go, we have plenty of choices; Hannoush and Kay’s at the mall, Chatham Jewelers, etc.” Her reply? “I was thinking of Jared's!” Off we went to the mall just to get an idea of what diamond tennis bracelets looked like, for my benefit. Believe it or not I did not really care how much these things were worth, nor was I overly concerned about the cost. You may not believe that, but if you factor in all those years she has put up with me, and for those of you who know me well, in your own mind you will say, “She earned it!” The next time you see Joanie Carfora and she is wearing her new bracelet, you can make a big fuss over it, or you can think, “Wow, there is not really much to a diamond tennis bracelet” and truthfully, there really isn’t. Remember, I did not build this, I only paid for it. What I really would appreciate, after you see the bracelet, is for you to listen carefully to see if you hear a voice whispering in your ear saying, “He went to Jared’s!” Peter R. Scheffer (“Life is Good!”) - Remember our veterans!! and Happy Thanksgiving! poop deck, n., a deck above a ship’s main afterdeck Pre-Holiday Line Dance Showcase Monday, December 3rd 1:00pm - 1:30pm Brewster COA, 1673 Main Street On Monday, December 3rd from 1:00 – 1:30 pm, please join us at Brewster COA for a festive, upbeat line dance showcase by students of Cape Sands Ballroom. The dancers will share their love of dance with you as they move and groove to tunes from the 50’s through today including a few holiday selections. At the end of the showcase, if you’d like to try out a few steps yourself, Karen Shackleford of Cape Sands Ballroom will offer a free, no obligation mini-lesson in line dancing so you can give it a whirl! We’ll be serving some light refreshments as well. In fact, perhaps you might want to come for lunch that day (11:30am) and stay for the show! Be sure to give the COA a call at 508-896-2737 to reserve your seat and let us know your lunch plans. Hope to see you there! Holiday Decoration Party! If you would like to help Denise decorate our senior center for the holidays, we will start the week of November 26th. Please call her at 508-896-2737! 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: 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. This agency and its programs are funded (in whole or in part) by a contract from Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and the Federal Administration for Community Living. Page 12 November2018 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