Senior News
Courtesy of Westminster Council on Aging/Senior Center
The Westminster Senior Center would like to remind you to set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday, March 14, 2010. That’s another sign that Spring is right around the corner!
The Senior Center welcomes you to join them on March 17th at 4:00pm for a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at 127 Main Street, sponsored by the Bread of Life Church. The cost is $3.00 and it should be delicious!!
On March 18, 2010 at noon Ruth Harcovitz performs “Great Day for the Irish”--a free concert with refreshments, at the Senior Center. Fun for all!!
A representative from the AARP, Lou Plotkin, will be coming to the Senior Center on March 15, 16, 22 and 24 to help people with their taxes. There are still openings on March 22 and 24th if you would like to set up an appointment call 978-874-7402 and we can fit you in.
APRIL 2, 2010
Come and join us for our Senior Series Breakfast!
We will start serving at 8:00 A.M. Come and have breakfast and a cup of coffee, and join in for some conversation. The menu is going to be French toast, sausage, fruit and coffee.
The Westminster Council on Aging would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of those who have recently passed away: Thelma Bertha (Conrad) Osgood
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
THE 2010 CENSUS
WHY YOU SHOULD RESPOND
Fill out and return your census form when it is delivered in Spring 2010. The 2010 Census is: With just 10 questions, it is easy to complete and return. By law, the census Bureau cannot share your answers with anyone. Census data are used to determine U.S. Congressional apportionment as well as the distribution of federal funding. Federal, state, and local policymakers also use census data to implement the Supplemental Social Security income and Social Security Disability Insurance programs, plan programs for seniors living alone, apply for grants to help seniors caring for their grandchildren, and create facilities and services for people with disabilities. Census Bureau employees are sworn to secrecy for life and are the only people who will see your response to the census questionnaire. Employees face a maximum of 5 years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine if they violate this oath. No one can connect your answers with your name and address.
858,939 people 65 and older live in Massachusetts, 13.3% of the total population. Almost 30,000 grandparents in Massachusetts are responsible for their grandchildren. 15% of people age 65 and older in Massachusetts are in the labor force.
OPEN TO ALL
Come to the next COA Board Meeting on Wednesday March 17th at 9:00 A.M. All are welcome!!
UPCOMING ENTERTAINMENT
THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 AT 12:00 NOON AT THE SENIOR CENTER: “GREAT DAY FOR THE IRISH!” SUNG BY RUTH HARCOVITZ
“BOSTON’S JULIE ANDREWS”
A PROGRAM OF EVERYONE’S FAVORITE
FREE ENTERTAINMENT-COME AND ENJOY!
PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE BENEFIT CHANGE FOR 2010
DUE TO CUTS IN THE STATE BUDGET, PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE WAS FORCED TO MAKE A CHANGE TO ITS BENEFITS. STARTING JANUARY 1, 2010, PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE WILL NO LONGER HELP MEMBERS PAY THEIR MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN PREMIUM. THIS PREMIUM ASSISTANCE WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS, ONLY THOSE AT A CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL. MEMBERS AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE WERE NOTIFIED BY MAIL.
IMPORTANT NOTE: YOUR MEDICARE DRUG PLAN WILL BE SENDING YOU A PREMIUM BILL EACH MONTH. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU PAY THE BILL OR YOU COULD LOSE YOUR MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS! THE ELIMINATION OF PREMIUM ASSISTANCE IS THE ONLY CHANGE TO PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE BENEFITS.
PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE IS NOT GOING AWAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO PAY FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WHEN MEMBERS REACH THAT GAP IN THE PART D COVERAGE THAT IS KNOWN AS THE “DONUT HOLE”. FOR MEMBERS IN THE S5 CATEGORY, PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE WILL STILL PAY FOR COVERED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ONCE MEMBERS REACH THEIR OUT-OF-POCKET SPENDING LIMIT OF $3,250.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE BENEFITS, YOU CAN CALL PRESCRIPTION ADVANTAGE AT 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) PRESS 3.
WHAT IS SNAP? (Food Stamps)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program helps low income individuals and families buy healthy, nutritious food. A SNAP household’s monthly benefit depends on household size, income, and expenses. Call the SNAP HOTLINE at 1-866-950-FOOD to learn more or visit www.mass.gov/dta.
BINGO
Starting January 4, 2010, BINGO will start at 12:30-3:00, instead of 1:00-3:00. Come and join the fun!!
CELL PHONE 'DO NOT CALL' LIST
“No Call List” for your land line phone 1-866-231-2255.
Cell Phones Only (Call from your cell phone only)
888-382-1222
FUEL ASSISTANCE
New England Farm Workers’ Council 978-342-4520
Mass. Energy Consumer’s Alliance 1-800-287-3950
Salvation Army Good Neighbor Fund 1-800-262-1320
Liheap Fuel Assistance Program 1-800-632-8175
Oil Co-ops: these buying groups are formed to help consumers purchase energy at lower costs. A list of oil co-ops in the state is available at www.mass.gov/doer or you may call 800-351-0077
Why I Should Come to the Senior Center!
Belonging to social groups and networks appears to be an important predictor of health-just as important as diet and exercise. This point is demonstrated by a study of 655 stroke patients reported in 2005 by Bernadette Boden-Albala, professor of socio-medical sciences and neurology at Columbia University, and her colleagues. Patients who were socially Isolated were nearly twice as likely to have another stroke within five years as were those with meaningful social relationships. In fact, being cut off from others appeared to put people at far greater risk of another stroke than traditional factors such as having coronary artery disease or being physically inactive. Also there is proof that those who were more socially integrated and active revealed significantly less memory loss.
DRIVERS' LICENSE RENEWALS
The Registry of Motor Vehicles, in an effort to reduce their costs, will no longer send reminder notices concerning the expiration of your Driver’s License. You can renew your license up to 1 year prior to your birthday. Please allow at least 7 days for processing when renewing your driver’s license so check the expiration date NOW so you are not driving illegally.