Sutton Senior Center 19 Hough Road Sutton, MA 01590 508-234-0703 www.suttonma.org Monday-Friday Monday-Friday 8am 8am –3pm to 3pm Planning for Independence Americans value many things but at the top of the list are independence, freedom, and strength. Many older adults fear losing their independence. They worry that at first sign of "weakness", family members or the government will swoop in and take charge, telling them where to live and how to run their lives. This is far less likely to happen if a person does some planning ahead of time. Webster's Dictionary defines "independence" as "not subject to control by others". I believe that if you explore your options for a time when you may need some assistance in the future, you are "not subject to control by others". You can make some plans, make your plans known to others, and live in a state of independence. I'd like to suggest that planning for the future also provides you with freedom. Here's "freedom" defined by Webster's: "absence of coercion or constraint in choice or action". If you know what's available in the community, and you make choices reflecting your preferences, then you are not being "constrained" in your choices and actions. If you don't take a look at what is out there and then become sick or injured you may feel more "constrained". Your freedom might be compromised at that point because you don't feel well enough to do any research on the types and costs of in-home services or tour assisted living communities. Then someone else might make these decisions for you. Now let's look at the definition of "strength". Webster's says it's "the quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way". I think proactively planning for the future is not only "a determined and effective way" to deal with potential problems, but even a way to avoid some problems. You are in a position of strength when you are prepared for what's coming. And let's face it, we know as we age that it's likely we will need some kind of help to keep us going. Sutton Council On Aging strongly supports the independence, freedom, and ongoing strength of older adults in our community. With that in mind we can assist you in your planning. We have loads of material to help you make informed decisions! ~Michelle It’s that time again… AARP Tax Prep Services are here Thursday, February 5 and 19 Thursday, March 5 and 19 Thursday, April 2 Please call 508-234-0703 to set up an appointment Monday, February 2 at 10am Chatterbox with Sutton Town Administrator Jim Smith Friday, February 20 at 10 am Office Hour with Senator Ryan Fattman Tuesday, February 24 at 10am “Cup of Joe” with State Representative Joe McKenna Here is YOUR opportunity to join our leaders and share your concerns/questions and praises. IMPORTANT REMINDERS Please stay home if you are feeling under the weather. If you have symptoms such as: Coughing, sore throat, achy, runny nose/sinus infection and/or stomach/bowel troubles. I know you don’t want to miss out on either volunteering or participating but it is amazing how quickly germs spread. It really takes a toll on all of us especially for some of our more susceptible seniors. The Sutton Board of Health has asked that you be symptom free for 24 hours before attending the Senior Center . If Sutton Schools are closed due to bad weather the Sutton Senior Center will be closed. News from SHINE February 2015 Help!..My new Part D Plan doesn’t cover all my Medications!!” If you have a new Medicare Part D plan and have just found out that your new plan does NOT cover a drug you have been taking, you should know about transition refills. Transition refills may give you temporary coverage (one-time, 30-day supply) for a drug that is not on your new plan’s formulary OR that has restrictions (prior authorization or step therapy). It is important to understand that a transition refill is only a temporary solution. You need to call your doctor right away to talk about switching to a drug your plan does cover OR filing a request with your Part D plan for a "formulary exception" (which may or may not be approved). A transition refill is not for new prescriptions. You can only get one if you were already taking the drug before you signed up for the plan. Also, a transition refill does NOT apply to drugs that Medicare doesn’t require Part D plans to cover (like Valium and Ativan). If you are in the same plan as last year, you may still be able to get a transition refill if your plan removed a drug you had been taking in 2014 from its 2015 formulary, for reasons other than safety. Not all pharmacists know about transition refills. Ask your pharmacist to call your Part D plan for special instructions. “SHINE’S MEDICARE AND MORE” PROGRAM The Central MASS SHINE Program is now sponsoring a monthly Cable TV program called SHINE’s MEDICARE AND MORE”, we hope your local cable channel will pick it up. This program is designed to educate and update MEDICARE beneficiaries and their families on MEDICARE and other programs that can assist you with your health insurance needs. If you don’t see it on your local cable channel give them call and ask about it. CENTRAL MASS SHINE WEBSITE The Central Mass Region has recently launched its website. You can visit us on the web at www.shinema.org. Our site has valuable general information and links to other agencies that can assist you with your insurance needs. Trained SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Everyone) volunteers can help you! They offer free, unbiased, confidential counseling on all aspects of health insurance to anyone on Medicare. Be Our Valentine ...Luncheon Friday, February 13 11:30am Come and share a wonderful Valentine’s Lunch with us. Please bring photos of old flames, wedding photos, love letters. A trip down memory lane with your friends here at the Center! Call Michelle Saucier, Meal Director to reserve your lunch! 508-234-0703 Friday, February 6 WEAR RED for HEART HEALTH Wednesday, February 18 National Pajama Day Wear you PJ’S! MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY 5 8:30 Power Walk 9 Tai Chi 9–12 Computer Class 10 Pitch 12:30 Mahjong 2 9:30 Tai Chi 10 Chatterbox with Sutton Town Administrator Jim Smith 12:30 Mat Yoga 11:45 Roast Turkey 3 10 The Hookers 10:45 Yoga 12:30 Cribbage 12:45 Chorus 2 Power Walk 11:45 Pork Stroganoff 4 9-12 Blood Pressure 10 Muscular Strength 1 Bingo 9 9:30 Tai Chi 12:30 Mat Yoga 1:30 Book Club 10 10 The Hookers 10:45 Yoga 12:30 Cribbage 12:45 Chorus 2 Power Walk 11 9-12 Blood Pressure 10 Muscular Strength 11am Pre Diabetes Talk 1 Bingo 11:45 Beef Burgundy 16 CLOSED 11:45 Franks and Beans 17 10 The Hookers 10:45 Yoga 12:30 Cribbage 12:45 Chorus 2 Power Walk SHINE Counselor 11:45 Soup & Sandwich AARP TAXES By appointment 11:45 Beef and Broccoli 11:45 Soup & Sandwich 11:45 Lemon Chicken 18 9-12 Blood Pressure 10 Muscular Strength 1 Bingo 11:45 Soup & Sandwich Pajama Day! Wear your Pajamas 11:45 Mardi Gras Celebration Luncheon Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya 23 9:30 Tai Chi 12:30 Mat Yoga 11:45 Roasted Pork 24 10 The Hookers 10am Morning Cup of Joe with State Representative Joe McKenna 10:45 Yoga 12:30 Cribbage 12:45 Chorus 2 Power Walk 11:45 Turkey Stew 12 8:30 Power Walk 9 Tai Chi 9–12 Computer Class 10 Pitch 12:30 Darts 12:30 Mahjong 19 8:30 Power Walk 9 Tai Chi 9-12 Computer Class 10 Pitch 12:30 Mahjong 11:45 American Chop Suey AARP TAXES By appointment 25 9-12 Blood Pressure 10 Muscular Strength 1 Bingo 11:45 Soup & Sandwich 26 8:30 Power Walk 9 Tai Chi 9-12 Computer Class 10 Pitch 12:30 Darts 12:30 Mahjong 11:45 Swedish Meatballs FEBRUARY 2015 FRIDAY 6 9 I’m Sorry 10 Yoga 1 Bingo 11:45 Eggplant Parm WEAR RED FOR HEART HEALTH SUPPORT 13 9 I’m Sorry 10 Yoga 1pm Caregiver’s Support Group 1 Bingo 11:45 Valentine’s Luncheon Bring your wedding pictures! 20 9 I’m Sorry 10 Yoga 10am Office Hours with State Senator Ryan Fattman 11 Hairdresser is in 1 Bingo 11:45 Cheese Omelet 27 9 I’m Sorry 10 Yoga 1 Bingo 11:45 Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon YOUR STAFF: Michelle Edelstein...Director (10 years of service) Fritzi Petrie….Outreach Director (20 years of service) Diane Hanley...Assistant (6 years of service) MEAL PROGRAM: Michelle Saucier... Director SENIOR FITNESS: Gloria Beaupre...Yoga, Mat Yoga, Muscular Strength Gary LaChapelle...Tai Chi COA BOARD: Barbara Bessette Mike Chizy Rosemarie DeGaetano Genevieve DeHaan Gale Graves Beverly Gravison Dorothy Gravison Richard Haskins Paul Holzwarth Ross Whittier Mission of the COA : Identify the needs of elderly residents, inform and educate the community, public officials and enlist support and participation of residents to serve those needs. We design, promote and implement services to assist our senior population. Everyone is encouraged to join in our wide array of programs and services. Our door is always open...please feel free to share your thoughts with us! Funding for this newsletter is made possible by a generous grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs… We thank you! Sutton Senior Center 19 Hough Road Sutton, MA 01590 VNA Care Network & Hospice presents Pre-Diabetes Talk 5 Signs that Put You at Risk Get the Facts – Take Charge of You! Protect yourself so you can remain healthy… Where: Sutton COA 19 Hough Street Sutton, MA When: February 11, 2015 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Cost: Free through Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging funding For more information, call: Sutton COA at 508234-0703 or Maureen Sendrowski, RN, MPH, VNA Care Network & Hospice, at 1-888-663-3688, ext. 5603 This program is funded by Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging and is FREE for seniors who are age 60 and over. Confidential voluntary donations are accepted and are used to directly increase services provided under this program.