You are not alone. When we lose one sense, another takes over. As you lose your hearing, your eyes help you fill in the blanks. For example, “feet” and “seat” sound the same but look very different on your mouth. Masks cover these visual clues making it frustrating and confusing. Add in 6-foot social distancing and hearing becomes even more challenging. For some individuals, over the ear hearing aides are becoming painful when wearing a face mask. The elastic bands used to secure the mask around the ears often get in the way of the tubes that connect the hearing aids to the speakers that sit in your ear. In addition to the discomfort, some individuals are also at risk to lose a hearing aid when removing the mask, especially if frequently putting in on and off.
To resolve these common problems:
Wear a mask with soft fabric ties to relive the pressure on the ears, instead of elastic, or
Use a special mask extender with buttons or other holders to attach the mask loops onto, on the back of the head, instead of the ears, or
Use simple tools like a plastic s-hooks to loop the mask onto, instead of your ears, or
Use an eyeglass lanyard to attach your hearing aides to , that way if they accidentally fall out, they are nearby and easy to find, or lastly
Seek a clear mask solution to assist you with lip reading.
These hearing tips are offered by Nancy Jablonski from Audiology Concierge.
Groton Senior Center will NOT be opening at this time
Groton Senior Center will NOT be opening at this time. Due to the concern for our patrons, the center will continue providing Grab and Go hot meals, Medical and Shopping transportation. CT is working on a gradual reopening of Senior Centers and as soon as we at GSC have more information on those plans, we will be letting everyone know. Stay safe, stay healthy and we miss you all.
HOW CAN YOU GET MATERIALS FROM THE EAST LYME LIBRARY?
The Library is now accepting requests for curbside pickup. You call the Library at 860-739-6926 during its business hours which are:
Monday – Thursday 10am to 7pm
Friday & Saturday 10am to 5pm
You may request materials owned by the East Lyme Library. At this time, items from other libraries are not available. You may request up to 5 items a day including: books; audiobooks; DVDs’; magazines; and CDs. The staff will call you to arrange a pickup date.
Once you are in the Community Center parking lot, call the Library to let them know you are there and they will bring your items out in a brown, paper bag. It will be set on the benches by the Main Entrance with your name on the bag.
To drop off items, you must use the Book Drop. The Library remains closed to the Public at this time.
HOW DO YOU OBTAIN A BEACH PASS THIS YEAR DURING COVID-19?
This is a very easy process. One way the East Lyme Parks & Recreation Department is selling beach passes is by providing drive-up service in the E.L. Community Center parking lot, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am to 3pm. No need to get out of the car; no need for an appointment; BUT you must pro-vide a
vehicle registration and proof of residency/taxpayer status.
Another simple way to get your beach pass is to use the mail service. You would mail a copy of your vehicle registration, current phone number, a copy of your
latest tax bill (if you do not have a car registered to an East Lyme residence, the fee (checks payable to the Town of East Lyme) and lastly, a self addressed stamped envelope.
The Fees for the 2020 season are:
Resident Season $40.00
Resident Season (additional car) $30.00
Resident Senior (62 & over) $20.00
Active Military Resident Season Pass Free
Currently, the Department is not selling non-resident passes or day passes of any kind,
Please note that beach and parking capacity can change as the staff observes how social distancing is taking place on the beaches and in the park.
FACTS ABOUT JUNE 2020
The month of June comes from the Roman, or Julian, calendar. June was initially named Iunius. The name either comes from the Roman goddess Juno, wife of Jupiter, or from the word “iuniores”, the Latin word for “younger ones”. In the early Roman calendar June only had 29 days. It was Julius Caesar who added the additional day giving June 30 days.
June 14th is Flag Day.
June 16th is Father’s Day. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
The Full Strawberry Moon rises on June 17th.
Summer Solstice or the day with the longest sunlight is June 21st.
BRAIN EXERCISES
- WORD GAMES—Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches, Brain Teasers and Sudoku are simple ways to improve memory.
- MUSIC—Have you tried to play an instrument? Learn the harmonica, Bongos or Spoons. Maybe learn to Yodel!
- GARDENING—Plant flowers or a few vegetables in containers. It’s relaxing and gets you out in the sunshine.
- COOKING/BAKING—Go through your cook book or make a family recipe. Now is the time to create your own dish or try a new recipe.
- EXERCISES/STRETCHING—Have you tried Chair Exercising? Sit in a chair and lift your right foot off the floor. Do alternate legs. Do arm curls, roll your shoulders and back twists. Toe tapping like the football players while sitting is a great exercise for leg strengthening.
- CARD GAMES—Learn how to play Solitaire with a deck of cards. There are many varieties that you can play.
When will the Senior Center Open?
Hello members—Many of you have asked when will the Senior Center be open? Govenor Lamont continues to give daily updates on the reopening phases of our state. Seniors are the state’s most vulnerable population during the Covid 19 outbreak. It is the Govenors’ and our goal to ensure the health & well-being of our Seniors first. We miss you and are looking forward to being together again!
Online Classes and Other Things To Do Online!- Contact Hilary with any questions! hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org
Exercise Classes (Youtube, Videos and Zoom)
- https://ymcasv.org/virtual-resource-center/virtual-workouts
The YMCA of Silicon Valley is offering free Youtube fitness videos and is also currently offering free live Zoom fitness classes. (Zoom class times are PST)
- https://ymcamv.org/fitness-schedule
The YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard is offering free live Zoom fitness classes.
- https://ymca360.org/on-demand
YMCA 360 is offering free fitness videos, including videos for Active Older Adults.
- https://silversneakers.com
SilverSneakers offers over 200 free nutrition and workout videos available to adults 65+ on participating Medicare plans. Check eligibility and sign up on their website.
Other Things To Do Online
- https://stories.mysticseaport.org
Mystic Seaport Digital Museum is offering videos, articles and stories related to their museum.
- https://Livestream.com/watch
Livestream offers free videos, live events, webcams and music.
- https://greatbigstory.com
Great Big Story offers videos on travel, food, culture and more through short films, series, and micro-documentaries.
- https://metopera.org
The Metropolitan Opera is offering a nightly free full length opera starting at 7:30pm each night and available to view until 6:30pm the following evening.
- https://ctvisit.org
The Connecticut Office of Tourism website is offering a selection of links to virtual activities across Connecticut, along with webcams and restaurants offering take-out and delivery.
Renter’s Rebate Program
Assistance is available over the phone to apply.
No in-person appointments at this time.
Please contact the appropriate person (below) for more information.
A program for low income elderly (65+) or disabled individuals who have rented in CT in 2019 and have not applied for the homeowners Circuit Breaker Program. Program open through October 1, 2020.
Income Limits:
Single: $37,000 yearly or less
Couple: $45,100 yearly or less
For assistance, please call:
Norwich residents, 55 and older call the Rose City Senior Center at (860) 889-5960.
Ask for Carolyn’s voicemail and leave a message. Carolyn will call you back.
If you are under 55 and a Norwich resident, call Norwich Human Services at (860) 823-3778.
► If you reside in Senior Housing, please call your
Resident Services Coordinator at your housing complex for information.
Voice Connect ~ Senior Center Robocall
We have recently starting using a new feature through MySeniorCenter called Voice Connect.
Voice Connect is a robocall which will send out a recorded message to Senior Center Members. This message can be sent to a select group or to all Senior Center Members who have scanned in over a period of time. This is just another tool we will be utilizing to get information out to people.
Please be aware that the Senior Center’s phone number, (860) 889-5960, will come up on your caller ID and it will indicate the call is from “City of Norwich”. This is a legitimate robocall coming from the Senior Center. The recorded message will be from Mike or Hilary and will be our actual voice not a computerized voice.
You do NOT have to call us back or respond to these robocalls unless otherwise asked to do so in the message or if you have a question. Our phone number is (860) 889-5960. Always remember, if you ever receive a suspicious phone call indicating it is from the Senior Center, please let us know! Be safe!