Documentary ~ Gen Silent on September 16th

A virtual screening of the documentary “Gen Silent” is being offered by AARP CT.  Gen Silent shares the stories of LGBT older adults in Greater Boston dealing with the challenges and hopes of growing older.  Since 2010, this landmark movie has inspired a world-wide movement of LGBT and aging advocates to create a safe and welcoming community experiences for older adults and caregivers.

Those registered will be provided a viewing link via a reminder email 24 hours in advance of the event. That link will be good for 48 hours, beginning at 1:00p.m. on September 16th, to view the documentary.

Email Hilary for the link to register.  hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

 

Active Living with Diabetes Toolkit

Active Living with Diabetes Toolkit is a program through Senior Resources that you do in the comfort of your own home without having to use any technology beyond a telephone.

The toolkit will be sent to you at no cost and includes a Living a Healthy Life Book, instruction booklet, exercise and relaxation CD’s and a My Diabetes Plate magnet.  Weekly phone calls from a trained Live Well leader enhances the experience and can help to alleviate social isolation during this time.

Participants will learn about:

Participants must be willing to share their name, address and phone number so a toolkit can be mailed to you and have a Live Well leader contact you by phone for a weekly call.  Calls are approximately 45 minutes in length and take place conference-call style to 4-6 participants at one time.

If you are interested, please contact Lori Rygielski, Senior Resources Regional Coordinator

LRygielski@seniorresourcesec.org  OR  (860) 887-3561 ext. 127

Sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Department of Aging & Disability Services, and Senior Resources Agency on Aging.

An evidence-based self-management program originally developed at Stanford University.

This program supported by funds made available for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support under grant DP13-105.

 

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.

 

 

Farmer’s Market Coupon Distribution Plan

Farmer’s Market coupons are available to low income seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements in order to receive a coupon booklet:

¨ You must be 60 years or older.

¨ Yearly income not to exceed $23,606 for single or $31,894 for couple.

¨ Must be participating in another need based program that verifies income eligibility such as Renter’s Rebate, Congregate Meal Program, Medicaid, SNAP, etc.

¨ You must be a resident of the town you receive the coupon booklet from.

¨ If you are under 60 and disabled you must meet all other eligibility requirements and live in subsidized housing to be eligible.

Limited books available, contact the appropriate person for availability.  See below.

Limit of one coupon booklet per eligible senior.  You CANNOT get booklets from multiple sites.

HOW TO RECIEVE A COUPON BOOKLET:

If you live in any Norwich Senior Housing:

If you live in Senior or Congregate Housing you MUST obtain your coupons at that housing.

You must contact either the Resident Service Coordinator or his/her designee to request a booklet.

If you live in Norwich/Taftville (non-senior housing):

If you do not live in senior housing, you must call the Senior Center at (860) 889-5960 to register yourself for a booklet.  Once you have registered, you will be given a date and a time frame for which you can come to the Senior Center and pick up your coupon booklet.

 

Virtual Family Day! September 18 – 20th is The 17th annual Family Day, normally held in Mohegan Park, will be virtual this year!

Throughout the weekend, various entertainment and educational videos from our community partners will be available to view.  You can expect to see dance studio perf

Throughout the weekend, various entertainment and educational videos from our community partners will be available to view.  You can expect to see dance studio performances, karate demonstrations, a DJ set, a reposting of all of the virtual touch-a-truck videos plus more!

Additionally, videos from community agencies will be posted, explaining their services and offering some creative activities to do as a family together at home.

At-home cookie decorating kits will be available for pick up for the first 500 registrants!

For more information and to register:

Visit ~ Norwich Youth and Family Services Facebook Page Or  Call ~ Norwich Youth and Family Services (860) 823-3782

Sponsored by Norwich Human Services, Chelsea Groton Bank and Charter Oak Credit Union.

 

HURRICANE SEASON IS STILL WITH US

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1st through November 30th. We are ½ way through. The most active period for Atlantic hurricanes is mid August to the end of October. It’s not time to let down your guard. Ever wonder what the Category scale means? Here is a brief overview. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and require preventative measures. Be safe and be prepared!!

Category 1-  74 to 95 mph very dangerous winds will produce some damage

Category 2-  96 to 110 mph extremely dangerous winds will produce extensive damage

Category 3-  111 to 129 mph Major: devastating damage will occur

Category 4-  130 to 156 mph Major: catastrophic damage will occur

Category 5-  157 mph or higher Major: catastrophic damage will occur

ELECTION DAY IS COMING on Tuesday, November 3rd

The Registrars of Voters want you to know that if you are not a registered voter but want to become one, you still have time before the national election. The Registrars’ office is located within the East Lyme Community Center and their office hours are: Mon and Tue 8am to 12pm – Wed 8am to 4pm and Thu and Fri 12pm to 4pm. When you arrive, you will need to provide some sort of identification and proof of address. Your CT driver’s license will suffice but if you do not have one, you can provide the last 4 digits of your social security number and a copy of a current and valid photo ID OR the last 4 digits of your social security number and a current utility bill, or a current bank statement, or a current government check, or a current paycheck or any other government document that shows name and address.
The Town Clerk’s office would like you to know that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office will be mailing out absentee ballot applications to every registered voter in mid-September. If you choose to vote by absentee you can fill out the application and mail it to the East Lyme Town Clerk in the self-addressed stamped envelope that is provided with each application. You can also put the application in the drop box in front of the Town Hall (street side at the top of the stairs and the handicapped ramp) or you can bring it into the Town Clerk’s Office. If you have any questions when you receive that application please contact Karen Miller Galbo, East Lyme Town Clerk at 860-739-6931 ext. 1135.
There are 3 polling locations this year. Please be sure you know which poll you go to vote.
Lastly, the Senior Center will be providing rides to the polls. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our vehicles are limited to one person onboard at a time. If you are doing to request transportation from us, please make your request as soon as you can.

The dangers of DEHYDRATION

Dehydration happens when our bodies are not consuming enough water or fluids to account for the water loss. Although our bodies lose water at a baseline rate that generally aligns with our metabolism, we can lose fluids at higher rates when we are sick, exercising, sweating, have a fever, drink alcohol or suffer from conditions that result in the loss of excess amounts of water (perhaps a medication that you take). If you feel thirsty your body is already suffering from dehydration. This can affect any age and any level of activity.
To avoid dehydration, keep these point in your mind on a daily basis:
 Aim to drink 64oz of water a day.
 Eat your water! Apples, cantaloupe, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, oranges, celery and carrots all help you stay hydrated.
 Start each day with a glass of water (no ice). Drink it before you have coffee, tea or juice. It will help replace fluids lost overnight.
 Cook with high-quality sea salt. Unrefined sea salt is rich in trace minerals which aid cell health and hydration.
 Minimize caffeine, high sugar and alcohol drinks, as they do not aid to your re-hydration.