As many of you know, due to the Coronavirus Covid 19— the Montville Senior Center has been closed and will remain closed until further notice.
We are providing Food Basket & Hygiene supplies to our seniors and those with compromised immune systems, along with daily lunches. Anyone of our senior interested in signing up for this program, please call the Center.
We have an outdoor Food Bank in front of the Senior Center Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday from 1:00-3:00 PM for those who are able to come out. We have prepared food baskets, frozen meats, bread, produce, dairy, desserts, and many more items on differing days.
We are continuing to provide medical rides to critical appoint-ments only and we will also pick-up prescriptions if needed.
We have a Health & Wellness program going on Monday—Friday. Our instructor is sending out a video each day on an important health tip and exercises you can do at home to stay active. This is going over very well. Not only are seniors en-joying the videos, but they get a friendly face to look for-ward to each day!
We will keep everyone up on changes and if there is a need, office staff are still in the building for seniors to contact!
Please call us at #860-848-0422 for info / details!
FALL-DETECTION DEVICE
PARTICULARLY WHEN WE ARE SPENDING MUCH OF TIME INDOORS, AND MANY OF US ARE ALONE, PLEASE CALL EACH OTHER FROM TIME TO TIME. AND, REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF WEARING A FALL-DETECTION DEVICE! THE SENIOR CENTER CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION ON HOW/WHO TO CALL TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS LIFE-SAVING ITEM!
UPDATE ON THE STIMULUS CHECKS AS OF APRIL 20, 2020
According to the IRS, Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who weren’t required to file federal tax returns for 2018 or 2019 will receive $1,200 stimulus payments automatically based on information contained in their “1099” benefit statements. No additional paperwork is required, per the latest guidance from the IRS.
Stimulus payments will also go out automatically to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients who were not required to file tax returns for 2018 or 2019.
On April 15, the Social Security Administration announced that SSI recipients without dependent children will receive their stimulus payments automatically without having to file any additional forms. The stimulus payment will be sent to these SSI recipients the same way they get their normal benefits, either through direct deposit, Direct Express debit card, or paper check. The IRS also has announced that people who receive Compensation and Pensions (C&P) benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs will receive their stimulus payments automatically even if they have not filed tax returns for 2018 or 2019.
This information was obtained from AARP.org.
Practice social distancing, quarantine or isolation measures
Around the world, public officials are asking people to practice social distancing, quarantine or isolation measures in an effort to slow disease spread. Here are some suggestions from the
American Psychological Association to best handle these challenges.
First what can you expect?
Fear and anxiety are normal. You may feel anxious or worried about yourself or your family members contracting COVID-19 or spreading it to others. It’s also normal to have concerns about obtaining food and personal supplies, or fulfilling family care obligations. Some people may have trouble sleeping or focusing on daily tasks.
Depression and boredom are normal. A hiatus from meaningful activities interrupts your daily routine and may
result in feelings of sadness or low mood. Extended periods of time spent at home can also cause feelings of boredom and loneliness.
Anger, frustration or irritability are normal. The loss of agency and personal freedom associated with isolation
can often feel frustrating. You may also experience anger or resentment toward those who have the isolation orders or if you feel you were exposed to the virus because of another person’s negligence.
How can you cope?
Limit news consumption to reliable sources. It is important to obtain accurate and timely public information but too much media coverage can lead to increased feelings of fear and anxiety. Our local Ledge Light Health District is a good source of information as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You should balance the amount of time spent on news and social media with other activities unrelated to COVID-19 such as reading, listening to music, doing a puzzle, watching a movie, etc.
Create and follow a daily routine as this will help you preserve a sense of order and purpose. Try to include regular daily activities such as exercise, calling a family member or friend, or indulging in a hobby/pastime.
Stay connected with others by making phone calls or sending text messages. Rely on your pets for emotional support. However, if you contract COVID-19, restrict your contact until the risks of transmission between humans and pets are better understood.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get enough sleep, eat well and exercise in your home. Try to avoid using alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with the stress of isolation.
Stay positive. Examine your worries and aim to be realistic about what you can accomplish during this period.
CLOTH MASK CARE/CLEANING
Care/cleaning when received & regularly thereafter: Wash in warm, soapy water for about a minute, scrubbing with hands. Rinse in warm water, hang dry overnight. Do not microwave. It is not recommended to put in a washer/dryer in order to maintain integrity of elastic.
Adjusting elastic: If ear loops are too big or pressing on hearing aids/glasses: KNOT the elastic OR use a piece of ribbon, yarn, material, or string to tie the 2 loops closer together. This piece of material will stretch across the back of your head and prevent the elastic from digging into the back of your ears.
STAY SAFE, BE WELL, AND BEST WISHES, Mask Makers in Connecticut www.maskateersppe.com
Wearing a Cloth Face Covering or Mask
For the foreseeable future, while we are out of our homes, we are to wear a cloth face covering or mask in a public place when we are not able to maintain a safe social distance of approximately 6 feet from every other person. The mask should cover your mouth and your nose. If we ride in a taxi, car, livery, ride-share or other similar service or mass public transit, a mask is required.
If you are in need of a mask, we have been fortunate to get donations from Mask Makers in CT.
If you can afford to buy one, you can get a good quality cloth mask by calling That’s Sew Debbie in Groton at 860-333-1394. The cost is $10. That’s Sew Debbie has donated a lot of materials to Mask Makers and these sales help cover her donation costs.
COVID-19 Update
At this time, there is no time table
for re-opening the Senior Center.
Updates on our status will be
posted on the East Lyme Town Hall
website – www.eltownhall.com, and
the East Lyme Senior Center page
on the SECT regional senior center
website – www.seniorcenterct.org,
the Senior Center Facebook page
and on the Senior Center
answering machine.
FACTS ABOUT MAY 2020
The month of May is named for the Roman goddess Maia, who oversaw the growth of plants.
May 1st is May Day. Mark the return of spring by bringing in branches of forsythia, lilacs or other flowering shrubs.
May’s full moon, the full Flower Moon, will occur on May 7th.
May 10th is Mother’s Day. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
May 16th is Armed Forces Day which honors those who serve in all branches of the US military.
May 27th is Memorial Day which honors those who have died while serving in the military.
Update your contact information
The Senior Center is taking this time to ensure we have your most up to date contact information. If you have not heard from us yet, give us a call so we can get your email address. As we move to re-open, it will be significantly easier if we can send out email blasts to our
participants. Thanks so much!
If we are out of the office, please leave us a message.
Welcome to a “Special Edition” of our monthly newsletter
It’s special because we don’t have any programs or trips to announce but we want to stay in touch with you.
Feel free to call us. We’re in the office sporadically as we are out daily delivering Meals on Wheels but we check our messages. If you need something or know someone who needs something, give us a jingle. Or if you just want to chat with someone, call us. We MISS seeing and talking to all of you. Stay safe. Stay strong.