Author: norwichadmin

COVID-19 VACCINE – Sign up Information

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Norwich

To check your eligibility and find ways to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccination,

please visit www.ct.gov/covidvaccine

**If you do not have access to a computer, see below for ways to sign up by phone**

Please be aware that due to limited COVID-19 vaccines available to the state, it may take some time for appointments to become available in order for you to sign up and receive the vaccine.

For Vaccine Appointment Scheduling options visit:

https://covidvaccinefinder.ct.gov

On this State of Connecticut website, you will find options on how to sign up with different providers offering the vaccine.  Ways to sign up include either online or by phone, with online sign up being the best option at this point.  You may want to check appointment availability with different providers and at different locations as vaccine availability will vary from one to another on any given day.

1) ONLINE – Schedule through the online Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).  VAMS is an online scheduling portal that allows individuals with an email address to create an account and search for a vaccine clinic near them.

Providers that can be accessed through the VAMS scheduling system include: Local Health Departments (including Uncas Health District) and Health Centers (including UCFS and Generations).

VAMS: https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine

2) ONLINE – Schedule directly with a participating provider.  This includes scheduling and receiving your vaccine through one of the following providers:

Hartford Healthcare (including Foxwoods Clinics):

www.hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/covid-vaccine

Yale New Haven Hospital (including Mohegan Sun clinics): https://covidvaccine.ynhh.org

Walgreens: www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19

Walmart: www.walmart.com/covidvaccine

CVS Pharmacy: www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

Stop & Shop Pharmacy: www.stopandshop.com/pages/ss-pharmacy

Big Y: www.bigy.com/vaccine-eligibility-check-ct

3) PHONE – If you do not have access to a computer or have trouble signing up online, you can schedule your vaccine appointment on the phone.  Wait times may vary when you call.

Hartford Healthcare (including Foxwoods Clinics) 1-833-943-5721

Yale New Haven Hospital (including New London and Mohegan Sun clinics) 1-833-275-9644

CT COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line 1-877-918-2224   Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 

 

MyFreeTaxes- A free tax service offered by United Way

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Norwich

Still looking for a way to file your taxes for free?  United Way offers a safe and simple online option for people called MyFreeTaxes.  With MyFreeTaxes, filing your simple returns is free!  That means you can file your federal and state returns without spending any money in tax preparation fees.

The secure software walks you through the filing process and screens for common tax deductions.  You can also use MyFreeTaxes to claim missed stimulus payments.  If you need help, MyFreeTaxes also offers a Helpline you can call to talk to a real person trained by the IRS.

For more information or to get started filing your taxes visit: www.myfreetaxes.com

 

 

FREE Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Norwich

Getting tested for COVID-19 is FREE in Connecticut regardless of your insurance coverage and immigration status.  Anyone living in Connecticut is able to get tested for free, whenever needed, even if you are not showing any symptoms.  A physician order is not required.

Free Drive-Thru COVID Testing is available at the following locations.

No symptoms required, no physician order needed and face coverings must be worn.

The Edward & Mary Lord Family Health Center – UCFS

47 Town Street, Norwich

Monday – Friday   9:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.

No Appointment Necessary

Griswold Health Center – UCFS

226 East Main Street, Griswold

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday   9:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.

No Appointment Necessary

Dodd Stadium – Backus Hospital

14 Stott Ave., Norwich

Daily   8:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.

No Appointment Necessary

For more information, please visit:

www.ucfs.org/covid-19  or  www.hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/coronavirus/testing

Or Call:

UCFS (860) 822-4919  or  Backus 1-833-621-0600

 

Fortitude – Content by Judy

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Norwich

As I worked on my Vision Board for 2021, I searched for that all important key word – for me and for SeniorCenterCt.org. What one word was the best fit? What word would portray and define my path for 2021?

Many businesses and individuals pick one word that best describes how they want to be characterized and/or strive to achieve in the upcoming year.

Well, I wanted to do this as well but as much as I searched, I just could not find the right word. I kept at it. I would revisit and wander down the path of words I’d see from time to time. And yeah, there wasn’t ever quite the right fit until…

This week I was walking along the ocean in Westbrook for the second day in a row and as I let my mind wander, there it was – fortitude. Wow, I mulled it over. Said it out loud and knew it was the word I had been searching for.

FORTITUDE – courage in adversity. Isn’t this exactly what we all have been doing since COVID came to visit and did not leave just like an unwanted house guest. We all discovered that we have the strength of mind to endure a 2-week shelter in place that has turned into a year plus. We have discovered we have gumption, spunk, moxie and determination. We can and are surviving.

And as I traveled down 2020, I struggled just as many businesses did on whether SeniorCenterCt.org would survive or was it time to shut the doors and close down Jencks Network, LLC. There were no new sales happening and little money coming in. But the bills continued arriving. The question became “Is today the time to file for bankruptcy?”

But I also knew I have a product that is stunning and needed by so many.  Also, that as we come out of COVID I know other businesses are going to be looking for “new” ways to advertise.  That post COVID we all will be in a “new world” and SeniorCenterCt.org is in the best position ever to thrive and grow into the business I have always know it will be.

So, I reached out for grants, PPP, EIDL and anything else that might give me the money I needed to survive. And as I said “FORTITUDE” on the beach, I knew that is exactly what I have been doing. What I will continue to do as SeniorCenterCt.org grows in 2021. A new Senior Center is being added. A different calendar platform will be used. Other changes are in the works. I know that FORTITUDE is the strength and strong will that carries me patiently forward with firm courage.

This word – FORTITUDE —   reflects back at me as I read my 2021 Vision Board. It says – I will experience everyday humility, curiosity, courage and confidence. I will always ask “Why?” I will look for and see the clues.

Because I have the ability to carry on, because I and all of us who have survived COVID we all have  FORTITUDE!

And yes, you have been traveling this same journey even if your path looks a little different, we all have had the strength to bear through a pandemic and have the ability to carry on!! We have guts, grit, backbone and FORTITUDE!!

Wishing Natalie a Happy Retirement…For Real this time!

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Norwich

We wanted to give our well-wishes to Natalie Lindberg, who has been our Benefits Counselor for the last 9 years.

Initially hired as the Outreach Administrator for the Senior Center back in November of 2005, Natalie demonstrated great ability to assist the older adult population with many aspects of their lives.  She did so with a hard to match work ethic and determination to get a good end result for her clients.  The types of programs and services she assisted with was billing disputes, supplemental insurances, housing options and application assistance, food assistance and the many aspect of dealing with Medicare to name a few.

When Natalie retired in March of 2012 from the City of Norwich, she agreed to stay on through the end of the Grant that she was also working under (September 2012).  We were lucky enough that the extra 6 months she agreed to turned into 9 years.

Natalie has forever left her mark here at the Senior Center and in the lives of many of our seniors who entrusted her with their most valuable information and required her great assistance.

We wish her all the best in her life after work and hope for great health for her as well.

With extreme gratitude,

The Rose City Senior Center staff and many seniors who have had the honor to work with you.

 

Tips to Avoid COVID-19 Vaccine Related Scams

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Norwich

  • Don’t pay to sign up for the vaccine. Anyone who asks for a payment to put you on a list, make an appointment for you, or reserve a spot in line is a scammer.
  • Ignore sales ads for the COVID-19 vaccine. You can’t buy it – anywhere, including online pharmacies.  The vaccine is only available at federal- and state-approved locations, such as vaccination centers and pharmacies.
  • Don’t share your personal, financial, or health information with people you don’t know. No one from a vaccine distribution site, health care provider’s office, pharmacy, health insurance company or Medicare, will call, text, or email you asking for your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number to sign you up to get the vaccine.
  • Watch for unexpected or unusual texts. Don’t click on links in text messages, especially messages you didn’t expect.  If your healthcare provider or pharmacist has used text messages to contact you in the past and you get a text claiming it is from your healthcare provider, call your doctor or pharmacist directly to make sure they sent the text.  Scammers are texting, too.
  • Don’t open emails, attachments, or links from people you don’t know, or that come unexpectedly. You could download dangerous malware onto your computer or phone.

For more information visit:  www.fcc.gov/covid-19-vaccines-scams

 

Report Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Norwich

If you think you have been a victim of a scam, fraud or identity theft, report it to protect yourself.

CT Office of the Attorney General (860) 808-5318

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission:

www.reportfraud.ftc.gov   1-877-382-4357

www.identitytheft.gov   1-877-438-4338

www.identitytheft.gov/top-company-contacts

 

Food Pantries ~ Food Assistance

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Norwich

If you are in need of food assistance, please contact Rose City Senior Center (860) 889-5960 or Norwich Human Services (860) 823-3778 for information on Norwich Area Food Pantries and other services.  Reach out if you need help!