Category: News

We are still offering rides for needed doctor appointments and help with grocery shopping.

Outreach Administrator Carolyn and Program Administrator Hilary are working from home.  If you need to contact either one, please call the Senior Center and leave a message on their voicemail.

Information in this newsletter is as up-to-date as possible but is subject to change or cancellation.

We will do our best to keep you updated to changes.

If you are looking for services or resources to assist you, please contact us.

If you have any questions, please call us at (860) 889-5960.

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.

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.

As of this writing, MLB has not yet decided on how to proceeded with the 2020 season.

For now, I am currently taking names of people who are interested in going to the July 1^st Boston Red Sox game if it does take place as scheduled.  I am NOT taking payment at this time.

If you are interested in the July 1^st Boston Red Sox game or Boston on Your Own:

Please call the Senior Center at (860) 889-5960 and ask for Hilary’s voicemail.  If it is after hours, dial extension is 3433.  On my voicemail, please leave your name, telephone number, if you are interested in the Red Sox game or Boston on Your Own and how many seats you are looking for.

I will call you when I know if the trip will definitely happen or not. 

• Take an online fitness class or try out an online educational class.
• Write down stories about your past, growing up and your experiences in life.
• Start a new hobby, something you have always wanted to try.
• Go through old photos and write down who is in the photo, where and when it took place.
• Look through your old high school year book and reminisce.
• Listen to your favorite music and dance.
• Paint or draw a picture for the Senior Center Art Show.
• Clean out a closet or room. Set aside items to donate or give to family and friends.
• Knit, crochet, sew or quilt items to donate or give to loved ones.
• Go outside on a nice, sunny day and take a short walk or sit, enjoying the fresh air and just relax

It is important to stay active while you are staying at home and staying safe.  Even though we would love to be offering these classes at the Senior Center, this is a great way to get moving and stay connected, all in the comfort of your own home!  Everyone is invited to try these classes out!

Please contact Hilary (860) 889-5960 or hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org with any questions!

Take the AARP Driver Safety Smart Driver Course online in the comfort (and safety) of your own home and still receive the same auto insurance discount as the in-person class!

Go to www.aarpdriversafety.org for more information and to take the class.

Use coupon code DRIVINGSKILLS for 25% off 

Coupon code expires on 7/31/2020

If you have already signed up to take an in-person class and now decide to take the class online,

please call the Senior Center so we can take your name off the in-person class list!

Hello everyone,

I know this may be a difficult time for some of you as social distancing and staying at home as much as possible have become the “new normal” for many of us, albeit temporary.  For now, we must all do our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 while trying to stay healthy and helping others around us maintain their health as well.  With that being said, staying home and social distancing can sometimes become a difficult time for a lot of people, especially those that live alone.

I want to remind you that we at the Senior Center are still here for you.  If you need any assistance please call us.  Whether it is help with grocery shopping, a ride to your needed doctor appointment or simply because you are lonely and want to reach out to say “hi”.  Don’t hesitate to call.

Although I am currently working from home, you can also contact me as well.  You can call the Senior Center and leave a message on my voicemail or email me at hsandberg@cityofnorwich.org

I hope the time will soon come where we can once again open our doors and welcome you back to the Senior Center, but until then, stay safe, stay strong and remember that we are all in this together.

Take care,

Hilary Sandberg, Program Administrator