Category: News

Ways to Keep Active at Home!

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

 

  • 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

Three of our wonderful fitness instructors are offering free classes online! 

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

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!

 

AARP Driver Safety – Driver Safety Class Online

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

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!

 

 

A Note From Hilary:

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

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

 

Renter’s Rebate Program

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

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

 

Please call starting on May 4th

Norwich residents, 55 and older please 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.

 

A Note From Carolyn:

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

Dear Norwich Seniors,

Hello and I hope you are all staying well and staying safe during this time.

I am reaching out to you to inform you that the Rose City Senior Center, although closed to the public, will continue to try and assist our Norwich Seniors to the best of our ability.

I am currently working from home but I am still available by phone (call the Senior Center and leave a message on my voicemail) and email, Monday through Friday (8:15am – 4:00pm).  I can assist you with any state benefit renewals (Foodstamps, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Program, etc.) that you may receive, questions about your health insurance and prescription drug plans and any other issues that you may need assistance with.  Although we will need to be creative with services, I am available.

Stay well.

Very Sincerely,

Carolyn McAuliffe, Outreach Administrator

Phone: 860-889-5960

Email: cmcauliffe@cityofnorwich.org

 

Voice Connect ~ Senior Center Robocall

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

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!

 

COVID-19 and Stimulus Check Scams

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Norwich

The Federal Government has received numerous reports of COVID-19 related scam and hoax text messages, fake emails and scam robocalls offering free home testing kits, promoting cures & vaccines, selling health insurance, Medicare offers and fake charity drives.  All of which are scams.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will never contact you offering home testing kits, cures or vaccines nor will they call requesting personal information from you.  There is currently no cure or vaccine for COVID-19 and testing is only performed by a health care worker at a COVID-19 testing site or hospital.  Also, no one from Medicare will contact you offering COVID-19 related products, offers or benefits.

In addition, the IRS is warning people about fraudulent stimulus check related scams.  The IRS will never contact you by phone, email, text message, or social media with information about your stimulus payment, or to ask you for your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account information, government benefits debit card account number or asking you to pay a fee to receive your check.

Hang up on calls and delete emails & texts that are suspicious.  If you respond, they might ask you for money or personal information.  Remember to NEVER give out your personal information, bank information, Social Security number or Medicare number and NEVER send cash, checks, gift cards, wire money or give out credit card information to anyone or any organization that you are unsure about.

If you think you are a victim of a fraud or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, call the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or by email at disaster@leo.gov.  If it is a cyber scam (internet related scam), submit your complaint through www.ic3.gov

 

Energy Assistance Program

Posted on April 3, 2020 by East Lyme

Residents interested in the Energy Assistance program need to call TVCCA at 860-425-6681. This agency is also closed to the public, but they are processing Energy Assistance applications by telephone. Additionally, the authorization for fuel deliveries for this program has been extended to April 30th, 2020.

Volunteers Needed

Posted on April 3, 2020 by East Lyme

If you or someone you know is interested in providing help during this time, please call the Senior Center. At this time, we have received only a few requests for help but in case this increases in the future, it would be helpful to have names and numbers at the ready.

The Senior Center has been asked what services are in place to help seniors in Town. Our response is that there is no set plan and the world is changing at a rapid pace. What makes more sense at this juncture, is for specific requests/needs to be expressed and a solution created. Do not hesitate to call. We’re in this together and we will come out together.