Why Take a Defensive Driving Course?
The AARP Smart Driver course is the nation’s first refresher course specifically designed for drivers age 50 and older. In many states, drivers may benefit from a discount on their auto insurance
premium upon completing the course. Contact your insurance company to find out. And you will learn something new along the way. In fact, an evaluation of the course found that 97% of
participants changed at least one driving habit as a result of what they learned.
–Wed, Dec 7th – 12:30pm to 4:3pm
–Wed, Jan 11th – 9:15am to 1:15pm
$20 for AARP member $25 for non-AARP member
Register with the Senior Center office. Payment due upon registration. Call Senior Center at 860-739-5859.
Category: Resources
LOWERVALLEY CARE PRESENTS DISCUSSION ON “HOME SAFETY TIPS” ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12TH AT 1:00PM
Safety in the Home discussion with Lower Valley Care Advocates. Learn about safety equipment for your home, services and assistance programs to keep you safe, and memory care specific
precautions.
Registration begins Dec 1st. Please register by Fri, Dec 9th. Call Senior Center at 860-739-5859.
FOCUS GROUP LEDGE LIGHT HEALTH DISTRICT/ HEALTH IMPROVEMENT COLLABORATIVE (HIC) FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH AT 11:00AM
Let your voice be heard! Come and share what is meaningful to you about the health of our community.
Ledge Light Health District is conducting local focus groups to gather community input on data points in their most
recent Community Health Assessment. This is a great opportunity to give input on what you care about and value with
regard to the health of our community. The input gathered during focus groups, allows the HIC to then work to identify
best and promising practices to reduce barriers to well-being, address needs, and build on strengths. Input is gathered
anonymously. Limited to 10 people,. Session will last about 90 minutes.
Registration begins Dec 1st. Please register by Tue, Dec 6th.
NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION COMING ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH AT 1PM WITH DISCUSSION ON “BUDGET: CAN I AFFORD IT?”
“Budget: Can I afford it?” in this short presentation with time for questions, we will go over budgeting
effectively and planning for the future along the way. Our main goal is to help attendees on their
financial journey, whatever it may look like. We will discuss topics such as wants versus needs,
evaluating and controlling spending habits, and give some tools and tips on paying bills on time.
We will also spend time focusing on setting goals and priorities for a healthy financial journey!
Registration begins Dec 1st. Please register by Tue, Dec 6th.
AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM- will begin taking appointments Monday, January 9th.
The Senior Center office will begin taking appointments for Tax-Aide assistance Mon, January 9th.
Appointments will be held on Mon and Fri mornings beginning Feb 6th and will end on Mon, Apr 10th.
Call senior center 860-739-5859.
OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD for MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS -2023
Time is running out if you would like to have your insurance coverage reviewed. The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for
Medicare Part D/Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans ends on December 7th, 2022. Participants are
encouraged to review their health and drug coverage to determine if any changes are needed. If a change is made, it
goes into effect as of January 1, 2023.
.
The changes you can make during the Open Enrollment Period include:
Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan
Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan)
Call the Senior Center with your interest for an appointment. 860-739-5859
Energy Assistance for 22/23 Fall and Winter Season
Applications for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program are being taken at the New London office of TVCCA. That
office can be contacted at 860-425-6681 to make an appointment. The Senior Center will assist the Senior and Disabled
population of East Lyme with their applications. Call the Senior Center at 860-739-5859 for an appointment.
For residents who reside in Twin Haven and the AHEPA housing complexes, please look for
signup sheets in your buildings.
To be eligible:
In a one-person household, income can be NO greater than $39,027. In a two-person household, income can be NO
greater than $51,035.
The following information is required:
1. Proof of income sources: copy of most recent monthly (quarterly, annual) check or copy of an award letter or copy of
most recent bank statement showing the direct deposit. If you are employed you must provide a copy of your four most
recent consecutive pay stubs. Dividends, annuities or interest income (has to be more than $10/month). Copy of a
statement for the most recently completed period.
2. All households must provide a copy of their most recent ENTIRE electric bill from Eversource.
3. If a household heats with oil, bring the name of your vendor.
4.If a household heats with natural gas or propane, bring your most recent ENTIRE statement.
Please remember all members of the household who receive income must report their income.
DECEMBER VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH- John Pozega
John has been a volunteer at Thrive 55+ on and off since 2006. He first started to utilize the center when he
moved to Groton from Gales Ferry and wanted more than just meals and classes, he wanted to give back. This is
when John decided that he could best be utilized in the Tech Center.
We were very fortunate that John wanted to volunteer in the Tech Center, he
is a true asset. John has been working with computers since 1980. His career
working with computers started after graduating college when he took a
position with the Burlington Northern Railroad working as an Information
Technology Specialist of the purchasing department for 15 years. After that,
he worked for IBM Global Services for 7 years where he retired from and
then moved from Texas to CT to be with his sister and her family.
John enjoys volunteering at the center because it gives him an opportunity to
socialize and make new friends. John finds it very gratifying when someone
comes to him with a tech problem and he is able to show them the solution
and the individual has an ah,ha moment! He also feels that volunteering in the
technology center challenges him because it’s something new everyday and no
two problems are ever the same. He loves it!
On occasion, John has also donated some of his gorgeous knit blankets to our center. He is very talented. John
also enjoys reading, cross stitch, painting and zentangle. We hope John continues to pursue all his hobbies and we
thank him for all of his years of dedication to our Technology Center !
MedRIDE II ~ COVID SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE
Free Regional Transportation Program Montville & Norwich Seniors
If you are in need of medical transportation, call the new MedRIDE II program. WE can help. The
town of Montville and City of Norwich have joined together and received a grant to help transport
seniors to medically necessary appointments. Do you need to go to Yale, New Haven, Hartford
Hospital or Farmington to a specialist? Let us take you! Call 860–889–5960 for your appointment.
FOOT CARE PROGRAM
Come and get the Foot Care you need. Our On-A-Good-Foot Program can help. Foot care not
covered by Medicare will be paid by a grant received from Senior Resources with Title III funds
made available under the Older Americans Act. A suggested donation of $6.00 is appreciated and
helpful, not required. Dr. Thomas Walter, Podiatrist comes to our Center once a month to perform
routine foot care. Call for an appointment and/or details 860-848-0422.