Category: Resources

TVCCA Energy Assistance Program

Winter is here and home heating costs can be a struggle for many.  There is help.

TVCCA is now taking applications for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program which provides assistance towards a homes primary source of heat – oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal, wood or wood pellets.  The program is designed to help offset the winter heating costs of Connecticut’s lower income households.  Eligibility is based on income, family size, assets, and expenses.  Payments are made directly to the utility or fuel company.

Income Limits:  Household Size: 1 2 3

Annual Income     $39,027 $51,035 $63,044

Applications can be done over the phone or in person.

For an appointment or for additional information, please call TVCCA (860) 425-6681

 

Inclement Weather Notice

If the area experiences bad weather – classes, programs and transportation may be cancelled OR the Senior Center may be closed.

Weather related cancellations and closings are posted on

WFSB TV Channel 3, WICH-1310AM or WCTY-97.7 FM radio stations.

**We are listed as ROSE CITY SENIOR CENTER for cancellations and closings.**

 

RSVP Veterans Coffeehouse

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Veterans Coffeehouse provides a comfortable location for all veterans and their spouses to meet for coffee, socialize and receive information regarding veterans benefits and services through state and federal agencies and programs.

Now meeting at a new location!

Easterseals Veterans Rally Point  24 Stott Ave. Norwich

1st & 3rd Tuesday from 9:00a.m. – 11:00a.m.

For more information contact: Ted Pappagallo, Veterans Coffeehouse Coordinator

(860) 425-6615  or  tpappagallo@tvcca.org

 

 

Holiday Closings

The Senior Center will be closed December 24th and 27th as well as December 31st.

MOBILE FOOD PANTRY FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION

THURSDAY,  DEC. 16th 

4 to 5:30 pm OR UNTIL WE RUN OUT

 

GRISWOLD SENIOR CENTER

22 SOULE ST,

 JEWETT CITY

 

Food box is free

No paperwork necessary

First-come first-serve or until we run out  

Please remain in your car

Please open your trunk           

Please wear a mask

 

Mask Mandate will end as of tomorrow, Wednesday, November 10th

The Town of Groton Covid-19 Indoor Mask Mandate will end as of tomorrow, Wednesday, November 10th. While we continue to suggest practicing LLHD’s recommendations for Staying Safe from Covid-19 as Communities Reopen (information link below), masks will no longer be required in the Groton Community Center or the Groton Senior Center.

However, please note, Groton Parks & Recreation programs taking place at Groton Public School buildings must still adhere to the Governor’s existing school mask mandate.

Also, in keeping with CDC guidelines, Connecticut continues to require that masks be worn on public and private transit vehicles. So, persons utilizing the Groton Senior Center’s buses/vans for transportation must still wear masks.

LLHD link: https://llhd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Staying-safe-as-communities-reopen.pdf

 

Medicare Updates, Changes, and Benefits for 2022

November 16th at 1:00pm we will be offering an in person
educational event to review Medicare and how it can impact
you and if you’re getting all the benefits you qualify for. We’ll be
discussing the difference between Original Medicare, Medicare
Supplements, Medicare Advantage and Prescription drug plans.
The state assistance qualifications for the Medicare Saving Program will be covered and who fits into which tier. We’ll also review how the Part D coverage gap or doughnut hole works and
how the Insulin Saving program can impact your annual drug
cost. This event is being facilitated by Senior Health and Retirement Service. Call (860)434-4127 to register.

Who we are – Content by Judy

Somehow, we all need to help change the perception of what the definition of ‘old people’ really is. What a ‘senior’ is. What ‘old’ means.

We all have that picture in our head of what old is until we get there. Then ‘oh but that’s not me’.

Think about it… When you’re 13 – 30 is OLD! When you’re in your early 20’s – 45 is ancient! Never mind 65!!

Then you see a guy at the hardware store loading his truck. He offers to help you (you being 30) and you get to talking and then you realize he’s in his 70’s and not old at all.

Odds are that volunteer fireman that shows up is 50+ if not 70 because the younger generation doesn’t have time to volunteer.

You get to talking to a neighbor about your kids, school and all. She offers some help. You’re grateful. It’s really good advice that will help. Later you chuckle when you realize she could be your grandmother.

You then start looking around and realize the school crossing guard has been there for like 8 years and you know he started doing that after he had been retired for a while. The lady who just checked you out at the store has to be at least that old. And wait the delivery guy is retiring next month. Three teachers at school retired last year.

Then it’s like ‘Hey wait that will be me in 10 years. And I sure am NOT ‘old’.

We all need to keep in mind that all these ‘old’ people are much younger than people of the same age a generation or two ago. They are out there working, enjoying hobbies, volunteering, at the gym, hiking and exercising. They are on social media, online, and signing up on the dating sites. They are bloggers, shopping and surfing the web right along with the rest of us.

These ‘old’ people run marathons, play pickleball, go out dancing, and travel more than the rest of us.

I’ll bet a lot of people you see when you’re out and about that you might think are in their 50’s, are really in their 70’s. Those people you see who are ‘old’ are probably closer to 90. Yes!! 90!!

So, lets rethink what defines ‘old’. Let’s not dismiss an age group just because we think they are ‘old’. Remember if you’re lucky you’ll reach that point in your life. And when you do hope you are as young as today’s ‘old’ people!!

And reach out to those you think of as ‘seniors’ and make a friend – they are younger and more fun than you think!!

OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD for MEDICARE PART D (DRUG COVERAGE) AND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS WITH DRUG COVERAGE

The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Medicare Part D/Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans coverage is from October 15th to December 7th, 2021. Participants are encouraged to review their coverage to determine if any changes are needed. If a change is made, it goes into effect as of January 1, 2022.

The changes you can make include during the Open Enrollment Period: 

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)

Appointments are now being taken for Thu, November 4th and  Fri, November 5th.

Please call the Senior Center office to secure your slot. More dates will come available so if there is no availability on the 4th or the 5th, the Senior Center will make other arrangements.