Category: Resources

Stroke Awareness – Content by Judy

Posted on May 3, 2021 by East Lyme

Yes, it is a true emergency!! If anyone, any age has sudden numbness in their face, arm, leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, lack of coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Call 911 right away!! This is a real emergency. If left unattended the consequences can be life altering if not fatal.

If you think someone might be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T.

F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

The sooner someone is treated the better the outcome. Strokes can be potentially reversed or at least stopped if a stroke is treated within the first 3 hours. Call an ambulance. Do not drive them!! The crew on the ambulance can start treatment sooner and the outcome will be better. You want life-saving treatment as soon as possible!!

If you think you are having a stroke call 911 right away. You might not be able to make that call even a few minutes later.

Every year over 800,000 people have a stoke. Nearly 150,000 die each year. Strokes are the leading cause of serious long-term disability. BUT 80% of strokes are PREVENTABLE!!

Most strokes are caused by clots blocking blood flow in the brain and strokes are a leading cause of disability. Some ways to prevent or lower your risk of having a stroke is to stop smoking, limit alcohol,  maintain a healthy weight, eat plenty of veggies and fruit, and exercise. Also be sure you are managing your diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart disease. Stress and depression can also contribute to the risk of a stroke.

By looking at your own risk factors  of having a stroke and living a healthier lifestyle you can help reduce the odds of having a stroke. Be sure to review all of this with your health care professionals. Check with them before taking or changing supplements to see if they are right for you. Get regular checkups. Reach out to other professionals for help to improve your lifestyle.

And it is never too late to change! Talk to your doctor and modify some things in your life!!

Reminders for Energy Assistance 2020-2021 Season

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Preston

March 31, 2021 is the Deadline for fuel authorizations or deliveries.

May 3, 2021 is the last day that a household can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits unless the household is utility heated and has a shut-off notice for its primary source of heat.

May 14, 2021 is the last day that a utility heated household with a shut-off notice for its primary heat can apply to establish its eligibility for benefits.

May 31st is the last day to submit deliverable fuel bills.

FARM TO FAMILIES FOOD BOX DISTRIBUTION

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Griswold

MONDAY, MAY 3rd, MAY 10th, May 17th & MAY 24th

10:30 to 12:30 pm OR UNTIL WE RUN OUT

GRISWOLD SENIOR CENTER/TOWN HALL

22 SOULE ST, JEWETT CITY

Please enter through Senior Center parking lot

Fresh Produce, Protein, Non-Perishables and more

 

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

 

 

TVCCA CAFÉ MEALS & MEALS ON WHEELS

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Griswold

TVCCA IS NOW OFFERING  FROZEN GRAB-N-GO CAFÉ MEALS

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PICK UP ON MONDAYS

PLEASE CALL YOUR SENIOR CENTER  TO REGISTER AND PICK UP A  MONTHLY MENU.

(MEALS CONSIST OF 5 FROZEN MEALS, 1 QUART OF 1% MILK, WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, BUTTER AND FRUIT CUPS)

Suggested donation of $3.00 per meal

GRISWOLD SENIOR CENTER:    (860) 376-2604

 

Elderly and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Preston

The application filing period for the Elderly and totally Disabled Tax Relief Program is from February 1 thru May 15, 2021.

Please be aware that the IRS has issued specific guidance about the 2020 stimulus payments and have stated that these payments are not categorized as income, therefore, any economic stimulus payments received during calendar year 2020 WILL NOT count as income for these tax relief programs.

Qualifying income guidelines for the Elderly and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program are $37,600 for unmarried individuals and $45,800.00 for married persons.

If you are currently participating in the Homeowner Program and need to reapply, you will receive notice from the Preston Assessor’s Office advising you of that requirement.

Proof of all sources of income including but not limited to Social Security, pensions, interest statements, employment, etc. are required. If you filed Income Tax, a copy of the signed and dated document is necessary to provide as well. It is extremely important that you provide all necessary documentation for the application to be completed.

Due to the COVIC-19 pandemic, the application process will change this year. I will be asking you to drop-off your paperwork in the blue Drop Box located at the front entrance to the Preston Town Hall. I will review your information and contact you by telephone to complete your application. I will arrange a time that is mutually acceptable to have you return to the Preston Town Hall to sign the application(s). At which time, I will return any/all original documents which you have provided.

Please call the office at 860-887-5581 ext. 6 informing me that you dropped off your information at the Town Hall. (if leaving a phone message, please include your name and telephone number. The application process does not begin until February 1st.

AARP Tax Assistance Program

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Preston

Regrettably, the Preston Senior Center will not host the AARP Tax
Assistance Program during this tax season. The COVID-19 pandemic is the
primary reason. BUT existing clients will be encouraged to contact the Rose City Senior Center, 8 Mahan Drive, Norwich to receive assistance with their income tax preparation. NO NEW CLIENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Beginning during January, you are encouraged to contact the Rose City Senior Center at 860-889-5960 to schedule an appointment.

For those individuals who are existing clients only:
New to the process is that you will have to go to the Rose City Senior
Center at least 48 hours prior to your appointment to pick-up a booklet to be completed. (This is the same type of information that you would routinely complete at our center). You will need to complete the paperwork and include it with your income tax information. (Do not place your information in a plastic bag as the virus can live longer in that environment). It is suggested that you place your documents in a secure location within your locked vehicle trunk until the time of your appointment.

Drive-thru service will remain the same as last year. You drive up, staff will
take your paperwork out of the trunk of your car, they work on it and give you a call on your cell phone when they have questions or when your income tax is completed. Appointments will be available on Tuesday and Thursday only.

You will also need a cell phone available so that you can be contacted when
the AARP tax preparer completes your document.

Elderly/Disabled (Circuit Breaker) Property Tax Credit Program- Application Deadline May 15, 2021

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Norwich

Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker) Program is available to all CT real property owners who are age 65 or older or totally disabled.  Annual income cannot exceed $37,600 for an individual or $45,800 for a couple in 2020.  Discounts are based on a graduated income scale and are calculated by your town’s Tax Assessors Office.  Discount is applied directly to the applicant’s real property tax bill.

Norwich Residents: To apply for the Property Tax Credit Program, complete an application at the Norwich Tax Assessor’s Office located in Norwich City Hall.  Call with questions (860) 823-3723.

Applications are accepted between February 1 and May 15, 2021.

Norwich Tax Assessor

100 Broadway

Norwich, CT 06360

Veterans with established Connecticut residency may be eligible for other credits also.

Residents of other towns: Call or visit your town’s Tax Assessor’s Office for more information.

Wednesday, May 12th from 10am to 1pm- Active Living Expo

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Groton

Join us for our annual Active Living Expo Wednesday,  May 12th  10 am to 1 pm.  This event is open to all-  great for yourself, caretakers and family members to check out!

As always we will have agencies and vendors covering varying topics for you such as Health,  Insurance, Homecare,  State programs, Nutrition, Legal issues, Volunteer opportunities, Technical Support, Outreach, Trips/Travel and much more!

This year it will look a little different as we are following COVID guidelines. The event is scheduled to take place outside, in the rink next to the center. This will allow for proper social distancing. We ask that all attendees wear a mask. This is open to the public and FREE.

Saturday, June 19th- Household Hazardous Waste Collection & Paper Shredding

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Norwich

Drop off Location: Norwich Public Works – 50 Clinton Ave.

Saturday, June 19th   9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The Southeastern Connecticut Regional Resource Recovery Authority (SCRRRA) will be at Norwich Public Works in June to collect household hazardous waste and offer confidential paper shredding.

Items that will be collected include: latex & oil paint, stains & varnish, paint thinner, oven cleaner, kerosene, old gasoline, light bulbs, home batteries, insecticides, fungicides, pool chemicals and more!

For a complete list of acceptable items that will be collected visit: www.SCRRRA.org 

 

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.