Programs

Programs – The Senior Center plans events on a monthly basis. Below is a listing for what generally occurs. For more details on events not listed below, check the Calendar Section and/or the News Section.

Fitness – Participants can trial any class without obligation. Please notify the Senior Center office if you are trialing a class.

All participants are encouraged to participate at their level of fitness/comfort. Any physical concerns are to be addressed to your personal physician. Questions about modifying the routines are to be directed to your instructor. All instructors are CPR certified and qualified in the class they are teaching.

Classes are Session Based: These classes will have a specific start and end date. Class sessions typically run for 3 months.

Music Classes – Ukulele and Guitar lessons. Explore your creative side and challenge yourself mentally by learning to play an instrument. Beginner level is offered as well as more advanced classes. Loaner instrument is available if needed.

Education/Enrichment Classes – Learn new skills in the areas of the arts, technology, health and more. Through education develop and help maintain your mental abilities as well as enhance your self-esteem and creative needs. Explore and develop your interests.

Cards/Games – A variety of choices for group play and individual play. Promotes mental stimulation and provides for socialization. They stimulate memory, attention skills and have great social interaction which works on many parts of the brain. Our games programs include a variety of levels from basic to more challenging options.

Social Scene – The Senior Center plans, often with meals, events that are offered to provide socialization and entertainment. Any excuse for a party is considered whether it be to celebrate a national holiday or just to have some fun.

Health Services – These services are provided to help older adults age at home and stay as well as possible. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of the programs.

Nutrition Services – The Senior Nutrition Program, administered by TVCCA, offers nutritious meals on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:45am. You must register for a lunch at least 24 hours in advance.

    Museums to go – Content by Judy

    Posted on July 3, 2020 by East Lyme

    As we continue down this untraveled road, we keep looking for new things to do. We often wonder what is open. What is closed? Have the hours changed? Have they gone virtual? Are they using Zoom or something like that?

    So, let’s see if we can figure some of that out… Let’s take a look at what’s going on with Museums….

    And once you start looking, I think you will find amazing opportunities!! You will be able to visit places you have only read about or learned about in school. And the visit is very real and much better than just looking at pictures!!

    One site I found – upgradepoints.com – has 75 best museum tours around the world that include art, history, science, and technology. From this site I visited…

    The Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. In the main museum complex, you are able to visit all 3 stories and see 1,000’s of pieces of art plus the entire building which of course is a work of art in itself. And do not forget to look at the ceilings!! To a degree you can move around almost as if you were there. The added bonus of these virtual tours is no one is in your way!!

    Katie Bourque posted an article in March with a massive list of 30 amazing virtual tours of museums, zoos, and theme parks. I visited the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This tour is so clear that you can read the plaques for each display. You touch on blue arrows to move and then can zoom in for unbelievable details.

    How about going to a children’s museum?? The Minnesota Children’s Museum even has activity ideas and hands on activities you can do at home. You will have some new things to do with the kids.

    So, when you are sitting home you can travel the world and see amazing works! You can even revisit a museum you have been to years ago. See what is different and what is the same!

    And do not overlook visiting a zoo or a theme park. At many zoos you can watch livestream cameras of pandas, penguins, elephants, koalas or go on a home safari daily at the Cincinnati Zoo.

     

    All of this is a great escape!! Invite others to go with you. You can all visit the same day and conference call as you tour or even afterwards over a glass of wine. Perhaps on another day invite your grandchildren to come along as you go to the zoo.

     

    Hey, visit several art museums. Browse around. Find what you like and be inspired… Order some watercolors or acrylics and paint your own picture. You might discover you have talent or even if you do not have talent it might still be a whole lot of fun and when things are better you can take some lessons. Almost all Senior Centers have art classes. From drawing to painting to collage and more.

    So, do something different today!!

    Transportation News- Dail-a-Ride

    Posted on July 2, 2020 by East Lyme

    As of July 1st, the Dial-a-Ride program will renew for
    the FY20/21.

    This year, there will be no enrollment fee.

    If you were enrolled in the program last year, you do
    not need to re-apply this year.

    This year, we will be able to provide (24) one-way trips
    or (12) round trips from July 1st, 2020 to June 30th,
    2021.

    As always, there is a mileage reimbursement portion of
    this grant. If someone provides you with a medical ride,
    you can request mileage reimbursement.

    This service is strictly for medical appointments in
    southeastern CT which the Senior Center cannot
    provide. It is grant funded so once funds are expended,
    no more rides can be provided.

    More details are available at the Senior Center office.

    Transportation News- Senior Center

    Posted on July 2, 2020 by East Lyme

    On July 6th, the Senior Center will resume limited
    transit service. Due to COVID-19, the service will
    begin with only 1 passenger allowed on the vehicle at
    a time. All passengers must wear a mask unless there
    is a medical contraindication. The revised schedule
    will be:
    Monday:  the south part of town can go to Waterford/
    New London
    Tuesday:  the south part of town can go the grocery
    stores/pharmacies/bank
    Wednesday:  the north part of town can go to Waterford/
    New London
    Thursday:   the north part of town can to the grocery
    stores/pharmacies/bank
    Friday:   will be left open to try and accommodate any
    requests that could not be fulfilled during the
    week

    Medical appointments are a priority. All other ride
    requests will be scheduled around those. If you have a
    medical appointment, reserve with the Senior Center
    office as soon as you can. This schedule will remain in
    effect for the month of July and will be re-evaluated
    in August. You must be registered for this service.

    COVID 19 Status Update

    Posted on July 2, 2020 by East Lyme

    At this time, there is no time table for re-opening the Senior Center. Updates on our status will be posted on the East Lyme Town Hall website – www.eltownhall.com, and the East Lyme Senior Center page on the SECT regional senior center website – www.seniorcenterct.org, the Senior Center Facebook page and on the Senior Center answering machine.

    Senior Center Phone Number is 860-739-5859

    ACTIVE LIVING EVERYDAY TOOLKIT

    Posted on July 2, 2020 by East Lyme

    The in-home version of the popular Live Well with Chronic Conditions workshop is now available to seniors in the comfort of their home without having to use technology beyond the telephone. The toolkit can be sent directly to participants at no cost and includes a Living a Healthy Life Book, instruction booklet and exercise and relaxation CDs. Weekly phone calls from a trained Live Well leader enhances the experience and can help to alleviate social isolation during the COVID-19 epidemic.

    Please note there is a limited supply of toolkits. Participants must be willing to share their name, address and phone number so the toolkit can be mailed directly to them and the leader can place the weekly call. Calls are approximately 45 minutes in length and take place conference-call style to 4 -6 participants. There is a 2 -3 week lead time to start once participants have enrolled.

    Participants will learn about:
    • Physical activity, exercise and healthy eating
    • Dealing with difficult emotions
    • Decision-making and communications skills
    • Working with healthcare providers
    • Action Planning

    Contact Lori Rygielski, Regional Coordinator
    lrygielski@seniorresourcesec.org
    860-887-3561 Ext. 127
    Sponsored by the Department of Rehabilitation Service – the State Unit on Aging – Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging