Resources

Commission on Aging

On May 15, 1985, the Town of East Lyme passed an ordinance that created the Commission on Aging.  The Commission is a 7 member Board consisting of interested residents of the Town which must have minority representation.

The purpose of the Commission is to:

  1. Review and analyze the needs and conditions of the elderly persons of the Town in relation to housing, nutrition, employment, health, recreation, social services, transportation, and other matters and problems within the jurisdiction of the Commission.
  2. Plan, coordinate, develop and implement programs to meet the needs and to improve the conditions of the elderly persons of the Town, upon the Board’s own initiative or on the recommendations of the Senior Citizen Administrator.
  3. Through the Senior Center Director and others, as necessary, provide coordination of such plans and programs among all related services.

The monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of every month starting at 5pm. The meetings are held at the Senior Center and the public is welcome to attend. If a member of the public has a concern and wants to address the Board, there are two ways in which this can be handled. At the Board meeting, a person can address the Board during the Delegations section of the meeting. Or, a person can ask the Senior Center Director to add an item to the monthly meeting Agenda.

The current makeup of the Board is:

John Whritner            Chairperson

Michael Bekech          Vice-Chairperson

Ilene Harris                 Secretary/Treasurer

Marge Caste                Board Member

Margret Hughes         Board Member

Joan Bengston            Board Member

Joe Palazzo                 Board Member

Roseanne Hardy        Selectman and Ex-Officio

 

The East Lyme Senior Center can assist you or someone you know with regards to services available within our community. If you have questions, please call at 860-739-5859 for an appointment.

 

    ENERGY ASSISTANCE FOR 20/21 FALL&WINTER SEASON ***NOTE NEW DEADLINES***

    Posted on June 1, 2021 by East Lyme

    Applications for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program are being taken at the New London office of TVCCA. This year, due to the COVID pandemic, phone applications will be processed by TVCCA. In order to set up a phone appointment with TVCCA, you will need to call 860-425-6681. They will provide you with further details.

    The Senior Center will assist the Senior and Disabled population of East Lyme with their applications. Please call the Senior Center at 860-739-5859 for instructions on how your application will be processed. For residents who reside in Twin Haven and the AHEPA housing complexes, letters will be sent to you with your instructions.

    To be eligible:

    1. In a one-person household, income can be NO greater than $36,645. In a two-person household, income can be NO greater than $49,228.
    2. If you are a renter, the first $12,000.00 in liquid assets is disregarded. Any amount over that limit, when added to the annual gross income must be below the income guidelines.
    3. If you are a homeowner, the first $15,000.00 in liquid assets is disregarded. Any amount over that limit, when added to the annual gross income must be below the income guidelines.

     

    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.
    2. Dividends, annuities or interest income (has to be more than $10/month). Copy of a statement for the most recently completed period.
    3. Proof of what you pay for rent. In addition, the name, address and telephone number of your landlord is required. If you are a homeowner and pay a mortgage, you must provide proof of your mortgage payment.
    4. If you have a checking and/or savings account, you must bring in the most recent ENTIRE statement.
    5. If natural gas or electricity heats the household, bring in the most recent ENTIRE statement.

     

    Please remember all members of the household who receive income must report their income.

     

    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!!

    SENIOR & DISABLED HOMEOWNERS’ TAX RELIEF 2021 ***Deadline May 15***

    Posted on May 1, 2021 by East Lyme

    The State of Connecticut offers a state run Elderly Tax Benefit known as the Circuit Breaker. It is for eligible real estate taxpayers within the Town of East Lyme. To apply, you must have reached the age of 65 prior to December 31, 2020 or be totally disabled if under the age of 65. You are applying for a credit on the taxes due on your primary residence in East Lyme. Under the law, Social Security income MUST be declared and the program requires you to provide information regarding all GROSS income received during 2020.

    The new income limit, including GROSS income and Social Security:

    $45,800 for married couples and

    $37,600 for single persons.

                            LOCAL TAX CREDIT OPTION:

    Also, the Town of East Lyme provides on Additional Tax Relief for elderly and totally disabled homeowners. The new income limit, including GROSS income and Social Security is

    $45,800 regardless of marital status.  For further information, contact the Assessor’s Office at the Town Hall.

     

    Filing dates for the above programs are February 1, through May 15, 2021.

    Please note, due to COVID-19 restrictions, if you are already on the program, you do not need to re-apply this year. You will be automatically renewed and will not have to reapply until 2023. Anyone new will need to contact the Assessor’s Office to an appointment and you will be met outside.

    The Town Hall is currently closed to the public.  There is also a Veteran’s Exemption that is available. For more information, contact the Assessor’s Office.

     

     

    Fortitude – Content by Judy

    Posted on April 3, 2021 by East Lyme

    As I worked on my Vision Board for 2021, I searched for that all important key word – for me and for SeniorCenterCt.org. What one word was the best fit? What word would portray and define my path for 2021?

    Many businesses and individuals pick one word that best describes how they want to be characterized and/or strive to achieve in the upcoming year.

    Well, I wanted to do this as well but as much as I searched, I just could not find the right word. I kept at it. I would revisit and wander down the path of words I’d see from time to time. And yeah, there wasn’t ever quite the right fit until…

    This week I was walking along the ocean in Westbrook for the second day in a row and as I let my mind wander, there it was – fortitude. Wow, I mulled it over. Said it out loud and knew it was the word I had been searching for.

    FORTITUDE – courage in adversity. Isn’t this exactly what we all have been doing since COVID came to visit and did not leave just like an unwanted house guest. We all discovered that we have the strength of mind to endure a 2-week shelter in place that has turned into a year plus. We have discovered we have gumption, spunk, moxie and determination. We can and are surviving.

    And as I traveled down 2020, I struggled just as many businesses did on whether SeniorCenterCt.org would survive or was it time to shut the doors and close down Jencks Network, LLC. There were no new sales happening and little money coming in. But the bills continued arriving. The question became “Is today the time to file for bankruptcy?”

    But I also knew I have a product that is stunning and needed by so many.  Also, that as we come out of COVID I know other businesses are going to be looking for “new” ways to advertise.  That post COVID we all will be in a “new world” and SeniorCenterCt.org is in the best position ever to thrive and grow into the business I have always know it will be.

    So, I reached out for grants, PPP, EIDL and anything else that might give me the money I needed to survive. And as I said “FORTITUDE” on the beach, I knew that is exactly what I have been doing. What I will continue to do as SeniorCenterCt.org grows in 2021. A new Senior Center is being added. A different calendar platform will be used. Other changes are in the works. I know that FORTITUDE is the strength and strong will that carries me patiently forward with firm courage.

    This word – FORTITUDE —   reflects back at me as I read my 2021 Vision Board. It says – I will experience everyday humility, curiosity, courage and confidence. I will always ask “Why?” I will look for and see the clues.

    Because I have the ability to carry on, because I and all of us who have survived COVID we all have  FORTITUDE!

    And yes, you have been traveling this same journey even if your path looks a little different, we all have had the strength to bear through a pandemic and have the ability to carry on!! We have guts, grit, backbone and FORTITUDE!!

    Thu, April 15th at 3pm- SAFETY TALK with Officer Hull via Zoom

    Posted on April 1, 2021 by East Lyme

    Chat with our own Officer Hull from the ELPD on Internet Safety and how to avoid Scams.

    Let us know your questions and concerns beforehand.

    Register with the Senior Center by Tue, April 13th to get your Zoom invite.