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.

 

    FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

    Posted on October 3, 2020 by East Lyme

    Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has sponsored the public          observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health    observance in our country.

    Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

    This year’s theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”

    Did you know?
    Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burn injuries. Hot liquids from coffee and even       microwaved soup can cause devastating injuries.

    “Cook with Caution”

    • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
    • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
    • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
    • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

    If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire…

    • On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
    • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

    If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…

    • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
    • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

    Yoga at Bridebrook Park at 9am on September 8th

    Posted on October 1, 2020 by East Lyme

    Senior Yoga has resumed will be held at Bridebrook Park on Tue mornings through September. As you pull into the parking lot, the class will be on your left. You must complete a new registration form before you take the class which will be available with the instructor. You must wear your mask coming to the class and exiting from the class but you can take it off during the class. You must position yourself 6 feet away from your neighbor. You must bring your own mat and any other supplies you may need.

     

    In all instances, if you are sick or experiencing symptoms you are to stay home.
    If you have been in contact with someone who was sick or experiencing symptoms
    you are to stay home.

    Get a Job – Content by Judy

    Posted on September 3, 2020 by East Lyme

    Now’s the time! Companies are hiring! Big and small. Full time and part time.

    Just figure out what are you looking for? Do you want to do the same type of work you did before? Do you want to do something totally different? Do you want something to keep you busy and get you out of the house? Maybe find a job that goes along with your hobby?

    Do you want to work just part of the year? If so, retail hiring for the holidays, garden centers, landscape companies.

    Check out schools. They are hiring nurses’ aides, substitute teachers, Paraprofessionals, bus monitors, and office staff.

    Do you like wine and know a lot about it? Check out the area wineries and see if they have seasonal openings.

    What about the golf course? Work part-time and maybe play for free. The same with a gym, maybe.

    What population would you like to work with? Kids? Maybe a day care or a school? Be a nanny.

    With food? How about a restaurant or a bakery??

    Maybe you want to work in a big box store and take advantage of the discount they give to workers?

    Do you want to meet a lot of people? So, maybe a receptionist? Telemarketer??  How about a service desk clerk? Customer returns?

    What do you want from a job? Extra money? Structure? Identity? Being able to travel?

    Could the job, you are looking for be at a bank, perhaps an online job? Maybe sales where you earn commission based on the sales you make – if that is the case the sky could be the limit for your income.

    Home Care agencies are always looking to hire. So are Nursing Homes and Rehabs. Those jobs could be in the kitchen or laundry at the Nursing Home, a companion, a Certified Nurse’s Aide, taking people to appointments, maybe light housework.

    To find these jobs. Tell others you are looking. Look on Facebook. Lots of times companies post jobs there. Ask at the places you go to each week. Volunteer then get hired.

    And what about tutoring? Were you a teacher? Are you really good at math? Are you already helping some kids with remote learning?

    Right now, with what is going on with COVID, some families are looking for more one-on-one situations. You could teach using ZOOM. You could help kids figure out and organize the assignments that the schools are giving them. It can be every hard for families where both parents are working to then come home and find the time to assist their students every day. And you could be the person they need.

    Also, some families are grouping up and hiring someone to teach all the kids. This would be great if you are a retired teacher!!l

    You can easily put yourself out there on Facebook or LinkedIn with what you have to offer and then anyone interested can private massager you. Depending on what you want to do, you do not ever have to actually meet person to person. You do not even need to live in the same area. You could be in Milwaukee and the student could be in Denver.

    The time to apply is now!! Research. Develop a resume and cover letter. Even if you do not need those, they will help you rediscover your skills and talents. Have a list of questions to ask the interviewer.  And if you get rejected, do not put yourself down. It is not personal.

    Just move on to the next opportunity and “Get a Job”

    SENIOR FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

    Posted on September 1, 2020 by East Lyme

    2020 Eligibility and Information
    If you are 60 or older, you may be eligible to receive vouchers in the amount of $18 for use at
    our local farmers’ markets. The packet includes 6 “checks” for $3 each = $18pp.
    The items available for purchase are:
    Fruits Vegetables Fresh Cut Herbs Honey from certified CT Grown Farms
    These items would have to be purchased at designated Farmer Markets or farms stands from August through
    October 2020. There is no cash value to these coupons – farmers cannot provide change. One packet of
    vouchers per person, per season only. You cannot receive vouchers from multiple service agencies.
    If you are a married couple, each person gets a packet.
    The maximum household income is $23,060 per year for a household of 1
    or $31,894 per year for a household of 2.
    To apply, contact the Senior Center at 860-739-5859. When you call, you should
    have your monthly income figure available. Additionally, we will want to know if you
    plan on doing the shopping or if you are going to send someone.