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.

 

    The next success could be yours! – CONTENT BY JUDY

    After many years working as a Senior Center Director I choose to start my business as a way to help the community learn about Senior Centers and the services and resources available to seniors and their families. And boy, I’ve learned a lot since I started SeniorCenterCt.org.

    This idea for SeniorCenterCt.org developed from area Senior Center Directors exploring how they would change and evolve to accommodate the soon to arrive baby boomers. We talked with Maria Miranda of Miranda Creative and the foundation for a collaborative 9 town senior center website was born.

    From that point to now the learning curve has been huge. I’m proud to say that SeniorCenterCt.org and I continue to grow every day. Maria continues to be my mentor along with Debra Jane, my finance wizard and many others have become my sounding boards.

    And then I was fortunate enough for Arlene to become my mentor through SCORE. A retired marketing and strategic planning expert Arlene readily pitches in and is guiding me with the marketing and branding of SeniorCenterCt.org.

    We always need to remember we don’t travel our journey alone and in order to meet Arlene I needed to discover SCORE.

    SCORE is a wonderful free resource that has the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors. There are over 10,000 expert volunteers in 300 chapters.

    In 2018, SCORE mentors helped start 32,387 businesses and create 135,687 jobs.

    SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration and is there to help you achieve your dream as a small business owner. They are there every step of the way to teach and guide you as you grow.

    When you go to the SCORE website you can choose “find a mentor”, “take a workshop” or “browse the library”. You can find the SCORE location nearest to you. You can become a volunteer. You can see the impact SCORE makes.

    Explore this website. View a webinar. Read an article. Learn how to use your stats and data to drive growth. Take a Workshop.

    There are even podcasts you can listen to as you drive to your next appointment.

    And yes, everything SCORE does truly is free.

    Score will always be there for you to access. Let them help you grow personally and professionally as your business evolves and thrives.

    As SCORE says, “The next success could be yours!”

    Waterford Senior Services is offering a program, Open Doors, for those with mild to mid-stage memory loss, dementia, or cognitive challenges

    OPEN DOORS

    Tue and Thu 9am-2pm

    Serving Waterford, East Lyme and New London

    Waterford Senior Services is offering a program, Open Doors, for those with mild to mid-stage memory loss,dementia, or cognitive challenges. The program provides socialization, stimulating activities, a comfortable environment, and a place for participants to achieve success. Please contact Senior Services at 860-444-5839 to request an enrollment packet or to learn more about this program.

    There is no fee to attend Open Doors. Donations are accepted. This program is supported by the Senior Resources – Agency on Aging with Title III funds made available under the Older Americans Act. All older persons age 60+ are eligible for services

     

    Thursday, May 30th- The East Lyme Library Foundation Presents: Health, Wellness, and Longevity How to live your life longer and better

    Time: 7:00pm

    Location: East Lyme Community Center

    Dr. Geoffrey Tremont and Dr. Cooney will be the guest speakers. In addition, availability and accessibility of support services for older individuals in SECT will be discussed. Dr. Tremont is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Brown University and will share his expertise in cognitive function discussing normal patterns of aging, psychological aging, and memory loss and its prevention.

    Dr. Cooney is a Professor of Medicine in Internal Medicine, Geriatric, and Rheumatology at Yale University and will speak in-depth on adaption ot getting older, both physically and cognitively.

    Please call the East Lyme Public Library to register for this free event at 860-739-6926. Transportation can be provided upon request but the ride reservation must be made by Fri, May 24th.

    Thursday, May 29th- White House Memories

    Time: 6:00pm

    Former White House butler, Alan DeValerio, will tell you about his personal experience working in the White House. From providing inside details about all the preparations involved in White House entertainment to sharing stories of taking care of our First Families since the Franklin Roosevelt administration, he will relate his first-hand experiences with history. His book, A History of Entertaining in the Modern White House, will be available for purchase. This program is brought to you by the East Lyme Public Library and the East Lyme Senior Center.

    Program registration is required. Please contact the Library at 860-739-6926. Transportation can be provided upon request but ride reservation must be made by Fri, May 24th.