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.

 

    Fall Session Registration

    The Fall Session runs from October 3rd to December 23rd

    Registration for fitness, music, arts, and games begins at 8am on Mon, Sept 12th for
    Residents and at 8am on Mon, Sept 19th for Non-Residents.

    You can register in person or online through schedulesplus.com/eastlyme. If you
    register online, we must receive payment by the end of the next business day. Please do not call in your registration.

    Registrations are not guaranteed until we receive payment.

    Affordable Connectivity Program

    The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

    Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

    There are income limits based on household size. For a 1 person household, the income can be no greater than $27,180 – for a 2 person household, the lime it$36,620. There are two ways to apply. You can go to www.affordableconnectivity.gov and apply on-line or you can obtain a paper application from the Senior Center office. You will also need to contact your preferred participating provider to select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.

    Reflexology on Extended Leave

    Reflexology is on an extended leave. We will will keep you posted when she is able to return

    Alzheimer’s Respite Program

    If you are a caregiver of someone with the diagnosis of: Alzheimer’s Disease, Multi-infarct dementia,
    Parkinson’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Huntington’s Disease, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, or Pick’s
    Disease, you may be able to purchase respite services designed to provide a break, or a limited time of
    caregiver relief, from the constant physical and emotional stress of caring for a person with Alzheimer’s
    disease or a related disorder.

    The program may subsidize the cost of services not to exceed an amount of up to $7,500 per year, however,
    this funding is contingent upon available funding and subject to the applicant’s level of need as determined
    by the Care Manager. Funding is available for respite services that include, but are not limited to: Adult Day
    Care, Home Health Aide, Personal Care Assistant, Homemaker, Companion, Nursing Care, Personal
    Emergency Response System or short term nursing home or assisted living care. Families may also choose a
    Self-Directed option that allows them to hire a private caregiver through a fiduciary.

    There are income and asset limits. For more information and/or to obtain an application, contact Senior
    Resources at 860-887-3561.

    Medicare Savings Program

    Are you on Medicare and paying for your Part B premium?

    If your monthly incomes is less than $2,786 (gross) as a single or $3,754 (gross) as a couple per month, you
    could be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP).

    Depending upon your income level, you could be eligible for 3 benefits.
    1. The MSP will pay for the Part Be premium for Medicare coverage.
    2. You would be eligible for the Low Income Subsidy which pays the full monthly premium of a Medicare Part
    D (prescription coverage) benchmark plan, or a portion of a non-benchmark plan, yearly deductibles and coinsurance, or co-pays. It also allows you to change your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans
    outside of the open enrollment period.
    3. You may be eligible for the MSP to act as your supplemental health insurance.

    If you would like more information or would like to apply for this program,
    call the Senior Center office.