Resources

Click here to visit the official Thrive55+ Active Living Center website.

Enhanced Benefits Checkup Counseling is BACK!!

Senior Resources Enhanced Benefits Checkup Coordinator, Lori Napolitano will be taking appointments here at Groton Senior Center twice a month on Tuesdays the following dates:

  • Screenings are appropriate for those seeking State/Federal Program assistance as well as Medicare Counseling.
  • Clients can be scheduled regardless of where they live in CT.  If an appointment is not available at the town they reside, clients will can schedule at another location.
  • Clients must come prepared for their appointment. Failure to come prepared impacts the client negatively.

Call 860-441-6785 to schedule.

TRANSPORTATION

As a rider on the Thrive 55+ transportation, the center provides a low cost ride to medical appointments and shopping for recommended $2 donation.

Transportation Information page

 

 

 

 

    January Volunteer of the month- Obie Hill

    Posted on January 3, 2022 by Groton

    We would like to recognize Obie for being such a fantastic volunteer and always giving his all to us. He began coming to our center in 2002 to play cards. In 2006, he become a volunteer, he felt that the center was such a nice place to go that he wanted to give back and do his part to keep it up. Obie feels that it is important for folks to show their value and prove that they are an asset to the community by volunteering.

    Obie is often seen setting up for events, collecting bottles and turning them in for Club 55, prepping for Club 55 fund raisers. He does anything he can that the staff needs with a smile on his face. Obie stated that “I enjoy doing what I do and it gives me a great feeling!”

    A veteran, he retired after twenty –one years of Submarine Service. He has been a member of the Sub Vets since 1964, also volunteering his time with Sub Vets events and fundraisers.

    For many years, Obie has been a mentor to children from broken homes. He has gained family members doing this and takes great pride in being able to help shape these children and watch them grow into successful adults.

    Obie enjoys hobbies like stamp collecting, postal history, computers and records. When Obie had a youngster at home he also enjoyed helping with youth sports and ran a youth football league. Obie stated that “I like to help lift people up away from bad times so that they can look to a brighter future!”  Thank you Obie for all you do!

     

    Making the World a Better Place – Content by Judy

    Posted on January 3, 2022 by Groton

    Connecticut has lost a great leader. Edith Prague stood head and shoulders above others. She wasn’t a politician. She was an advocate for those in need. She taught by example. She gave freely of her time, energy, and expertise. Passionate, dedicated, a champion of seniors and those in need is only the start of descripting Edith Prague. She worked tirelessly to create a world and the systems needed to help others. Edith stood up when others said it couldn’t be done. She did what was right even when she knew she would pay a high price. She taught me and many, many others the skills we needed and still use today to create a better world.

    I worked with Edith to raise the income limits for ConnPACE. She made the time to help me start and build a mail in campaign that was so successful the ConnPACE asset test has carried over to the MSP program many seniors benefit from today. This campaign grew into thousands of prescription bags being mailed to key state officials from all over the state. Seniors in Connecticut continued to mail them until the income limits for ConnPACE had automatic increases that equaled Social Security increases. Parts of that program has carried over to today’s MSP – Medicare Savings Program – that offers assistance to eligible Medicare enrollees.

    During her first term as Commissioner of the Dept of Aging she stood her ground and fought for what was best for Connecticut’s seniors. Then when she wouldn’t play ball with Governor Lowell Weicker, he fired her. He went on the eliminate the Department and threw the needs of the seniors into the Department of Social Services. But Edith never quit!

    Again, I worked with Edith to successfully recreate the Department on Aging in 2013. It was a long, hard-won fight. But when it was all over, she was rightfully named the Commissioner. Unfortunately failing health caused her to leave in 2014. And without her, the Department was again swallowed up. This time into the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

    (As a side note – it’s beyond me on how aging and a disability are similar. What’s the common ground for each group? If a person celebrates a certain birthday – they then are automatically disabled? If a person has a disability that makes them old? I just don’t get it…)

    Being a true problem solver, Edith was a driving force behind lower prescription costs, long-term care, senior housing and was an expert on counseling seniors on which health insurance program was best for them.

    The legacy Edith Prague leaves the seniors of Connecticut is endless and the impact of her advocacy will be with us for decades more. She worked tirelessly to create the systems and the programs many use and benefit from today!

    Thank you, Edith for making the world a better place!!

    JANUARY VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH- OBIE HILL

    Posted on December 29, 2021 by Groton

    We would like to recognize Obie for being such a fantastic volunteer and always
    giving his all to us. He began coming to our center in 2002 to play cards. In 2006, he
    become a volunteer, he felt that the center was such a nice place to go that he wanted
    to give back and do his part to keep it up. Obie feels that it is important for folks to
    show their value and prove that they are an asset to the community by volunteering.
    Obie is often seen setting up for events, collecting bottles and turning them in for
    Club 55, prepping for Club 55 fund raisers. He does anything he can that the staff
    needs with a smile on his face. Obie stated that “I enjoy doing what I do and it gives
    me a great feeling!”
    A veteran, he retired after twenty –one years of Submarine Service. He has been a
    member of the Sub Vets since 1964, also volunteering his time with Sub Vets events
    and fundraisers.
    For many years, Obie has been a mentor to children from broken homes. He has gained family members doing
    this and takes great pride in being able to help shape these children and watch them grow into successful adults.
    Obie enjoys hobbies like stamp collecting, postal history, computers and records. When Obie had a youngster at
    home he also enjoyed helping with youth sports and ran a youth football league. Obie stated that “I like to help
    lift people up away from bad times so that they can look to a brighter future!” Thank you Obie for all you do!

    We are now THRIVE55+

    Posted on December 29, 2021 by Groton

    Groton Senior Center is adopting a new identity –THRIVE55+ Active Living Center to better reflect the efforts to promote the healthy and vibrant lifestyles of its members and staff efforts to help older adults thrive in the community. This change is a result of a 2019 research study of perceptions and barriers to using the Senior Center. This study showed that the word “senior” had negative connotations from nonusers affecting the overall perception of its programs and services. An overwhelming majority of survey participants supported removing “senior” from the organization’s title, and suggested branding that reflects the activities and community services offered. Based on the recommendations of the survey, the rebranding of the center was an appropriate step to shift perceptions and ultimately better align with available center services. For at least six months the brand will have the tag line “powered by the Groton Senior Center” before transitioning fully to the new name alone. This will allow time for people to adapt to the new name but also know that it is still the same staff who will continue with the quality programs that are offered. Below is an explanation of the new brand. Both the research of perceptions and barriers and the new branding and renaming efforts were paid for by the center’s fund balance and not from taxpayer dollars. If you have any questions, you can contact Mark Berry or Mary Jo Riley.