Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits
The Federal Government is distributing free at-home COVID-19 Test Kits by mail to those who sign up. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to receive 4 tests. The tests kits are completely free. Orders will be delivered by the USPS and usually ship in 7-12 days.
► The CDC recommends immediately getting tested if you have any symptoms of COVID-19. For those who are a close contact to someone who tested positive, the CDC recommends getting tested 5 days after exposure even if you have no symptoms.
For more information and to order your test kits, visit:
www.covidtests.gov
Looking for a local testing location? Visit: www.211ct.org/covidtesting
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband (internet) 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.
Eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program includes households with incomes at or below 200%of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participants in assistance programs (SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, WIC or Lifeline). Please see websites for all eligibility categories.
For more information and to apply visit
www.acpbenefit.org AND www.fcc.gov/acp
Cancer Rehab Services
Wednesday, February 16th 10:00 a.m.
Presented by Amy Sieczkowski, DPT, PT, OCS , Select Physical Therapy
ReVital Cancer Rehab is a new specialty service provided by therapists at Select Physical Therapy. This type of physical therapy focuses on the current and lasting side effects of cancer treatments.
60-90% of patients with cancer, as well as survivors, have at least 1 impairment that physical therapy can address in order to improve quality of life. Such impairments include joint pain, joint stiffness, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, difficulty walking, balance concerns, falls (or fear of falling), and inability or difficulty in performing activities of daily living.
Join Amy Sieczkowski, Select Physical Therapy Center Manager at the Norwich Clinic, to learn more on the ways physical therapy can help improve some side effects of cancer treatments.
Please sign up at Reception if you will be attending.
AARP Income Tax Assistance
Call about availability – If you wish to have your taxes done please call the Senior Center or stop by the reception desk to schedule an appointment.
This is a free-of-charge service with an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer.
(860) 889-5960. Do not wait, appointments book up quickly!
For more information on AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, Visit: taxaide.aarpfoundation.org
Making the World a Better Place – Content by Judy
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!!