Vaccine Appointments- UPDATE
The Department of Public Health (DPH) and the United Way of Connecticut have recently announced the expanded access to vaccine scheduling through the state’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line.
The expansions include:
*Scheduling availability seven days per week
*Scheduling occurs between 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. each day
*Appointments are being booked at 12 locations across the state. (When you call and schedule an appointment, be sure that you indicate that you want the NORWICH area and not Hartford or Bridgeport, unless of course you want to travel to those locations to get your VOVID-19 vaccination)
*There are 125 contact specialists trained and answering appointment calls.
*****The phone number to call for vaccination scheduling is 877-918-2224.
Don’t hesitate, call as soon as you can.
UNCAS HEALTH DISTRICT INFORMATION: Connecticut Residents 75 and older can register for COVID-19 Vaccine
The state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts have now expanded to phase 1b, and as a result, Connecticut residents who are 75 years or older now qualify to receive the vaccines.
Due to limited supply of the vaccine, registering through an online or phone system will be necessary. The state’s Vaccine Administration Management System is now open for registration submission. Those over the age of 75, or their loved ones, are asked to submit applications through the online web portal. https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine
When accepted into the registration portal, individuals will receive emails informing them of the next steps necessary in the scheduling process.
For those in the age group who lack computer access or knowledge, they can also call: 877-918-2224 Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There may be an initial delay in scheduling access, but as the state actively enrolls providers and staff, it is expected for that access to rapidly grow in coming weeks. All information submitted through VAMS will be kept private. The link to VAMS also contains an extensive list of frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, helping to ease any concerns individuals may have. More than 100 health care providers statewide will offer the vaccine, including UConn Health and Hartford Healthcare, with more locations and a map of all locations to be made available in the coming weeks.
In addition, if you have a MyChartPlus account through Hartford Healthcare, you may schedule a clinic appointment through Hartford Healthcare that is convenient for you. You may register at: https://mychartplus.org/mychart/accesscheck.asp
If you would prefer to schedule your appointment by phone, call the Hartford HealthCare Access Center at 860-827-7690 or toll-free at 833-943-5721.
All vaccinations are offered by appointment; people must first register through one of the systems listed above to secure an appointment. Vaccine supply remains limited and patience is requested.
UNCAS Health District is located at 401 West Thames Street, Ste. 106, Norwich, Ct. 06360, Telephone number 860-823-1189.
So, What’s Going on at Senior Centers during COVID – Content by Judy
People continue to be surprised on what is still happening in Senior Centers as we continue dealing with COVID and all of those restrictions.
Well first off, the Senior Center Staff is still working. They are just as helpful as they were when you were there. They miss you, too!! They cannot wait for you to come in those doors!
The staff is just as committed to serving you – it’s just that things are different
The Senior Center phone lines are manned, and you can still get your questions answered. Call and let them know what you need help with.
You can still sign up for Meals on Wheels, Fuel Assistance, Elderly & Totally Disabled Tax Relief Program, AARP income tax assistance, and other programs. Or get the information on how you can apply.
You can find out which of these programs you are eligible for. Plus, any others you might be able to take advantage of.
You can get Meals on Wheels delivered to your home.
Most Senior Centers are still providing transportation.
Many Senior Centers have meals you can order and pick-up curbside.
If your local Senior Center is not distributing food, they can tell you where your closest location is.
There are lots of virtual and Zoom classes available. The beauty of those is that you can attend events that are well out of your area. There is no need to travel to a Senior Center across the state. Just register and login on the day and time the event is happening.
SeniorCenterCt.org has a Zoom calendar on the main landing page. Just click on the Zoom Calendar icon and you’ll find any number of things you can do.
Here is an example of some of the virtual and Zoom classes that you might find: Tai Chi, Genealogy, Sing Along, Trivia, lectures on a number of topics, paint night, bingo and more!!
So, call your Senior Center and see if you can pick up jigsaw puzzles, books from the Senior Center Library, or maybe even craft kits. Who knows, give them a call, and ask!!
So even though, you might have thought your Senior Center is CLOSED, it’s not really…. It’s just that the public cannot go into the building.
February 10th and 24th from 2pm to 3pm- Pop-Up drive-Thru Food Pantry at Norwich Health Center
Pop Up Drive-thru Food Pantry Distribution dates include:
February 10, 2021 at Norwich Health Center, 47 Town Street, Norwich, Ct. from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
February 24, 2021 at Norwich Health Center, 47 Town Street, Norwich, Ct. from 2:00 – 3:00 P.m.
“Don’t Let the Old Man In” – Content by Judy
Toby Keith was inspired to write this song by Clint Eastwood who was about to turn 88. Toby Keith wanted to know what Clint Eastwood was going to do for his birthday and Clint said he was starting to make his new movie “The Mule” that next week.
Amazed Toby wrote about keeping that “Old Man” at bay. As the song says, “How old would you be if you didn’t know the day you were born?”
We all say “I don’t feel as old as I am” which is so true. There are times we are shocked when we look in the mirror because we have forgotten the number of years that have passed by. If we do not think about it, we can do what we have always done regardless of our age.
And as we move into this new year it is time to think and decide how we want to live. How we do not want to let that old man in. How we want to live, do what we love and expand what we are doing.
It is time to make our Bucket List for 2021 and 2022. What do you want your 2021 and 2022 to look like? What is your next act? If we do not plan for our future that old man just might seek in when we are not looking!
It does not have to be just huge things. What are the little things…?
Maybe… Enjoy the sunset more. Visit with family and friends more. Make 2 new friends. Read a good book. Maybe join a book club. Garden. Grow your own salad. Take a walk. Go someplace new each month. Redo a room in your house. Paint the walls and rearrange the furniture. Clean out the garage or the shed or both. Make a scrapbook of past vacations. Plan new vacations. Take an online class. Learn how to do 3 new things on your computer or smart phone. Do something kind for someone you hardly know.
For bigger things it might be take that road trip. Volunteer weekly at a school, hospital, or Senior Center. Do a makeover – you, the backyard, or your wardrobe. Brew your own beer. Learn a craft – maybe counted cross-stitch, carving, knitting. Reread your favorite book. Learn to meditate, then meditate daily for a month. Eat healthy and learn to cook new recipes. Redo your budget so you free up money to do the things you are always talking about doing! Book your next big trip!!
And as you make your Bucket List include another list of all the things you want to do as places open back up!! What have you missed the most? What was it you were planning for 2020 you never got to do?
And remember you are never ever “TOO OLD” to do anything!! Get out there and live. “Don’t let the old man in”