Medical Transportation- ECTC
Medical Transportation and the Caregiver Mileage Reimbursement programs are for seniors 60+ and persons with disabilities who are unable to drive and need transportation to a medical appointment that is occurring outside of the hours or area that the town funded transportation services provides. Participants must complete an Eligibility Form. If you are requesting a ride through ECTC, you must include a $24.00 annual enrollment fee (check or money order only) with your completed form. For July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018, participants will be eligible for 48 one way rides. This service is funded through a state grant, therefore rides and reimbursements are contingent upon the availability of grant funds. Registered participants who cannot have their needs met by existing services will be provided a limited number of one-way trips per grant year. No fare is charged to the participant, but a $24.00 enrollment fee is required.
ECTC will arrange the medical transportation for eligible participants. Each trip request will be reviewed to determine if it can be met by existing transportation services.
Transportation may be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing sufficient notice is given by the client. Requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance and can be made up to 2 weeks ahead. Requests for Monday rides must be made by the preceding Friday at 2:00 p.m. Requests left on the answering machine on weekends and holidays for service for the next business day cannot be accommodated by this program.
No enrollment fee is required if you only use the Caregivers Mileage Reimbursement Program.
Caregiver Mileage Reimbursement Program (for persons unable to drive):
The driver and rider must complete the Request for Mileage Reimbursement form. Mileage will be calculated by ECTC based on the shortest distance. Caregivers are not reimbursed for mileage from their home to the client’s. Completed forms must include the appointment date, start address, destination address, and must be signed and dated by client and driver after last trip entered. For additional information or to register for either program, please call 860-887-5581 ext. 6
Congregate Café Program
The Congregate Café Program is conducted at the Preston Senior Center, 42 Long Society Road on Monday’s at 11:30 a.m. (except for holidays and/or inclement weather). The program is designed for elders who are 60 years of age and older. Registrations for the Monday meal must be called in before the previous Thursday. There is a suggested donation of $3.00 per person. We ask that participants register for the Monday program in advance. Please call 860-887-5581 ext. 6 leaving your name, telephone number and date which you plan on attending the program.
All persons who are sixty years of age and older are welcome to attend, it doesn’t matter if you live in Preston, Lisbon, Ledyard, all are invited. Persons who are under the age of sixty are charged a larger fee for participating in the program.
Baby Boomers and the Change They Continue to Create. – Content by Judy
For those who aren’t certain – Baby Boomers are the children who were born after World War II. As the soldiers returned and married there was a population explosion creating a baby boom thus the name Baby Boomers! These babies were born between 1946 and 1964. They now are between the ages of 55 and 75. And there are more than 76 million Baby Boomers!
As this bunch moved through the different stages of live, society needed to adapt to accommodate the vast number. Schools were built. TV programming was geared towards them. Advertising was directed towards them. They protested the Vietnam war. Held sit-ins. Woodstock, The Beatles and TVs in every home happened because of the Boomers. And now society needs to continue to adapt as this massive group moves through the third stage of life.
This group is competitive, self-assured, goal oriented and has a strong sense of community. They are independent and make up their own mind. They are smart, confident and do their own research. Plus, they don’t part with their money easily.
As they become retirees’ changes will continue to develop and evolve. Boomers will need everything retirees have always consumed but in a much greater number and in a much different way. One example is the Boomers are generally staying in their homes. Not going to Florida. Not relocating. But “Aging in Place”.
Baby Boomers will live better than the generations before them as they live and work longer. Baby Boomers, also, had smaller families and are apt to be alone when their care needs change.
Society will need to again adapt and change to fill the void all of this will create. They will have more needs than the present aging system can supply. The current workforce will not be able to support this group’s future needs.
We already see some of these changes starting with the resourceful development of new ways to do things.
Uber and Lyft offer the beginnings of affordable on demand transportation.
Technology offers assistance to varying degrees. Alexa, Fitbit, telemedicine and fall monitors all offer various levels of help. We even have a TV we can talk to. And new devises are being developed and promoted as we speak. Updates continue to be made on existing devices and apps weekly.
The more we are able to talk with devices the more support we can get at a very low cost. They are not the robots we pictured as we watched “The Jetson’s”. But we can vacuum with iRobot. See who is at the front door with Ring. Call for help with our Medical Alert. Change the channel of the TV. Play music, make phone calls, monitor the thermostat and more with Alexa. Even start our car with our Smartphone.
What will we be doing with devises in say 5 years?
As Baby Boomers strive to live the lives they imagined and maintain their independence, they will be looking for those companies and products that market to them. They want companies that provide useful information. Have clickable ads. Give better than average customer service. Companies that understand $3+ trillion of the disposable income is in the hands of Baby Boomers will win those Boomers over with targeted marketing campaigns. One excellent example is SeniorCenterCt.org. A Collective website that’s easy to navigate and filled with useful information designed for the Baby Boomer.
There is much more on the horizon so as we look at change but sure to welcome it!
Pets – Content by Judy
I recently got a puppy and I can’t tell you how much richer my life is because of our new little beagle, Harriett! She makes us laugh. She gets us up and moving. She’s funny and smart. I think we are going to be in trouble cuz she might be a little too smart.
The CDC article I was recently reading states that studies show the bond between people and pets lowers stress, increases fitness and brings happiness which can lead to decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decreased feelings of loneness with increased opportunities for exercise and socialization. Plus, pets can help us with weight loss.
When considering what to get for a pet we should be considering how long the pet will live. What they eat. How much exercise they will need? How big or small will it be when full grown. Are pets allowed where you live. How much time you have for a pet? How much will the pet cost between vet bills, food, grooming, etc.
Another thing is pet insurance. This is becoming more popular and can be quite affordable. And can cover those unexpected illnesses and accidents.
And before you get your pet. Figure out what pet you might want. The cost and time commitment. Reasons why that pet might not be a good idea. Ask yourself – will my life be richer if I get this pet? Or should I consider a cat instead? Maybe fish?
If you haven’t had a pet before you might want to consider a parakeet, a gecko, a gerbil or guinea pig. They are pretty easy to care for.
And remember the benefits!! Companionship, movement and laughter. Pets can give us a new meaning and purpose in life. My grandkids have come to visit more so they can see the puppy.
Most households in the US have at least one pet. You just need to pick the right pet for you and your household. We all are better off for loving a pet.
Gift Giving Alternatives – Content by Judy
It’s that time of year when we are thinking about what to buy or make for gifts. What’s the right thing? What do they want? What will they use??
For some folks you know exactly what to get but then for others you have no idea!! Some people seem to have everything they want and never ask for anything – even when you ask them what they want. So, then you are searching and wondering and worrying as what to get.
Oft times there are not so obvious gifts we can give….
Fuel oil – wouldn’t it be so cool to get 150 gallons! Who would say no to that!!
Newspaper – if they read it every day or just on Sundays, they’ll be thinking of you as they are reading
Amazon Prime membership – yup that’s my gift!! I use it all of the time!!
Trash removal
AAA membership
Birdseed
Pet food
Vet visit
Hairdresser/barber shop
Stamps
Cable TV
Netflix
Something to do with their hobby
Quilter – fabric store gift card
Woodworker – Home Depot card
Senior Center membership or put it on their trip account – give them a stack of $1 bills to use for their lunches
These are just a few ideas and then you could make coupons they can redeem for things like….
A ride – anywhere they want – maybe to go leaf peeping or a visit down memory lane
Go to church with them
Invite them over – have dinner – watch a movie – play a game
Include them in your family outing – take them to the little league game, the scout meeting, the school play
You don’t have to spent much to make someone’s day!! Often, it’s free to make them happy!!