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!!
Free Live Well Workshops
Now offered via telephone. Senior Resources is now offering three different Free Live Well Telephone Workshops for area adults and their caregivers: Chronic Pain Self-Management, Diabetes Self-Management, Chronic Pain Self-Management. No other technology than a phone is needed for participants to connect for one hour weekly for six weeks to a trained Live Well leader who facilitates the sessions. In these weekly interactive calls, the leader reviews material and the group explores different self management tools such as action planning, problem solving, decision making, communication, healthy eating, physical activity and planning for the future. Workshops are limited to six adults. For more information call Senior Resources at 860-887-3561 ext 127 and ask to speak to Lori.
January Café Menu:
The TVCCA Café Program meal site which is held at the Preston Senior
Center on Mondays offers the following menu for January:
January 3rd: Crispy Cod, Macaroni & Cheese, Squash Mix w/Carrots & String
Beans, Pineapple Tidbits, bread, margarine and beverage.
January 10th: Philly Cheesesteak w/roll, Sweet Potato Tater Tots, Peas & Pearl
Onions, Diced Pears, bread, margarine and beverage.
January 17th: Program closed due to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
January 24th: Swedish Meatballs, Egg Noodles, Zucchini, Peas, & Carrots, fresh
Orange, bread, margarine and beverage.
January 31st: Country Style Chicken, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Corn
w/Peppers & Onions, Sweet Treat, Grape Juice, bread, margarine and beverage.
Reservations are necessary to participate in this program. We ask that you
register on Monday prior to the Monday in which you plan on attending the
program. There is a suggested donation of $3.00 per meal for individuals who are
60 years of age and over. Questions? Please contact the Senior Affairs Office at
860-887-5581 ext. 6 with your questions or concerns. Currently, transportation
provided by the Town of Preston is not available for this program.
The TVCCA Café Program will be offering some “Specialty Meals” designed
for specific holidays such as Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. Should the
senior center opt to participate in these special meals, participants will be
informed that there would be an increase to the suggested donation amount. We
will not participate in such meal choices unless all registered guests understand
and agree that there would be an increase for said meal.
Turkey Giveaway update
Recently, we were fortunate to be the recipients of 120 turkeys which were
provided by The Hometown Foundation, Inc. The turn-around time was
incredibly short but we did put the information on the Town Website, Facebook
and distributed notices to Preston Housing and senior center to name a few. Our
Resident Troopers were key participants in bringing this grant to the Town of
Preston. We tried to receive approval for the turkey distribution grant for
Thanksgiving but were denied. By sheer luck, and maybe a few prayers, the Town
of Preston received a favorable nod for becoming the recipient of 120 turkeys
recently. Many thanks to our Resident Troopers, Preston Parks and Rec., Youth
Services and the Preston Senior Affairs Committee for coordinating the effort.
Thanks also to the volunteer manpower who distributed all of those big turkeys
including: Amy Brosnan, Cathy Brosnan and of course our Resident Troopers. If
we are ever again so fortunate as to receive a grant from the Hometown
Foundation, Inc. I hope it’s with a little leeway for getting the word out more
efficiently. (But, we’re really grateful for what they did provide us). A special
note of appreciation goes to the Public Works Department for the excellent job of
cleaning up the mountain of cardboard boxes that those turkeys left behind!
Many thanks for the generous donations
Stuff a Cruiser:
Many thanks for the generous donations of warm, cozy items, socks and
slippers which were donated for distribution to elders living in the Town of
Preston. (Several senior citizens also contributed to this worthy cause). The
Preston Parks & Rec., Youth Services and our Resident Troopers spearheaded this
endeavor. The children will also benefit from the outpouring of caring individuals
who donated toys, bikes, books, etc. There will certainly be some very broad
smiles on many faces on Christmas morning. Santa and his elf’s have been very
busy.