ashby senior scoop jan feb 2014

SENIOR SCOOP A NEWSLETTER OF THE ASHBY COUNCIL ON AGING Jan./Feb. 2014

895 Main St., Box 11, Ashby, MA 01431 (978) 386-2424 ext. 27 [email protected]

Many programs and services are available to as-

sist senior citizens. For information about any of the

services available for elders please call the office at

978-386-2424 (ext. 27)

Our office is in Ashby Town Hall (Lyman Build-

ing) 895 Main St., 3rd floor. There is an elevator on

the back of the building for access.

The COA Director is available on Weds. by ap-

pointment and she can do home visits for anyone

having trouble getting to the office. We offer assis-

tance with applications to programs, explain benefits

and services and advocate for elders who need help.

Staff

Kathryn Becker, Director

COA Board

Linda Stacy, Chair

Nancy Catalini, Vice Chair

Oliver Mutch, Treasurer

Jan Miller, Secretary

Jann Grutchfield

Faith Anttila

Elsie Fredrickson

Council on Aging Meetings

The COA meets on the second

Wed. of each month (except July

and Aug.) at 4 p.m. in the COA

office which is located on the

third floor of the Lyman Bldg.

Meetings are open to the public.

All are welcome.

Our Mission Statement:

The Ashby Council on Aging (COA) is dedicated

to enhancing the quality of life of Ashby seniors by

offering services that strive to promote each per-

son’s independence and healthy, successful aging.

Resources

MASS MED LINE has a trained staff

of pharmacy professionals who can an-

swer questions about your medications

over the phone (866) 633-1617 or on-

line at ww.massmedline.com.

GENERIC MEDICATIONS

BENEFITS CHECK-UP at

www.benefitscheckup.org . Quickly find

federal, state and private benefit pro-

grams available to help you save money

on prescription drugs, health care, meals,

utilities, taxes, and more.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Nashoba Nursing Service & Hospice provides a safe and comfortable environment to express the thoughts and feelings you may experience as you care for a loved one during a difficult time. The caregiv-er support group is an opportunity to meet with others sharing a similar journey.

Third Monday of the Month

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Nashoba Valley Medical Center

For more info. call Karen Campbell 800-698-3307 x. 320

** Sand-4-Seniors ** If you have trouble getting sand for your steps or walkways, please

call the office and ask about our Sand-4-Seniors Program. A volunteer will

deliver a 5 gallon bucket filled with sand to those who can’t go out and

retrieve it themselves. Stay safe this winter! Call us at 978-386-2424 ext. 27.

NEWS FROM SHINE

Can I Still Change My Medicare Plan?

The 2013 Medicare Open Enrollment period

ended on December 7, but some people may still be

allowed to change plans.

For those with a Medicare Advantage Plan:

Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 14, you can leave your

plan and switch to Original Medicare, but you cannot

switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan. If you

drop your Medicare Advantage plan during this period,

you will be able to join a Medicare Prescription Drug

Plan to add drug coverage. Your Original Medicare

coverage and your prescription drug coverage will

begin the first day of the month after your enrollment.

You may also add a supplement (Medigap) at this time.

This could be an opportunity to continue coverage with

your current provider if you failed to make a change

during the Open Enrollment Period.

For those with Prescription Advantage or

“Extra Help” paying for prescription drugs: You can

change your plan during the year. Those with Prescrip-

tion Advantage can do this only once each year. Those

with “Extra Help” can change every month. For more

info. Call the COA office or SHINE at 800-243-4636.

Good Neighbor Energy Fund from the

Salvation Army This program is available to any Mass. Resident who,

because of temporary financial difficulty cannot meet a

month’s energy expense and is not eligible for LIHEAP (see

below). You must meet these income requirements: Individu-

al—$32,065-$42,753; two persons— $41,932-$55,908; for

three persons—$51,798-$69,063. Call the COA office at 978-

386-2424 ext. 27 to apply for this program. Applications will

be accepted beginning Feb. 3rd to receive up to $350 toward

heating bill.

Food Stamps

Home Modification Loan Program

MA Health Buy-In Program

RMV Disable Placards app.

Senior Pass (for federal parks)

Circuit Breaker Tax Credit

Caregiver info. Packet

Fuel Assistance

Prescription Advantage

Support Groups

(Please call site to verify date/time)

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Montachusett Home Care Corp.

Crossroads Office Park

680 Mechanics St., Leominster

(800) 734-7312

Meets last Wed. of month 5:30-6:45 p.m.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

The Highlands

335 Nichols Rd., Fitchburg

(978) 343-5368

Meets first Thurs. of month 6 p.m.

WIDOWHOOD SUPPORT GROUP

Montachusett Home Care Corp.

Facilitator: Peter Sylvia

(800) 734-7312

Meets Thursdays 2-4 p.m.

The Ashby Council on Aging’s “Outreach Program”

The purpose of the Outreach Program is to make contact with Ashby’s senior citizens, determine their

needs and interests, and meet those needs and interests through appropriate referrals, program development and

advocacy. The COA Director can explain community programs and benefits, assist with applications to needed

programs, aid elders in their search for services and act as an advocate and support for elders in need. If you or

someone you know has questions or need help, please call the COA office at 978-386-2424 ext. 27.

St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Food Pantry

Located at 15 High St., in Greenville, NH

Open Mon., Tues., Wed. and Thurs.

Please call 603-878-0518 the day before with your name, number

of people shopping and your phone number to receive a call back

with an appointment.

Fuel Assistance Program

The Fuel Assistance program

runs from Nov. 1 to Apr. 30, and

applications are being accepted

now. If you have been on Fuel As-

sistance before, you should have already received your

renewal application. If you need any help filling it out or

making copies of the documents that you need to attach,

please contact the COA office.

If you are new to Fuel Assistance and would like to

apply, eligibility is based on the size of the household and

the combined gross income of its members. The income

eligibility requirements are: For an individual—$32,065;

for two persons—$41,932; for three persons—$51,798.

To apply for Fuel Assistance, call New England Farm

Workers’ Council in Fitchburg at 978-342-4520 or call the

COA office at 978-386-2424 ext. 27 to help you apply.

What’s New . . .

Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts

This free program is under the Federal Program

“Elder Project” and is held on Wednesdays from 10-4 in

the Crowne Point Building at 76 Summer St. in Fitchburg.

No appointments are necessary. Call 1-800-649-3718 for

more information. Elders in need of services should call

them if:

They’ve been denied government benefits such as Social Security or SSI;

Their benefits have been or will be reduced or terminated;

They have housing problems or are being evicted;

Their electricity or gas has been or will be shut off;

They have problems with nursing care or a rest home;

They have been, or may be placed under a guardianship against their will;

They are victims of abuse or exploitation;

They believe they have other legal problems.

This free legal service provides a wide range of civil legal services to seniors

age 60+. They do not have financial guidelines for this service, however they target their

services to the most vulnerable elders who are in social and/or economic need. They also

give priority to certain kinds of legal problems, such as loss of housing, loss of income,

access to health care, and protection against physical and financial abuse.

Chair Yoga for Seniors—Classes Going Now at Town Hall

Saturday mornings 9-10 a.m.

at Ashby Town Hall

(Land Use Room on the First Floor—left end of hallway)

COST: $5.00 per class (subsidy available, if needed)

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat if you have one

Instructor: Roberta Flashman

Questions? Call Roberta at 978-386-7104

Shingles Vaccination Clinic

51 Cambridge St., Ayer MA

* Limited supply of vaccine available *

For uninsured 60+ adults

Call your medical insurance carrier to verify non-coverage of this vaccine

Contact your primary care physician for a prescription note to be brought with you and consult with

him/her regarding any health concerns

Call Nashoba Associated Boards of Health for an appointment

978-772-3335 or 800-427-9762, ext. 333

File of Life: The File of Life is a magnetic en-

velope containing your medical information

and who to notify in case of an emergency. It

goes on your refrigerator and is

easily accessed by emergency per-

sonnel. Please call our office at

978-386-2424 ext. 27 if you

would like a File of Life. There is

no charge and we can mail one to you.

Legal Assistance Corp.: has a satellite office in Fitchburg at 76 Summer St., Suite 235. They are open on Wednesdays 10-4 p.m. or by appt. offering free civil legal services to elders. Call 800-649-3718 for more information.

Ashby COA Van: MART Shuttle Service is

available to all eligible (60 years or older, or

ADA qualified) individuals.

A van is dedicated to Ashby residents on

Mon. through Fri. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for

medical appointments and shopping. Contact

Jennifer Collins, Mon.-Thurs. at 978-386

-2501 ext. 11 to schedule use. Riders

must be scheduled by 2:30 p.m. the day before

the travel date. For first time users, please call

Jennifer to request that an application be

mailed to you.

If you need to cancel your scheduled ride or if

there is a problem the day of travel please call

the MART dispatch at 978-345-7711 ext. 2255.

Ashby Senior Citizens Social Club: Member-

ship in this social group is open to all Ashby resi-

dents who are 60 years or older, disabled veter-

ans, and underage spouses of regular attendees.

Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each

month at 1 p.m. at the Legion Hall. For more in-

formation call Lillian Whitney at 386-5653.

Medical Equipment Available: The Council on

Aging has walkers, crutches, bath chairs, com-modes, wheel chairs and other equipment availa-ble to loan out to Ashby seniors. Call the office at 978-386-2424 ext. 27 for information.

Ongoing Programs

Meals on Wheels: The Ashby COA through

Montachusett Opportunity Council provides

meals to frail elders who are

unable to attend a congregate

meal site and require assis-

tance with meal preparation.

Hot noon time meals are deliv-

ered to an individual’s home.

Upon advance request, frozen meals for evenings

and weekends are also available for delivery with

the noon meal. Each meal meets one-third of the

Recommended Daily Allowances for adults, and

is appropriate for a ‘no added salt’ diet. Thera-

peutic diet meals are available with a physician’s

prescription.

Eligibility: Must be at least 60 years of age and

homebound. Requested donation is $2.25 per

meal. Call the Ashby COA office at 978-386-2424

ext. 27 if you would like to receive Meals on

Wheels.

Ashby Council On Aging

895 Main St., Box 11

Ashby, MA 01431

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ASHBY, MASS. 01431

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Distribution of this newsletter is made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Housing Rehab Program

—Pre-Applications Are Being Accepted Now!

The Housing Rehab Program is funded by a Community Development Block Grant and managed

by the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC).

Typical projects for the Housing Rehab Program include

roof replacement, insulation, heating systems, electrical repairs,

window and door replacement, lead paint removal, septic repair/

replacement and general carpentry. If you are an Ashby property

owner and interested in this program you need to fill out a Re-

quest for Assistance.

Requests for assistance should be submitted to the Monta-

chusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC). Requests will

put you on a waiting list and once you reach the top of the list

you will receive a full application. All information provided is

confidential. To receive a pre-application, call the Council on

Aging at 978-386-2424 ext. 27.

ashby senior scoop jan feb 2014

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