Newsletter from the Paxton Council on Aging

PAXTON SENIOR CONNECTION

17 West Street

Paxton, MA 01612

Tel. 508-756-2833

Fax: 508-756-3762

clove@townofpaxton.net

Volume 2018

Issue 2

February 2018

Inside...p.2: Urgent Care p.3: Valentine’s Lunch p.3: Low Vision

Joan Jim Jan

Heart Healthy F

ebruary is not only Valentine’s Day but it is also Heart Month. The per-fect gift this Valentine’s is the gift of a healthy heart. Did you know that

heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.? Every year about 735,000 Americans have a heart attack. Out of this, 525,000 experienced a heart attack for the first time. Here are some major warning signs that, when recognized, can save your life:

• Chest pain or discomfort • Shortness of breath • Upper body pain or discomfort in arms, back, neck • Nausea, lightheadedness or cold sweats

(Call 911 if these symptoms are present)

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking can also place you in the “high risk” category. There are several other medical conditions that can put you at risk. This in-cludes diabetes, obesity, poor diet, and inactivity. The good news? Heart disease is preventable by making lifestyle changes and managing medical conditions. Give yourself an early Valentine’s gift by coming to the Senior Center on Tuesday, February 13 at 11 am and have your blood pressure checked free of charge by Rhapsody Home Health professionals.

2 Paxton Senior Connection FEBRUARY 2018

COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD

Officers Chairperson – Curtis Hammar Vice Chair – Alice Crowley Secretary – Joan Bedard Treasurer – Bob Callahan

Board Members

Barbara Braley, Gino Gangai, Jim Putnam, Natalie Siemen, Jean Wilde

Associates—Mark Ahearn, Paul Bergin, Howard Coleman, June Herron, Bob Lamotte

�COUNCIL ON AGING STAFF

Director/Outreach – Cindy Love

508-756-2833 clove@townofpaxton.net

Office Assistant—Dolores Rauschl

Van Drivers Pete Belsito, Jack Crowley, Frank LaFlash

Olde Schoolhouse Diner Dining Site Manager – Tina Bullock

Friends of the Council on Aging President – Dave Wheeler Vice President - Bill Cutroni Treasurer – Bob Wilby

Secretary – Melinda Johnson Associates - Dick Bedard, Judy Taylor

www.friendspaxtoncoa.org

Newsletter Editors - Curtis Hammar, Cindy Love

It shall be the mission of the Council on Aging to

evaluate, promote, and encourage new and existing services and activities which enhance the quality of life

for elders in the town of Paxton�

“Code Red” for Emergencies

Code Red is a town-wide emergency notification system set up to keep you safe in the event of an emergency. The system delivers emergency messages by phone. Messages regarding the safety or welfare of Paxton residents will be sent using the system. Don’t be left in the dark when an emergency arises. Sign up today by calling the COA office or visit townofpaxton.net.

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Prescription Advantage

The Prescription Advantage Plan is a state-sponsored drug plan that is available to Mass. residents 65 years and older, as well as individuals with disabilities who meet the income and employment guidelines. It pro-vides financial help to lower drug costs. If you have Medicare or any other prescription insurance, Prescription Advantage helps to fill the gaps in the coverage. For people not eli-gible for Medicare, Prescription Advantage provides primary coverage. For more infor-mation, call Prescription Advantage at 1-800-243-4636 or call the COA to meet with our SHINE counselor.

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What is an urgent care center? It’s a walk-in clinic focused on non-emergencies. These clinics provide easy access to quality health care for times when your primary care physi-cian’s office is closed. Professionals at these locations treat injuries or illnesses requiring immediate care, but not serious enough to use a hospital’s Emergency Room. Some examples of why you would go to an Ur-gent Care Center include:

⇒ Accidents and falls ⇒ Fever/Flu ⇒ Infections/Skin rashes/Minor burns ⇒ Sprains/fractures ⇒ Eye irritation/Ear aches ⇒ Headaches/Light headedness ⇒ Xrays and Lab tests

Several Urgent Care centers are located in our area. Remember 1 always call 911 for any medical problem that appears to be life-threatening.

FEBRUARY 2018 Paxton Senior Connection 3

March Preview (Full details in next month’s Newsletter)

March

16 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

21 Breakfast by Paxton Fire Dept.

Valentine’s Day Lunch

Brighten your day and join us for our annual Valentine’s Social and Lunch

Tuesday, February 13 at Noon Tina and the Diner crew will serve a heart-warming full-course

lunch. It’s a great day to spend time with good friends. All are welcome! Generously sponsored by the Friends of the COA Reservations required (by Feb. 8): Call 508-756-2833 Don’ forget / Blood pressure clinic at 11 am (free)

Lions Low Vision

Presentation Paxton Lions Club, along with the COA will unveil a new pro-gram to help anyone coping with low vision and vision loss typically caused by Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Diabetic Reti-nopathy or Cataracts. John Reimer, Lions regional chairperson, will present details on the Low Vision Reha-bilitation Network on Thursday, February 22 at 11 am.

You can learn about how this initiative can help you by attending this informative pro-gram. Lunch (option) follows. Please call to reserve

(508-756-2833).

Chair Massage Warm up those winter-weary muscles with a fif-teen minute chair massage! Joanne Ethier, LMT, will offer massage on Tuesday, February 27 from 12:30 to 1:45 pm. Joanne has been an educator for 36 years and a Massage Therapist since 2005. Donation is $10 per session. Treat yourself to the healing gift of positive touch! Call to reserve a time: 508-756-2833.

Schoolhouse Memories We’re still receiving interesting memories of at-tending school at the White Building. If you have recollections of your times here please give Cindy a few words. We’ll run down memory lane with a story in a future Newsletter.

GAME TIME? Any interest in playing Pitch? It’s a great card game for all ...and if we can get a group togeth-er we’ll launch it soon. Please call Cindy if you would like to be part of it: (508-756-2833).

“Pals” Program We’ll soon start a new program connect-ing our seniors with fourth graders at Paxton Center School. It’s an opportunity to have fun and build a friendship. Seniors will have a fourth grade “Pal” who will contact and interview them over the next few months. At the end, the stu-dents will present their finished “biographies” of participating seniors at a special event.

The program starts the end of March and ends in June. We need over 50 participants, so if you’re interested (men and women), call Cindy at the COA (508-756-2833).

4 Paxton Senior Connection FEBUARY 2018

(Call the COA office to check on winter cancella�ons)��

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Escape the cold for the warmth of our monthly Café on Wednesday, February 7 from 9 to Noon. We’ll feature a tasty selection of various pastries, plus Jackie’s well-known chili, cornbread and fruit salad for eat-in or take-out. It’s all generously sponsored by the LaFlash family. Drop in!

Book Club Never missing a beat (or a word), our Book Club considers The Known World by Edward P. Jones, this month at 11 am on Monday, Febru-ary 12. Coffee is served at 10:30 am. New readers welcome!

Mens Club An informative program on changes in policing, is on tap with guest presenter Det. Jason Silvestri of the Paxton Police Dept. on Tuesday, February 20. We’ll start at 9:30 am with coffee and snacks and then,following the 10 am program, have time to raise any questions about safety in town.

Presorted

Standard

Postage

PAID

Permit #3

Holden, MA.

Paxton Council on Aging

17 West St

Paxton, MA 01612

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Lunch at the Schoolhouse Diner

FEBRUARY MENU (Subject to change)

Bread, milk and dessert included. Suggested donation: $2.50. TO RESERVE: Please call 2 days in advance (508)756-2833.

Newsletter published in part through a grant from the Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs

TUESDAY

THURSDAY FRIDAY

1 Fish w/crumb topping Rice Pilaf, Country veg.

2 BBQ Chicken Mashed potato, Brussels sprouts

6 Salmon Boat w/dill sauce Mashed potato, Mixed veg.

8 Cold Roast Beef sandwich Potato and Three Bean salad

9 Beef & Bean Chili/cheese Baked potato, Roman veg.

13 VALENTINE’S LUNCH Chicken & Sausage Gumbo Paella rice, Peas, Cornbread

15 Hot Dog on Bun Baked beans, Cole slaw

16 Potato Crunch Fish Seasoned potato, Peas

20 Sloppy Joe Herb potato, Mixed veg.

22 Meatloaf w/gravy Garlic Mashed potato, Veg.

23 Mac ‘n Cheese Stewed tomatoes, Green beans

27 Pork Rib-i-que Mac ‘n Cheese, Corn