The Watertown Senior Center has a wide variety of events and activities happening in January, including tax information, a program about hearing loss, a group where you can discuss death with no agenda, and ways to get around town.
The following are highlights from the Watertown Senior News:
Letter from the Director
Another year has come and gone and we look forward to continuing our good times together in 2020! We begin the year by welcoming our new Case Worker to the Senior Center team. Jenya Kruglyansky comes to us with a wealth of experience in elder services and is eager to meet you. She is available for assistance with housing, food stamps, fuel assistance, MassHealth and other emergency needs. She can also provide consultations about services available to you to keep you living well at home in the community. Learn a bit more about her in our Case Worker Corner.
January is also the month for one of our most popular Lunch and Learn presentations about Tax Exemptions for Seniors in Watertown. We have invited the Town Assessor, Town Auditor and Town Treasurer/Collector to provide you with this important information on January 15 at 10:00 AM. Call today to register for this important event.
The Senior Center’s Program Coordinator, Marina Kirsanova, has added some new items to our calendar including a Reiki presentation, a Death Café event, a Harp Music showcase, a presentation about Hearing Loss, and one about the services of the Perkins Library. Please join us, and don’t forget to sign in to a class or program or shuttle bus ride with your My Senior Center Keytag. This helps to keep us informed on how best to serve you. Rae, Margie or the shuttle drivers Jim or Bob will make sure to remind you. Thank you for your cooperation.
Here’s to all that 2020 will bring, and we hope to see you at the Senior Center!
Cheers to the New Year!
Anne-Marie Gagnon
Director of Senior Services
Events
The Joy of Harp with Susan Regan January 7, 10 am
The interactive program will consist of a very short history of the harp and the different rolls it has played in history. Susan will also play a few popular tunes from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s that will be introduced via A Trivia Game.
Cost: FREE Pre-register: Yes!
Ways to Cope with Hearing Loss with Carol Agate January 9, 10:30 am
You don’t have to face hearing loss alone. Carol Agate, member of HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America, Boston Chapter) will talk about many ways you can benefit from learning the many ways to supplement the hearing aids.
Cost: FREE Pre-register: Yes!
Lunch & Learn: Everything You Need to Know about Tax Exemptions for Seniors in Watertown
January 15, 10 am
Cost: $3.00 for lunch. Pre-register: Yes!
Reiki History and Practice With Jane Leo Wednesday, January 22, 10 am
Jane is a Level 4 Certified Reiki practitioner who works with patients at Spaulding Rehab. Jane will talk about what Reiki is and will provide several free 15-minute sessions at the end of presentation.
Cost: FREE Pre-register: Yes!
Death Café with Richard Davis
Wednesday, January 29, 10 am
“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s
troublesome.”― Isaac Asimov
Join us as we talk about death and dying in a safe and judgement free space. A Death Café is a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Come with an open mind, a healthy curiosity, and a willingness to share your thoughts, feelings, and questions with other like-minded individuals. Enjoy tea and cake too.
Cost: FREE Pre-register: Yes
Case Worker Corner
Hello, Seniors of Watertown!
My name is Jenya Kruglyansky. I am the new Case Worker for the Council on Aging/Senior Center. I come on board with much experience from working at a local elder services agency for over nine years. I have a passion for helping and supporting seniors, their families, and caregivers. I am excited to join the team of the Council on Aging/Senior Center to contribute to the wellbeing of the Watertown senior community.
MassHealth Might Pay for your Medical Transportation
If you are a MassHealth member, you may be eligible for non-emergency transportation to and from your MassHealth covered services when you are unable to access public or private transport. Services include but are not limited to doctors’ appointments, counseling, and day habilitation. In case you have Springwell’s services, ask your Care Manager to fill out and mail for you a Prescription for Transportation (PT-1) form on your behalf.
You will receive a letter in the mail informing you that your PT-1 has been approved or denied. If you’re approved, you will receive instructions on how to set up your transportation. If denied, you will be given a reason for the denial and information on how to appeal it. To get more information, please call Mass Customer Service Center at 800-841-2900 or go to www.mass.gov/how-to/requesttransportation-for-a-member.
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Health & Wellness
January 2: Blood Pressure Screening at 10:00 AM by Wil Wilhelmus, Public Nurse, Watertown Town Hall. Free.
January 23: Foot Care Clinic at 11:00 AM. Toenails, corns, callus care only. The cost for this service is $25.00 payable to Dr. Alper.
January 23: Blood Pressure Screening at 10:00 AM by Linda Micklay, R.N. from CareGroup
Transportation
GROCERY SHOPPING, TRIPS TO TARGET, MARSHALLS, WATERTOWN & ARSENAL MALLS
Via the Watertown Senior Shuttle (617) 972-6490
Call the Senior Center to be added to the route if you are new or need to change from your scheduled day. The Shuttle will pick you up and return you to your home. Approximately 1 hour of shopping time. Suggested donation is $1.00 Round Trip. STRICT 3 BAG LIMIT! No cases of water. Please show the driver your My Senior Center Key Tag. Applications available on the Senior Shuttle. Driver provides limited assistance.
TRANSPORTATION TO THE SENIOR CENTER FOR PROGRAMS and SERVICES
(617) 972-6490
RIDES TO LOCAL DOCTORS
(617) 972-6490
Call the Senior Center 2 days in advance to schedule your taxi ride. You may tip the driver at your discretion. A spouse, friend, or companion may accompany you at no extra charge. Program available as funding permits.
THE MBTA RIDE
Have you thought about taking the MBTA Ride? For eligibility contact: THE RIDE – 617-337-2727 www.mbta.com/theride
Friends of the Senior Center
Friends of the Watertown COA Meeting
JANUARY 9 at 2:00 PM Watertown Senior Center
Come and meet some new people and learn how you can help the Friends support the Senior Center.
Read the entire January 2020 issue of the Watertown Senior News by clicking here.