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 Social Services
For many people change is frightening - loss of abilities, loss of
friends, inability to care for oneself, insecure financial situations, the
need to change residence and not knowing the options. These are the kinds of
questions the Social Services Department hears each day, several times a
day. Reassuring answers, lists of resources, telephone calls, a warm hug,
getting to know others in similar situations - these make the senior who
thought they were alone feel confident that they can master these new
challenges.
Preventive services are also offered and many people take advantage of
them. Over 1,000 people receive flu shots and over 450 people attend the
Health Fair and receive information and screening from a multitude of
vendors. If you have any questions or would like more information call (302)
737-2336 ext. 12 or email
Lee Perkins.
COUNSELING “TALK
THERAPY” SERVICES AT THE NSC!Counseling Hours at Newark Senior Center: Lee Perkins, MS, NCC, Board Certified Counselor Specializing in Depression, Anxiety Disorders, and Grief Counseling Hours at Newark Senior Center Daily, Monday thru Friday, 12noon - 5:00pm and Evening hours are available upon request. In-Home Counseling Services are also provided (Call for an appointment). FROM THE DESK OF SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR: Newark Senior Center celebrates national Older American Month of May by hosting our annual Health and Wellness Fair on Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 9:30am to 2:00pm. In keeping with the effort to promote health aging we’ve decided to focus once again on subject of Men’s Health. “YOUR HUSBAND, ONLY HEALTHIER” Interested in getting your husband to shape up–without nagging or driving yourself crazy? In a recent American Academy of Family Physicians survey of some 1,100 men, 92 percent admitted they wait at least a few days before getting care when they feel sick or have pain—and almost 30 percent will hold out “as long as possible.” According to AAFP Board Chair Rick Kellerman, M.D. “One of the biggest obstacles to improving the health of men is men themselves.” But it appears that the key to motivating your guy to do the right thing for himself rests with you the spouse or a significant other. “Nearly 80 percent of men in our survey reported that their spouse or significant other influences their decision to go to the doctor,” Dr.Kellerman says. A recent study from Yale that examined the lifestyle habits of approximately 6,000 couples found that a woman’s own healthy changes often promoted her husband to follow suit. Here are some other motivators: Health Hurdle #1 Checkups and Screening Tests Smart Nudge: Get yours done at the same time. Men see their doctors for preventive care about half as often as women do, reports the national Men’s Health Network. This gap is one reason the average life expectancy for men is only 75.2 years, compared to 80.4 years for women. Your best strategy? Make it a joint project: Go for your routine checkups together. Say It Like This: I’ll get my blood pressure and cholesterol checked with you. (Other strategies will be listed in the next 2 issues of NSC monthly newsletters.) Source: Good Housekeeping January 2008 For more information on Men’s Health: Please come out and support the Newark Senior Center’s 2008 Health Fair scheduled on Thursday, May 15, 2008 from 8:30am to 2:00pm. The events of the day will begin at 8:30 with 2 walk trails sponsored by Newark Parks and Recreation. At 1:00pm Guest Speaker: D. Bhaskar Rao, MD Christiana Care’s Vascular Surgeon, will speak on the topic of preventing Cardiovascular Disease and Maintaining Cardiovascular Health. For more information contact Lee Perkins, Social Services Director, if you are interested in volunteering or providing health screenings. THE BIGGEST LOSER Special thanks to nursing students Hattie Silliman and LaShaya Terrell with University of Delaware’s College of Nursing for coordinating “The Biggest Loser.” The goal of “The Biggest Loser” competition is based on weight loss/management and increased fitness activity. A tentative listing of participants include: Ruthann Brookens, Elaine Hampton, Sandra Lenhart, Robert McAlpine, Fran Mc Manus, Bernie Magnus, Charles D. Potts, Carolyn Wing. Prizes will be awarded to the winner(s) on Thursday, May 15th at the annual Health and Wellness Fair. Let’s all support each participant as he/she works toward a personal fitness goal. ELDER LAW PROGRAM ALICE MARTIN, COMMUNITY LEGAL AID REPRESENTATIVE The Elder Law Program will temporarily discontinue their monthly visits to the Newark Senior Center. All customers are welcome to call the Elder Law Office directly to schedule an appointment. The locations, and phone numbers for the Elder Law Program are: Wilmington Office 302-575-0660 The Community Service building 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 801, Wilmington, DE Dover Office 302-674-8500 840 Walker Road, Dover, DE AARP’S SAFE DRIVING The AARP’s Safe Driving is designed to keep you updated on new or current rules of the road to prevent accidents. When you participate in the Safe Driving Course, you are eligible for a 10% reduction on the liability portion of your automobile insurance. COST: $10, due at the first class. Please register at the Reception Desk. AARP’s BEGINNER’S COURSE May 12th & 13th 6:00pm to 10:00pm AARP’S REFRESHER COURSE Select 1 of the 2 classes available: May 14th 12:30pm to 4:30pm (4 hr) May 14th 6:00pm to 10:00pm (4hr) NEW! NEWARK SENIOR CENTER’S IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES NEWARK SENIOR CENTER IS YOUR CONNECTION TO SERVICES THAT HELP YOU MAINTAIN YOUR INDEPENDENCE -Are you in need of short term assistance with Housekeeping or Personal Care? -Do you need assistance with Meals or Transportation? -Are you new to the area and trying to get a handle on supportive resources in the community? Call Newark Senior Center’s in-Home Support Program also known as Senior Connections at 302-737-2336 and ask for Lee Perkins, Social Services Director. We can assist you with identifying resources: Home Delivered Meals Transportation to Medical Appointments Adaptive Equipment Money Management services Minor Home Repairs Accessing Benefits, i.e., VA, Medicare, ... and more MEDICARE INFORMATION Tuesday, May 6th 10:00am - noon State Rep. John Kowalko will host a Medicare information session presented by the Elderinfo office of the State Department of Insurance. Other organizations will be on hand to answer questions, including the Social Security Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the Nemours Health Clinic. State Rep. Bethany Hall-Long, a registered nurse and professor nursing will also be available to provide information and perform screenings. MEDICARE INFORMATION MEETING Thursday, May 8th & June 19th 9:00am Presenter: Christine Coneeny, Aetna The purpose of this meeting is to provide a general overview of Medicare and the options available to those who are eligible for Medicare because they are: Turning 65, losing group benefits due to retirement, eligible due to >24 months on disability, eligible for Medicare AND Medicaid. Please contact Christine at 531-6271 to register. PARKINSON’S FAMILY PROGRAM Thursday, May 1st 9:30 am Pat Brill, Facilitator & Lee Perkins, Co-Facilitator PARKINSON’S STRENGTH TRAINING Every Tuesday, 10:30am Every Thursday, 9:00am THUMBS UP SUPPORT GROUP - STROKE SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP Every 2nd & 4th Thursday 1:00pm Bring family and friends to learn more. Everyone needs support. Contact: Robin Roth at 633-9313 at Delaware Stroke Initiative. SUPPORT GROUP FOR SPOUSES CARING FOR LOVED ONES WITH DEMENTIA or ALZHEIMER Thursday, May 22nd 3:30pm Topic: Coping with the Role of Caregiver Facilitator: Lee Perkins, MS, NCC, Social Services Director & Adele Brett, RN Meet other caregivers in the support group. Here you will be able to voice your concerns freely in a non-judgmental environment. Receive practical advice and emotional support from those who may already have “walked in your footsteps.” “ADVANCED FUNERAL PLANNING” Wednesday, May 21st 2:00pm Presenter: Bob Foard of R T Foard & Jones Funeral Home New power point presentation!!! Learn more about: Burial and Cremation Services, Final Expense Funding Options and Veterans Benefits. HEALTH CARE SERVICES QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICARE??????? If you have questions pertaining to when to enroll in Medicare whether it’s Paart A, B, C, or D, the answer may be found in Tip Sheet published by Department of Health and Human Services. To obtain your copy or for more information stop by the office of the Social Services Director, Lee Perkins, or contact the Delaware’s Insurance Commissioner’s Office at 1-800-336-9500. Make an appointment for Assistance with Medicare every Wednesday and Thursday by contacting the Reception Desk at 302-737-2336. You can also visit www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicare.asp for more details on enrollment periods. BLOOD PRESSURE 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month at 1:00pm Thursdays, May 1st and 15th The nurses from the Gardens at White Chapel are available to provide Blood pressure screening for our members. BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF DELAWARE Tuesdays, 9:00am - 12:00pm, May 6th & May20th Thursdays, 12:00pm - 3:00pm, May 8th (Please note: BCBSD Office Closed May 22nd) Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware (BCBSD) began a roaming Customer Service program in New Castle County. A BCBSD Customer Service rep is on hand during the listed times at the Newark Senior Center to answer BCBSD member’s questions on a routine basis. Updated schedules can be found at bcbsde.com or by calling BCBSD’s Customer Service at 302-429-0260. Additionally, BCBSD has set up a secure drop box at its’ new 800 Delaware Avenue location for claims and payment drop-off. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: PART TIME AND FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Wednesday, May 21st 10:00am - 12 Noon (First come, first serve basis. No appointment required). Jim Manley, serve as Job Development Specialists for the Senior Community Services Employment Program of Wilmington Senior Center, Inc. Two Programs are designed to help individuals who are seeking employment: 1) The Senior Community Service Employment Program, provides useful part-time activities for individuals fifty-five (55) or older and 2) The Job Referral/Placement Program is open to job seekers who are fifty (50) years or older. For additional questions and appointments, please contact 651-3400. |
Last modified: 05/01/2008 |
