October 2007 Happenings at Callahan Center

FRAMINGHAM, MA -- Here's what's happening at the Callahan Senior Center this month:

Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center: Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, October 1, 15, 22 & 29 at 10:00 am. (No meeting on October 8 due to the holiday.) Caregivers’ Support Group: Tuesday, October 16 at 1:00 pm. (Please call the Center at 508-532-5980 if you are interested in participating this group but can only attend in the evening.) Chronic Illness Disease Management Support Group: Monday, October 1, 15, 22 & 29 at 10:00 am. (This is a six-week program.) (No meeting on October 8 due to the holiday.) Diabetes Support Group: Tuesday, October 30 at 10:00 am.
Grandparent Support Group: Please call Center for date and time. Low Vision Group: Friday, October 19 at 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Massage Therapy: Thursday, October 4, by appt. only. Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, October 16 at 1:30 pm. Podiatry: Thursday, October 11 from 12:30 pm to 4:15 pm, by appt. only. Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, October 1 at 1:00 pm.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR OCTOBER - Wednesdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
from 9:30—11am & 12—1 pm.

Are you reaching the “donut hole”? If you reach that gap in your Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) that is often called the “donut hole,” you will have to pay up to $3,051.25 out-of-pocket for your prescription drugs before your Part D plan will start paying again. It’s time to see how Prescription Advantage can help. If you are single and your income is less than $30,630, or, if you are married and your combined income is less than $41,070, Prescription Advantage can help to pay for the drugs covered by your Part D plan when you reach the donut hole. You will only pay a Prescription Advantage co-payment. If your income is higher, you may be eligible for benefits that would put a cap on the amount you would have to pay. With Prescription Advantage there is no need to worry about the donut hole. You no longer have to wait for an open enrollment to apply for Prescription Advantage. You can apply at any time, so call today for an application. You can reach Prescription Advantage Customer Service toll-free at 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) or TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing at 1-877-610-0241. If you need help with any aspect of your health insurance (Medicare), call your local Senior Center and ask for a SHINE appointment. You can also get help by calling 1-800-AGE-INFO (1-800-243-4636) and pressing or saying "2" to reach the SHINE Program. If you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number. A counselor will return your call as soon as possible.

A Day of Fun and Information for Portuguese Speaking Elders - There will be a free and fun event for Portuguese speaking elders held at the Portuguese Club in Hudson on Wednesday, November 7th. The entire event will be conducted in Portuguese. A continental breakfast and hot lunch will be provided free of charge. There will be Portuguese entertainment, in addition to information about how to stay healthy and how to access healthcare resources. For further information, contact either Ana at the Hudson Senior Center (978) 568-9638 or Ana Cristina at the Marlboro Senior Center (508) 485-6492.

SAVE THESE DATES IN OCTOBER - If you would like to attend any of the events below, you are required to call the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980 and reserve a seat. Thank you!

Wednesday, October 3rd at 11:00 am - There will be a presentation at the Callahan Center in regards to smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. The Framingham Fire Station has several of these units to give out to anyone who is in need. There is also the option for having the units installed in your home through this program. Fire Marshall Brian Mauro will be on hand to explain the importance of having these units in your home. Also speaking will be Kassia Pereira, Program Coordinator for SMOC. Kassia will be explaining the Home Modification Loan Program. This program is for Individuals with Disabilities, funded by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. The program provides funding for individuals and families to modify homes for a household member with a disability.

Thursday, October 4th at 10:00 am - Come and listen to a nutritionist from Kathleen Daniel Healthcare, who will present “Know Your Labels”. This will be an information session on how to read food labels followed by a question and answer session. Kathleen Daniels Healthcare will be providing a healthy breakfast for those in attendance. No admittance without sign up.

Wednesday, October 10th at 10:00 am - “Shingles—Risk Factors, Symptoms & Treatment”. Please join us to learn more about the most common virus for those 50 years of age and older.

Wednesday, October 17th at 10:00 am - “Understanding Autism” with Nannette Ohman, Executive Director, Autism Alliance of Metrowest, Inc. Nannette will address the ‘Why’s’ and ‘How’s’ of Autism. She will help us recognize and understand these children. This information will be helpful for all parents, friends and grandparents of children with autism.

Thursday, October 18th at 10:00 am - The Better Business Bureau will be conducting a presentation on scams that target senior citizens. Education is the best defense to protecting yourself from falling prey to such unethical businesses and individuals.

Monday, October 22nd at 2:00 pm - “Take With Food? Helpful Hints From The Pharmacy!” This interactive discussion informs people how to be an active partner in their prescription health. What should you know before leaving the pharmacy? What types of questions should you ask? This session will also review common drug-food interactions, the safety of over the counter medications, tablet splitting, and cost saving techniques. Learn these helpful hints now and learn the importance of having a relationship with your pharmacy. Sophie McIntyre, PharmD, a pharmacist working for Eaton Apothecary will present this seminar.

Friday, October 26th at 1:00 pm Want to feel like a kid again??? Please join us at Callahan for a Haunting Halloween Party and Costumes are required! Prizes, Music, and Snacks! Get ready to have a Spooktacular time! There is a $2.00 admission fee to be paid at the time of sign-up.

Monday, October 29th at 1:00 pm - Come and join us for a movie and popcorn! Featured movie will be “Because I Said So” starring Diane Keaton. Donation of $1.00. Please sign up!

Framingham State College, in Partnership with the Callahan Center, Offers New Fall Programs
Course title: “Major Themes in Piano Music” Presented by: Steve Snitzer, Pianist
Dates: Tuesdays, October 9, 16, 23 & 30 Time: 10:00am Location: Callahan Center
Cost: $24.00 (Must be paid in advance - non-refundable
Description: Chopin Nocturnes: The secret is in the left hand. Mozart, Beethoven and the Sonata. The Waltz: Music by Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Strauss, Ravel and Broadway Waltzes. Ragtime Blues and Gershwin.
Course title: Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Instructor: Gary Hylander, Historian
Dates: Thursdays, October 11 and November 8 Time: 10:00 am Location: Callahan Center
Cost: $12.00 (Must be paid in advance - non-refundable)
Description: Join us as we discuss the morning headlines. Hard to predict our topic, but it will be hot off the press!
All payments must be received in advance of the program. No admittance without pre-payment. Please make your payment at the Callahan Center reception desk, or you may send your check, payable to the Friends of Callahan, Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702. All of the above programs take place at the Callahan Center and are subsidized by the Friends of Callahan.

COMING IN NOVEMBER! Please call 508-532-5980 to reserve now!

Thursday, November 1st at 10:00 am - “The Basics of Medicaid” with Betsy Soule of So. Middlesex Legal Services. This presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Thursday, November 15th at 10:30 am - “The Older, Wiser Driver” presented by the Traffic Safety Department of AAA Southern New England. The goal is to help seniors maintain their independence for as long as it is safe to do so.

Sunday, November 4th, 2007 at 2:00 PM - Formal Flag Presentation at Cushing Memorial Chapel
Public Invited

Monday, November 5, 2007 at 9:30 am - Framingham Garden Club will be at the Callahan Center to assist with creating an Autumn or Thanksgiving arrangement. Cost is $4.00 (Increase of $1.00 due to cost of floral materials.) Please bring your own scissors. Please stop by the Center to reserve a seat and pre-pay for your materials. Limited to the first 20 reservations.

Friday, November 16th, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Callahan Center - Seniors “Autumn” Dance
With D.J, Bob Fisher of “Music, Music, Music Memories” - Singles and Couples welcome. Lots of dances for singles to participate in. Bring your requests! Sandwiches, desserts, soft drinks and coffee. Door prizes! Donation of $7.00 pp required to cover the food and beverages. The entertainment will be provided by the Friends of Callahan. Come and have an evening of fun and enjoy some of your favorites from years gone by—Bob has ‘em all! Sign up and pre-payment for this event is required. Please call the Center at 508-532-5980.

Saturday, November 17th - Senator Karen Spilka’s 3rd Annual Senior Health and Wellness Fair
Ashland High School, 65 East Union Street, Ashland. The morning will include: “Living with Diabetes” Panel Discussion, Informational Booths and Handouts, Wellness Activities and Health Screenings. The goal of the Senior Health and Wellness Fair is to provide a forum for our district’s elders to learn new information, have an opportunity to ask questions, participate in various health screenings and enjoy a day out. The day begins at 9:00 am with Registration and light breakfast and continues through lunch. Health Screenings available will include: Vision, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Glucose, Bone Density and Body Mass Index (BMI)

Friends’ General Meeting - The next Friends’ meeting will be on Monday, October 15th at 1:30 pm. The entertainment will be a musical performance with Lisa Manning. Refreshments will be served. Come and bring a friend!

The AARP Chapter #3557 meeting will be on, Monday, October 29, 2007 at 1:30 pm at the Callahan Center. Guest speaker to be announced at a later date. The meeting is open to all and refreshments will be served. AARP members are reminded to bring non-perishable food as part of the Chapter’s community service project. The Callahan Center is handicap-accessible.

Disaster Preparedness for Framingham Seniors - The Callahan Center would like to be sure, that in the event of a disaster or national emergency, that all our seniors, individuals with disabilities, those with special needs, and those who have pets are prepared for this type of emergency. If you do not receive the Callahan Newsletter, you may pick up a form at the front desk and fill out with necessary emergency information. This information will be kept in the strictest confidence and utilized only if there should be a disaster. If you are a homebound senior, please call and ask us to send you a form and mail your completed form to: Janet Roberts, Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702

When you drop off your form at the Callahan Center, we will give you a “File of Life” card, which lists all your medications and emergency information as well. If you are homebound, please note that on your form and we will mail you a “File of Life” card. Please take advantage of this valuable service being offered by the Callahan Center. Don’t wait until you are faced with this type of emergency to do something about it - it may be too late. If you have questions or concerns, please call Janet at the Callahan Center at 508-532-5982 and leave a message with the receptionist. Janet will return your call as quickly as possible.

Community Projects - The response for yarn was terrific! We now have yarn for many community projects - hats for the needy students, lap robes for the Veterans, baby blankets for the H.I.V. babies and afghans for our Foster Children Project. All knitters are welcome to come in and pick up directions and yarn from Evelyn Langley at Heritage Gallery. Thank you, again, for your generosity!

WANTED: AARP TAX COUNSELORS - AARP is seeking tax counselors to provide free preparation of tax forms and answer tax questions. AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run tax service. New volunteers must be familiar with computers. Tax training is in early January. After training, all volunteers must pass an IRS test to become certified. For more information, please call the District Coordinator, Phil Bond, at 617-244-1087. For further information about the program, check online at www.aarp.org/taxaide.