FRAMINGHAM,MA -- Callahan Center Happenings - April 2008

Support Groups at Callahan Senior Center: Bereavement Support Group: Mondays, April 7, 14 & 28 at 10:00 am. Caregivers’ Support Group: Tuesday, April 8 at 10:30 am. Diabetes Support Group: Tuesday, April 29 at 10:00 am. Grandparent Support Group: Please call Center for date and time.

Low Vision Group: Friday, April 18 at 1:00 pm. Massage Therapy: Thursday, April 3, by appt. only.
Parkinson’s Support Group: Tuesday, April 15 at 1:30 pm. Podiatry: Thu., April 10 with Dr. John 12:30 - 4:30 pm and Wed., April 30 with Dr. Lukoff from 1:00 - 4:30 pm, by appt. only. Stroke Survivors’ Support Group: Monday, April 7 at 1:00 pm.

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC FOR APRIL - Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 9:30—11am & 12—1 pm. PLEASE NOTE: Last Wednesday of every month blood pressure clinic hours will be 9-11 am & 12-12:30 pm.

Bone Density Screening (By Appointment Only) Thursday, April 10th, 2008 - from 10 am - 2 pm
at Callahan Center - Maureen Sendrowski of the VNACare Network will be here to provide bone density screenings on Thursday, April 10th from 10-2. If interested, please call the Callahan Center for an appointment for this screening at 508-532-5980.

Durable Medical Equipment Loan Program - The Callahan Center will accept donations of durable medical equipment to be used to loan to other seniors in need. All equipment must be clean and in good working order with parts and directions (where applicable). The following is a list of equipment that is acceptable. *Arrangements will be made for large items such as an electric bed, electric scooter, etc. to go directly to interested parties. We do not accept crutches of any kind. If you have any questions about donated items, please direct inquiries to Ann Steacie at 508-532-5980. Acceptable items are as follows:

- Bed protector pads - Incontinence products (new)
- Bed board with handle - Over the bed table
- Blood glucose machine - Over the bed trapeze
- Blood pressure machine - Ramps
- Canes and quad canes - Raised toilet seats
- Commodes (we do not take the potty, you must dispose of that item)
- Elastic stockings (new) - Reachers and grabbers
- Electric bed or scooter * - Extended shoehorn
- Geriatric chair * - Tub seats, tub bars
- Gauze materials (unopened)
- Walkers - Wheelchairs

Please bring your donated items to Ann Steacie in the Outreach Department at the Callahan Center. All equipment must be signed in or out with a name, address and telephone number. In Ann’s absence, the receptionist at the front desk will help you. Thank you, in advance, for your generous donation that will assist someone else during their time of need. The Callahan Center reserves the right to refuse equipment that is not listed above, is not in proper working order or is not clean.

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SHINE - Vaccines Administered Under Medicare Part D - Some vaccines (like the Shingles vaccine) are covered under Medicare Part D and some vaccines are covered under Medicare Part B. Medicare Part D generally covers those vaccines not covered under Part B. If a vaccine is covered under Part B, it will continue to be covered under Part B. Medicare Part B currently covers: Pneumonia vaccine, Influenza virus vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine for individuals at high or immediate risk.

As of 2008, all Part D plans are required to cover commercially available vaccines that are not covered under Part B. However not all vaccines covered by Part D plans will be listed in their formularies. You should contact your Part D plan about coverage and the payment procedure for the vaccine. A vaccine may be covered under Part B or Part D. Hepatitis B vaccine is covered under Part B for intermediate or high risk patients. A beneficiary meeting these criteria would have the vaccine covered under Part B. A beneficiary who did not meet these criteria could obtain the vaccine under Part D.

Payment for Administration of Vaccines: If an in-network pharmacy dispenses and administers the vaccine, the pharmacy will bill the Part D plan and collect a co-payment from you. If the vaccine is administered in a physician’s office, the physician will bill you for the entire amount and you will need to submit a paper claim for reimbursement from your plan.

If you need help with your health insurance, SHINE offers free counseling at your Senior Center. Call your Center and ask for a SHINE appointment. You can reach a SHINE counselor by phone at (781) 453-8076. If you get the SHINE answering machine, leave your name and number. A counselor will return your call. SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) is coordinated by the Mass. Executive Office of Elder Affairs in partnership with the Massachusetts Councils on Aging and other local agencies.

Interested in Learning the Salsa and Merange? On Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am, a dance instructor and 5-6 students from Keefe Tech will be at the Callahan Center to perform the Salsa and Merange. They will be available to teach a few moves to any of the seniors interested in learning these fun dance steps. To participate, please call the Center at 508-532-5980.

Friends of Callahan general meeting will be on Monday, April 14, 2008 at 1:30 pm. Entertainment provided by Mirlande Butller, singer, accompanied by Ilse Agte, pianist. Refreshments will be served. Please call the Callahan Center at 508-532-5980 to reserve a seat.

“Family Preparedness” at Callahan Center - Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 10:00 am - This presentation on “Family Preparedness” and a 30-minute DVD on this subject, will help illustrate the contents of a 72-hour kit and what you and your family can do to be prepared for a disaster. Come join us and learn how you and your family can get prepared in the event of a disaster. The Center will discuss what they are doing concerning disaster preparedness with seniors.

Changes at the Middlesex Probate & Family Court - Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 10:00 am
at Callahan Center - Register John Buonomo will present an informative overview and update of the many recent changes at the Middlesex Probate and Family Court, all of which have an impact on our lives. The court handles a wide variety of matters, from the probate of a will and administration of estates, to guardianships for the aged, infirmed and children. A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

Mr. Buonomo, Register of Probate, Middlesex County, holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Northeastern University, and a B.A. in Psychology and Education from the University of Massachusetts. He has held many posts in public service, including years as a County Administrator.

Framingham State College in Partnership with the Callahan Center Offers New Lifelong Learners’ Programs for 2008
Event: Global Warming: The Heat is On! Instructor: Dr. Gary Hylander, Historian
Date: Tuesday, April 15th Time: 10:00 am Location: Callahan Center Cost: $7.00 pp
Description: The world’s climate has barely changed since the Industrial Revolution. So what is all the fuss about? Not so much is because of the rise in temperature as the reason for it. Previous changes in the world’s climate have been triggered by variations in the angle of the earth’s rotation or its distance from the sun. This time, however, there is another factor involved: man-made greenhouse gases. Let’s discuss this situation with Dr. Gary Hylander, a Presidential Historian and professor of American History at Stonehill College.

Event: World Religions: Strange Stories in Various Religions Instructor: Jason Giannetti, Professor Date: Wednesdays, May 14th, 21st & 28th Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Callahan Center Cost: $21.00 pp
Description: Professor Jason Giannetti will examine legends, narratives, and dialogues in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. These stories are often used for educational techniques-exemplifying meanings of the religion and sometimes the stories display unorthodox and idiosyncratic aspects of the religion.

Prof. Giannetti received his B.A, degree from Binghamtom University, a Master’s of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, and a Master’s Near Eastern & Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. He has a Juris Doctor degree from Boston College Law School. Prof. Giannetti teaches at Regis College in Weston, MA.

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.

Support Callahan Center at the Eagles American Grille! Every first Thursday of the month from 4-:00 - 8:00 pm, you can order dinner at the Eagles American Grille at 55 Park St. in Framingham, and if you mention the Callahan Center, Mark Curtis will donate 100f your meal cost to the Callahan Center Building Fund. Many thanks to Mark and Karen , and all who participate, for their support of the Center!

“Spring has Sprung”…….. And Heritage Gallery is ready! We have a nice selection of giftware and many new pieces of costume jewelry. Come in and browse! We are located at the Callahan Center, 535 Union Avenue in Framingham.

COMING IN MAY! “Shifting Gears” Callahan Center -Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 - 10:00 am
The MA Registry of Motor Vehicles will be at the Callahan Center conducting a free, hour-long presentation entitled, “Shifting Gears”. The goal of the program is to educate and encourage the elder driver to be the best driver possible by assessing one’s driving ability, utilizing driving tips that are recommended in the program, modifying one’s driving and/or in extreme situations surrendering one’s license.

The program focuses on issues that pertain to the elder drivers - how age effects one’s driving ability and what are the frequent causes of collisions for elder drivers. The program includes a checklist of 15 warning signs of unsafe driving. The checklist helps drivers assess their driving skills. The program also addresses in a sensitive manner the difficult subject of surrendering one’s license. It emphasizes the benefits of not driving a vehicle, suggests ways to preserve one’s independence, and reminds the elder driver that he/she will receive a free Mass. I.D., should he/she decide to surrender his/her license. Please call the Center at 508-532-5980 no later than Friday, May 16th to sign up for this presentation.