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Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDPermit No. 115Pittsfield, MA 01201
Volume 33, Number 2 • February 2016 • The monthly newspaper for Berkshire County seniors • Free
Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc. • Proudly promoting Elder Independence since 1974 •
Berkshire Senior
InSide
Elder Services Update .... 2Government Update ..........3Your Dollars .........................4SHINE .................................5For Your Information ......6, 10
Elder Services ..................7, 14Your Heart ...........................8, 9Our Community .................11Caregivers/Alzheimer's .12, 13Nutrition ..............................16
Take Care of Your HeartSee pages 8 & 9
MONEY PAGE 4
HELP PAGE 5
Like Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc.
Did you know that you might qualify for financial help with your Medicare drug costs? If you meet cer-tain income and resource limits, you may qualify for Extra Help from Medicare to pay the costs of Medicare drug coverage.
Eligible Medicare benefi-ciaries with limited incomes can receive financial assis-tance, roughly $4,000 a year with prescription drug costs associated with their Medi-care drug plan. This program can reduce or eliminate the premium and deductible for Medicare prescription drug coverage.
You may qualify for Extra Help if your yearly income and resources are below these limits:• Single person: income
less than $17,505 and re-sources less than $13,440 per year.
Getting “extra help” with drug costs
• Married person living with a spouse and no other dependents: in-come less than $23,595, and resources less than $26,860 per year. “Resources” means mon-
ey in a checking or savings account, stocks, bonds, mu-tual funds, and IRAs. (Your home, car, household items, burial plot, up to $1,500 for burial expenses per person, or life insurance policies, are NOT counted as resources.)
If you qualify for Extra Help and join a Medicare drug plan, you’ll get help pay-ing your drug plan’s monthly premium, deductible, coin-surance and copayments. You will have no coverage gap (the “donut hole”), or late enrollment penalty.
You automatically qual-ify for Extra Help if you are enrolled in MassHealth or a Medicare Savings Program.
You also qualify if you re-ceive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. If you automatically qualify, Medicare will send you a purple letter — you will not need to apply if you get this letter. If you are not already in a Medicare drug plan, you will need to join one to use Extra Help. If you don’t join a plan, Medicare may enroll you in one, and will send you a yellow or green letter telling you when your drug coverage begins.
Each Medicare drug plan covers only specific drugs. You must check your plan’s list of drugs, called their “formulary,” to see if the drugs you use are covered, what their price is, and if the pharmacy you prefer is part of the plan. If you don’t like the Medicare drug plan you are in, if you are in Extra
Are household finances getting away from you? Due to impairments in manual dexterity, vision or cognitive functioning, many seniors find themselves unable to keep track of their household finances. Elder Services’ Money Management Pro-gram (MMP) may be able to help if you qualify financially for the program, and:
• feel overwhelmed by the stacks of mail and bills that keep pouring in.
• have given up trying to keep track of recording each check you write, or each bill you pay.
• keep getting hit with overdraft fees or late pay-ment penalties.
• have been threatened by creditors or are at risk of eviction.If any or all of these con-
ditions apply to you, Elder Services’ Money Manage-ment Program, which is free, may be able to help.
The Money Management Program helps seniors with:• Sorting and organizing
Money Management may be just what you need
By Shauna Post
Money Management services are available right in your own home.
February 2016Page 2
Elder Services UpdateElder Services Update
John Lutz is the Executive Director of Elder Services.
Editor and Production: Karen Shreeft er
Editorial Board: Cassie Carmon, Bea Cowlin, Bonny DiTomasso,
Laura Feakes, John Lutz, and Assistant Editor Louisa Weeden
Advertising Sales: Bob O'Connor
1-800-544-5242 or 499-0524
Berkshire Senior is published monthly by Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc., 877 South Street, Suite 4E, Pittsfi eld, MA 01201, 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242, e-mail: [email protected] or on the internet at www.esbci.org.
NOTICEElder Services sells advertising to defray costs. Inclusion of advertisers in no
way implies that Elder Services endorses any product or service.
Signed columns are the opinion of the writers and not necessarily the opinion
of Elder Services. For medical, fi nancial or other advice, seek a qualifi ed
professional in the appropriate fi eld.
Elder Services and its programs are funded, in part, by the Massachusetts
Executive Offi ce of Elder Aff airs.
State and federal funds provided to Elder Services are limited. Elder Services
welcomes charitable donations to help meet the growing needs of Berkshire
seniors, and gratefully acknowledges all donations.
Elder Servicesof Berkshire County, Inc.
Berkshire Senior
Berkshire County State LegislatorsIt's important to keep your legislators in-formed about what is important to you. If you have questions or comments that you want to share with your Berkshire representa-tives, you can contact them using the infor-mation below:
• Rep. Gailanne Cariddi (1st District): 1-617-722-2370 & 664-6812
• Rep. Paul W. Mark (2nd District) 1-617-722-2013 & 464-5635
• Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (3rd District) 1-617-722-2240 & 442-4300
• Rep. Smitty Pignatelli (4th District) 1-617-722-2017 & 637-0631
• Senator Benjamin Downing, 1-617-722-1625 & 442-4008
Warm up winter by volunteering
By John Lutz
Hope all are well.February is upon us with the
New Year festivities a distant mem-ory and spring only a wistful dream of warmer days. It is a good time to remember all that we can do to make the winter a little less chilling and spread a little “sunshine” into the lives of those who may be in need of a little assistance.
Volunteering is a tremendous opportunity to expand your own horizons while bringing new light and life into the world of others in
our community. There are a myriad of agencies to donate your time to in Berkshire County. At Elder Services of Berkshire County, we have several programs that function only due to the invaluable time, energy and dedica-tion of volunteers:• Long Term Care Ombudsman – This program trains volunteers to
serve as advocates for the residents (and their families) of long term care facilities and help ensure that they receive the support and services that they need to maintain their best quality of life.
• Money Management – This program trains volunteers to assist elders with managing their checkbooks and monthly expenses. No high finance, just basic budgeting and support, to help ensure that seniors can stay in their homes, living independently as long as they choose. (See page 1.)
• SHINE Counselors – SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors work with individuals to ensure their best match with Medicare programs, typically saving frustration, time and money for seniors.
• Drivers, Shoppers, Companions – These folks give of their time to as-sist elders with transport to appointments, grocery shopping and/or just
spending time with seniors who live alone.These are just a few of the volunteer opportunities at Elder Services, and
there are dozens of other volunteer openings throughout the county. Ask in your town about volunteering someplace local and see where it leads.
The need for volunteers does not subside in the winter. It is a great way to engage with your community and brighten both your life of that of someone in need. You’ll likely benefit from the experience as much if not more than the recipient of your efforts. S tay warm!
What People Say About Elder Services' Programs
Caregiver Support Program
For a myriad of reasons, I ended up taking my respite time in Ken-nebunkport! I am sending a big thank you because it would not
have happened without you. I so greatly appreciated this opportu-nity to take a much needed break
from caregiving. From Someone Helped in Several Ways
Please accept my deepest thanks and gratitude for your contribution to my moving expenses. Your assistance relieved some of the stress
I had been feeling, and I am grateful for your support. I have been knocked down many times in my past and have always been on my own. This is the first time I ever received help from anyone to get
back on my feet, so you can see it means a great deal to me.From a Memorial Donor
Please accept the enclosed donation in memory of my loved one. Thank you for all of your kindness to him and so many others.
From a Recent WidowerThank you so much for remembering the passing of my wife. We had 52 wonderful years together and I will always remember each
one of them. You do great work – thank you for all your efforts.From a Child Grieving for His Father
Dad finally passed away at 9:45 p.m. peacefully in his sleep. Elder Services has been incredibly supportive, and has made staff avail-able to improve the quality of Dad’s life, whatever stage he was in. Our family extends our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the
staff who took care of my dad.To One of Elder Services’ Case Managers
We can’t sufficiently express our appreciation for you in words. You are a Christmas blessing that we have all year round. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to my father. He would not be in
his own comfortable home if it wasn’t for you.May you find peace and all the happiness you deserve now and in
the New Year. There are angels among us, and you are one of ours.Thank you so much!
February 2016Page 3 Elder Services' Berkshire Senior
Government Update
Save the Date!Elder-focused Legislative Forum with
Berkshire County’s Legislative Delegation
Friday, February 12, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Ralph Froio Center (Pittsfield Council on Aging)
330 North St., 2nd Floor, Pittsfield
P ublic welcome!
Give seniors the help they deserve
By U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass)
A day rarely goes by without a new media story about the exorbi-tant prices of prescription drugs. For seniors on Medicare or Medicaid, in-creasing out-of-pocket premiums and copays for drugs, both brand name and generic, can be a daily financial hardship. More than 65 percent of se-niors’ prescription drug costs are paid out-of-pocket. Our seniors should not have to choose between their health and paying their heating bills.
More than 15 million people en-rolled in the top 10 Medicare prescrip-
tion drug plans will face an average premium hike of 13 percent in 2016, partly due to greater use of new, high-cost specialty drugs to treat complex conditions. Individual deductible levels are also increasing. In 2016, 67 percent of all stand-alone prescription drug plans have deductibles, with 53 percent requiring participants to pay the annual out-of-pocket maximum of $360. Rising prescription drug prices are threatening the health and security of seniors, and I pledge to work with my colleagues in Congress to address this issue so that the most effective treatments can be accessible to those who most need them.
Shifting the cost of health care onto senior citizens, the poor, and the disabled by cutting Medicare and Medicaid benefits should never be a solution to balancing the federal budget. We must make the Medicare program work smarter, not harder. That’s why I spearheaded the inclusion of a pilot program called Independence at Home (IAH) in the Afford-able Care Act. Fourteen sites, including the Boston Medical Center, are participating in this innovative pilot that focuses on delivering quality and comprehensive primary care services for Medicare beneficiaries in their homes. By reducing hospitalizations and emphasizing coordinated care for seniors with multiple chronic conditions, the first year of the IAH program saved $25 million. Over 10 years, the IAH program is expected to save between $13.8 and $21 billion, while increasing the quality of healthcare for those who need it most. This is why I am committed to ensuring the IAH program is made permanent so it is accessible to all Medicare beneficiaries.
Every year the cost of living seems to increase, sometimes by a little and sometimes by a lot. Unfortunately, no increase in Social Se-curity payments went into effect this year. For many seniors, Social Security is their sole source of income. They depend upon the increase in benefits to buy food, pay for medicine and pay the electric bill. In their world, prices for food and clothing and medicine aren’t going down, they are going up. Our seniors shouldn’t have to choose between eating and heating. To immediately ad-dress the impact on seniors, I partnered with Massachu-setts U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and several of my senate colleagues to introduce legislation, the Seniors and Veterans Emergency Benefits Act (SAVE Benefits Act). This bill would ensure that seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities — some 70 million Americans, including 1.4 million here in Massa-chusetts — would receive an emergency one-time payment
of almost $600 to help make ends meet in 2016. It’s time to give grandma and grandpa a raise.
We know who really built this country and made it the great place that we live in today. Our seniors, including our greatest generation, got up every single day, went to work, and built this incredible economy. By their sacrifices and hard work every single day of their entire lives, they have made us the greatest country on the planet. They are the ones who created the remarkable wealth that we have in our society. Let’s give them the kind of comfort and thanks they deserve for a lifetime of hard work.Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) is the junior United States Senator from Mas-sachusetts. Contact information: email: https://www.markey.senate.gov/contact; in Springfield, 413-785-4610; and in Boston 617-565-8519.
February 2016Page 4 Elder Services' Berkshire Senior
Your Dollars
Looking for interesting articles & helpful information on aging?
Check out the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ website:
www.800ageinfo.com,
Or call: 1-800-243-4636 (1-800-AGE-INFO)
As always, you can call Elder Services at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242, your one stop
resource for Berkshire County seniors.
Our affordable senior housing sites are enrichedsupportive living communities, where even those who live alone never feel alone.� Beautifully renovated apartments with amenities
� Conveniently located on bus line and within walking distance to downtown
� On-site social service coordinator & resource for tenants
� Rent based on 30% of income with all utilities included
17 Pleasant Street, Adams, MA 01220413-743-3547� e-mail: [email protected]
Professionally managed by: Joel A. Less Managed Properties, Inc.A Member of the Institute for Real Estate Management Joel A. Less
Managed Properties, Inc.
Barrett House 2 col x 3 for approval.indd 1 9/2/09 9:52:45 AM
¿Habla usted español?Elder Services cuenta con servicios de intérpretes y en los folletos
de la agencia está disponible en español.
Llame por favor 499-0524 o 1-800-544-5242
Free tax preparation assistance in Berkshire County
Free tax preparation assistance for all middle and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older, is available from the begin-ning of February until April 15 through the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide Program. Volunteers trained in cooperation with the IRS will assist in filling out federal and Massachusetts tax returns and file them electronically. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.
Below are the eight Berkshire County sites offering this service, their schedules, and telephone numbers for making appointments:
Adams – COA Visitors Center, 3 Hoosac St. (743-8333) Noon – 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays
Dalton – Dalton Senior Center, 40 Field Street Ext. (684-2000)9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays
Great Barrington – Claire Teague Senior Center, 909 South Main St. (528-1881)
9 a.m. - noon on WednesdaysLee – COA Senior Center, 21 Crossway St. (243-5545)
9 a.m. - noon on alternate ThursdaysLenox – Community Center, 65 Walker St. (637-5535)
9 a.m. - noon on alternate ThursdaysNorth Adams – Spitzer Senior Center, 116 Ashland St. (662-3125)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on WednesdaysPittsfield – Froio Senior Center, 330 North St. (499-9346)
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Tuesdays & ThursdaysWilliamstown – Harper Center, 118 Church St. (458-8250)
6 - 9 p.m. on Tuesdays & 9 a.m. - noon on Saturdays
For additional information please contact the Information and Referral Department of Elder Services at 499-0524 or toll free at 1-800-544-5242.
• Preparing checks to pay bills• Balancing their checkbooks• Establishing a workable budgetMoney Management volunteers:• are interviewed, screened and must pass a criminal background check,• provide the service in your own home, and• receive ongoing support, supervision and training
To preserve anonymity, this story represents the combined stories of several Money Management Program participants:
When Zelda age 81 called Elder Services, she had a dining room table stacked a foot deep with old mail, most of it unopened. Due to ill health and tremulous hands, she was unable to open her mail, write checks, or deal with the other tasks involved in keeping up with household finances. Among the letters were past-due notices and warnings of impending legal action. Zelda lived alone and had no one to help her with finances.
Following her call, she was matched with an Elder Services’ Money Management volunteer, who visited twice that month to help her get unburied. Once the critical problem areas were surfaced, Zelda was able to address them and establish payment plans with the help of her MMP volunteer. The volunteer also drafted a budget based on Zelda’s income and expenses, and came to her house once a month to write checks for her signature.
Having received the assistance she needed, Zelda’s finances are back on track, and she has much greater peace of mind contributing to her being able to stay in her home.
If you or someone you know is behind on bill payment, overwhelmed by paper clutter, has low vision, or difficulty writing checks, or has any other kind of difficulty keeping up with household finances, please contact Elder Services’ Money Management Program at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
MONEY PAGE 1
Money Management Program Needs Volunteers!
Elder Services’ Money Management Program (MMP) is currently seeking qualified individuals to provide program participants with regular assis-
tance with basic bookkeeping tasks. Volunteer train-ing and support and regular meetings are provided. MMP volunteers help seniors and individuals with
disabilities remain as independent as possible by assisting individuals with establishing budgets, balancing checkbooks, bill payment, and
check-writing.
Potential volunteers please contact Money Management Program Coordinator Shauna Post at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund available
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps households in temporary crisis who do not qualify for federal or state assistance with the payment of their energy expenses. Households who receive LiHeap (fuel as-sistance) from BCAC are not eligible. This fund is for people whose income is too high for BCAC fuel assistance.
Income eligibility guidelines for 2016 are as follows (see www.magood-neighbor.org/assistance.html for more info):# in Household 1 - $33,126 - $44,168 2 - $43,319 - $57,759
This year’s Fund disbursement is $300 per eligible household per heating season. To apply for assistance, visit a local Salvation Army Corps Com-munity Center or call 1-800-262-1320 if residing in the 413 area code.
The Joe-4-Oil Heat Program through Citizens Energy currently is not accepting applications for assistance.
February 2016Page 5
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone)
Adams Visitors Center 743-8333 3 Hoosac StreetBecket/Otis/Sandisfield Otis Town Hall269-0100 x107 One North Main RoadDalton Senior Center684-2000 40 Field Street ExtensionGreat Barrington Claire Teague Senior Center528-1881 909 South Main StreetHinsdale Hinsdale Town Hall655-2310 or 655-2929 39 South StreetLanesborough Lanesborough COA448-2682 83 North Main StreetLee Lee COA243-5545 21 CrosswayLenox Community Center637-5535 65 Walker StreetNorth Adams Spitzer Center662-3125 116 Ashland Street.Pittsfield Ralph J. Froio Senior Center499-9346 330 North StreetSheffield Senior Center229-7037 25 Cook RoadStockbridge Senior Center298-4170 x263 50 Main StreetWilliamstown Harper Center458-8250 118 Church Street
City/Town/Phone Address
Where You Can Meet With a SHINE Counselor
Annual enrollment for Medicare ends March 31
Are you 65 or older, and without Medicare coverage? Now is the time to act! Each year from January 1 through March 31, Medicare offers a general Annual Enrollment period for those who became eligible for Medicare, but did not enroll in Part B at that time. A “late enrollee” is a person who did not take Medicare Part B when he/she become eligible and did not have health coverage through an employer health plan for actively working employees. Coverage will begin July 1 for late enrollees who sign up for Medicare dur-ing the general Annual Enrollment Period.
The general Annual Enrollment Period is your opportunity to enroll in Part B and avoid further penalties for late enrollment. Contact your local So-cial Security office to enroll in Part B during the Annual Enrollment Period.
Both Berkshire County offices have the same hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday 9 a.m. to noon.
Outings, Events, Meetings, Groups,
Volunteer Opportunities, and More!
For information about membership, visit any Greylock branch throughout Berkshire County. Or, visit us online at www.Greylock.org. Federally Insured by NCUA
Join QTC and take advantage of all the benefits and services the Club has to offer.
Quality Time Club®for Greylock members age 55 and over
The
Help, you can switch plans anytime you want.
In order to see what assistance you’ll receive from Extra Help, you’ll need to send your Medicare plan some form of documentation indicating you qualify for Extra Help. In 2016, drug costs for most people who qualify for Extra Help are no more than $2.95 for each generic drug, and $7.40 for each brand-name covered drug.
Please note, if you have employer or union drug coverage, and you join a Medicare drug plan, you may lose your employer or union coverage if you qualify for Extra Help. Call your employer’s benefit administrator before you decide to join a Medicare drug plan.
If you don’t automatically qualify for Extra Help, you can apply any-time by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply by phone. Medicare gets information from your state or Social Security that tells them whether you qualify for Extra Help.
If Medicare doesn’t have the right information, you may be paying the wrong amount for your prescription drug coverage. Give your Medicare drug plan proof that you quality for Extra Help — like a MassHealth card. If you aren’t already enrolled in a Medicare drug plan and have paid for prescriptions since you qualified for Extra Help, you may be able to get back part of what you paid. Keep your receipts, and call your plan.
Nearly all Part D plans now have preferred pharmacy networks. Filling your prescriptions with your plan’s preferred pharmacy provider will save you money, especially on mail-order prescriptions. Other ways to lower your drug costs include asking your doctor about generic drugs, and consider using mail-order pharma-cies.
For more information on Extra Help, you can call Elder Services’ SHINE (Serving the Health Insur-ance Needs of Everyone) Program at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
HELP PAGE 1
Pittsfield Office: Federal Building, Suite 101 78 Center St.Phone:1-866-446-7111 or TTY: 1-800-325-0778
North Adams Office:96 Marshall St., Phone: 1-877-319-5709TTY: 1-413-664-6568
An Opportunity to Become a Shine VolunteerElder Services’ SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Ev-
eryone) Program is seeking Berkshire County residents who wish to be trained to become skilled SHINE Counselors. SHINE Counselors provide unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and soon-to-be Medicare beneficiaries regarding the basics of Medicare, individualized coverage analysis, and basic public benefits.
SHINE Counselor candidates receive approximately 50 hours of in-person training over the course of 11 weekly sessions and additional training and support through mentoring and regular meetings. Classes will begin in the early spring (Dates to be announced in the March "Berkshire Senior.")
Becoming a SHINE Counselor is a rewarding volunteer opportunity that allows you to develop new skills, provide meaningful service to community members, and have a positive economic impact on Berkshire County. The SHINE Program saved Berkshire County Medicare benefi-ciaries over $4 million dollars in fiscal year 2015.
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Elder Services’ SHINE Program Coordinator Shauna Post at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242, ext. 723.
SHINE Coordinator Shauna Post and Home and Community-based Programs Supervisor Bonny DiTomasso, with Elder Services’ Executive Director John Lutz as host, spoke about the Medicare open enrollment period.
February 2016Page 6
For Your Information
Bartlett-Wellington Inc.Funeral Services
Call 684-0215 or 445-4064
525 Main Street, Dalton
Did you know?
In the past year, Elder Services was fortunate enough to share the generosity of over 285 volunteers with Berkshire County seniors. Over 90 percent of those volunteers are themselves seniors.
As my first month as Program Manager for Age Friendly Berkshires comes to an end, I wanted to be sure to reach out to the region’s aging adult community, letting you know who we are and what this program is about.
Age Friendly Berkshires is a community project funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation, which is housed within Home Instead Senior Care. Age Friendly Berkshires con-sortium is a county-wide effort to make the Berkshires a great place to grow up and grow old. It is also a part of a larger network of Age Friendly Communities, which is an international program through the World Health Organization (WHO) and AARP. Currently there are over 20 countries and over a dozen states in the U.S. participating. This program helps participating com-munities become great places for all
The Age Friendly Berkshires
By Celeste Harp
ages by adopting such features as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community activities.
We are looking for people of all ages, but especially older adults, to join our group as we work together to come up with ideas of how each city or town can become more age-friendly. This is an opportunity to help shape how your community, and collectively the Berkshires, can become increasingly age-friendly. Please feel free to email or call, [email protected] or 442-0907. You can also visit www.homeinstead.com/berkshirewww.aarp.com/age-friendlyCeleste Harp is Age-Friendly Berk-shires Program Manager at Home Instead Senior Care.
With this New Year, Berkshire County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), located in Pitts-field, is recruiting new volunteers. Becoming an RSVP volunteer is extremely rewarding. Last year, RSVP volunteers donated over 27,000 hours to our community. At RSVP, you can share your experi-ence to benefit the lives of others, and to help improve the community. We offer an annual Big- E trip, with free admission, snacks, and bus ride. RSVP also holds an annual volunteer recognition luncheon at the Pittsfield Country Club and volunteers also re-ceive ongoing support from our staff.
RSVP is a national organization, which places volunteers 55 and older at various non- profits in Berkshire County. Under the Corporation for National Community Services (CNCS), RSVP is a part of Senior Corps which also includes the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs. AmeriCorps is also a part of the Corporation for National Com-munity Services. RSVP is funded by a CNCS grant that we apply for each year. Our sponsor is the City of Pittsfield, which also contributes to our funding and to whom we are very grateful.
The program allows individuals to use their prior life experience in
Seated is Director, Cheryl Whalen; standing from left: Volunteer coordinator Marissa Bogins; Dispatcher Karen Tucker; and Administrative Assistant Carmen Morales.
Become an RSVP Volunteer
By Cheryl Whalen
order to give back to the community. Volunteers can also try new and ex-citing opportunities. Don’t have a lot of time? RSVP Volunteers can donate anywhere from an hour a month to an hour a year. Wherever you choose to donate your time, RSVP and the Pittsfield community are extremely appreciative of your gift. Some of the locations and opportunities for volunteering are: Elder Services of Berkshire County, Inc., Pittsfield elementary schools, theaters and museums, Habitat for Humanity, volunteering as bakers, builders, tax assistance helpers and child engage-ment volunteers. We also have job opportunities at American Cancer Society, Berkshire Humane Society, Sonsini animal shelter, the RSVP office, RSVP transportation services, community special events, food pan-tries, and much more. Other opportu-nities include Goodwill employment trainers, and volunteers who provide companionship to seniors. We have an advisory board, and many dif-ferent committees that you can join, such as recruitment, public relations, and recognition.
If you have any questions about RSVP, or would like more informa-tion, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 499-9345, or drop in at 16 Bartlett Ave. next to the children’s library.
Paul Carter, Lifestyle Coach for Seniors, will conduct a series of free seminars on how to change one’s view of aging on the four Saturdays in February from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Church on the Hill Chapel in Lenox, Massachusetts.
Using tools developed from the latest findings in brain research, se-niors, senior care givers, children of seniors, and health care professionals will be guided step-by-step through practical exercises to go inward to discover their true passion and go outward to develop action plans for improving their lives and the lives of others.
Paul Carter, the workshop leader, recently turned 80, and is a living ex-
Seminar to offer alternative perspectives and tools to help “seniors create an amazing day/life”
ample of what he teaches. He began his career as an American Baptist minister, coaching parishioners and local churches in ways to serve in their communities.
Discovering that his approach and skills were needed outside the stained glass walls, he worked for several non profit and business organizations including the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. In his 79th year he headed for the Dominican Republic to assist a non profit organization develop a website to inform the public of its work and engage its members in the work of the organization. This year he plans to do similar work in Nicaragua between his coaching and seminar engagements.
Register online at www.amaz-ing80.com/seminars or call Paul Carter at 413- 551 -9311.
18 Oak St., Pittsfield, MA(413) 447-3800
Established in2001
Serving All of New England & New York
If You Need Transportation Assistance, We Are Available 24/7, 365 Days
You name it, we do it!
WheelchairSupplied if Needed
February 2016Page 7
Elder Services
Questions about housing?
Call Elder Services
1-800-544-5242 or 499-0524
Elder Services’ Nutrition/Meals on Wheels program has received five grants totaling $17,093 from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF). A grant for $10,000 was received from the Wil-liam J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund, to help provide meals to seniors in Adams, Cheshire, and Savoy. A second grant of $4,000 was given through BTCF’s Central Berkshire Fund to defray the costs of providing meals to seniors in Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington and Windsor. The Central Fund also provided a grant of $2,000 for Elder Services’ SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) Program, which provides, free of charge, unbiased health insurance information and guidance to those on Medicare.
In addition, both the BTCF Bar-rett and Central Berkshire funds pro-vided funding to purchase prescrip-tion lockboxes for eligible seniors in their towns.
Elder Services’ Nutrition/Meals on Wheels program provides hot, nutritious, noontime meals to over 800 Berkshire seniors each weekday. In 2015, Elder Services prepared and served over 200,000 meals. Over 80% were delivered as Meals on Wheels to the homes of frail elders who might not otherwise have had a hot meal or a friendly visit. The re-maining meals were served to seniors attending Elder Services’ 15 group lunch sites throughout the county.
Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels program provides noontime meals each weekday to frail, homebound seniors. To receive Meals on Wheels, a senior must be age 60 or older and have at least one of the following:
a recent hospital or nursing home discharge, a physical or cognitive im-pairment making it difficult to cook meals, or inadequate kitchen facili-ties. In addition, a senior must be un-able to attend a senior lunch site and have no formal/informal supports for noon meal preparation. There are no income eligibility criteria.
The SHINE program helps peo-ple enroll in Medicare Part D, choos-ing the right plan for their individual circumstances, and helps answer health insurance questions from anyone on Medicare.
The Berkshire Taconic Com-munity Foundation's five grants will help Berkshire seniors needing home-delivered meals, Medicare recipients wanting information and guidance on insurance matters, and others a way to keep their prescrip-tion drugs secure.
For more information about El-der Services’ Meals on Wheels or SHINE programs, call 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) is a tax-exempt public charity founded in 1987, cre-ated by and for the people of the Berkshire Taconic region. For nearly 29 years, BTCF has helped people establish charitable funds to make life better in the communities they love. BTCF works with individu-als, families, businesses, financial advisors and nonprofits to enrich the communities they serve.
Through the generosity of its do-nors, BTCF provides essential fund-ing for programs in education, health care, basic human needs, the arts, the environment and more — helping the Berkshire and Taconic communities thrive and grow.
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation gives grants to Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels, SHINE and Prescription Lockbox programs
Seniors coached on job search successSenior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) participants took part in training by business and Life Coach Mille Calesky. SCSEP provides job training and placement for individuals age 55 or older with limited financial resources and provides employers with trained, motivated part-time workers.
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February 2016Page 8
Take Care of Your HeartAging and heart health
By Christine ThomsonHeart health is important at any age. Although heart disease risk increases
with age, it doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of getting older. The right lifestyle habits and a heart-healthy diet can help protect you. Heart disease is a major threat to senior health — in fact, 84 percent of people age 65 years and older die from heart disease.
Fortunately, the medical community has identified practical ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. These preventive strategies involve reduc-ing the factors that lead to clogged arteries, which can limit or cut off blood flow to the heart, and they have one unique thing in common: any person of any age can make these changes. The steps are not expensive or difficult to take, and even modest health improvements may make a big difference.• If you smoke, stop: Smoking adds to the damage to artery walls. It’s
never too late to get some benefit from quitting smoking. Quitting, even in later life, can lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.
• Lower your blood pressure: High blood pressure makes the heart pump harder and can cause artery walls to bulge or burst. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is sometimes called “the silent killer” because it can have no symptoms, so you may not be aware that it’s damaging your arteries, heart and other organs.
• Lower your cholesterol: High cholesterol results in accumulation of plaque in the arteries and does not produce symptoms until significant damage has been done. Blood testing is the only way to find out these important numbers. Know your levels and what they mean!
• Get treatment for diabetes: Diabetes causes inflammation of blood vessels and results in more plaque-forming cholesterol. At least 68% of people with diabetes aged 65 and older die of some form of heart disease.
• Reduce your waistline: Abdominal obesity increases cholesterol levels, plaque, and inflammation of arteries. Extra fat around the middle of your body may increase your risk of heart disease. A man’s risk of heart disease is increased if his waist measures more than 40 inches. A woman’s risk is increased at 35 inches.
• Reduce stress: Stress can increase cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Find an activity that helps you to relax…knitting, crocheting, yoga, walk-ing, gardening, even reading a book can help reduce stress.
• Eat healthy: Choose low-fat foods and those that are low in salt. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in fiber like those made from whole grains. And if you drink alcohol, men should not have more than two drinks a day and women only one.
• Cut out processed foods: In addition to chemicals your body doesn’t need or want, processed foods are full of added salt. Higher salt intake puts you at risk for high blood pressure. In fact, 75 percent of the salt in the average American diet comes from salt added to processed food and restaurant food, according to the American Heart Association. So take control and cut out salt where you can.
• Exercise: 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week burns fat and lowers cholesterol. Talk with your doctor about the type of activities that would be best for you. Start by doing activities you enjoy such as brisk walking, dancing, bowling, bicycling, or gardening.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Your doctor will probably check your weight and height to learn your BMI (body mass index). A BMI of 25 or higher means you are at greater risk for heart disease as well as diabetes and other health con-ditions.
• Get a heart screening: A heart screening includes check-ing your risk assessment, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol levels, blood glucose, and other heart dis-ease indicators. Following the above heart-healthy tips can help delay and avoid the issues commonly associated with aging and heart disease. The earlier you start with these good habits the better! If you think you may be at risk for heart disease, or to learn more about
how to reduce your risk for this often fatal disease, consult your primary care physician. Working with your doctor can help keep health problems under control. It’s never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle and getting your heart disease risks in check.Know heart attack symptoms
The warning signs of heart disease often don’t appear until you’re hav-ing a heart attack. Symptoms of an emergency or impending heart attack may include: • Feeling faint• Weakness or a sensation of light-headedness• Having a hard time catching your breath• Feeling nauseous or vomiting• Feeling very full or having indigestion• Pain or an uncomfortable pressure in the chest• Unusual pain in the back, shoulders, or neck• Sweating• An irregular heartbeat
If you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 right away. You need to take an ambulance to the hospital as soon as possible. Do not try to drive yourself, and do not have someone else drive you unless there is no ambu-lance service where you live. The sooner you get to a hospital, the more can be done to stop any damage.Christine Thomson is Elder Services' Clinical Services Director.
February 2016Page 9
Take Care of Your Heart
The other Talbots, still in love after all these years
By Karen ShreefterIf you know Gene and Shirley Talbot of Stockbridge, the image of them
holding hands will quickly jump to mind, because that’s what they have been doing for over 69 years of marriage. They have also always shared their love with friends and family.
Their children and grandchildren model their marriages after them. Cousins from all over the country happily make pilgrimages to see them. Nieces and nephews along with their spouses and children look forward to getting their Talbot hugs, and happily anticipate Gene's stories and Shirley's surprise one-liners. At weddings, you’ll see them dancing and laughing. All marvel at how young they are at age 90. Most believe this is because they are always willing to try new things…including Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels, which they both agree are pretty good and often absolutely delicious.
Today, Gene continues his work as a psychotherapist and as a Stockbridge planning board member. When home, he's often carrying loads of wood for the woodstove, keeping their house toasty as they cuddle on the couch.
When asked what their secret is, Gene laughs, "I don’t answer such questions. Shirley however instantly responds, “Oh, wow, being married to a person who is wonderful." After a brief pause, she adds, “It’s true, and he does absolutely everything.”
Eugene and Shirley Talbot at their surprise 65th Anniversary party, surrounded by the couple's family, all dressed in attire common in 1947.
Finger-Lickin' Curried ChickenTake the skin off chicken to lower the amount of saturated fat.1 1/2 tsps curry powder1 tsp thyme, crushed1 stalk scallion, chopped1 Tbsp hot pepper, chopped1 tsp black pepper, ground8 cloves garlic, crushed1 Tbsp ginger, grated3/4 tsp salt8 pieces chicken, skinless (breast, drumstick)1 Tbsp olive oil1 cup water1 medium white potato, diced1 large onion, chopped
Mix together curry powder, thyme, scallion, hot pepper, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic, ginger, onion, and salt. Sprinkle seasoning mixture on chicken.
Marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. Heat oil in skillet over medium flame. Add chicken and sauté. Add water and allow chicken to cook over medium flame for 30 minutes. Add diced potatoes and cook for an additional 30 minutes. Add onions and cook 15 minutes more or until meat is tender.
Makes 6 servings — Serving size: 1/2 breast or 2 small drumsticksCalories 213, Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 81 mg, Sodium 363 mg
Preventing congestive heart failure
High blood pressure is the #1 risk factor for congestive heart failure. Heart failure is a life-threatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs. Congestive heart failure occurs when excess fluid starts to leak into the lungs, causing tiredness, weakness, and breathing difficulties.
To prevent congestive heart failure and stroke as well, you must control your high blood pressure to below 140/90 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than that, talk with your doctor about starting or adjusting medica-tion, as well as making lifestyle changes. To avoid congestive heart failure, controlling your weight is also very important. Being even moderately overweight increases your risk.Another way to control blood pressure
Certain mineral-rich foods can help keep blood pressure levels healthy. For example, a diet rich in potassium can help to both prevent and control high blood pressure. A potassium-rich diet not only blunts the effects of salt on blood pressure, but may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones, and possibly decrease bone loss with age. But be sure to get your potassium from food sources, not from supplements. Many fruits and vegetables (such as bananas, oranges and potatoes), some dairy foods, and fish are rich sources of potassium. Calcium and magnesium are two other minerals that may help to prevent high blood pressure, as well as improve health in other ways. Low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products are rich sources of calcium, while magnesium is found in many whole-grain products; dark green, leafy vegetables; fish; and dry beans.Information for this article was provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
February 2016Page 10
For Your Information
In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene devastated the Williamstown com-munity by destroying 150 homes and displacing 225 households, ap-proximately 5% of Williamstown’s non-student population. Victims of this storm, all over age 55 and most with limited incomes, lived in the Spruces Mobile Home Park.
This event together with an already documented shortage of af-fordable senior housing triggered an unprecedented response — a coor-dinated effort by the Williamstown community, Berkshire Housing Development Corporation, Williams College, and two other non-profits to meet the unique and immediate housing needs of those displaced by Tropical Storm Irene as well as other strong local support including an almost unanimous expression of commitment by town boards, com-mittees, and non-profits. There was also $2.85 million in grants from the Town of Williamstown, the donation of almost four acres of land in Wil-liamstown by Williams College and a commitment from Higher Ground Inc. to raise $110,000 for furnishings, equipment, and landscaping.
Fast forward to the present, just two and a half years after Williams College announced that it would donate a parcel of land to be used for affordable housing, construction has been completed and leases at Highland Woods are being signed. This has been made possible thanks to Berkshire Housing Development Corporation, the project’s developer; Berkshire Fund Inc., its owner; and the Women’s Institute for Housing and Economic Development, the development consultant; This is the first new affordable senior housing to be built in Williamstown in over 20 years. Occupancy is planned for
New affordable senior housing in Williamstown
By Elton Ogdenthis month.
Another remarkable aspect of Highland Woods is its state of the art design. Constructed to be “zero net energy” the building will produce as much energy as it uses. This is ac-complished through super insulation, triple glazed windows, high efficien-cy heating and air conditioning and a large solar photovoltaic array on the roof that will generate the building’s electricity. The forty (one and two bedroom apartments) are bright and spacious with windows that overlook a large landscaped courtyard to the south and Ephs Pond and Pine Cobble Mountain to the north. Amenities in-clude central air conditioning, walk in showers, common seating areas and sunspaces, a large community room, and an in-house Resident Services Specialist and maintenance staff on site. Parking and all utilities includ-ing heat and air conditioning are included in the rent. All apartments have elevator access and four units will be fully accessible for those with physical disabilities.
Highland Woods at 140 Church Street is just a short walk to the vil-lage center and to Williamstown’s senior center, Harper Center, and all its programs which include: trans-portation services, six hot meals per week, multiple exercise classes, and recreation programs including: bingo, music, shopping, bridge, book group. The property abuts Proprietor Fields, an existing 60 unit senior housing community and the Williams Col-lege campus.
Who Qualifies? Seniors whose annual income does not exceed 60% of Area Median Income (AMI) which is: 1 person - $36,780; 2 per-sons - $42,000; 3 persons - $47,280; 4 persons - $52,500. Ten units are subsidized through the Mass Rental
Voucher Program and have been set aside for households earning at or under 30% of AMI.
When should you apply? Berk-shire Housing is encouraging those interested to apply now. There may be a waiting list.
Where can you apply? For fur-ther information and to obtain an ap-plication call 499-1630 extension 150 or email: [email protected]. Applications can be picked up at the Williamstown Council on Aging, 118 Church Street; the Williamstown Town Hall, 31 North Street; and Berkshire Housing Ser-vices Inc, 1 Fenn St. in Pittsfield.
The cost• 1 Bedroom rents range from $703
to $842 per month• 2 Bedroom rents range from $836
to $1,011 per monthThere will be a preference avail-
able for senior households (62 and older) and near seniors (55 and older) affected by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
The building is professionally managed by Berkshire Housing Services Inc. Elton Ogden is president of the Berk-shire Housing Development Corp.
Cold temperatures and blustery weather should be a sign to home-owners to double check their homes for drafts, leaks, and any exposed pipes. Homeowners should be aware of areas where their homes can get cold, particularly in cellars and attics, and be sure to keep exposed pipes covered. With winter temperatures dipping below freezing, it’s best to take the proper precautions now to winterize pipes.
Water expands when it freezes, causing pipelines to split or burst. One indication of pipe freeze is yellow-looking water. If you notice this condition, check it out. Indi-viduals and their families should be knowledgeable on how to shut off the water source to the home in the event that the pipes freeze and burst. This action will stop the water flow and help minimize damage to the home. Anyone who experiences frozen or burst water pipes should contact both a plumber and their insurance agent.
When a prolonged deep freeze arrives and frost depths deepen, experts recommend that homeown-ers at a minimum keep a little water running. While some people find the sound of dripping water irritat-ing, an expensive repair bill is likely to irritate more. To properly prevent freezing, turn on the cold water tap just enough to keep it running; the stream of water should be about an eighth of an inch thick, or the width of pencil lead. Residents should let their town’s utilities office know when they are running water for long periods of time — particularly in communities where water meters are used for tax-abatement purposes.
Although experts agree that run-
Winter’s here - Act now to prevent expensive damage later
By Laura Feakes
ning water is the best way to prevent freezing, insulating pipes is also a good idea. It is very inexpensive, a six-foot piece of foam insulation that wraps around a pipe, usually costs less than $2.00. Another alternative is heat tape, which conducts an elec-trical current to prevent pipes from freezing. But this should be used in more extreme temperatures and should be used cautiously because of the electricity involved. Follow the manufacturer instructions care-fully when installing and do periodic safety checks of the tape to make sure it isn’t worn or frayed.
Beat the freeze and save your pipes:• Check your home for cold areas
near water lines, such as in garag-es, foundations and basements.
• Try to insulate pipes, including those from the hot water heater. Use blankets or newspaper to block drafts. Use insulation, spray foams and/or heat tape to wrap pipes.
• For an unheated crawlspace try super insulation: place a 3 inch drain pipe around the existing pipe and fill it with minimum expansion spray foam.
• Run cold water through the lines when temperatures get below freezing.
• Keep cellars heated to a mini-mum of 50 to 60 degrees.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cupboards, allowing warm air to circulate around water lines.
Laura Feakes is one of Elder Ser-vices’ Information and Referral specialists.
February 2016Page 11
Our Community
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APPLICANTS MUST MEET STATE AND FEDERAL GUIDELINES
The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI) is proud to announce its partnerships with Elder Services of Berkshire County, Dr. Charles Man-del, and Kimball Farms to increase the level and scope of service avail-able to older adults with vision loss in Berkshire County.
Through the partnership with Mandel and Elder Services, MABVI provides specialized functional ex-aminations for those who are coping with permanent vision loss. A func-tional low vision assessment is very different from a regular eye exam. The optometrist will ask the patient what he or she could do before the vision loss, and cannot do now. Then they work out how the patient can regain those abilities. Most patients’ goals center on remaining indepen-dent in their homes and being able to engage in activities of daily living, such as reading. Until recently, low vision exams in Berkshire County have only been available to people who were registered as legally blind. Now, with this expansion of services, residents can have a functional vision assessment much earlier on in the progression of their eye disease.
After the examination, patients may receive a referral for in-home vision rehabilitation from one of MABVI’s occupational therapists, who will travel to patients’ homes to help them learn how to use their remaining vision in their own envi-ronment. They may also be recom-mended assistive technology, which could include a magnifier, an iPad, or a reading machine. MABVI’s oc-cupational therapists train new users on how to use this technology.
Mass. Association for Blind and Visually Impaired openslow vision center in Pittsfield
By Shaun Kinsella
“I couldn’t even use an iPad when I had sight. Now I have learned to send emails to my grandchildren, listen to audio books, set reminders to take my medication, look up recipes and all without sight,” said Wynne Miller.
Through a partnership with Kim-ball Farms in Lenox, MABVI pro-vides a monthly low vision support group. There, members meet other people facing the same challenges as they are. They get the opportunity to talk about their situation as well as learn about resources available in the local community to assist them.
“We are very excited to be able to meet this growing need,” says Shaun Kinsella, MABVI’s Statewide Director. “80% of people who lose their sight are over age 70.” MABVI either operates or is in partnership with 14 low vision centers throughout Massachusetts, and operates 36 low vision support groups.
MABVI’s low vision examina-tions are available to anyone with vision loss and the cost is either cov-ered by insurance or is free. For more information on low vision services or to schedule an appointment, call MABVI at 1-888- 613-2777.
The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired has been creating opportunities for people with vision loss since 1903. Our experience allows us to forge strong community partnerships to meet the pressing need for high quality services and transform lives. Learn more at mabvi.org. MABVI Statewide Director Shaun Kinsella, can be reached at 1-888-613-2777, or emailed at [email protected]
Rainbow Seniors Expands to ServeMore LGBTQ Elders:
Now in Pittsfield and WilliamstownStarting February 6 we will meet TWICE each month from 2 to 4 p.m.:
In Pittsfield:The first Saturday of every month, Berkshire Athenaeum Conference Room
(February 6, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6)In Williamstown:
On the third Tuesday of each month, we continue our traditional potluck lunches and programs at First Congregational Church of Williamstown (906
Main St., at Route 2 and Chapin Hall Road)(February 16, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16)
For the latest schedule and information, contact Ed at 413-441-6006 or [email protected].
Sign up for our email announcements and never miss a minute of the fun.
Shaun Kinsella, of MABVI (Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) and Elder Services’ Executive Director John Lutz discuss the challenges of low-vision and what is available to help those with the condition.
February 2016Page 12
Caregiver/Alzheimer's Information
These articles are reprinted with permission from the Alzheimer’s Associa-tion from “Family Care Guide - A Guide for Families Caring for Someone With Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Dementia,” created and distributed by the Alzheimer’s Association.
CAREGIVER DISCUSSION GROUPSElder Services’ Caregiver Coordinator Bea Cowlin leads monthly caregiver discussion groups. Unless otherwise noted, the groups meet at Elder Services.
• 2nd Tuesday, 10 - 11:30 a.m., at Elder Services
• 3rd Wednesday, 1- 2:30 p.m., Gt. Barrington COA
• 4th Thursday, 1 - 2:30 p.m., North Adams' Spitzer Center
New members are always welcome. There is no charge.Come for conversation, support, & helpful information.
For information call 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
Catastrophic reactions This the final part of our series exploring ways to respond to difficult
behaviors.A situation that overwhelms the person with Alzheimer’s disease can
lead to a reaction that is out of proportion to the situation. New places, loud noises, new people, large groups, or uncertainty about a task may lead to an excessive emotional reaction such as weeping, shouting, or striking out.
Whenever possible, it is best to avoid stressful situations that may trigger catastrophic reactions. Learning which situations may cause the person to have this reaction can take time. If such a reaction does occur, make note of it so you can steer clear of these triggers in the future. Be aware that a catastrophic reaction may be the result of late afternoon confusion, (see Late afternoon confusion below).
Sometimes the simplest solution is removing the person from the dis-tressing situation. Below are some other ideas for preventing and managing a catastrophic reaction. Prevention• Try to avoid sudden moves that can frighten a person with Alzheimer’s. • Reduce the confusion around him. • If a task is becoming too difficult for the person, simplify it or redirect
him to another activity. • Do not force participation in an activity if he is resisting. • Do not ask him to make decisions if he is already upset. Management• Stay calm and do not overreact. Your nervousness or anxiety can heighten
the tension in an already tense situation. • Cautiously distract his attention with an activity that he can easily do
and enjoys. Even very angry people can respond to reassurance. A calm statement
like, “I know that you are upset and I want to help you,” may defuse the situ-ation. Hold and touch when appropriate.
Forgetfulness can be a benefit in these situations, because a person with Alzheimer’s may quickly forget the episode.Hallucinations and delusions
Alzheimer’s disease sometimes causes a person to see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations) or believe things that are not true (delusions). It is not uncommon for the person to be suspicious (paranoid) of caregivers or others. Misinterpretations by the person with Alzheimer’s can seem like hallucinations to you: • Changes in perception may cause the person with Alzheimer’s to misin-
terpret her environment and appear to be hallucinating. • Inadequate lighting and noises can be misinterpreted by the person. • Whispering or laughing in front of the person may be misinterpreted
by her. • If a delusion/hallucination does not seem to frighten or bother the person,
ignoring it may be the best approach. • If the person appears to be hallucinating, leave her alone or approach her
slowly to avoid scaring her. • Avoid arguing or trying to explain that what she is thinking, seeing, or
hearing is not real. Reassure her but do not argue with her. Hallucinations look or sound very real to the person who is experiencing them.
• Try to interpret what the delusion/hallucination may mean for her; or respond to the emotion being expressed. For example you might say, “It sounds as if you are frightened.”
• Discuss it with the doctor Late afternoon confusion
For unknown reasons, an increase in confusion in the late afternoon or early evening, sometimes coupled with restlessness, is a common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. This phenomenon is also known as “sundowning.” While you can’t necessarily prevent this from happening, there are things you can do that can help make this time of day less stressful. You may have to try more than one of these techniques to find the one that works for the person on that particular day. It also helps to decrease your expectations of the person during this time of the day. • Simple tasks and calm activities can help manage late afternoon confu-
sion. • Engage the person in a physical activity or simple chore before the time
when she would typically become anxious. • Stay nearby while she’s doing the task so that you can reassure her. • Repetitive activities such as peeling potatoes, washing tabletops, or raking
leaves, which can redirect frustration, can offer a “failure-free” alternative. • Encourage a nap after lunch if it does not interfere with sleeping at night.
“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” is a free, evidence-based educational series designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself while you care for someone else.
This program helps family care-givers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, balance their lives, increase their ability to make tough decisions and locate helpful resources.
“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” consists of six two-hour sessions held once a week. Two trained Class Leaders conduct the series. They are experienced caregivers themselves, who have successfully applied the techniques they teach. Interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorm-
• Make “quiet time” with soft music after lunch part of your routine. • Have an early dinner or late afternoon snack.
Good lighting can sometimes assist in reducing confusion. Reducing noise and excess stimulation, such as activities in which the person is not involved can help. Telling her the time, where she is, and what is going on can also help decrease confusion and anxiety. Aggression
Aggressive behaviors can be verbal (shouting, yelling, cursing) or physi-cal (pushing, hitting, kicking). These may occur suddenly or in the midst of a frustrating situation. It is important to try and understand what is causing the person to lash out with their words or physical behavior, to prevent the behavior from reoccurring.
Here are some things that will help to understand and respond to ag-gressive behavior: • Try to identify the immediate cause (Were you rushing him? Pulling at
him? Was it too noisy? Did I approach him from behind?). • Don’t get upset. Be calm and reassuring. • Focus on their feelings. Acknowledge they are angry or upset and be
reassuring.If he is safe and you are alright, give the person some time to calm down
before trying another activity.
ing will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action to enhance your life.
You will receive a book, The Caregiver Helpbook, developed spe-cifically for the class.
“Powerful Tools for Caregivers” classes will be held at Elder Services of Berkshire County at 877 South St., Pittsfield on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon on March 14, 21, and 29, and April 9, 11, and 25. Participants must be able to attend all six sessions. If you call early, r espite care may be available. For more information or to register, contact Elder Services’ Caregiver Coordinator Bea Cowlin at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-524. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.
Elder Services to host “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” series
February 2016Page 13 Elder Services' Berkshire Senior
Caregiver/Alzheimer's Information
Joel A. LessManaged Properties, Inc.
An affordable supportive and enriched living environment that offers:• One & two bedroom apartments • Three bedroom townhouses designed for families• Beautiful, tranquil setting with river views• Spacious community room, guest speakers & on-going social activities• On-site social service coordinator & resource for all tenants• Rent based on 30% of your income including: on-site maintenance; heat & hot water; secure building; laundry facilities, intercom system, elevator, appliances, and allowances for electricity
Apply in person at 600 Main Street, Dalton, MA or call 413-684-0043 for an appointment
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SENIOR HOUSING COMMUNITY
final river run 2 col x 4.indd 1 9/1/09 8:27:44 PM
“Meet Me at the Clark”
There are many elders who age with few health issues or needs. There are also elders who may not be as fortunate as their healthy counter-parts, and many of them depend on family members, most often adult children, to be their caregivers. Na-tionwide there are 5.8 to 7 million people (family, friends and neighbors) who provide care to persons 65 and older who need assistance with activi-ties of daily living.
It is important for families to have conversations concerning difficult caregiving issues. One can begin these conversations by asking the “what if” questions: “What if some-thing happened and you needed assis-tance at home?” What if you have an illness that requires more assistance than I can provide? An important issue for caregivers to recognize dur-ing these conversations is that these “what if” situations usually mean a loss for the elder they may be caring for: loss of some independence, loss of possessions, including a residence of many years, loss of mobility, loss of friends and family. Any loss im-pacts how your loved one feels. A caregiver needs to first listen and hear those feelings. It is also important for a caregiver to state gently and honestly what they feel they can do and what they cannot do.
Once a caregiver initiates these conversations, it may be easier to assess if services are needed. A first step could be a call to Elder Services to see if their loved one is appropriate for services in the home. It is always our goal to keep elders in their home for as long as possible. If the elder can no longer remain in his or her home, it is important to explore all the alterna-tives. Does your relative just need to downsize from a home to an apart-ment in senior housing? Services from Elder Services can help an elder remain in an apartment for many years. What if your relative needs in-creased assistance and cannot remain in an apartment? There are several housing programs available through Elder Services, including Supportive Housing, Adult Family Care, Group Adult Foster Care, and the Personal Care Assistance program. You may also visit assisted-living facilities to see what they have to offer. All of these options provide different levels of care to keep your loved one in the
Transitions: Caregivers supporting elders in making important decisions
By Bea Cowlin
community.Some caregivers may consider
having their loved one move into their home. This works for many families, but there are also families who are unable to accommodate a relative. Many issues need to be considered and discussed with all family members. What is a care-giver’s relationship with the relative? Is it loving, strained or dysfunctional? What are the caregiver’s other family responsibilities? Spouse and children should be involved in the decision-making process. Will this arrange-ment affect the caregiver’s job if he or she is working? Does the caregiver have a support system for his or her own needs? It is most important to consider the best decision for all who will be affected by this arrangement.
At some point in time, a caregiver can face the decision of placing a loved one in a nursing home. This is a most difficult period of time for the elder, the caregiver and any fam-ily members involved. Although often the choice of last resort, there are many reasons that nursing home placement is considered, such as safe-ty issues, inability of the caregiver to provide the appropriate care needed, illness of the caregiver, inability of the caregiver to cope with the stress of continuous caregiving. All of these are valid reasons to consider nursing home placement.
Being a caregiver can be both challenging and rewarding. It is important to educate yourself and access information that can help your loved one and you. To obtain services from Elder Services, please call our Information and Referral Department at 499-0524 or 800-544-5242. For caregiver information and support, call Caregiver Coordinator Bea Cowlin, also at 499-0524 or 800-544-5242.Bea Cowlin is Elder Services’ Care-giver Coordinator.
A first step could be a call to Elder Services
to see if their loved one is appropriate for ser-
vices in the home. The Clark is pleased to offer
Meet Me at the Clark, a free com-munity education program designed for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their caregivers.
Join us on Monday afternoons when the museum is closed to the public for a viewing and discussion of a few works from our wonderful collection. This promises to be a meaningful and uplifting experience as specially-trained docents guide
participants in an open-ended, free conversation about the art.
Winter/Spring Meet Me at the Clark dates are March 14, April 11, and May 16 at 2 p.m. The Clark Art Institute is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown.
Please call the Coordinator of Community Programs at 458- 0410 to register for each date you wish to attend. Accompanying caregivers must also register. We hope to see you soon!
February 2016Page 14 Elder Services' Berkshire Senior
Elder Services
Meals on Wheels
Elder Independence Appeal
Editor’s Note: Unless requested otherwise, each month Berkshire Senior publishes the
names of donors to Elder Services and those honored by the donations. These funds help Elder Services provide Berkshire seniors with programs and services to help them remain independent. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
You Can Donate to Elder Services Online!
JUST GO TO WWW.ESBCI.ORG & CLICK THE BLUE "DONATE!" BUTTON
Scroll down the page to see a number of options for supporting Berkshire
seniors. You can provide an e-check, use your credit or debit card, or donate
non-cash items. You can donate to the “Greatest Service Need” or choose
to designate your gift to the Elder Independence Appeal, Meals on Wheels,
the Elder Care Fund, or make a Memorial or In Honor of Donation.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
General Donations
We RememberNovember Memorial Donations
Elizabeth ArientiMs. Carolyn Arienti Mrs. Jean E. CurtissMs. Marlene Soudant
Shirley CarrollMr. & Mrs. Edward DecellesMr. & Mrs. George EverhartMs. Caoimhin O’CathailMs. Sharon ShantzMr. & Mrs. Louis Strout
Lillian DingasMr. Michael Dingas
Kenneth WirtesMr. Thomas CazavelanMr. & Mrs. Todd CazavelanDonnybrook Country ClubMr. Peter KolodziejMr. Paul LockenwitzMr. & Mrs. Howard LorenzMr. & Mrs. Kent SalviniMr. & Mrs. Robert WirtesMr. Thomas Zuzgo
Ms. Vicki CoonsMr. & Mrs. Herbert J. CoyneMr. & Mrs. John DelisleMs. Angelina DiNicolaMs. Patricia DoyleMs. Virginia EpsteinMr. Richard FancherHome Instead Senior Care
Mr. & Mrs. Tancred E. JacobMs. Leda MelideoMr. Richard T. MiskinisMrs. Joann MonkMr. & Mrs. James MonterossoDr. Asta S. PotterMrs. Patricia RougeauMr. & Mrs. Edwin Taginski
Greylock Federal Credit UnionKnights of Columbus Berkshire Hills Council #314Ms. Mary A. Schechterie
Mrs. Alma U. Beer
Town of HancockGay TuckerMarcia Brady Tucker Foundation
Rotary Club of Pittsfield
Food Services manager David Gage retires, Lisa Allen takes the helmAfter 22 years of efficiently running Elder Services’ Lanesboro kitchen, Food Service Manager David Gage is retiring from Elder Services. Since 1994, he has overseen the production of over 5 million hot, delicious meals for seniors. Lisa Allen was promoted from Second Cook to Food Service Supervisor, taking over the management of the Meals on Wheels kitchen after Dave’s departure. We bid a fond farewell and say many thanks to Dave, while offering our best wishes to Lisa Allen as his successor.
Fallon Community Health Plan (FCHP) has given Elder Services a donation of $2,500 in support of the Meals on Wheels program.
As a leader in the healthcare field, FCHP takes the value of civic respon-sibility seriously. FCHP’s Commu-nity Grants Program is just one way that the non-profit organization helps to support the communities they serve. Kimberly Salmon, FCHP’s Director of Community Relations, said, “We are proud to contribute to programs such as Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels program, which impact our community in a positive and meaningful way. It is FCHP’s way of demonstrating our commit-ment to improving the lives of those we serve.”
FCHP’s donation will help Elder Services fulfill its mission to provide Berkshire seniors the opportunity to live with dignity, independence, and self-determination, and to achieve the highest possible quality of life.
In 1975, Elder Services’ Nutri-tion/Meals on Wheels program be-gan offering home-delivered meals to help address senior hunger and malnutrition. Since 1994, Elder Ser-vices has operated its own kitchen in Lanesboro, which has prepared over 5 million hot, nutritious weekday meals for Berkshire County seniors. In many cases, the interaction seniors have with their Meals on Wheels drivers is the only face-to-face con-tact they may have that day. The
Fallon Community Health Plan donates to Meals on Wheels
driver makes sure to hand the meal directly to each senior and see how they are doing, providing an impor-tant “well-being” check.
The remaining meals were served to seniors attending Elder Services’ 15 senior group lunch sites, located throughout the county. For a $2.00 suggested donation, anyone 60 or older is invited eat at the lunch site of their choice. Twenty-four hours advance notice is required and days of operation vary from site to site.
To learn more about Elder Ser-vices’ Nutrition/Meals on Wheels program, or other Elder Services programs, call 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.
For more information about Fal-lon Community Health Plan , visit fchp.org.
Get help at the touchof a button –
24 hours a day,7days a week!
Personal Emergency Response Service
Call 413-442-6363
World Headquarters – Novi, MICare Center – Pittsfield, MA
Available Nationwide
February 2016Page 15 Elder Services' Berkshire Senior
Visit www.berkshirehealthcare.org to contact a location near you.
HILLCREST COMMONS • MT. GREYLOCK EXTENDED CARE • KIMBALL FARMS • FAIRVIEW COMMONS
WILLIAMSTOWN COMMONS • NORTH ADAMS COMMONS • HOSPICECARE IN THE BERKSHIRES
We’re Perfecting the Art of Superior Care.
Exceptional Care, everywhere in Berkshire County
800-445-4560www.berkshirehealthcare.org
Nationally recognized quality, hometown care
• Independent and Assisted Living
• Memory Care
• Short-term Rehab• Skilled Nursing• Hospice Care
Have Questions? Call Elder Services at
1-800-544-5242 or 499-0524
Berkshire Senior
¿Habla usted español?Elder Services cuenta con
servicios de intérpretes y en los folletos de la agencia está disponible en español.
Llame por favor 499-0524 o 1-800-544-5242
Berkshire Elder Law CenterCall for my FREE
Home & Savings Protection Kit.DONʼT LOSE EVERYTHING, PLAN NOW!
• Estate and Medicaid Planning • Real Estate Transactions • Will and Probate Administrations
JAMES J. SISTO (413) 664-7700 (413) 458-9800Elder Law Attorney
www.BerkshireElderLaw.com311D Main Street
Williamstown, MA 0126740 Main Street
North Adams, MA 01247
Savino Empire Monuments, Inc.
Est. 1931 Complete Service of
Monuments & Markers
100 Wahconah Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 442-4149
Donna Brewer, Owner
Elder Services' Nutrition Program
February
Elder Services' Senior Lunch Sites Elder Services offers hot, nutritious noontime meals at senior lunch sites located throughout Berkshire County. Anyone 60 or over can reserve a meal at any of the sites by calling the site they would like to attend by 11:30 a.m. the previous day. There is a suggested donation of $2.00 per meal.
If You Receive Meals on Wheels & Are Not Going to be Home PLEASE CALL US TOLL FREE at
1-800-981-5201.
SENIORS 60 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDERSuggested Donation - $2.00
All contributions are returned to the community toward the cost of the Nutrition Program and Services.
1 2 3 *high sodium day 4 5
285 163 550 375 174
56 47 126 20 3
35 10 193 9 3
121 193 213 123 123
4 151 81 1 0
Calories: 673 Sodium: 608 Calories: 749 Sodium 671 Calories: 986 Sodium: 1270 Calories: 618 Sodium: 635 Calories: 765 Sodium: 410
8 9 10 11 12631 51 219 198 327
35 289 64 56 13
9 6 109 135 4121 132 110 99 110
6 1 130 15 15Calories: 708 Sodium: 909 Calories: 749 Sodium: 586 Calories: 645 Sodium 739 Calories: 773 Sodium: 610 Calories: 646 Sodium: 576
15 16 17 18 1999 261 52 30272 104 147 56
109 1 9 3
110 99 215 121
5 6 43 15
Calories: 515 Sodium: 502 Calories: 527 Sodium: 578 Calories: 573 Sodium: 573 Calories: 641 Sodium: 604
22 23 *high sodium day 24 25 26360 1394 284 156 290
29 35 20 6 3
2 16 10 4 53
215 132 99 110 123
2 6 1 140 5
Calories: 731 Sodium: 715 Calories: 691 Sodium: 1690 Calories: 555 Sodium: 521 Calories: 647 Sodium: 523 Calories: 465 Sodium: 581
2956548
43
193
4
960
*Crabby Cakes *NUTRITION LABELING ON MENUS HAS CHANGED* Many clients are concerned about sodium content of their meal and each food item on the menu. Starting this month we will put the amount of sodium, in milligrams (mg), next to each item on the menu. A food item with more than 500mg of sodium is considered “high sodium”; any day where the entire meal is over 1200mg is considered a “high sodium day”. Any food that has more than 500mg of sodium will have an asterisk (*) next to it.
Roasted Potatoes
Peas & Carrots
Rye Bread Totals at the bottom of each day are the total calories & total sodium for the entire meal, including 1% milk. 1 carton (8oz = 1 cup) of 1% milk contains 102 calories and 107mg of sodium (only 4% of DRI- daily recommended intake- for sodium). If you have any questions, regarding our menu and your dietary needs please contact Elder Services Nutritionist @ 1-800-981-5201
Pears
Calories: 989 Sodium
Apple Mixed Fruit Pineapple *Butterscotch Pudding w/ Topping Peaches
Zucchini Braised Cabbage Winter Blend Vegetable Sugar Snap Peas Mixed Greens
Hamburger Roll Dinner Roll Multigrain Bread 100% Whole Wheat Bread Italian Bread
Cheeseburger *Baked Ham w/ Raisin Sauce Chicken Cacciatore Roast Turkey w/ Gravy LasagnaTater Tots Sweet Potato Ziti w/ Sauce Mashed Potatoes Wax Beans
Peaches Mixed Fruit Apple Crisp Applesauce
PRESIDENT'S DAY Spinach Buttered Corn Broccoli Green Beans
100% Whole Wheat Bread Multigrain Bread Hamburger Roll Oatmeal Bread
Stuffed Pepper Casserole Baked Chicken w/ Gravy Cream of Cabbage Soup Baked FishPeas & Carrots Mashed Potatoes Egg Salad Boiled Potato
Applesauce
Sweet Potatoes Buttered Noodles Glazed Carrots Rosemary Potatoes
Broccoli Summer Squash Green Beans Cheesy Brussel SproutsOatmeal Bread Dinner Roll 100% Whole Wheat Bread Multigrain Bread
Mixed Fruit Pineapple **Vanilla Pudding w/ Topping Applesauce
Sugar Snap Peas
Oatmeal Bread Rye Bread Hot Dog Roll Italian Bread
100% Whole Wheat Bread
*Barbecue Pork Orange Chicken Calico Beans w/ Sausage Roast Pork w/ Gravy
Pears **Chocolate Pudding w/ Topping **Peach Cobbler Banana
Macaroni & Cheese
Boiled Potatoes Brown Rice Baked Beans Spirals w/ Sauce
Stewed Tomatoes
Green Beans Winter Blend Vegetable Cole Slaw Broccoli
GoulashPeas
Wax Beans
Italian Bread
Orange
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Beef Stew Baked Chicken w/ Gravy *Hot Dog Italian Meatballs
Dietary Information:
All meals include 1% Milk 102 calories/107 mg sodium. Calories and sodium from salad dressings, margarine, crackers and condiments are not included. *High Sodium **Modifications for restricted sugar available
Nutrition information provided is not exact but will help guide you.
City/Town/Phone Address Meal Times
Days Meals Served M T W Th F
Adams 743-8333
Community Center 3 Hoosac St. 11:30 a.m.
Becket 623-8934
Town Hall Route 8 11:00 a.m.
Cheshire 743-9719
Senior Center 119 School St. 11:30 a.m.
Dalton 684-2000/684-0016
Senior Center 40 Field St. Ext. Noon
Great Barrington 528-4118
Claire Teague Senior Ctr. 917 South Main St. 11:30 a.m.
Lanesboro 442-2682
Town Hall 83 North Main St. 11:30 a.m.
Lee 243-5545
Senior Center 21 Crossway Village 11:45
Lenox 637-5535
Community Center 65 Walker St. Noon
City/Town/Phone Address Meal Times
Days Meals Served M T W Th F
North Adams 662-3125
Spitzer Center 116 Ashland St. 11:45 a.m.
Pittsfield 499-9346
Ralph J. Froio Senior Ctr. 330 North St. 11:30 a.m.
Pittsfield-Kosher 442-2200
Cong. Knesset Israel 16 Colt Rd. Noon
Stockbridge 298-4170, x263
Senior Center 50 Main St. Noon
Stockbridge 298-7037
Heaton Court 5 Pine St. 11:30 a.m.
Sheffield 229-7037
Senior Center 25 Cook Road Noon
Williamstown 458-8350
Harper Center 118 Church St. 11:30 a.m.
