THE GRAN BEE Newsletter

A Monthly Publication of the Granby Council on Aging and Senior Center

257 State Street, Granby, MA 01033    413-467-3239 or 413-467-3759

    email: dianneb@granbyma.org        web: www.granbycoa@the-spa.com

Granby Council on Aging                                                  Senior Services Director                               Friends of Granby’s Elderly

Frank Hudgik, President                                                                                                                                       Gloria Vivier, President

Granby Senior Center Hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

August 2008

Thank you for your support! Donations are used for programs and services of the Council on Aging and Senior Center:

In Memory of Donations:

Gift Fund Donations

Fuel Program Donations

Theresa Chapdelaine

Proceeds from the S.A.L.T. picnic

Donated by the Granby Police Department

Food Pantry Cash Donations

Cynthia & John Mesheau

Pat Sicard

Food Pantry Food Donations

“Mom’s Helping Mom’s”

Big Y

Richard Mei

Equipment Donations

                                       The Killion Family

 Please consider donating a few items to our Food Pantry.  It is much appreciated.

National Observances in the month of August

National Children’s Vision & Learning Month

National Immunization Awareness Month

Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month

National Peach Month

National Catfish Month

Respect for Parents Day- August 1^st

Watermelon Day- August 3^rd

National Mustard Day- August 5^th

National Fresh Breath Day- August 6^th

Simplify your Life Week –August 1-7

Sneak some Zucchini Onto Your

Neighbor’s Porch Night- August 8^th

Reduce the Clutter Week- August 14-20

More Herbs, Less Salt Day- August 29^th

The RSVP Osteoporosis Exercise Program recently won national acclaim! It meets twice weekly at the Phins Hill Community Room, Monday and Thursday at 10 am. Guys and gals can have a healthy, fun time in a stress free environment. A doctor’s approval form and a health sheet are required and can be obtained at the COA or at a class. Call 467-3239

The Walking Club meets Friday mornings at 9am at the Senior Center and group members walk at their own pace in a variety of great places.  Join Walking Leader Kim Myers for a self- paced and invigorating experience. Good cardiovascular exercise and weight control. Walk your way to better health! 467-3239

NEWS FROM OUR nURSES

Footnotes: Deb Sullivan, RN, BSN

Bunions are a fairly common finding in my practice of foot care.  There is no single cause of a bunion which is caused by an inflammation and thickening of the joint of the big toe.  It results in an enlargement of the joint and a deformity of the big toe.  It looks like the big toe either angles in or tucks under or over the second toe.

Bunions develop either as a result of arthritic joint destruction, heredity or ill-fitting tight shoes.  A bunion has a tendency to increase in size due to excessive weight and shoe pressure.  This often causes pain and poor balance. 

Sometimes merely changing your shoe type can prevent the worsening of a bunion.  Avoiding tight and pointed shoes.  Choose shoes that are non-binding and low- heeled.  But, if pain persists, a foot specialist is in order for further evaluation and treatment. 

                                              Deb

REACH OUT TO GRANBY:  Dianne Barry, COA Outreach Worker
 

The Outreach Program is funded by grants from WestMass ElderCare & the Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Diane M. Dickerson, Director of Emergency Food Resources, Project Bread shares information about Food Stamps for seniors. Diane may be reached at: 145 Border Street East Boston, MA 02128 Phone: (617) 239-2574 Fax: (617) 248-8877 diane_dickerson@projectbread.org

HER ARTICLE: Good News For Seniors - Help is Available to Beat the High Cost of Food

“If you are a low-income senior (age 60 or over), you may now qualify for food assistance through the Food Stamp Program, even if you own a home or a car, or have savings.  Thanks to new changes to the Food Stamp Program, assets are no longer considered for seniors whose income falls within certain income guidelines. Seniors whose incomes fall above the guidelines may still be eligible, but their assets will be counted.

For instance, for a senior living alone, if your monthly gross income is under $1,734, your bank accounts and other assets will not be considered.  If there are two people in the home, and the total monthly gross income is below $2,334, assets will not be considered in the food stamp calculation.  Prior to the criteria changes, you would have been required to submit information about bank accounts, CD's and other assets. Assets higher than $3,000 would have disqualified both of the households above and indeed many low-income seniors with modest assets had been ineligible under the old rules. That is no longer the case and as a result thousands of seniors who had not been eligible previously may now meet the requirements.

Income alone cannot determine eligibility. Food Stamp benefits are primarily determined by a calculation that is based on income and certain expenses.  It is important that you keep track of those expenses so that you can maximize your benefits.  For instance, if you have more than $35 in medical expenses per month, documenting those expenses may increase your food stamp benefits.  Medical expenses include health insurance premiums, co-payments, transportation to medical appointments and many other out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Shelter expenses are also considered in the calculation of benefits.  By providing proof of your rent or mortgage and utilities, you are able to benefit from important deductions. The increases in the price of fuel and food are hurting everyone. Food stamps can make a big difference in your quality of life by helping you purchase the food you need for good health.

For more information, call Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and talk to a real person.  It just takes a few minutes to determine if you are eligible to receive food stamps.  Counselors will talk you through the medical expense deduction to help you make the most of that deduction. The average food stamp benefit for a senior in Massachusetts is $88 per month. That is $1,056 per year.  Some people will get less, some will qualify for more, but isn't it worth a call to see if you can receive some help, particularly now with the rising cost of food?

If you would like to apply for food stamps, you may also call the Senior Center 467-3239 and we will help you to start the process. Once you are approved for food stamps, you generally will not have to go through this process again for two years. Calls are confidential. Call today!

Dianne

AREA EVENTS and PROGRAMS at a Glance:

¨September 20: Fireman’s Roast Beef Supper

¨September 27^th:  Church of Christ Arts and Crafts Fair

¨October 18^th: Church of Christ Chicken Pie Supper

¨December 3^rd: WestMass ElderCare Christmas Party

                  UPCOMING   EVENTS: Join Us for a Great Time

TANGLEWOOD TRIP:  August 5^th evening performance. Leaving at 6pm and returning at midnight. Parking available at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (across from the Senior Center). Please park to the rear of the church lot, and do not park in front of the dumpster.

FRIENDS PICNIC: August 20^th Dufresne’s Park. Great food, entertainment.  Tickets $5.00 at the Council on Aging. $5.00 per person. Raffles and prizes, too.

GRANDPARENTS & GRANDKIDS FISHING EVENT: September 7^th (this is Grandparents’ Day!). Spend it with your family. Free event at Dufresne’s Park. License, equipment, bait and instruction provided by Mass Wildlife Angler Education Program. Raffle and picnic provided by Waste Management. Call the Council on Aging to register.

HOBO RAILROAD TRIP: September 30^th the Hobo Railroad rolls again. This was such a popular trip that it is being offered again. Tickets are $60 per person for this fun filled day that combines riding the rails through beautiful New Hampshire and a great meal. Tickets available at the Granby Senior Center. 

JINGLE BELLS, JINGLE BELLS…

Believe it or not, the Friends of Granby’s Elderly are already preparing for the Christmas Party. It will be held on December 17, 2008 at Adelfia’s Restaurant in South Hadley. Cost will be $18 per person for a full buffet and tickets will be available at the Council on Aging.   

                                                                                        Gloria

Everyone must call 467-3239 for reservations by noon on the day before

you plan to attend the meal.

August 2008

Suggested Voluntary Donation $2.25 per meal B Meals subject to change without notice