Thu Feb 09 2012
September is National Senior Center Month. The National Council on Aging's weekly newsletter had this to say about senior centers:
"The first modern senior center was developed in 1943 to provide recreational and educational opportunities for elderly persons in their communities. The senior center movement grew rapidly in the post-war years and received a major boost from the 1965 passage of the Older Americans Act. Today, there are an estimated 11,000 multi-purpose senior centers throughout our nation."
Portage County has three strong, active centers: the Aurora Senior Center, Streetsboro Senior Center and the Portage County Senior Services Center. Portage County also has the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority, which can help get you to a center. Just call 330-678-1287.
Sept. 16 is the center's annual breakfast with elected officials. Local elected officials have been invited to join area seniors at the Portage County Senior Services Center for a continental breakfast and discussion of their concerns. Included in the attendees will be our three county commissioners, County Auditor Janet Esposito, County Sheriff David Doak, and a representative from the Woodlands Nursing Home, Jeanette Messina.
The breakfast is set from 8 to 9:30 a.m. This is a free event and open to the community. It is sponsored by our local Dunkin' Donuts Store. Reservations can be made by calling the senior center at 330-297-3456.
Sept. 23 is National Fall Awareness Day. With this in mind, another "Matter of Balance" program is being offered at Robinson Memorial Hospital starting Sept. 14. This program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants will learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance.
Classes will be held at the hospital for eight consecutive weeks on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. This program is free but pre-registration is required. For additional information and to register, call 330-297-8770.
Time is fast approaching for you to take a few minutes for your annual check of your Medicare plans B & D. If you are dissatisfied with your coverage, changes can only be made between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31.
Residents of Portage County will have two opportunities to learn about the 2011 changes to the Medicare programs and an opportunity to learn what the various options are for health care coverage.
One opportunity will be on Oct. 19 at Family and Community Services in the Community Room at 705 Oakwood St., Ravenna. At 10 a.m., a trained Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program volunteer will do a presentation about the overall changes and options. You will have an opportunity to schedule individual appointments to discuss your specific needs. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 330-297-8770.
The other opportunity will be on Nov. 9. The Area Agency on Aging will present a free seminar on the changes and options for Medicare recipients in 2011. The Area Agency presentation includes a free breakfast and lunch. This presentation will be in the Portage County Senior Services Center at 705 Oakwood St., Ravenna, (lower level). Reservations are required and can be made by calling 330-297-3456.
The Portage Senior Services Network is sponsoring the Senior Citizens Harvest Ball this year at the American Legion Post in Kent on Mogadore Road, catered by Special Moments Catering. The doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets are $7 for seniors and $11 for all others. Tickets can be ordered by mail from the Portage Senior Services Network at P.O. Box 415, Ravenna, OH 44266. Make checks payable to PSSN Harvest Ball. Tickets will also be available in the Portage County Senior Services Center after Sept. 10 (705 Oakwood St., Ravenna).
Because of the new Safelink Wireless program, which is available to seniors with a yearly income of less than $16,245 for a one-person household or $21,855 for a two-person household, the Portage County Senior Services is no longer offering or collecting free cell phones for area seniors. Over the years, more than 500 cell phones have been donated to the program. These phones were limited to only having access to emergency calls to 911.
The Safelink program (sponsored by the Ohio Lifeline Assistance program) offers individuals free cell phones with 60 minutes of free talking time each month to individuals with a limited income. This is a much stronger program and gives folks access to other individuals, not just 911. Applications are available at the Portage County Senior Services Center or call 330-297-3456.
E-mail: skelly@portageco.com
Phone: 330-297-3456
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