Farmers Market Vouchers Available for Eligible Seniors
Eligible seniors can get vouchers to buy New Jersey fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables and herbs, at participating farmers’ markets in Somerset County.
The vouchers, which are valued at $5 each, will be available starting June 30 and can be redeemed until Nov. 30 of this year. Eligible seniors can obtain up to four vouchers (a value of $20 per person) at the Somerset County Office on Aging, located at 27 Warren St., Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Vouchers will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Eligible individuals must be residents of Somerset County and be at least 60 years old. Income guidelines require that an individual’s annual income not exceed $19,240, and a married couple’s annual income not exceed $25,900.
Applicants are requested to show proof of age and residency, such as a driver’s license or other documentation. To be automatically eligible, an applicant can provide a Medicaid or SSI card or show proof of participation in a food stamp program. Otherwise, individuals will be asked to sign a Self Declaration of Income Statement, which lists monthly or annual income, address and phone number. Office on Aging staff will be available to assist residents when they apply for the vouchers.
If seniors are unable to visit the Office on Aging to redeem the vouchers, they may send a representative, who is at least 16 years old and has personal identification, with a proxy form and the identification items listed above. The representative must provide a proxy statement or letter that is signed and dated by the eligible senior, which states that the proxy is authorized to pick up the vouchers. A proxy form can be obtained in advance by contacting the Office on Aging at 1-888-747-1122.
Participating farm markets include Ripple Hill Farm, Basking Ridge; Bernardsville Farmers Market, Bernardsville; Bound Brook Farmers Market, Bound Brook; Linda’s Farm Market, Bridgewater; Franklin Township Farmers Market, Franklin Township; Sunhaven Farms, Hillsborough; North Plainfield Farmers Market, North Plainfield; Montgomery Farmers Market, Montgomery Township; Maple Tree Farm, North Brunswick; and Kingston Farm Market, Princeton.
For more information, contact the Somerset County Office on Aging at 1-888-747-1122.
EVERGREEN FORUM ANNOUNCES FALL COURSES
The 18 courses being offered by The Evergreen Forum, a lifelong learning program for adults, will have a global outlook in the fall of 2008. They include the cuisines of South Asia, music of pre-Columbian America, a novel by Tolstoy, four plays by Schiller, French plays, Spanish art, the Reformation in Europe, and women in world perspective. On the national front, presidential elections will take center stage in courses “On the Campaign Trail” and “Leadership in the Modern Presidency.” For the truly universal, there is “Mars: Fact and Fancy.” Other fall courses will focus on translating fiction to film, different genres of poetry, folklore, geography, and science for laypeople.
The Evergreen Forum provides daytime study and discussion courses that are led by former teachers and other professionals. Classes meet for two hours once a week, generally for 8 weeks, and will begin on October 1. The program is sponsored by the Princeton Senior Resource Center and classes are held at the Center or other nearby locations. There is a $50 registration fee for one course and $35 for additional courses. Registrations are now being accepted by mail or in person.
For more information, see the website at www.TheEvergreenForum.org or call the Senior Resource Center at 609-924-7108.
Single Senior Women’s Support Group
SOMERVILLE – Women 60 years of age or older are invited to join the Somerset County Single Senior Women’s group, which meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, with the exception of July, August, November and December when they meet only once. The organization is intended to provide moral support and social activities for independent, senior women.
Meetings are held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in a second floor conference room at the Somerset County Human Services building, which is now located at 27 Warren Street.
Remaining 2008 meeting dates include July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, Oct. 23, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11.
The Single Senior Women’s motto is: “From strangers to sisters.” Members of the informal and welcoming group are supportive of each other and enjoy luncheons, parties and a variety of activities, including traveling.
While a majority of the group consists of widows, there are a number of members who are nursing-home wives, who need an outlet from day-to-day visits to their loved ones in local care-giving facilities. The doors are open to any senior woman who feels the need to talk to or socialize with other women.
The Single Senior Women program, started in 1989, has approximately 50 members. In 1992, the program received an honorable mention award for exemplary contributions to healthy aging. The American Association of Retired Persons and the U.S. Public Health Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion sponsored the award.
For more information, contact RoseMary Wills, Somerset County Office on Aging, at (908) 704-6341 or toll-free at 1-888-747-1122.
Introduction to Gmail
This computer class will provide an introduction to email, using Google’s free email service, Gmail. Each person will set up a Gmail account and learn how to use it. This is a basic course but you must know how to type, how to use the mouse, and how to get onto the Internet.
The class will be on Wednesday, September 24 at 1 pm at the Mary Jacobs Library. Please pre-register by calling 609-924-7073 ext 4 or emailing cwillis@sclsnj.org (of course, if you can email me, you may not need this class.)
Montgomery Senior Center September
Available Every Month
Beading – Daily
Birthday Celebration – Last Fri. of month
Blood Pressure Screening –Second Mon. of month, 10 am
Bridge – Every Thurs., 10:30 am
Computer Help with Phil –Every Thurs., 10:30 am
ESL – Every Mon. & Fri., 10:30 am
Exercise – Every Mon., 10:15 am
Line Dance – Alternate Fri. (call for time)
Pool Table & Cards – Available daily
Sewing/Quilting Group – Every Thurs.
Tai Chi – Every Tues. & Thurs. (call for time)
Yoga – Every Tues. & alternate Fri. (call for time)
September Highlights:
Fri., Sept. 5, 10 am: Learn Wii Sports with John
Mon., Sept. 8, 10:30 am: Volition Wellness Center presents: Feldendrais Bones for Life
Tues., Sept. 9: Omelet Day - Chef Jim of Merrimakers Caterer will cook fresh omelets. (please call Monday before 10:30 am to order)
Thurs., Sept. 11, 10:30 am: Yvette Halprin – Laughter Class. Come realize the benefits of good-hearted living.
Wed., Sept. 17: Joe Pelligrino of Wegmans “Apples, Apples Everywhere” – Learn about the wonderful variety of apples.
Fri., Sept. 19, 10:30 am: Volition Wellness Center presents NIA Get Fit the Bodies Way
Fri., Sept. 26, 10:30 am: Montgomery Senior Center’s First “True Beauty” Fashion Show
Mon., Sept. 29, 11:15 am: Marci Tyson presents Getting Ready for Flu season.
The Center is open Mon-Fri, 9 am - 1 pm, Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Rd., Skillman. Hot lunch served for suggested donation of $1.50. Lunch reservations: 609-466-0846 - meals are ordered in advance. Please call by 10:30 am the day before you plan to come. Transportation: 609-466-3023 - If you cannot come please call and cancel ride. Transportation for medical appointments Mon or Thurs 9 am - 3 pm (15 mile radius). Minimum one-week notice, 609-466-3023.
Montgomery Senior Citizens Sept-Oct
If you are a Montgomery Township or Rocky Hill resident who is 55 years and older, you are eligible to join. Call Sylvia Lewis, President 609-466-3148.
Sept 11 1 pm Mtg. Princeton Elks Lodge –
“Dixie Land Band performs”
Sept 17 Trip to Penn’s Peak (Jim Thorp, PA) – “History of Hollywood” Plus Luncheon
Sept. 30 Atlantic City Trip
Oct. 9 1 pm Mtg. Princeton Elks Lodge – Marie Tyson. Montgomery Health Dept. Speaking on Osteoporosis
Oct. 14 Trip to Brownstone – Bavarian Beer Festival
Oct. 28 Atlantic City Trip – Bally’s
All programs are subject to change. EMS will do free blood pressure readings at monthly meetings. Call Muriel Kellenger for Atlantic City and regular trip reservations, 908-874-3626. You do not have to be a member of the Montgomery Senior Citizens Group to participate in the above activities, if seats are available, with the exception of the picnic, Christmas luncheon, and monthly meetings.
Senior Center - September Events
Attention Montgomery Township Seniors
Are you age 60 or better and looking for leisure, wellness and recreation opportunities?
Did you know?...
- Our center is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 1:30pm.
- We offer transportation to and from the center daily. Call 609-466-0846 to make arrangements for your ride.
- We offer a delicious hot lunch daily at noontime for a $1.50 suggested donation.
- We offer exercise, fitness, and wellness classes as well as health screenings.
- We do arts, crafts, sewing and beading.
- We play bridge, poker, board games, pool, table tennis, and other games.
- We offer stimulating discussion groups and learning opportunities.
- Membership is free.
Weekly highlights include:
Blood Pressure Screening - second Monday of Month 10.00
Beading - Available Daily
Computer Help with Phil - Every Thursday 10:30
Exercise - Every Monday, 10:15
Line Dance and Yoga - Alternate Fridays; Call for Schedule
for Schedule)
Bridge - Every Thursday 10:30
Sewing Group- Every Thursday
Tai Chi Video- Every Tuesday and Thursday call for Schedule
Pool Table and Cards - Available Daily
Birthday celebration last Friday of the Month
ESL Chinese - Every Monday and Friday 10:30
September Highlights:
Friday September 5th- Learn Wii Sports with John 10:30
Monday September 8th - Volition Wellness center presents: Feldendrais Bones for Life 10:30
Body mind movement.10:Somerset County Affordable Housing Presentation
Tuesday September 9th- "Omelet Day" Chef Jim Of Merrimakers Caterer will cook Fresh omelets . Please call Monday before 10:30 to order.
Thursday September 11th- Yvette Halprin - Laughter Class 10:30 Come realize the benefits of Good Hearted Living
Wednesday September 17th- Joe Pelligrino of Wegmans "Apples Apples Everywhere" Learn About the wonderful variety of Apples .
Friday September 19th- Volation wellness center presents: NIA Get Fit the bodies way 10:30
Friday September 26- Montgomery Senior Centers First "True Beauty "Fashion Show. 10:30AM
Monday September 29th - Marci Tyson Presents : Getting Ready For "Flu" Season 11:15
Come and Join us : Call Manager Denise Crowley 609-466-0846
Savvy Senior: How to Organize and Remember Your Medications
Savvy Senior
How to Organize and Remember Your Medications
Dear Savvy Senior,
My mom and dad could sure use some help keeping up with all their medications. Between the two of them, they take 11 prescription drugs and that doesn't include all the vitamins or over-the-counter medicines they take. Their kitchen counter literally looks like a pharmacy. What can you recommend that can help them keep up with their medicine?
Pill Tracking Patty
Dear Patty,
Anybody who juggles multiple medications can relate to the problem of forgetting to take a medication, or not remembering whether they already took it. Here are some solutions that can help.
Medication Helpers
Getting organized and being reminded! This is the magic combination that can help your parents stay on top of their medication regimens. And with all the self-help products and tools that are available today, it's easy to do.
Today, there are a bevy of inexpensive pill organizers and medication reminders on the market that are incredibly helpful, and the best place to find them is at www.epill.com (or call 800-549-0095). This is the granddaddy of medication helpers that offer dozens of different pill boxes, vibrating watches, beeping pill bottles and pagers, and even dispensers that talk to you. Forgettingthepill.com is another good resource to check. And for some unique medication management products, consider the following:
- Talking pillbox: For $70, MedCenter (www.medcentersystems.com; 866-600-3244) offers a neat product that organizes a month's worth of pills and alerts you up to four times a day when your medication is due.
- Smart pillboxes: These are small, fit-in-your-hand, high-tech, portable devices that chime or beep when it's time to take your medication; let you know which medicine to take at that particular time; how to take it; and will remind you if you missed a dose. They can even be set up to alert a caregiver if desired. To learn more see the Med-eMonitor (www.informedix.com; 888-582-4480; $30/month rental fee) and MedSignals (www.medsignals.com; 866-965-9200; $200 purchase price).
Prepackaged Meds
Another way you can simplify your parent's medicine consumption is by prepackaging their individual doses, and there are various ways to do it. One is with DailyMed (www.dailymedrx.com; 800-973-1955), a pharmacy dispensing service that provides, sorts and organizes prescription drugs, vitamins and over-the-counter medications into individual, single-dose packets that are labeled in large print with the day and time they need to be taken. The cost for DailyMed is $15/month, not including medication costs. Or if you want to do it yourself there's Dose Guardian ($200; www.doseguardian.com; 804-726-5448), an easy-to-use home device that lets you do the organizing and packaging right at your own kitchen table.
If your parents are in need of comprehensive medication assistance, consider EMMA ($10/day rental; www.inrangesystems.com; 814-940-1870), MD2 ($745; www.epill.com/md2.html; 800-549-0095) or CompuMed ($900 or $100/month rental; www.compumed.com; 800-722-4417). These are sophisticated, home-based machines that will not only remind your parents when it's time to take their medication, it also dispenses exactly what they need to take and will report to a caregiver if they miss a dose.
Reminding Services
If forgetfulness is the main problem, there are electronic services available today like OnTimeRx where you can have your parents called, e-mailed or paged for all types of reminders - daily medications, monthly refills, doctor and dentist appointments, or other events, for $10 to $30 a month (407-843-8966; www.ontimerx.com). CareCalls (www.parentcarecall.com; 888-275-3098) is another service that offers medication reminders, wake up calls and more over the phone, along with caregiver alerts if your loved one doesn't answer within three tries.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.
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