Dear Members,

As I plan to retire June 30^th and reflect back on my 48 year career as an employee of the Milford Senior  Center, I can’t help but think about our humble beginnings in the basement of the Mary Taylor Methodist Church located on Broad Street in Milford.

From 1970 to 1978 we were called the Senior Center Drop-in Center.  I was one of five employees occupying one small room, a sitting area, and a room with a pool table. The attendance at the weekly club meetings was growing and it became apparent that we needed our own Senior Center building. The Executive Director, the late Kathi McDonnell-Bissell worked with State and Local officials to construct a much needed Senior Center on 9 Jepson Drive.  We moved into our new Center in July, 1978 and loved having our own offices and of course air conditioning!  There have been two additions since 1978 and we now have a 33,000 square foot facility.  We have an elevator to the second floor conference rooms, a class room,  additional  offices and restrooms.  We also have a  basement that is used only for storage. 

I have grown with the Senior Center and have experienced countless changes over four and a half decades.  I have had the opportunity of working with many different individuals and their families in my capacity as Administrative Assistant, Administrative Coordinator, Social Services Coordinator, Interim Director, and Executive Director. There have been many challenges throughout the years, however, I have learned to listen, be patient, flexible, and remain calm especially during emergency situations.

I am extremely proud of the accolades the Milford Senior Center has received over the years.  I am grateful to have been able to participate with our dedicated Council on Aging Board of Directors, employees, and volunteers in establishing policies and procedures that confirmed those compliments.   

During my retirement I plan to complete several home projects, catch up on some reading, and watch more classic movies.   Also, my husband John and I are planning longer road trips on one of our Harley-Davidson trikes.  As a member of the    Senior Center I hope to take advantage of more wonderful day trips. 

John and I plan to stay in Milford, Connecticut, the City that we were born and raised in, so I won’t say good-bye, but see you soon!

Best Wishes Always

Janice M. Jackson

Executive Director

FROM THE DESK OF EDITOR, ELEANORE MYERS TURKINGTON

The month of June symbolizes  weddings, beautiful flowers, beaming parents at graduations  and joyous celebrations. This month also heralds June 16^th, Father’s Day! Back in 1972 President Richard Nixon established this holiday, honoring all fathers. Our Executive Director Janice M. Jackson is retiring this month.  Janice has led our Center for many years and we will all miss her. Janice was responsible for numerous innovations and increased membership at the Center.  Good luck Janice!  We know you will enjoy the many days ahead. An interesting note came across my desk the other day that you may be interested in; the Norwalk Community Chorale is performing  an evening of Disney Music! It’s Free!  Enjoy! June 1^st , 7:30 p.m. in the Norwalk Concert Hall  Please take a close look at page 8 of today’s bulletin.  You will see a photo of our volunteers who were honored at our annual Volunteers Brunch recently.  Mayor Ben Blake, added his compliments to the group and joined the chuckles and happy spirt during our photo shoot.  I enjoyed photographing these dedicated volunteers  as well.  Let’s applaud these folks who have donated countless hours of service to our Center. We thank you!  There are so many interesting  activities and programs  going on at our Center this month. You may want to check them out on page 4 today. The special events that are planned will capture your interest I am sure. A happy June to everyone!

Milford Department of Human Services

Kicks-Off Renters Rebate Program

The City of Milford will begin to accept applications to the 2019 Renters’ Rebate Program. This program is for elderly renters (65+) or renters under the age of 65 who receive Social Security Disability benefits. The maximum yearly income for single applicants is $36,000.00 and for married couples it is $43,900.00. 

As in previous years, Milford Department of Human Services Outreach Staff will be taking applications at Milford Senior and Disabled Housing sites as follows:

                   Viscount Drive                            Tuesday, June 18^th                             9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                                                                                                Tuesday, July 23^rd                               1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

                  Jagoe Court                                Thursday, June 20^th                             9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m                                                                                                Thursday, July 25^th                              1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

                  DeMaio Drive                              Tuesday, June 25^th                              9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                                                                                              Tuesday, July 30^th                               1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

                  Catherine McKeen Center          Thursday, June 27^th                             9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                                                                                              Thursday, August 1^st                           1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

                  Foran Towers                               Tuesday, July 9^th                                 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

                  Saranor Apts.                               Thursday, July 11^th                              9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

                  Senior Center                               Tuesday, July 16^th                              10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

                  River Park                                    Thursday, July 18^th                               1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Applicants should bring all 2018 rent and utility receipts and all 2018 income  verification including their                         SSA-1099 and 2018 Federal Tax Return (if filed). 

The Milford Department of Human Services will also be taking applications for all other qualified residents who do not reside in the above sites beginning   May 21, 2019, by appointment only.  To make an appointment, please call       203-783-3253. Applications will be taken through October 1, 2019.  

Volunteering- A Sense of Purpose

Volunteering offers a tremendous boost to healthy aging. Numerous studies confirm that seniors with a sense of purpose are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, disabilities, heart attacks or strokes and are more likely to live longer than people who are still searching for a purposeful outlet.  A study conducted by Drs. Randy Cohen and  Alan Rozanski and colleagues at Mr. Sinai St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York, found that having a high sense of purpose in life is associated with a reduced risk for mortality and cardiovascular events. An article that appeared in the American Medical Association News even urged doctors to “prescribe” volunteer service for their patients!

Healthcare providers and service organizations alike are calling this new emphasis on volunteer service a big    win-win.  The U.S. Administration on Aging reports that a record number of older adults are volunteering today.  Almost a third of seniors volunteer- that’s over 20 million older adults, whose donated service is valued at $67 billion dollars per year.  A third of all volunteers are age 55 or older. If you have the desire to give of your time and energy, volunteer  opportunities await you.  As most volunteers attest, you’ll likely get back far more than you give.

            Portions of this article are from www. Lcadvocates.com

  WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Dorothy Arcovitch, Rita Barnhart, Marie Celantano, Roger Csugie, Cheryl Csugie, Patricia Cucuzza,  Maria  Eugenia Dimeglio, Susan Fricke, Annette Hartney and Deanna Dee Hartwig.  Also Roy Jancson, Lynn Johnson, Lori Kratzer, Kelly Miller, Kathleen Morse, Thomas Morse, Elspeth Nelson, John Nevin, Eve Nucifora, Barbara Poole, Susan Pusateri, Karin Seufert, Peter Viola, Amy Zabin, Karin Zamolsky, Peter Zamolsky and  Margaret Zavidniak.Also, Amelia J. Barnes, Charles Barnes, Sr., Ellen Curran -Lindquist, Elaine Dworkin, Jed Horwith, Shirley Lang and Marie Zyde.

Medicare 2020

There are changes coming with Medicare next year and we will try to keep you informed. Each month until January, 2020, you will find important information in this column. If there are any questions, you may call our Insurance Specialists  Laura Daneault or John Cornelius  at the Milford  Senior Center, 203 877-5131.

  MEDICARE CHANGES IN 2020

Starting in 2020 there will be no more first- dollar coverage plans available to those who are considered Medicare eligible after 2020.  First dollar coverage plans are Medicare Supplement Plans that leave you with zero out of pocket costs .

The three Medicare Supplement Plans considered first-dollar coverage plans are

          Plan C

          Plan F

         High Deductible Plan F

Why First Dollar Coverage Plans are Being Discontinued

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 eliminates all Medigap Plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible.

The reason for the change is due to some members of Congress believing Medicare beneficiaries are over-using healthcare services since they don’t have to pay anything out of pocket at all.

By making everyone meet the Medicare Part B    deductible, legislators hope to prevent beneficiaries from running to the doctor for every minor ailment.

Critics argue that the deductible may keep people from getting the care they need.  When people don’t see a doctor, they can end up with more serious  conditions down the road.

In Next Month’s Bulletin: How Medicare Changes in 2020 Will Impact Beneficiaries.

 FATHER’S DAY

          Father’s Day is celebrated Sunday, June 16 and is recognized as an occasion to celebrate the contribution that fathers have made to many of our lives.

             Father’s Day is a relative modern holiday, so different families have a range of traditions. These can range from a simple phone call or a greeting card to large family celebrations to honor all of the father figures in a particular extended family. Father figures can include fathers, step-fathers, fathers-in-law, grandfathers and great grandfathers and even other male relatives.  In the days and weeks  before Fath3r’s Day, many schools and Sunday schools help their pupils to prepare a handmade card or small gift for their fathers.

            There are a range of events that may have  inspired the idea of Father’s Day.  One of them was the memorial service held in 1908 when a large group of men, many of them fathers, who were killed in a  mining accident in Monongah, West Virginia in December of 1907. 

Father’s Day was officially recognized as a   holiday in 1972 by Richard Nixon.

Portions of this article was contributed by time and date.com

FLAG DAY

Many people in the United States honor this day by  displaying the American Flag on their home or office. Other popular ways of observing this holiday includes flag raising ceremonies, Flag Day services, school  quizzes and essay compositions about the American Flag. musical salutes, street parades and awards for  special recognition. 

Flag Day is Friday, June 14^th.

This information was provided by timeanddate.com

Christmas in July Tag Sale

 Come visit our July Tag Sale, Sunday  July 21st 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tables are $ 15.00 and Vendors can call Amanda Berry, Program Director at 203-877-5131 to reserve your table today!