January News from Bellingham Senior Center
Dec 30, 2020 06:00AM ● By Pamela Johnson
Bellingham Senior Center
The Bellingham COA Board Meeting will be held via Zoom on Jan. 12, at 11am.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS—Each week, Terri Graham sends out emails that describe the days, times, and programs that you may participate in. They’re free via Zoom and include Holistic Wellness, Morn-ing Stretch, Chair Exercise, Tai Chi, and Self-Care. To sign up, email [email protected].
The Walking Club (Fridays, 9 am) now meets at the inside track at the YMCA in Franklin for the winter months and reminds everyone that a membership is not required to join. There is, however, a $2 fee for non-members of the YMCA.
The Book Club will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, January 26, at 6 pm, to discuss Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Join us and enjoy an hour of book discussion.
AMAZON GRANT—The Senior Center is a most grateful recipient of a $15,000 grant from Amazon that will make possible the construction of an all-weather pavilion in place of the tent next to the building. Selectboard Member Don Martinis worked long and hard to secure this grant so that outdoor programs in the warmer weather can be offered once again (probably in early spring). Any leftover funds will be put toward the senior lunch program.
SPIRITUAL BOOK CLUB—This book club meets every Monday via Zoom at 10:30am to socialize and discuss nonfiction and fiction books regarding personal/spiritual growth. Laws of Spirit by Dan Millman will be discussed. (In February, Oprah’s The Things I Know for Sure will be discussed.) This club is for people interested in self-improvement, personal growth, and increased happiness and productivity. If interested in joining, please email Josie at [email protected] for the link.
OUTREACH—Terri Graham and Lisa Mottola provide outreach services for the Bellingham Senior Center. Outreach workers serve as advocates for seniors in the Bellingham community. They assess and facilitate connections to services and programs for seniors despite their income or assets; they conduct home visits independently to assist seniors and their families to assess their needs and facilitate access to programs and services. You may contact them by email at [email protected] or [email protected], or call 508-966-0398.
SHINE—The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period will continue through March 31.
What can I do? If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage), you can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage). You can drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You’ll also be able to join a Medicare drug plan. You can drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and join a Medigap Plan and a Medicare drug plan.What can’t I do? You cannot switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Join a Medicare drug plan if you’re in original Medicare. Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another if you’re in original Medicare.
Note: If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) during the first 3 months that you have Medicare.
You can make a telephone appointment to speak with SHINE representative Jean Roy by calling the Center at 508-966-0398. She will be available on Wednesday, January 20. Appointments are 45 minutes long and are scheduled between 9am and 12 pm; please call to schedule your appointment, or you may email Jean at [email protected].
Below is the January calendar of events for the Bellingham Senior Center:
