Rehoboth Council on Aging

Francis Hall

27 Francis Farm Road, Rehoboth

Phone 508-252-3372

Fax 508-252-4716

Monday - Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Fridays 8:00am to Noon

Join Our Walking Club

Monday-Wednesday- Friday Start time 10:00

Lace up your sneakers and get ready for the Walk Massachusetts Challenge!

Come & Join Us! We have added NEW activities:

• Acrylic Painting Class, Drums Alive, Hi-Low Jack, Bocce, Cornhole Toss, Paper Crafting Class, Crafty Fun Classes, Watercolor Class

• Stop in and have a cup of coffee and a donut. Wednesday mornings @ 9:00

• We have added Paper Crafting Class and can always use extra supplies: scrapbooking, cricut supplies, die-cut, embossing folders, jewelry making supplies..

• We are in need of cotton, flannel, and fleece fabric for sewing projects.We are accepting yarn donations for hats & blankets. If you can donate, please call and we will set up a safe and secure drop off

Mondays

• Cribbage 9-11

• Walking Club 10:00 NEW start time

• 10:00 Bocce

• 10:00 Cornhole Toss

• Gert’s Café Noon~~ Limited seating Please call to reserve a seat 508-252-3372

Tuesdays

• 9:00 Zumba

• 10:00 -Noon Jewelry Making (NEW)

Gabbi will be the instructor

• 10:00 Bocce

• 10:00 Cornhole Toss

• 10:00 Ladies Sewing & Quilting

• 1:00 Bocce & Cornhole Toss

• 1:00 Hi-Lo Jack

• 1:00- 3:00 Crafty Fun Classes (NEW)

Taught by Daisy Gilmore.

Wednesdays

• Walking Club 10:00 NEW start time

• 9:00 Coffee & Donuts

• 10:00 Bocce

• 10:00 Cornhole Toss

• 10:00-2:00 Nails by Gabbi call the COA for an appointment

• 12:30–1:30 Coffee & Dessert(New Time)

• 1:00-3:00 Acrylic Painting Class

Taught by Daisy Gilmore

• 9:00 Tai Chi

Thursday

• 10:00 Belly Dancing

• 10:00 Ladies Knitting, Crochet, & Tea

• 12:00 Drums Alive

• 1:00 Bocce

• 1:00 Cornhole Toss

• 1:00-3:00 Paper Crafting Class (NEW) incl Card Making, Stamping, (FREE)

Taught by Gabbi Silvia

• 1:00-3:00 Watercolor Class

Taught by Daisy Gilmore Friday

• Men’s Coffee @ 9:00

• Walking Club 10:00 NEW start time

• 10:00 Bocce

• 10:00 Cornhole Toss

Social Services Department

Bradley Marshall Outreach/SHINE/ Housing Coordinator is available Mondays thru Wednesdays 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and Thursdays 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM to assist you with Social Service needs from Fuel, Food, housing, Medical Insurance, and intervention help. Please call for an appointment at 508-252-3372.

If you are at the 200% Federal Poverty level (or $2,430 single family/person) you may qualify for other assistive programs, therefore give the office a call to review possible programs you may be able to receive. Remember you have paid into these federal/ state programs through out your working life so now’s the time to see if your taxes can help you during these inflation times.

Fuel applications to Citizens for Citizens are still being accepted for this year under the LIHEP heating year 2022-2023. We have the new application forms here, in the office, for you to apply, which can provide you benefits that would be from $900 and up for the year. You can apply for benefits no matter if you own, rent, or lease you home if you are below the 200% FPL or 60% of the estimated state income ($42,411 single person) you should apply. Those that do go on fuel assistance will be able to get other benefits such as discounts toward your electric bill

So, the benefits a quite a lot, especially help with the cost of fuel and bring down your electric bill by 30% and placing you in a restricted category so if you do fall behind on your electric bill, they cannot cut your power. So, call and make an appointment and we will take care of all the necessary reporting for you. Re-certification forms have been sent for those on the Fuel Assistance Program from pervious years. You should have received them by now. If you did not receive one call CFC at 508-679-0041 or call this office. When you receive your form call this office to assist you with ensuring you get the Highest benefit possible.

Also, if you are having difficulty with fuel and you are approaching a ¼ tank please call the office and we will attempt to assist you in getting up to 100 gallons.

Questions or needs on Housing should also be directed to this office. We can assist you in the application process for State housing, the voucher program, and review for affordable housing that is open for low or rent based income rentals

Applications for Food (SNAP benefits) assistance can be process at any time, so please call the office on how we can help you with your nutrition needs and save costs on your food bill.

Special Notification for those Receiving SNAP Benefits

As of March 2,2023, the extra support provided by the COVID emergency relief funds will end, when officials roll back pandemic-era increases to SNAP benefits. The program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, provides monthly stipends to people with low incomes to spend on food. Before 2020, those payments averaged a little more than $200 and were hiked by a minimum of $95 during the pandemic. Officials estimate families will see a 30% to 40% decrease in SNAP payments as emergency allotments tied to the public health emergency is halted. If you are aged 60 or older or disabled it is possible that we can help retain the level of your benefits. Please call this office or the Department of Transitional Service (DTA) Senior Assistance line for DTA is (833-712-8027

Medicare Information Medicare Advantage plan (Plan C)

If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan (HMO or PPO) and you want to change or your doctor has moved; Call Bradley Marshall at the SHINE office to review other possible plans. This option is only open from January 1st to March 31st.

Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Part I

Is all insulin covered at $35, or just certain ones?

Under a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, if an insulin is a covered insulin product, the $35 cap for a month’s supply for each insulin product applies, as of January 1, 2023. A covered insulin product is one that is included on a Part D sponsor’s formulary. This includes any new insulin products that become available during the plan year. An insulin product might also be considered covered in other instances.

In addition, under Medicare Part B, if insulin is delivered through a traditional pump that is covered under the durable medical equipment benefit, the cost-sharing amount for a person with Medicare is capped at $35 for a month’s supply of insulin beginning July 1, 2023.

Does the $35 cap apply across all phases of prescription drug coverage (including the coverage gap)?

Yes, and the deductible doesn’t apply to these covered insulin products

If someone takes insulin through a traditional pump and is using that pump on January 1, 2023, will they will be required to pay the Medicare Part B deductible when they get insulin for the pump? Will they have any additional out-of-pocket costs for insulin and if so, will a Medigap supplemental plan cover those costs?

From January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023, the Part B deductible will apply for insulin used through a traditional pump covered under the durable medical equipment benefit. However, beginning July 1, 2023, the Medicare Part B deductible does not apply for insulin used through a traditional pump that is covered under the durable medical equipment benefit. In addition, beginning July 1, 2023, cost sharing through Medicare Part B cannot be more than $35 for a month’s supply. If you have Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) that pays Medicare Part B coinsurance/copayments, that plan should cover the $35 (or less) cost for insulin beginning July 1, 2023.

Are other types of prescription drugs that I take to manage diabetes (e.g., Trulicity, Bydureon BCise, Byetta, Mounjaro, Ozempic, Symlin, Victoza) included in the monthly $35 cost-sharing cap?

Prescription drugs, including injectable drugs, that aren’t insulin products or combination products that combine an insulin product with another drug (e.g., a diabetes management drug), aren’t covered by the prescription drug law’s cost-sharing cap of $35 for a month’s supply of a covered insulin product.

For more information or help with the new Inflation Reduction Act and Medicare programs please contact Bradley Marshall at the Social Services office – SHINE 508-252-3372

Rehoboth Public Health Nurse

Geraldine Hamel, RN MSN

Available Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Call 508-2526502 ext. 3127 or 508-252-5947

Stephanie Reis, RN BSN Call 508-252-6052 ext. 3128

Offering multiple medical services for our Rehoboth citizens:

• Home Visits, Vaccinations, Support groups: Bereavement, Caregiver assistance, Dementia support and more

• Wellness Clinic Wednesday

• Podiatry Clinic Last Thursdays of the month

• Blood Pressures & Glucose Screenings: Please contact the Public Health Nurse Geri Hamel 508-252-3127 for more information.

Meals on Wheels:

Please contact Bristol Elders, Inc. at (508) 675-2101 for information on the Meals on Wheels program.

Rehoboth Council on Aging

A Municipal Department of the Town Mission: The Rehoboth Senior Center’s mission is to develop and provide programs, opportunities, and resources to enrich the social, emotional, physical, mental, and economic well-being of Rehoboth’s elder citizens.

The Rehoboth Senior Center shall serve as a community focal point and an inclusive support system where Rehoboth’s elder citizens:

• Can engage in leisure, wellness, educational, and social programs that promote an enhanced quality of life and socialemotional health and well-being

• Can enjoy onsite meals prepared in the senior center kitchen and be served in the building’s dining area

• Can connect to their peers and community

• Can foster inter-generational relationships and shared activities

• Can obtain information on and access to governmental supports and programs that connect people to transportation, housing, nutritional, and economic assistance

• Can gain access to health information and resources to support independence and ensure healthy aging in our community

• Can seek out opportunities for lifetime learning and volunteering and civic engagement

The Rehoboth Senior Center’s vision is to grow and expand our offerings while preserving our commitment to the dignity and worth of every person in our community.

The Rehoboth Council on Aging shall: a. Provide, coordinate and link available resources to help meet the needs of the Town of Rehoboth’s elders. b. Carry out programs and services that range from information on community education, referrals, outreach, transportation, Meals on Wheels, health screenings, inter-generational activities, crafting programs and other programs beneficial to our seniors.

Rehoboth Senior Citizens Club News

Our meeting held on February 22 brought many areas of discussion. We are planning several events to share: a 90+ Birthday Party, the club’s 50th Anniversary and of course our Fall Bazaar, amount other possibilities. More information will be forthcoming on each of these events.

The next meeting of the RSCC will be held on March 15th at Francis Farm Senior Center at noon. It will be a Potluck Lunch, so bring one of your favorite dishes to share with everyone (and maybe the recipe, too). Hope to see you there!

New members are always welcome!!!

Donna Howard, President

The Massachusetts Councils On Aging Walking Challenge

Hello my fellow Rehoboth residents. I have exciting news to share with our entire community.

Our Rehoboth Council On Aging (COA) has been invited to participate in the “Walk Massachusetts Challenge “. This is a wonderful opportunity, for our adult population (especially our Seniors) to show our COMMUNITY SPIRIT. Even though non-adults cannot “officially” walk in this statewide challenge, it is the PERFECT opportunity for parents and grandparents to show our younger generation the physical and social benefits of daily walking. What could be more FUN than daily WALKING and TALKING with your kids or grandchildren?!!

Briefly, this statewide Challenge starts on May 1st and goes all the way through October 31st. Sign-up and challenge information will be posted in The Rehoboth Reporter, on Rehoboth Talk and Rehoboth Chit-Chat in March, with individual registration during the month of April.

Take a minute to look at the “challenge invitation” flyer from the Massachusetts Councils On Aging.

Please share this information with your FAMILY, FRIENDS and NEIGHBORS.

Questions??? You can call our COA Director, Lynna Sherman @508-252-3372 or email COA volunteer Ralph at cntrygrden@ aol.com

Let’s show all of Massachusetts what an AWESOME community we are.