What's New at the Senior Center: Tools for Caregivers

Submitted by Sherry Jackson, Needham COA Associate Director

Powerful Tools for Caregivers is a six-week, educational workshop designed to provide you with the tools you need to take care of yourself.

Offered Wednesdays beginning Sept. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, this program helps family caregivers improve self-confidence, balance their lives and locate helpful resources. Caregivers will develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate their needs to family members and healthcare or service providers, communicate more effectively in challenging situations, recognize the messages in their emotions, deal with difficult feelings, and make tough caregiving decisions.

Classes consist of six sessions held once a week. Two experienced Class Leaders will conduct the workshop with interactive lessons, discussions and brainstorming activities that will help you take the “tools” you choose and put them into action for your life.

Participants will also receive a book, "The Caregiver Helpbook," developed specifically for the class.

Registration is required. Call the at 781-455-7555 to register.

This Week and Coming Up

These programs are going on this week or require registration soon. To sign up, call the at 781-455-7555.

Weekly Flicks—Free movies are shown at 1 p.m. Call to sign up. Coming up: “Intolerable Cruelty” (2003) on Monday, Sept. 10 and "The Lovely Bones" (2009) on Friday, Sept. 21.

Monday’s Lunch Bunch—Try someplace new, socialize and enjoy a good meal with Monday's Lunch Bunch. The group meets at the Senior Center at 11:30 a.m. to board a van to the lunch destination. Coming up: The Aegean in Framingham on Monday, Sept. 24. A suggested donation of $5 will be collected on the van. Participants also pay the cost of their meals.

Weight Management Support Group—Mondays beginning Sept. 10, 12:45 p.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Pearl Pressman. Cost is $32 for the eight-week program. Registration required.

Art Class—Mondays, Sept. 10 and 17, Oct. 15 and 29, Nov. 5 and 26 and Dec. 10 and 17, 12-1:30 p.m., at the Community Room. Students bring their own materials and ideas for projects. Each student will work on projects of their own choosing with guidance from professional artist and teacher Ramune Jauniskis. Cost is $32. Registration is required. Call 781-455-7555.

Celebrate National Senior Center Month

We have been very busy planning several fun and interesting events for you to enjoy during National Senior Center Month in September. There are no fees for the following programs:

Mystery Theatre Dinner Party—Friday, Sept. 14, 1-3 p.m., at the . Seating is limited, so RSVP by Monday, Sept. 10 to 781-455-7555. While you enjoy your delicious meal, actors around you will perform and you’ll get a chance to solve the crime with the help of our comic detective guiding you all the way.

Homeowner and Housing Options—Wednesday, Sept. 12 and Thursday, Sept. 20, 1:30-4 p.m., at the Senior Center. Join us for both days or just one day of informative presentations by local experts. Every table will offer a free raffle with gift cards for gas, groceries, restaurants or movie tickets. Refreshments will be served.  Sign-up is required; call 781-455-7555.

• Day 1, Wednesday, Sept. 12—A panel of speakers will talk about the various retirement community living options, including: 55+ Communities, Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living. After the talk, you will have an opportunity to meet with representatives at their tables and obtain literature from various residential options. Please note: the Needham Senior Center will have sign-up sheets at every table whereby you can sign up for a tour to see that particular facility. The tours will depart from the Needham Senior Center and take place in October and November.
• Day 2, Thursday, Sept. 20—A panel of speakers will talk about the multitude of services available for the older adult who chooses to remain living in their own home or apartment. After the talk you will have an opportunity to stop by numerous tables with representatives from home-based agencies to include home modification services. Home modification is an extremely important aspect to remaining in your own home as bathrooms, doors, etc. often need to be updated.

Celebrate Diversity in Honor of Latino Heritage—Friday, Sept 28, noon, at the Senior Center. Sign-up is required. RSVP by Sept. 24. National Latino Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States. Latino Heritage Week was approved by President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. From sports to government to entertainment and science, Hispanic Americans have played important roles in America’s history, its values, and culture. To name a few: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, dancer and actor Rita Moreno, artist Pablo Picasso and Red Sox baseball player Manny Ramirez who was named the Most Valuable Player of the World Series as the Red Sox won their first title since 1918. Join us for this interesting presentation and luncheon. All are welcome to attend. Registration is required; call 781-455-7555.  

Trip News

The Friends of the Needham Senior Center's next trip is to the Bourne Scallop Festival on Friday, Sept. 21. Join us for the largest Seafood Festival in New England. The festival features a scallop luncheon (or roasted chicken), live entertainment, craft booths and a home expo show and 90-minute Cape Cod Canal Cruise from lovely Onset Harbor highlighting the area’s beauty and historic points of interest. 

Our motor coach will leave Linden and Chambers at 9.15 a.m. and the Senior Center at 9:30 a.m., returning at about 6:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $64 (including tips). Reserve your space now by calling 781-455-7555 ext. 209. Full payment is due upon reservation along with your luncheon choice and pick up location. Please make checks payable to “F.O.N.E” and mail to: Trips Department, Needham Senior Center, 83 Pickering St., Needham, MA 02492.  (No refunds if cancellation is received within 10 days prior to departure, unless a replacement can be found). Tour requires a minimum of 30 passengers. 

Up next: Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad Turkey Train on Monday, Oct. 15. Details next week.

Dance and Exercise Classes

Get fit and learn something new with Council on Aging dance and exercise classes. Sign up in advance by calling 781-455-7555. Payment is due at the first class. Note: You may always try a class for free.

Senior Strength Exercise Class—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 10:15 a.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Pearl Pressman. Cost is $32 for eight weeks or $64 for Mondays and Fridays.

Line Dancing Class—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 12-1 p.m., at . Instructor is Manny Correia. Cost is $32 for eight weeks.

Yoga—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Sandi Levy. Cost is $28 for seven weeks. Students need to bring a sticky mat for floor and standing yoga poses.

Tai Chi Class—Begins Monday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m., at . Instructor is Scott Brumit. Cost is $28 for seven weeks.

Zumba—Begins Thursday, Sept. 13, 10-11 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Instructor is Louise Carbone. Cost is $32 for eight weeks.

Better Balance Better Bones—Begins Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2:45 p.m., at the Senior Center. Instructor is Leslie Worris. Cost is $50 for eight weeks.

The Walking Club

If you walk two to four miles a couple of days a week, then this walking club is for you. Our walks are designed to offer variety and give you an opportunity to walk with other walking clubs. We will also explore trails outside the local area, offering transportation via our van.

Upcoming walks:

• Friday, Sept. 14, Cutler Park, Needham
• Friday, Sept. 28, Lake Waban, Wellesley College

Sign-up is required.  Call Sherry at the Needham Senior Center at 781-455-7555.