Positive vibes for you all!

When you can’t control what is happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is.

What’s Happening at the
New Milford Senior Center

AARP TAX AID—TAX YEAR 2022 Need help with your taxes?

Free income tax assistance is provided at the New Milford Senior Center by the AARP Tax Aide program for low to moderate income taxpayers. AARP TaxAide is a program of the AARP Foundation, offered in conjunction with the IRS. Please connect with the Senior Center to obtain additional information or to schedule an appointment with a certified AARP TaxAide counselor. Appointments will be available on Mondays, February 6th through April 3rd. We will start taking requests for appointments on Wednesday, January 18th.

Senior Center. Connect with the Senior Center to register.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS
Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:30 AM

Join us for a weekly, first come, first serve blood pressure screening with New Milford’s very own Community Health Nurse part of the Housatonic Valley Health District. This free service provides you with an opportunity to check and track your blood pressure as well as meet with a nurse for basic health questions and guidance.

Midweek Matinee
Every Wednesday at 12:45 PM (NOTE NEW TIME)
This month we are honoring Black History month.
February 22nd- Harriet

Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Haunted by memories of those she left behind, Harriet (Cynthia Erivo) ventures back into dangerous territory on a mission to lead others to freedom. With allies like abolitionist William Still (Leslie Odom, Jr.) and the entrepreneurial Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monae), Harriet risks capture and death to guide hundreds to safety as one of the most prominent conductors of the Underground Railroad. Witness the story of a woman who defied impossible odds to change the course of her life and the fate of the nation.

HEALING WITH SOUND
Fridays February 3,10,17 & 24th 1:00 PM

Do you want to explore sound as a way to relax and have fun? Would you like to learn some sound exercises to reduce stress and improve positive thinking? Join us as we welcome Barbara (Bobbi) Soares of Hummingbird Sound Yoga and experience Hummingbird’s medicine that teaches you to listen and be deeply in the present moment. This class offering is made possible by Senior Center ARPA allocations and is free of charge for participants. Space is limited so to sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

INSURANCE SCAMS—DON’T BECOME A VICTIM! Thursday, February 23rd, 1:00 PM

How can I protect myself or a loved one from financial exploitation? How is Medicare fraud, abuse or an error defined? Join Audrey Cole from Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA) for a talk on understanding how to protect, detect, and report on the latest frauds, errors and abuse occurring in Medicare. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

ODD FELLOWS MEN’S BREAKFAST
Friday, February 24th, 9:00 AM

The members of Good Shepherd Odd Fellows Lodge #65 are back to provide their famous breakfast right here at the Senior Center! To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center. We’re happy to be welcoming you all back!

BRAIN GAMES LUNCH & LEARN
Friday, February 24th, 1:00 PM

Join us as we welcome Danielle Ramos CDP of Village Crest for an afternoon of Lunch and Brain Games. There are many ways we can improve brain health...eating the right foods, getting enough sleep, exercising our bodies and exercising our brains. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

COMING SOON

WALK AND TALK WITH MAYOR PETE BASS
Monday, February 27th, 10:00 AM

John Pettibone Community Center2 Pickett District Rd Get those steps and conversations in! Our very own Mayor Pete Bass will be joining us for an indoor “Walk and Talk” session in the hallways of JPCC. We’ll have a morning of a little exercise, heart healthy nibbles, and welcomed time for casual chatting with the Mayor of New Milford. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

WINTER HANDS LOTION WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 28th, 1:00 PM

Join us as we welcome our friends from Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation for an afternoon of soothing those winter hands. Learn how to make your own lotion using essential oils to not only leave you with a supple touch, but enjoying the calm and relaxing scents as well. To sign up, please connect with the Senior Center.

A Note From Our Senior Advisors

Our Senior Advisors are ready to help! They are here Monday- Friday 8AM-4PM, please call the center to set up an appointment.

About 988

988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:

Thoughts of suicide
Mental health or substance use crisis, or
Any other kind of emotion distress
People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE IS OPEN

"Energy Assistance is now open for 2022/2023 year. Qualifying income guidelines are as follows: $39,761 for individuals and $51,996 for couples. The total income must be below the above numbers to be eligible. Make sure you have all documents before coming in to apply. We will need your current income, such as: Social Security benefit, wages from work (previous 4 weeks worth of pay stubs), interest and/or dividends, etc. If you are self-employed, please call before you make an appointment to find out what you will need to bring. Whether you heat with electricity or not, we need a current electric bill. When all of your documents are ready, please connect with the Senior Center to schedule an appointment."

"Medicare General Enrollment" Jan 1st - March 31

"Medicare general enrollment you can join Medicare Part B if you did not join during your 7-month initial enrollment period when you first became eligible for Medicare. Also during this time, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan you can switch into a different Medicare Advantage Plan or back to Original Medicare plus a Part D Plan. You can only make one change during this enrollment period. Please bring you Medical Insurance Cards, Prescriptions and Primary Care Doctors."

Homeowners Property Tax Credit February 1st - May 1st

Are you a Homeowner in New Milford? Must be age 65 or older or Social Security disabled and owned a home throughout 2021 in New Milford. Income guidelines are $40,300 unmarried person and $49,100 married.

Documents Required: Applicants will need to provide proof of income from all sources in the previous year.  If applicants file a tax return this must be included along with SSA-1099s.  If applicants don’t file tax returns then all 1099s are required.

Veterans Additional Tax Credit February 1st - October 1st

Application Period: February 1st – October 1st

Eligibility Requirements: Must have filed DD-214 at the Town Hall and must meet the established income guidelines. Income guidelines are $40,300 unmarried person and $49,100 married.

Documents required: Same as the Homeowner’s tax credit.

DID YOU KNOW?

SENIOR COMMUNITY CAFE
Come have lunch with us!

CHEZ J serves lunch Monday - Thursday at 12:00 PM and there is a suggested donation of $4.00. Come on in for a program then stay for lunch or pick up to take home to enjoy! Please note that the menu is always posted in the monthly newsletter.

Sign up in person, on our Touch Screen, or by phone, at least 3 days in advance!

Chef Jay has placed a suggestion box on the lunch table! Your feedback is important and valued. Please take the time to write down what you love, what you do not love, some suggestions, share a recipe, what you would like to see, or even a recipe you would like to share.

Senior Bus Transportation

If you live in New Milford, Gaylordsville or Northville and need transportation to come to the center, go shopping or go to a friend’s house? All you have to do is give us a call a few days ahead of time to get on our bus schedule. Call us at 860-355-6075 to schedule your ride and meet our fantastic bus drivers, Erin and Tom.

THE LUNCH BUNCH

The Lunch Bunch is back and meets one Saturday a month to enjoy a new or favorite area restaurant. Join in for delicious local fare and friendships! Connect with the Senior Center for contact information.

Have a wonderful weekend,