August Outreach 2021

Posted on: August 18, 2021 - 4:07pm

Hello!  I am Brenda Palmer.  I am the Director at the Holland Community Center, as well as the Outreach Coordinator.  My position as Outreach is created through a grant the town gets from Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.  My goal is to reach out to every Senior in Holland and help.  If you have needs including Food Assistance, SHINE (serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone), Mass Health Application Assistance, Fuel Assistance, Farmer’s Market Coupons, Transportation, Social Visits, if you’d like to learn more about nursing homes, in home care, or have other questions, contact me.  I’m here to help.

I thought it would be good to make a monthly email to let you know the newest things going on for Outreach.  Hopefully I will get it sent out each month. It will be a way to let you know about the latest Scams, Fuel Assistance, Dementia Training Opportunities, Tax Work Off Program Info, and so much more.  Feel free to share it with others.

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FARMERS MARKET COUPONS

I have plenty of coupons left.  I was told I can give them to people who qualify from any town, so if you don’t live in Holland, and were unable to get some from your town, give me a call

To be eligible to receive Senior Farmers Market Coupons, you must be:

60 years of age or older, or

Disabled and living in senior housing where congregate nutrition services are provide, and

Your income must be lower than the Income Limits outlined below. 

Income Guidelines for 2021

To be eligible to receive Senior Farmers Market Coupons, an applicant’s gross household income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must be no more than: 

 Household Size

 Annual

 Monthly

 1

$23,828

$1,986

 2

$32,227

$2,686

 3

$40,626

$3,386

 4

$49,025

$4,086

 5

$57,424

$4,786

 6

$65,823

$5,486

 7

$74,222

$6,186

 8 

$82,621

$6,886

Each add'l family member add

 +$8,399

 +$700

If you meet the income and age limits, please contact Brenda at Outreach 413-245-3163

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FUEL ASSISTANCE

Valley Opportunity Council will be sending out recertification applications before you know it.  If already receive Fuel Assistance, please know that this is something that has to be filled out each year.  Don’t put it off.  It will only take a few minutes to fill out.  If you have any questions about it feel free to call me.  If you’ve never had Fuel Assistance before, please contact me.  I will get your information and send you a new application for 21-22 when they arrive.

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SCAMS

Every time you think you’ve heard it all, along comes some new scams.

If anyone calls and leaves a message that your social security number is suspended, that is not true.

If anyone calls to say that a family member is in jail and you need to send money, that is not true.  Only believe it if you talk to your actual family member that is in the situation.

If anyone calls and says “(Insert name here) recommended that I call you”.  It’s probably a lie.  With so much info out on the internet now, and with social media constantly sharing too much personal information, it’s easy for them to say a friend recommended that they call.  Check with that friend BEFORE you do any business with that person.  It happened to one of our Seniors this week.

If you get an email or phone call from the IRS, that is a scam.  The IRS sends written letters, they do not initiate contact by phone, or by emails

If you get an email saying that if you send a small amount of money, they will reward you by sending you a large amount of money once their funds are liquidated, that is also a scam.

If you get any kind of email that looks like they don’t use correct grammar or have misspelled words, use caution.  Look them up in a google search, or have a relative research it for you.  Many times you can look up words like “complaints” or “reviews” in addition to the information you get in their email to see if they are legitimate.

At the end of the day, I always look at it like this….If I didn’t initiate the interaction, I probably don’t need to be involved in it.

Lastly, if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable, or pressured, hang up the phone, or delete the email.  Don’t worry about being rude, you are protecting yourself.

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TAX WORK OFF PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

If you live in Holland, and own your home, you may be able to be part of the Senior Tax Abatement Program.  This program helps to give people who qualify, a chance to work for the town in a limited capacity, and to help offset your property taxes up to $1200 based on state minimum wage per hour of services.  Credits earned are subject to Federal Tax.  This is an annual program.  Please contact the Town Administrator to find out what positions are available, what you need to do to qualify, and to fill out an application.  There may also be a way, that if you qualify, but you are unable to do the physical work, the work can be down on your behalf (restrictions apply).

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TRI TOWN CAROUSEL CAFÉ

This pandemic has given our tri town area a special chance to work together.  Knowing that there may be people in each town who have Dementia, or know/care for someone with Dementia, we have created a Tri Town (Holland, Wales and Brimfield) Traveling Memory Café. 

Sometimes living with Dementia, or caring for someone with Dementia can be a struggle.  Not everyone understands what you are going through, the changes that happen to a person, as well as to their relationships.  This is why we want to encourage people to get out and have fun in a safe space.  During the third week of each month, you can expect to see one of our Centers putting together a fun activity that is friendly for people with Dementia, and their care givers.

Please join us this month in Holland, Wednesday, August 25th at 1 pm.

This month we are working with Dominoes.  Did you play dominoes as a kid?  There are several ways to use them.  You can stack them, arrange them by numbers, or colors, or stand them up to create something you can knock over.  It’s up to you how you use them.  You can also play with them creating number trains, or play Mexican Dominoes.  It’s up to you.  At the very least, stop by and socialize.  Everyone is welcome in our Safe Space.  If you don’t like Dominoes, we have cards or other table top games you can try.

We will also have a light snack.  This is a free event sponsored by the Holland Council on Aging.

Holland is an official Dementia Friendly town.  Contact the Center to learn more. 

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DEMENTIA FRIENDLY MASSACHUSETTS

From the MCOA

Dementia Friendly Massachusetts

Please join us for a Dementia Friends Champion training on Tuesday, September 14, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dementia Friends is a global public awareness program that helps everyone in a community to learn a little about dementia and how it affects people, and the simple things that we can all do to make a difference. To learn more, watch this 2-minute video.

This training is free and open to the public. During this training, you will take part in a Dementia Friends information session, and be counted as a part of the growing number of “Dementia Friends” worldwide. This training will also equip you with the knowledge and materials needed to become a volunteer “Champion,” which means that you will be able to facilitate your own virtual or in-person Dementia Friends Information Session with members of your community. High school students and adults are able to become trained as Champions.

The training will be held on Zoom. Please register by September 13 by clicking this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlceusqTwiGdFBCcJlTVyX6-quihEQYgxj. You will receive an automated confirmation message back with your unique Zoom link to join the meeting. Please check your junk folder if you don’t receive it. Please contact Beth Soltzberg at bsoltzberg@jfcsboston.org with any questions. Thank you for your interest!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY MASSACHUSETTS

 

From the MCOA

Dementia Friendly Massachusetts

 

 

 

Please join us for a Dementia Friends Champion training on Tuesday, September 14, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

Dementia Friends is a global public awareness program that helps everyone in a community to learn a little about dementia and how it affects people, and the simple things that we can all do to make a difference. To learn more, watch this 2-minute video.

 

This training is free and open to the public. During this training, you will take part in a Dementia Friends information session, and be counted as a part of the growing number of “Dementia Friends” worldwide. This training will also equip you with the knowledge and materials needed to become a volunteer “Champion,” which means that you will be able to facilitate your own virtual or in-person Dementia Friends Information Session with members of your community. High school students and adults are able to become trained as Champions.

The training will be held on Zoom. Please register by September 13 by clicking this link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlceusqTwiGdFBCcJlTVyX6-quihEQYgxj. You will receive an automated confirmation message back with your unique Zoom link to join the meeting. Please check your junk folder if you don’t receive it. Please contact Beth Soltzberg at bsoltzberg@jfcsboston.org with any questions. Thank you for your interest!