Medicare Open Enrollment: 1:1 Assistance Available at The Thompson

Thursdays, November 2 and 16, 9-12

For 2018 Medicare coverage, the open enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7. During this annual enrollment period (AEP)  you can make changes to various aspects of your coverage. A Senior Solutions volunteer will be available at The Thompson for individual assistance by appointment.

To make an appointment, please call Shari at The Thompson and bring the following information to your scheduled appointment.

• A Medicare card (red, white and blue card w/ SSA# on it)
• Current 2017 Medicare Part D card or Medicare Advantage Card
• A list of prescription medications including drug name, dosage amount and quantity for a month’s use.

Great for Mind and Body

Wednesdays

Beginner Class 9:30 – 10:30  am

Advanced Class 10:45 – 11:45am

Ongoing, October 4, 11, 18, Nov 1, 8, 15, 29 & Dec 6, 13

Cost is $18

The July 2017 Consumer Reports  featured an article, “To Prevent Falls, Try Tai Chi.”  TSC’s seniors have found that tai chi really does help your balance. This gentle, slow exercise also helps with arthritis, back pain, high blood pressure, blood sugar control, sleep problems, and concentration. Posture improves and so does stress reduction. As the article emphasizes, tai chi can be more effective for fall prevention than physical therapy, stretching exercises, yoga, and balance training! We apply our tai chi moves to actions in daily life (walking, housework, yardwork, etc.), and we’re also practicing deep breathing, body alignment, and strengthening our leg and core muscles. TSC’s instructors have many years of experience and love seeing the progress class participants make. “Each person makes adjustments for their own body,” Anne Bower explains. “Tai chi is not about learning the moves perfectly but about learning them in a way that makes sense for your own structure.” Give tai chi a try! Your first class is always free. Hand-outs are provided and you can also purchase a DVD to practice at home.

Cost: $3.00/class with all of the proceeds going to support programs at The Thompson.

For more information contact Anne at anniebower@yahoo.com or 457-2877 (website:www.annebower.com).

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CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Ongoing, on the third Wednesday of each month, 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Support and education can make a critical difference for family members and caregivers of patients with memory loss or disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Please join our confidential monthly support group (with complimentary lunch) and share ideas, concerns, and constructive feedback with others facing similar challenges.

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Bone Builders

Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 pm

The Bone Builders exercise program, developed at Tufts University, addresses bone health for people of all ages. Women especially may have thinning of bones as early as age 40, but men are welcome in this class and will benefit as well.

Bone Builders classes, with instructor Althea Derstine, are ongoing on Monday and Thursday each week. Classes are free. Minimum of six participants required. Please sign up in advance.

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MEMOIR CLUB

Ongoing, Mondays, 10:15 am – noon

In this informal group, we encourage one another as we record stories that may otherwise be lost or forgotten. Each person has an opportunity to read aloud one to two pages each week often triggering group memories and lively discussion. No pressure… reading is optional!

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Strength & Fitness

Tuesdays & Thursdays

9:00 to 10:00 am

Please note that Monday classes will resume on November 6th and not on October 16 as previously publicized.

This popular class is led by certified fitness instructor and personal trainer, Liz Hatfield. Liz incorporates aerobic, stretching, strength and weight bearing exercises. The benefits of these exercises include bone building, balance, and overall coordination.

Liz Estabrook-Hatfield recently became a Certified Functional Aging Specialist, successfully completing Functional Aging Institute’s (FAI) workshop, educational  program and Certification Exam. This program provides the most current training techniques adapted for and applied specifically to the needs and interests of aging adults.  Liz has been working with the senior population for 15 years.  Previous accreditations include:

• AAAI/ISMA’s Older Adult Fitness Trainer Certification
• MaineHealth’s Partnership for Healthy Aging: A Matter of Balance
• AFAA’s Golden Hearts: Senior Fitness Training

Recently, Liz added National Academy of Sports Medicine’s (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) to existing credentials with AFAA and AAAI/ISMA.  NASM – CPT is one of the most respected personal training certifications in the health-and-fitness industry.

She holds credentials for Group Fitness instruction in Aquatics, Spinning, TRX, Nordic Walking and Weight Training.

Cost: $3.00/class or 12 classes for $30 on a punch card.

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Open Pickle Ball

Woodstock Athletic Club

Fridays, 9:00 – 10:30 am

Cost:$10 per 1.5 hr court time session. Walk-ins welcome and equipment is provided. Ride service available from The Thompson with advance notice.

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Foot Care Clinics

9:00 am – 2:30 pm, on the 2nd Friday & 3rd Wednesday of every month

12:30 – 2:45 pm on the 4th Tuesday of every month

In addition to Mary Wood’s clinic on the second Friday and third Wednesday of each month, we are happy to offer more foot clinic availability with our wellness clinic nurse, Mary Ann Conrad. Mary Ann will be offering an additional foot clinic on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 12:30 to 2:45 pm following her wellness clinic hours.

Both clinics will now be $20 and patrons are asked to bring their own towel. As always, please inform us in advance if you cannot make your appointment.

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Wellness Clinic & Blood Pressure Screenings

4th Tuesday of the Month

We welcome our new VNA Wellness Clinic nurse, Mary Ann Conrad, on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 10 am-12 pm. Mary Ann comes to us with over 30 years of vast nursing experience and recently retired from DHMC where she worked in Neuroscience, Same Day Surgery, and Primary Care. We look forward to welcoming Mary Ann and offering our monthly wellness clinic once again.

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 Low Vision Support Group

3rd Thursday of the Month

10:15 – 11:45 am

November Discussion: General Discussion About Living with Low Vision

The Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is offering this new support group where participants can share experiences, challenges, and successes of living with a visual impairment at this ongoing monthly meeting. Learn about adaptive aids and strategies that support independence. Led by a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist from VABVI.

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ADVANCE DIRECTIVE CLINIC

2nd Monday of the Month, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, by appointment

Would your loved ones know your wishes about medical care if you were unable to speak for yourself? There is a legal document called an Advance Directive that you can complete to give guidelines about your wishes and appoint someone to represent you if you are not able. We have arranged for a trained and caring volunteer to be at the Thompson Center every 2nd Monday from 1pm – 3pm. These volunteers will take the time to explain both the document and the simple process used to make your wishes known.  The most important part of this process is talking to those you love about what matters most to you. You can call 457-3277 to schedule an appointment.

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Get Your Medical Questions Answered by a Gifford Medical Center Health Care Provider

Do you have a medical question that you would like answered by a medical professional? Tune in to the Royalton Community Radio program, “On Call”, on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 -7:00 pm on FM channel 96.5. If there is a specific topic you would like to hear about, call Nikki Gewirz, P.A. at 802-763-2700 or email her at ngewirz@giffordmed.org.