UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS:
Download and Print the December 2019 Program Calendar here (pdf)
Medicare Open Enrollment Medicare Part “D” Assistance
With Samantha Ball, Coordinator Windsor Community Health Clinic at MAH
Continues on November 26 and December 4, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm – FULL
All appointments on the above days are full, but we’ve added two more dates to the schedule for Medicare Part D Assistance. Please call the Thompson to make an appointment. 457-3277
- Medicare card – the red white and blue card
- Current 2015 Medicare Part D card & Green Mountain Care/VPharm card if you have one
- All health insurance cards
- If currently working from your current employer or spouse’s employer if you are covered under your spouse’s Employer Group Health Plan (EGHP)
- If retired your former employer’s retirement plan card
- If currently on Medicare bring your Medigap supplemental plan or Medicare Advantage health insurance cards
- A list of all medications/drugs – this information needs to be taken from pill bottles for accuracy
- Name of the drug
- Dosage (EX: 10 mg, 20 mcg, whether it’s a cream or ointment)
- Useage: How many pills of this drug taken each day – EX: 3 pills each day is 90 pills useage each month.
- Any letters received from Medicare, state of Vermont: VPharm, Green Mountain Care/Medicaid and Social Security: Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Thompson Cafe Soup Days
Fridays, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
We’re trying something new! On Fridays our regular noon meal will have a slightly different format. Chef Ryan will be offering a special soup and salad buffet. Diners can join us at noon as they usually do, but anyone is welcome to come and go between 12 – 1pm to dine in or pick up for take-out. Chef Ryan will offer two types of soup, rolls or crackers, and a hearty salad. Try something new with us at the Thompson Cafe on Fridays!
Madagascar: The Eighth Continent
A Slide Show Presentation
Rescheduled date: Tuesday, November 26, 1:00 pm
Madagascar’s flora and fauna are so different from anywhere else on Earth that it is often referred to as the eighth continent. Dean and Susan Greenberg traveled there in November, 2018 and were captivated by what they saw: over 150 species of birds, 25 species of lemur (found nowhere else on earth), 50 species of butterflies, and many other interesting species of plants and animals. Their presentation will include their experiences while exploring the world’s 4th largest island. Join us as they share their magnificent images from their journey to this intriguing part of the world.
Monthly Art Project with ArtisTree
Wednesday, December 4, 1:30 pm
Roll and press clay to create lovely ornaments to use on your tree or give as a thoughtful, handmade gift for the holiday season. After completion, the ornaments will be brought back to the studio to dry and be fired. All ornaments will be back to The Thompson by Wednesday, December 18th at the latest. Ornaments can be left plain or can be painted with basic paints on your own time – no need for glazing and second firing. Please sign up in advance.
Please note: Do you want to paint and learn more from Finnie? She will be leading a new painting series for The Thompson at the beautiful ArtisTree Center. See the program description in this newsletter.
Shirt Painting with Mary Wood
Thursday, December 5, 1:00 pm, Cost: $5.00
Our creative Mary is at it again! She will bring her abundant collection of appliques and paints for another fun workshop at The Thompson. Please bring any shirt of your own choosing, and a pair of scissors, and register in advance by calling The Thompson.
Foot or Hand Reflexology
Offered by Deborah Neuhof, Certified Reflexologist
Friday, Dec. 6 & 20, 9:00 – 10:30 pm
Experience Reflexology techniques to de-stress and promote a balanced, wholistic well-being.
30 min/$30, Loose clothing recommended. Call in advance for your 30 minute appointment.
Thompson Holiday Bazaar & Cookie Walk
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Please join us for this annual holiday event where you’ll find a great selection of unique holiday gifts, handmade pottery, ornaments, jewelry, knitted and felted items, wreaths, homemade
goodies, jams, jellies, pickles, and more! Santa will visit and we’ll have our famous Cookie Walk.
Raffle Items:
- French Braid Twin Size Quilt made by Paula Audsley
- Gift Basket from Sugarbush Farms
- “Maple Grave Winter” Painting by Marilyn Syme
- 1/2 Gallon of Maple Syrup by John Leavitt
Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $20. All proceeds benefit The Thompson Center.
Hearing Healthcare and Hearing Aid Updates
Presented by Johnson Audiology
Monday, December 9, 1:00 pm
Hearing loss affects over 36 million Americans and is the third most common health problem in the United States. Audiologist, Dr. Julie Johnson, will discuss the changing landscape of hearing healthcare and how to be a savvy hearing aid consumer and what to look for from a hearing aid provider.
Dr. Johnson, graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC and completed her externship at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. She moved to the Upper Valley in 2003 to join Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center as a clinical Audiologist and later as a clinical coordinator. In 2014, Dr. Johnson established Johnson Audiology, a private practice providing hearing health care to continuing care facilities, including Kendal at Hanover. Dr. Johnson has a working proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) and is Board Certified by the American Board of Audiology.
Sandglass Theater at The Thompson
Sponsored by our Friends at Zack’s Place
Tuesday, December 10, 10:45 am
PUNSCHI is an enchanting tradition of imaginative puppetry and entertainment. This performance will be an action packed laughing good time performed under a big sun umbrella by second generation puppeteer Jana Zeller of Sandglass Theater and her cast of German hand puppets. Inspired by European fairground traditions, they present two hand puppet adventures, clowning and musical interludes on the ukulele, in a show that has delighted family audiences for over 35 years. Please join us for this fun program and stay for lunch!
Tech Tutoring at The Thompson Provided by NWPL
Tuesday, December 10, 12:45 – 2:45 pm
We are happy to continue offering individual tech tutoring thanks to Norman Williams Public Library and Meg Brazill. Meg offers 1:1 assistance for any one of your devices: cell phone, lap top, iPad or tablet – free of charge. 45 minute appointments are available and you can book more appointments as you need them. Please call to schedule yours at The Thompson 457-3277.
Fall Prevention Clinic at The Thompson Provided by Upper Valley 
Rehab Physical Therapists
Wednesday, December 11
8:30 – 10:30 am by appointment
Falls are not a normal part of aging and can result in more serious injuries over time, but the risks can be reduced by working on all the possible causes.
Upper Valley Rehab will be offering a Fall Prevention Clinic at the Thompson Center and will provide free comprehensive fall risk Screenings for people who have fallen or who have a fear of falling. At the Clinic/Assessment, a licensed physical therapist will ask participants to complete a fall assessment screen which will include a history of previous falls and what might be causing them. Additionally, a therapist will screen participant’s gait, balance, range of motion, strength and sensation and ask questions regarding home environment, fear of falling concerns, and pertinent medical history that can contribute to falls. This total assessment will include your screen results, which can be sent to your primary care physician, and recommendations for treatment if needed. Each comprehensive assessment is about fifteen minutes and will require an appointment.
Holiday Dinner
Tuesday, December 17, 12:00 pm
Please join us for our annual Holiday meal on December 17th. Menu: Baked Ham, Scalloped Potato, Pineapple Bread Pudding, Holiday Cranberry Chutney, Green Bean Almandine, Holiday Cake Advance sign-up is required. 457-3277.
The Panhandlers Steel Drum Band
Tuesday, December 17, 1:00 pm
The Thompson is pleased to present the 10 member Panhandlers band, Vermont’s largest steel drum band. Under the leadership of talented band director Jennifer Cohen, the repertoire of the Panhandlers primarily consists of toe tapping, rhythmic music of the islands that brings to mind soft breezes, rustling palms, and sandy beaches. For this performance, imagine holiday lights on those rustling palms when these talented and energetic musicians perform some of your favorite holiday tunes to invoke the spirit of the season.
Yankee Swap
Thursday, December 19, 1:00 pm
Join our holiday fun and bring a gently used, wrapped item to add to our collection of gifts.
All are welcome, the more the merrier!
Memory Tree for the Holidays
Each year a tree is set up in the foyer of The Thompson Center and is dedicated as a memory tree. For $2 people can have an ornament placed on the tree with the name on it of someone they are remembering during the holidays.
Aging and Dementia Informational Sessions at The Thompson Center
Dementia is a progressive brain disease that is projected to affect 13.5 millions Americans. Today, over 5 million Americans are living with the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease. The Thompson Center and The Scotland House are co-hosting three informational sessions for those looking for information and resources. These workshops will be presented by Jessica Kalb, Regional Vice President of TLC HomeCare, and Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Certified Trainer. More resource information can be found at https://www.alz.org/vermont
Normal Aging/Not Normal Aging
Wednesday, January 8, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
This workshop helps learners understand and recognize the differences in “normal” and “not normal” aging. The learner will develop better observational skills to recognize and intervene effectively when behavioral challenges occur. Learners will also develop new skills related to approach, cueing, and ability to connect with people affected by dementia. This workshop also addresses typical issues that occur from early stages of the condition, through mid-disease, and into the final care concerns that are part of the disease progression.
Understanding Alzheimer’s And Dementia
An Alzheimer’s Association Program
Wednesday, January 22, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research and FDA approved treatments available for some symptoms, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.
Dementia Conversations
An Alzheimer’s Association Program
Wednesday, February 5, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
This presentation will include tips and strategies for having difficult but important conversations about changes in memory, thinking or behavior that may be related to dementia. This is for people who are concerned about someone experiencing changes in memory, thinking, or behavior that may be related to dementia.
Discover Svaroopa Vidya Meditation
and live in the ease, resilience and blissful joy of your own self
Instructor: Ruth Brooke
Thursday, January 9, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Advance Registration Requested
Learn to meditate through this yoga based meditation system, rooted in an ancient tradition and still relevant to your everyday life.
This FREE intro session provides an easy pathway to deep meditation in just one hour.
You will leave with how-to-basics, and be ready to add meditation to your lifestyle.
Benefits include:
- reduced anxiety
- diminished pain
- better focus
- more creativity
Painting with the Thompson Center at ArtisTree
Instructor: Finnie Trimpi, ArtisTree Staff
Three Winter/Spring Sessions
Session 1: January 13– February 10 (4 weeks)
(no class on January 20)
Session 2: March 9 – April 6 (5 weeks)
Session 3: April 27 – May 18 (4 weeks)
Day/Time: Mondays, 10:30 am-12 pm
Cost: $10 per class
Come paint and learn about painting in ArtisTree’s beautiful indoor and outdoor settings. Receive instruction in how to work with water-based mediums, or work on projects of your own choice amid supportive and congenial company. Materials are included and all levels of experience are welcome. Transportation is provided from The Thompson upon request.
Finnie Trimpi, Outreach Coordinator at ArtisTree, enjoys working with all mediums and encouraging artists of all abilities and ages to be creative. Finnie holds a BS in Art Education from the University of Vermont. She has spent most of her professional life in public and private classrooms teaching art in elementary schools and non-profit art centers on Nantucket and in Vermont.
Grocery Tour with Sheryl C. Hoehner, MS, RDN, LDN
Rescheduled: January 14, 1:00 pm
Snow Date: January 21
Do you or a family member have type II diabetes or pre-diabetes? Do you want to learn more about healthy eating, shopping, and cooking? Have you ever wished you could visit the grocery store with a registered dietitian? This is your chance. We will tour Mac’s grocery store in Woodstock with Sheryl C. Hoehner MS, RDN, LDN. Sheryl will take us through the store making stops to discuss carbohydrate counting, the benefits of including fiber, healthy fats and the best options for meat and seafood just to name a few.
We’ll then head back to The Thompson Center to taste a few items we picked up along the way.
Please register in advance as there will be limited enrollment.
Sheryl is a registered dietician with many years of experience. She started her career working at the USDA as part of a team doing nutrition research. She has also worked as a clinical dietitian at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital as well as serving for almost 23 years in the United States Army. She has also worked as a grocery store dietitian for over 20 years. She has taught hundreds of nutrition and cooking classes for folks of all ages. Her passion is helping people to Eat Well: making choices that are easy, tasty, healthy, and affordable.
Advance Directives
2nd Monday of each month
1:00 – 3:00 pm by appointment, please schedule in advance
Would your loved ones know your 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.
Coffee is on at The Thompson
Join us in the Morning!
At The Thompson, we enjoy the pleasures of good conversations and fellowship at our community noon meal – why not join us for coffee?
We invite our visitors to come in for complimentary coffee and muffins beginning at 8:30 am any weekday morning. Bring a friend, neighbor, business associate, or perhaps you will meet someone you know. Enjoy the comfort of our living room or dining room and enjoy a visit over a good mug of coffee.
Mah Jongg at The Thompson
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
We have been thrilled by the enthusiastic response to Mah jongg and our group is growing! If you are interested in joining, please contact Gail Stickney by emailing glavinstickney@yahoo.com or call 457-2581.