Griffin Health, Agency on Aging programs for seniors to focus on hearing issues

Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut will host health education programs for Valley seniors about hearing issues this July.

Audiologist Willa Horowitz, Au.D, will lead “Are You Hearing Aware?”, a free presentation on how to notice if your hearing impaired and about hearing tests to diagnose issues. Griffin Health caregivers will also offer free blood pressure screenings and consultation. 

The presentations are scheduled for July 2 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at  Ansonia Senior Center, July 6 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Seymour Senior Center, July 9 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Oxford Senior Center, July 22 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Shelton Senior Center, and July 23 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Derby Neck Library.

These offerings are part of the AgeWell program, which is co-sponsored by Griffin Health and the Agency on Aging of South-Central Connecticut to increase access to care and prevent disease in the Valley senior community through a series of health screenings and healthy living education sessions each month. 

Periodically, this program provides nutritiously balanced and delicious foods for attendees.

Registration is required to attend the AgeWell events. To sign up, contact the location (Ansonia Senior Center: 203-736-5933; Derby Neck Library: 203-734-1492; Oxford Senior Center: 203-881-5231; Seymour Senior Center: 203- 888-0406 ext. 1; and Shelton Senior Center: 203-924-9324).

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Crosby Commons in Shelton to host healthy aging presentation Sept. 25

SHELTON – Crosby Commons senior living community will host a community education series this fall, beginning Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. with “Healthy Aging: Lessons from Those Who Live the Longest,” presented by Neil Anand. 

Anand, owner of ComForCare Homecare, will sponsor the event along with Valley Regional Adult Education. 

Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community is on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave.

Attendees will gain valuable insight and wisdom from individuals who have achieved longevity and learn about the unique qualities of their living environments. 

For more information about the program, or to RSVP, contact Lisa Bisson, Director of Community Outreach at lbisson@umh.org or 203-225-5027. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information about senior living options at Crosby Commons, contact Rhonda Stasulli at 203-447-5454 or rstasulli@umh.org.  

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Experts to host presentation on downsizing at Wesley Village in Shelton

 

SHELTON - Providing all the resources for the downsizing homeowner, DownSize CT brings together experts in the five major areas of transition – Residential, Emotional, Legal, Medical, and Financial – in one space. 

Attendees will have access to valuable advice, resources, and trusted partners to offer guidance for this challenging transition. 

Professional partners with expertise in elder care, Medicare, senior benefits, senior health, and more will be available to provide essential information and support.

 

The event will be held June 6 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Wesley Village Senior Living Campus, 580 Long Hill Ave. It will be hosted by Lisa Bisson, Director of Community Outreach for Wesley Village and presented by Danielle Rownin, Downsizing Specialist with Keller Williams Realty.

 

RSVP: For more information about the event or to register, contact Lisa Bisson at 203-225-5027 or lbisson@umh.org. Light refreshments will be served. 

Those attending should park and enter through the campus’s Wesley Heights Assisted Living Community entrance.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Derby Neck Library, Griffin Hospital partner to host Age Well Series for Seniors

DERBY - Derby Neck Library will host an Age Well Series for Seniors with Griffin Hospital Thursdays, March 23 and April 27 at 1:30 p.m.

On the fourth Thursday of each month, professional nurses from our stellar local hospital present a free program focused on living the senior years being pro-active in regard to one’s health. 

On March 23 from 1:30-2:30 p.m., the attendees will participate in chair yoga. 

On April 27 from 1:30-2:30 p.m., the topic is keep moving. 

Registration for these classes is strongly suggested. Join us for some or ALL of these FREE events and start 2023 in better health! 

Please register with Pat by calling 203-734-1492.

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

This is shared from the Derby Neck Library newsletter.

Griffin Heart Wellness Committee to hold ceremony in Woodbridge

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee to host its 13th Annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Ceremony April 26 at Oak Lane Country Club, Woodbridge./ Submitted photo

DERBY - The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee at Griffin Hospital will host its 13th Annual Women's Heart Wellness & Caring Heart Award Ceremony April 26. 
The event will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Birchwoods at Oak Lane Country Club in Woodbridge.

The theme of the dinner will be “Who’s That Woman in the Mirror?” featuring a panel of health experts discussing women’s health and answering questions related to healthy aging. 

There will also be a health fair with information on overall wellness and more. 

WTNH Health Reporter Jocelyn Maminta will be emcee.

The event will honor Barbara Casagrande, of Oxford with the Caring Heart Award. 

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee will also present its Caring Heart Award to an individual from the Lower Naugatuck Valley who made significant contributions to the heart wellness of an individual or the community at large by his or her actions and/or volunteerism.

Tickets for the dinner are $35 per person and includes plentiful hors d'oeuvres and a complimentary glass of wine. 

To reserve a seat, visit griffinhealth.org/whw and click the event link at the bottom of the page. 

The deadline for reservations is April 22.

For more information, contact Eunice, 203-732-7107 or whw@griffinhealth.org.

The Women’s Heart Wellness Committee consists of healthcare professionals, heart patients, and women from throughout the Valley communities. 

The primary focus of the group is to increase heart health awareness among women, empower them to love and save their hearts, and ensure they are provided the means to do so through education and rehabilitation. Membership is open to all interested persons.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Recuperation journey: Yet another post about naps

My cousin, Susan, told me recently she enjoyed reading my NAP (natural aging process) recuperation journey post, and when she saw this sleep shirt while shopping at the GAP she had to get it for me. 
She thought it was perfect, and it is!

😁
Thanks for thinking of me, Sue. 

Recuperation journey: More about naps and, ahem, aging

The napping elf got me today. 

I wrote about naps in this post last week. 
The word nap is short for Natural Aging Process, in my humble opinion. 

Naps are often necessary when a kidney transplant recipient like myself doesn't sleep well at night - thanks to the twice-daily cocktail of meds I must take. 
The medication must be the cause of my interrupted sleep. The melatonin suggestion didn't seem to help at all. 

But taking all the meds is a small price to pay to stay healthy and take care of my new kidney.

For the past two days I was proud of myself because I "powered" through the afternoon without taking a rejuvenating nap. 
But today I really needed one. So I caved in! 
The afternoon snooze gave me enough energy to face the rest of what I had to do today, such as make dinner and do a load of laundry.

Sleepless in the Valley: That could be a good title for this post. 
Guess I can use that one next time, if this annoying problem persists.

Griffin Hospital in Derby slates driver-safety program

Griffin Hospital to offer an AARP Driver Safety Program Sept. 16./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Sept. 16 at the hospital, 130 Division St.
The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers. While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, it is open to everyone.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and make some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. 

The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating distractions, such as eating, smoking, and cell-phone use; proper use of safety belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes and ways to monitor your own and others' driving skills and capabilities.

Participants will gain a greater appreciation of driving challenges and how they can avoid potential collisions and injuries to themselves and others. 
As an added bonus, participants can check with their auto insurance company about discounts for completing the course.

The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Make checks payable to “AARP.”
To register, call Esther, 203-732-1523.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Recuperation journey: Natural Aging Process

When I was wide awake during the night I dreamed up an acronym - NAP. 💤 💤 💤

It suddenly occurred to me what NAP stands for: Natural Aging Process. 

Remember when you were little and you'd fight that afternoon nap the grownups would insist that you take? 

These days an afternoon nap can be downright glorious. I'll never fight that idea, especially now, post-transplant, when I'm trying my best to take care of my health. 

Naps soften the blow of the natural aging process we all experience, I'd say. 

Who's with me?

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host advanced-care planning talk

Griffin Hospital and Valley Senior Services Council will host a free talk Aug. 18 on how to plan for future healthcare and medical decisions. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and Valley Senior Services will host a free talk on how to plan for healthcare and medical decisions at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the hospital, 130 Division St.

Daun Barrett, RN, director of Griffin Hospital Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurses, and Diane Betkoski, MS, RD, LNHA, director of Planetree Services at Griffin Hospital, will discuss the three stages of Advanced Care Planning in which individuals discuss and decide their future healthcare wishes in the event they unable to speak for themselves while at a healthcare facility.

“In life, we plan for our careers, our families, and for retirement. In effort to honor one’s healthcare wishes, to promote quality of life and provide peace of mind, it is important to begin these important conversations about end of life sooner rather than later to ensure one’s wishes are honored,” Barrett said.

A light dinner will be served.

This presentation is funded by the Valley United Way and TEAM, Inc.

To register, contact Kathleen at 203-736-5420 extension 225.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host 'Aging with Grace' workshop

Griffin Hospital and the Connecticut Council of Parish Nurse Coordinators will host an informational workshop for area senior care support organizations April 16./Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital and the Connecticut Council of Parish Nurse Coordinators will host “Aging with Grace,” an informational workshop for parish nurses, clergy, seniors, and caregivers from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 16 at the hospital dining room, 130 Division St.

The workshop will feature presentations from area senior care support organizations and information tables on area resources. 

Maria Tomasetti, South Central regional director of the Alzheimer’s Association CT Chapter, will present, “Healing Your Grieving Heart for Caregivers and People with Dementia.” 

Dr. Beverly Kidder, director of the Aging Resource Center at the Agency on Aging of South Central CT, will present, “Gift of Caregiving.” 

Suzanne Reilly, director of Elderly Services at TEAM Inc., will present, “Resources 101 for Seniors and Caregivers.” Tracy Parks, coordinator of Community Education and Training at the Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, will present “The Many Faces of Elder Abuse.”

The cost is $10 per person, which includes a box lunch and refreshments. 

To register, call St. Vincent’s Parish Nurse Office 203-576-5558. Deadline for registration is April 8.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin in Derby to host presentation on aging

Griffin Hospital will host 50 Fabulous Things about Aging, a fun and informative discussion about the positive aspects of aging, on Aug. 6. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., is encouraging seniors to take pride in their age with a free presentation that celebrates aging at 5:30 p.m. Aug 6.

Join Dr. Beverly Kidder, of the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, for “50 Fabulous Things about Aging,” a fun and informative discussion about the positive aspects of aging, some of the benefits and opportunities aging provides, and how to embrace getting older.

This presentation is sponsored by the Valley Senior Services Council and is funded by the United Way and TEAM, Inc.

Dinner will be served prior to the talk compliments of Griffin Hospital Lifeline.

To register or for more information, call 203-732-1511 or visit the events calendar at griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Program planned in Shelton for caregivers

SHELTON - Balancing the responsibilities of work, finances, family life, and caring for an aging loved one can leave you feeling “Sandwiched” and in need of support.

Let us help!

Caregivers are invited to Wesley Village from 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 1 for our caregiver education series!

Our topic for this session is entitled: Caring Support for the Caregiver. 

Diane Betkoski, Coordinator of Griffin Hospital Lifeline, will discuss the growing needs and challenges associated with caregiving and offer some helpful resources to support both the person who is in need of caregiving and the caregiver.

RSVP at 203-925-4952 or www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. The free program will be held at Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community on the Wesley Village Campus,  at 580 Long Hill Ave.
A light supper will be served. 

This is a monthly series. Be sure to “Save the Date” for our other upcoming programs, happening on the first Wednesday of the month.


This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Workshop at Griffin Hospital in Derby to focus on chronic illness

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is hosting a free workshop series to help individuals suffering from chronic conditions take back control of their lives.

Sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Social Services' Aging Services Division, Connecticut Department of Public Health and Griffin Hospital, the Live Well Workshop will be on Tuesdays from Jan. 20 to Feb. 24 from 1-3:30 p.m. at the hospital, 130 Division St.

The workshops will provide health information and strategies to help those with chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, heart disease, arthritis, and pain and anxiety increase their energy and take control of their health.

To register for this self-management workshop, call Daun Barrett, 203-732-7584.



This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Forum on aging slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will host Healthy Aging 2014, a free educational forum for the community, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Sponsored by Griffin Hospital, New England Young at Heart, AARP, and Phillips Lifeline, this free forum will provide seniors and caregivers with important information on managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, advanced care planning, nutrition throughout life, and health and caregiver resources. 

There will also be two caregiver listening sessions facilitated by AARP representatives to discuss concerns and issues surrounding care giving from those directly involved with caring for others.

A healthy lunch will be provided.

Interested individuals are asked to RSVP at 203-732-1511.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.