The mission of the Danvers Council on Aging and the Danvers Senior Center which it manages is to provide and advance those programs and services which enrich the lives of older adults in the Danvers community.

The Annual Town Election is Tuesday, May 1st. Don’t forget to vote! This is the election for Moderator, Selectmen, School Committee, Library Trustees, Housing Authority and Town Meeting Members. The Danvers Senior Center is a voting location for Precincts 7 and 8. Therefore, the Senior Center will be closed for all activities and lunch that day to ensure plenty of parking for all voters! Scheduled medical transportation
will still be available on May 1st.

Attention Bocce Players and Fans
The first tournament with the Peabody Council on Aging will held Thursday, May 3rd(weather permitting) at the Danvers Senior Center Bocce court at 12:30 PM. So come on over and root for the home team!

FREE HEARING SCREENING
Do you experience ringing or noises in your ears? Do you hear better with one ear than the other? Do you find it difficult to follow conversations in a crowded room? Do you find yourself asking people to speak up or repeat themselves more often than you used to? Mass Audiology will be at the Senior Center on Wednesday, May 30th
from 1-3 PM (by appointment) to help answer those questions and any others you may have as well as a free hearing aid clean and check. There is no charge but please call 978 762-0208 to schedule your appointment.

Annual Meeting
The Friends of the Danvers Council on Aging will hold its Annual Mee􀆟ng on Wednesday,May 9th from 1-2 PM at the Senior Center. The mee􀆟ng is open to currentmembers of the Friends of the Danvers Council on Aging. The Lifetime Enrichment Award Scholarships will be presented at this mee􀆟ng. Refreshments will be served
following the business meeting.

Evening Dining Program
This month’s dinner program will be held on Thursday, May 24th from 5pm-7pm. Menu: Dry rub seasoned flank steak served with a mild creamy horseradish sauce on the side, red bliss potato salad & grilled vegetable medley & a Boston cream dessert cup. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, May 2nd at 10am. Tickets: $6 per person.

CLA AND LOW VISION GROUPS
These groups are temporarily postponed and will resume once a new Social Service Coordinator is on board. Please watch your newsletter for updates.

Bereavement Loss and Change Support Group
Wednesdays from 1:30-3pm. Support group for people who have experienced the death of a loved one and who want to understand the grieving process, find comfort, healing, and more meaning in their lives. Nancy Downey, Leader.

Volunteer Information
We have a few spots left for our Gift shop. We have a new Mrs. Fix-it who is available to do sewing and light alterations. Please call or stop by the center for more information We are hosting our Annual Volunteer Recognition event on May 5th at the senior center. Any volunteer who completed 10 hours of service is welcome to attend. If you did not get an invitation and you should have please call Cathy. All hours must
be logged into My Senior Center computer at the front desk. All volunteers must RSVP to Cathy ASAP.

Operation Troop Support

Items for May In keeping with the growing needs of our troops, we will be collecting these needed items for the month of May: Suntan Lotions, Skin Lotions, Deodorant, and Foot Powder. Please drop off items at the Danvers Council on Aging, 25 Stone Street.

Medical Equipment

We are currently in need of canes, 4-prong canes and bath seats. These items are loaned to seniors at no charge to assist them in their recuperation. You may drop these items off at the front desk at the Senior Center if you
have any to donate. At this time we are not accepting any commodes or walkers as we still have plenty.

The Danvers TRIAD Council is a partnership which includes the Sheriff and District Attorney of Essex County, the Danvers Police and Fire Chiefs, the Council on Aging and supportive services, and seniors. Calling All Actors! Use your talent and passion to help raise awareness about elder abuse and neglect by participating in a new, original play to be performed in the Senior Center in October, 2012. The Danvers Triad is sponsoring the play “Breaking the Silence: Voices of Hope” written by Kelsey McCabe. The director will be Kathy Gross. An informational meeting will be held in the Danvers Senior Center on Monday, May 14 at 10:00 a.m. Please sign up in advance by calling 978-762-0208. If you have questions or need more information, contact Lew Hathaway at 978-762-0208 ext. 106.

Mrs. Fix-It

We now have a Mrs. Fix-it!! If you needany light alterations, buttons replaced, etc, you can leave them
at the front desk, clearly labeled with your name and phone number and our new Mrs. Fix-it ,Lisa, will
contact you when alterations are complete. There may be a charge for materials only if needed.

Medical Van Transportation

Medical transportation is available to Danvers residents age 60 or older, and/or disabled Danvers residents under the age of sixty. Transportation services are available from 9:30am until 1:30pm, Monday through Friday for all Danvers appointments. Any out of town appointments are considered individually in terms of how they can be accommodated.
8am—9:30am Daycare Pick-ups Only
9:30am—1:45pm Senior Medical Rides to Danvers, Salem, Peabody and Beverly.
10:00am—11:30am Lunch Pick-ups
12:30pm Shoppers (from Sr. Center)
1:00pm Center returns after lunch
2:00pm Shoppers Returned Home
3:00pm Daycare Returns only

Shopping

Transportation leaves for a shopping location from the Senior Center at 12:30pm. The schedule is as follows:
Mon: Target at Liberty Tree Mall or Market Basket, Danvers
Tue: Market Basket, Middleton
Wed: Stop & Shop (Rte 1/62), Danvers
Thu: Shaw’s in Peabody or North Shore Mall, Peabody
Fri: Market Basket, Danvers
PLEASE NOTE: The limit is 2 canvas bags per person only. All shoppers need to be ready for a return ride home by 2pm. Please call Lorene between 1pm—4pm to book a ride.

Prescription Advantage may be your answer!
Prescription Advantage is a state-run program which helps many seniors pay for their prescription drugs. There is no charge for joining Prescription Advantage, if you have an annual income at or less than $33,510 for a single person and $45,390 for a married couple. (There is no asset limit!)

Who can join?
If you are a Massachusetts resident, eligible for Medicare, and are: 65 years or older with an annual income at or less than $55,850 for a single person or $75,650 for a married couple OR under 65 years and disabled, with an annual income at or less than $21,000 for a single person or $28,444 for a married couple. If you are not eligible for Medicare, you can also join and there is no income limit.

How can Prescription Advantage help you?
If you have Medicare, Prescription Advantage helps pay for your prescriptions when you reach the Medicare Part D coverage gap (donut hole).
If you are unhappy with your current Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, Prescription Advantage allows you to switch your plan now, instead of waiting for Open Enrollment in October. If you are NOT currently enrolled but you need a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan now, joining Prescription Advantage allows you to enroll right away.

For further assistance with this matter, trained SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) counselors can help you. They offer
free, confidential counseling on all aspects of health insurance to anyone on Medicare. To meet with a counselor here, please call 978-762-
0208 and ask for a SHINE appointment. You may also call the SHINE office at Mystic Valley Elder Services at 781-324-7705 x 164 and
leave your name and number. A SHINE counselor will call you back, as soon as possible.

The Danvers Council on Aging will join an estimated 1,000 local events to celebrate the 18th Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 30, 2012. As an official host site, the Senior Center will hold “A day of Fitness - “Get Moving….Start Improving!” On this day The Danvers Council on Aging will join with an estimated 100,000 seniors across the country expected to help promote active, healthy lifestyles through physical fitness, good nutrition and preventative care. This is a wonderful opportunity for seniors to make, renew, and revitalize their commitment to live healthier lives through better health and fitness. Click here for complete schedule of events!

Line Dancing June 6th will be last day of line dancing until September. Enjoy your Summer!

The next Birthday Lunch will be held on Wednesday, May 9th at 12pm. If you are celebrating a birthday during the month of May, lunch is on us! Call & register by 10am on May 8th. April Birthday was Ed Dalton.