December 28, 2005
SHASS looks forward to a productive 2006
As we reflect on the outgoing 2005, we staff members at South Haven Area Senior Services (SHASS) are pleased with the growth that has taken place in providing more services and activities for seniors.
Director Jennifer Carver along with staff recently met to set goals for an exciting, successful and growth-filled 2006. The following includes highlights of that meeting.
Staff will continue its present services such as helping seniors with the new Medicare changes, which are very confusing and involve numerous choices. The staff will also help seniors with their home heating credits at tax time. Other services will continue such as Information and Assistance, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, hearing testing, podiatrist care and help for seniors with their prescription drugs. SHASS will continue its Alzheimer Caregiver Support,Visually Impaired Support and support for care givers involved with non-Alzheimer care such as physical injuries or other needs. We are also planning our second annual Senior Day to be held in June. This is a very informative, helpful and fun day for seniors.
SHASS will continue expanding its Community Connections program that involves volunteer drivers taking seniors to medical appointments outside of the South Haven area. Besides drivers, SHASS also recruits volunteers to help seniors with light shopping, general housekeeping and snow shoveling. We are always looking for volunteers to assist seniors. If you are interested or know somone who would like to help, call Sonya at 637-3607.
SHASS will continue its exemplary computer program. Computer instructors volunteer their time both at the Warren Senior Center in South Haven and at the Simpson Church in Bangor to instruct seniors on a one-to-one basis at no charge. Thanks to their help seniors become computer literate and enjoy corresponding with family or gathering information via the internet.
SHASS will continue its website, www.shass.org - thanks to our afternoon van driver Ted Martin, who is our webmaster. Ted keeps expanding the site making it even more interesting and news worthy. SHASS is grateful for his dedicated service. Check it out.
The new year will see more attention paid to solutions for better transportation for seniors. Presently, SHASS has one van with two drivers that do their best to accommodate seniors - taking them shopping, to local doctor's appointments and to the Warren Senior Center for lunch provided by Senior Nutrition, and other SHASS events such as the Holiday Potluck or Florida Party. If you have any ideas about how we can improve our transportation service, call Jennifer at 637-3607.
in 2005, SHASS formed a partnership with Covert Senior LifeLine, to help meet more needs of seniors in the Covert area. In 2006, we will work diligently with Covert Senior LifeLine, especially in developing an ongoing food bank and with transportation needs. For more information, call Jennifer at 637-3607.
SHASS will continue its successful fitness program - Lighthouse Steppers and the Lighter Club, comprising nutrition. Treadmills are available both at the Warren Senior Center and the Simpson Church in Bangor. This program is also available to non-seniors. Proper nutrition is an essential element in the program. For information about joining, call Mary at 637-3607.
The new year promises to be another exciting year for the "Tally Ho" senior travelers. Upcoming trips include the International Auto Show at Detroit's Cobo Hall, Mexican Riviera aboard the Saphire Princess Cruise Ship, Phantom of the Opera at Miller Auditorium, Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Hawaiian Islands aboard the Pride of America Cruise Ship. For more information, call Mary or Sonja at 637-3607.
Other fun activities to continue in 2006 are Bingo, senior exercise, card playing, English Tea, Movie Day and quilting. Our gift shop at the Warren Senior Center continues to be a fun place for people to shop.
Staff has planned the following new activities.
On Jan. 6 at 12:30 p.m., at the Warren Senior Center, seniors and the public are in for a treat. Sonja will share Noelle's special story where Noelle (a four-legged friend) finds out that she has a very special talent in her uniqueness - that being different can be positive. Participants will also meet Noelle and other four-legged friends like her. Call Sonja for more information or to sign up.
On January 16, at the Warren Senior Center, staff is planning a "Meet the Staff" hour from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and then a soup lunch for seniors and the public from noon to 1 p.m. Various staff members will be making their favorite soups so people coming for lunch will be in for a hearty culinary treat. There will be a nominal fee of $2.50, which includes soup, salad, rolls and dessert. Call Mary at 637-3607 to sign up.
On a musical note, SHASS will hold its fourth annual Senior Variety Show on Friday, May 12 at the Baseline Middle School cafeteria. This year, the show will be patterned after a radio show popular in the 30s and 40s. Plans are now underway. There will be an informational meeting at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Warren Senior Center. For more information, call Sandra at 637-3607.
We at SHASS love helping our seniors. We will continue to connect seniors with outreach programs and educational opportunities that promote independence through volunteers and community support. SHASS serves the cities of South Haven and Bangor and the townships of Geneva, South Haven, Casco, Arlington, Bangor and Columbia.
Please call SHASS at 637-3607 to learn more about our services, or for any input you may have. We also have a monthly newsletter to which one can subsribe for a nominal fee. Call Georgia at 637-3607 for more information.
Happy New Year everyone! See you next year!
Posted by Sandra at 04:57 PM | Comments (0)