Senior Center News: May 7

Memories Memory is amazing! Why one person remembers everything that happens and another forgets your name immediately after you have been introduced is part of ongoing research. Have you ever walked into a room and then couldn’t remember why you were there? Have you searched the house for your keys and then found them in the handbag you just turned inside out? Have you forgotten the name of a favorite movie star only to wake up in the middle of the night remembering “Cary Grant?” Is it simply forgetfulness or something more serious? All memory loss is not caused by Alzheimer’s. Memory loss may have a physical cause (medication side-effect, B12 deficiency, alcohol/drug reaction, repeated concussions or sustained hypoxia), an emotional cause (anxiety, depression, stress, overwork or lack of concentration) or a combination of physical and emotional causes. A complete medical exam which includes a thorough family history, review of all medications, blood work and tests (CAT scans or MRI) and consultation with a specialist will help the doctor make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment to resolve the problem, reduce symptoms, or delay the progression of disease. Melody Matheny-Orpen, RN, and Marcie Carlson, LCSW, of Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County will speak on memory and how it works Monday, May 11, from 1 to 2, at the senior center. You may also sign up for a free memory screening three days later on Thursday, May 14, from 9 to noon, at the senior center. Health care decisions Christine Pfeffer, director of hospice for the visiting nurse agency, will discuss the importance of informing health care providers and family members of your decisions regarding your care. She will visit the senior center on Tuesday, May 12, at 12:10 p.m., offering an overview of the different categories of care: preventive, acute, palliative, and hospice. Goals of treatment change as we age, and we need to keep current on these changes. Hand-outs will include information on advanced directives, living wills, and power of attorney for health care decisions. A light lunch will be served. Reservations: 203-834-6240. Tax relief Friday, May 15, is the last day applications will be accepted in the assessor’s office for elderly Wilton homeowners and totally disabled homeowners who have not yet applied for tax relief benefits on their July 2015 tax bills. The application deadline will not be extended. Town benefits require an annual filing; state benefits a biennial filing. Call 203-563-0122 if you have any questions. March with Stay at Home Those who wish to celebrate Memorial Day by marching in the parade with Stay at Home in Wilton may meet at Wilton Center at 9:30 on May 25 to join the parade group. Free downloads Bring your own device as Melissa Baker demonstrates film downloads available through the Wilton Library on Wednesday, May 13, at 1. Presented by Wilton Library at the senior center. Registration is strongly suggested. Call 203-762-3950 or visit wiltonlibrary.org. Trip to New York City Parks and Recreation offers a trip into New York where you can shop, visit museums, or just walk around and take in the sights. Drop off is at the Metropolitan Museum or at mid-town Manhattan. The bus departs Comstock Wednesday, May 20, at 9 a.m. The cost is Wilton resident, $25; non-resident, $35. Camelot There are a limited number of free senior citizen tickets available for the Saturday, May 16, matinee performance of Camelot at Wilton High School. The show starts at 4. Call 203-834-6240 to reserve tickets. Call Dial-a-ride at 203-834-6235 to schedule a ride. Call Wilton High School at 203-762-0381 for further information. Coming events For the week of May 8: Friday, May 8, 9:30, Knitting; 10, Feldenkrais with Cathy Paine; 12, Bridge with Eleanor Mihailidis; 1:30, Intermediate Bridge with Dan DeVlieg. Monday, May 11, 10, Digital Photobook; 10:30, Line Dance Fusion; 12, Movie; 1, Memory: It’s Pretty Amazing; 1, Bridge. Tuesday, May 12, 11, Yoga with Denise O’Hearn; 12:10, Health Care Directives; 1, Studio Knitting; 2, Chair Yoga at Ogden House; 2, Mah Jongg. Wednesday, May 13, 9:30, Sewing at Ogden House; 10, Open Bridge with Dan DeVlieg; 10:30, Tai Chi with Joe Alampi; 1, Mah Jongg; 1, Library Downloads. Thursday, May 14, 9, Enhance Fitness with Leslie Hinshaw; 9-12, Memory Screening with Visiting Nurse and Hospice; 10, Yoga with Denise O’Hearn; 12, Lunch; 12:30-2, Blood Pressure Screening at Wilton Y;12:45, Bingo; 5:30, Social Service Commission. In the course of the renovation project, individual rooms in the Senior center and social services wing of the building may, from time to time, become unavailable for public use. All senior programs and room assignments will be posted at or on the entrance doors.

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