C HESTER C OUNCIL
ON A GING
15 M IDDLEFIELD R D . C HESTER , MA 01011
413-354-7735
S UE K UCHARSKI , D IRECTOR
C OACH M ESSENGER
V OLUME 5, I SSUE
P NEUMONIA V ACCINES
As we get older, our immune
systems get weaker, making it
easier to catch certain diseases.
Vaccines can help prevent some
diseases by helping the body
develop immunity to these
diseases and help fight them in
the future.
Since last year, the CDC is
recommending that seniors 65
and older should get both types
of pneumonia vaccine that are
now available.
Each vaccine
helps prevent different types of
pneumonia.
The older Pneumovax 23 has
been shown to be effective in
preventing 23 variations of the
pneumonia bacteria, while the
AND
4
D ECEMBER 2015
Y OU
newer Prevnar 13 prevents 13
additional types of pneumonia.
People over 65 should get both
vaccines, though not at the same
time. It is best to wait a year
between vaccines. If you have
not had a pneumonia vaccine
yet, start with the Prevnar 13
vaccine, then wait 1 year to get
the Pneumovax 23. Each vaccine is effective for a lifetime, so
you do not need to repeat them.
Vaccines like medicines can
cause side effects in some
people.
Most of these side
effects are mild and subside
within a few days, whereas the
diseases the vaccines are meant
to prevent can be deadly.
P ART B P REMIUMS T O R ISE F OR S OME
You may have heard that the
Medicare Part B premium is
going up in 2016. While it is
true, it is not true for everyone.
If you had your Medicare Part B
premium deducted from your
Social Security check in 2015,
you will continue to pay $104.90
in 2016.
If you are newly
enrolled in Medicare in 2016,
you will likely pay a premium of
$121.80 per month. The reason
for the difference is that there
was not a cost of living increase
in Social Security benefits for
2016, and the law prevents
benefit checks from being
reduced.
People with limited income and
assets may qualify for a program
that will pay their premium.
(Call the COA for more information.)
Those with incomes greater than
$85,000 per year ($170,000 for a
couple) have higher premiums
and will pay between $170.50
and $389.80 per month for Part
B.
Save
The
Date
If you need a ride to any of
these events, please call
the COA at 354-7735.
Thursdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17
Beginner Computer
Classes 10—11:30 AM
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Foot Care Nurse—
routine foot care $15 by
appt.– call 354-7735
Friday, Dec. 11 Trip to
Bright Nights Van
leaves at 4PM free RSVP
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Pot Luck Christmas
Luncheon 12—1:30 PM
RSVP see back page)
free
Friday, Dec. 18
Brown Bag Pick-up 11AM
Monday, Dec. 21
Annual Cookie Swap
1 PM
Tuesday, Dec. 29
Trip to Bright Nights
followed by supper at local
restaurant Van leaves at
4PM RSVP 354-7735
Weekly Events
Mondays Knitting Group
Wednesdays “Fun Bowl”
Thursdays Movie
Call 354-7735 for more
information
Trips to Bright Nights
The COA will host two trips to
Bright Nights in Springfield this
month. These trips are free, and
the van will leave from Chester
at 4PM each time.
The first trip is scheduled for
Tuesday, Dec. 11. This trip is
organized to only go to see the
Bright Nights display at Forest
Park in Springfield and return
right afterwards (about 3 hours).
The second trip will take place
on Friday, Dec. 29. This trip is
organized to see the Bright
Nights display and then to visit
a local restaurant afterwards
(about 4½-5 hours). The van trip
and admission to Bright Nights
is free; those on this trip will pay
for their own meals off the menu
at the restaurant.
To make your reservation for
either date, please call 354-7735.
Cancellation Policy
With winter weather soon
approaching, we remind you of
the weather related cancellation
policy at the COA.
If the Gateway school system
has cancelled school, activities
scheduled at the COA on that
day are also cancelled. Late
openings or early releases will
not affect scheduled COA
activities.
If a movie has to be cancelled, it
will be rescheduled at another
time.
Happy
Holidays !
Matinee Movie Schedule
Movies begin at 1PM each Thursday in the Senior
Room. This program is free. Free refreshments are
available.
December 3 Spy (2015) Comedy Unassuming CIA analyst
Susan Cooper is far from being a James Bond type, but when
she's thrust into the field to investigate the disappearance of
her partner, she turns into an improbable superspy. Stars
Melissa McCarthy R 115 min.
December 10 The Holiday (2006) Romantic Comedy Stuck
in a vicious cycle of dead-end relationships with two-timing
men, Los Angeles resident Amanda and Londoner Iris decide
to swap homes. In the process, their trade paves the way for
romances they never imagined possible. This charming
comedy from writer-director Nancy Meyers features an allstar cast that includes Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude
Law, and Jack Black. PG-13 136 min.
December 17 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
(1989) Comedy, Slapstick Hapless Clark Griswold (Chevy
Chase), his exasperated wife, Ellen, and their ever-changing
kids take on Christmas in this holday classic. As usual, all
their good intentions can't save them from disaster ... or
Cousin Eddie, whose surprise visit throws them into
disarray. PG-13 97 min.
December 24 Christmas Eve—COA is closed
December 31 New Year’s Eve — COA is closed
January 7 Mr. Holmes (2015) Drama Long retired to a
country farmhouse, 93-year-old Sherlock Holmes tends his
apiary and reflects on his remarkable career. But the legendary sleuth, whose mental powers are fading, remains
haunted by the unsolved case that caused him to call it quits.
PG 103 min.
Christmas “Potluck” Dinner Party Dec. 15
The COA will hold a Christmas “Potluck” Dinner Party on
Tuesday, Dec. 15 at noon in the town hall. The COA will provide the roast beef and ham, and those who come may bring
the sides, salads, or desserts. In lieu of a food donation, you
may make a monetary donation to cover the costs of the tableware and drinks instead. Please RSVP to 354-7735 by
Friday, Dec. 11 so we can get an accurate head count.
If you are able, please bring a canned food item for the COA’s
Emergency Food Pantry. There will also be a gift exchange for
those who want to participate. Gifts should be wrapped and
valued at no more than $10.