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May 19, 2006     Barnstable Patriot
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May 19, 2006
 
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Planned expansion a 'downward' trend Senior Center basement to receive major makeover By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring kmanwaring@barnstablepatnot.com KATHLEEN SZMIT MANWARING PHOTC POTENTIAL PLANS - Elyse DeGroot,director of the Barnstable Senioi Center, holds an architectural rendering of potential renovation plans for the center's unfinished basement, which will be transformed into several new rooms in coming months. Stop by the Barnstable Se- nior Center anytime of the day (and most evenings) during the week and the place is hop- ping. It seems there is always something going on in nearly every room. The increasingly busy sched- ule and subsequent need for space motivated officials at the center to plan an expansion. Fortunately,when the build- ing was constructed in 1999, future growth was taken into consideration and the base- ment was left open and un- finished to accommodate it. "When they built the building, there was always this inten- tion,"said ElyseDeGroot,head of senior services. The project began two years ago and recently gained mo- mentum when the Barnstable Town Council voted unani- mously to fund the expansion, giving the green light to the construction phase. "The pro- cesswiththe TownCouncilwas wonderful," said DeGroot. The next step for the center isto obtain equipment and fur- nishings,likelythrough further financial donations. Tentative plans for the reno- vated basement include an exercise' room, a gerontology library, activity rooms, lounge area , computer lab and a medical exam room where the center willhold blood pressure screenings, foot care and flu clinics. It is also hoped that the expansion will provide for more office space. One look at the center 's weekly schedule and the need for more space is immediately apparent. Every block from open to close, and often later, isfilled. "We provide 200 Meals on Wheels a day here," said DeGroot. "Not to mentionallof our classes and our congregate lunch." Most mornings and after- noons the center offers classes in Yoga, Pilates, and cardio- kickboxing,as well as arts and crafts, computers and various lecture series. The center is also available for use by outside organi- zations, and can be rented for special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries, though there is a no-alcohol policy. "It has been very compli- cated trying to make all the space work," said DeGroot. "The expansion will allowus to learn how to use the space we have more efficiently." Staffers at the Senior Center aren't the only folkslookingfor- ward to the expansion.Patrons provided support,speakingout at town council meetings and writingletters. "Theywerevery empowered by watching the council move toward the right decision," DeGroot said. While the Center is geared toward seniors, younger com- munitymembers are welcome. "We have a lot of Baby Boom- ers in our area,"said DeGroot , encouraging folks to stop in or take a class. "We want to appeal to a wider audience. It is important for people not to have a preconceived notion of what a senior center is." For more information about the Barnstable Senior Center call 508- 862-4750 or stop into the center at 185 Falmouth Road (Route 28) in Hyannis between 8:30 a.m. and'4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. ^ BamStoble Danger to others: £f TRIAD your "Sharps!" By Klaus Guttmann klausguttmann@comcast.net The writer was, by a doc- tor's prescription , given a glucose monitoring device. The issuing organization was the Diabetic Department of Cape Cod Healthcare. Along with the instru- ment , instructions as to its use and procedure were given by a technician. The firs- time blood test was also performed at that time. I was instructed to test my blood daily. The instrument would keep the readings in memory. I was also scheduled for instructions given a month from that time and which I attended. Now, I would like to explain the procedure to those who are not familiar with it. The monitoring de- vice consists of a "Lancet" puncturing device which extracts a small amount of blood. The "Lancets" are dispos- able. An electrode is then inserted into the meter. The electrode is then collecting the blood sample for 15 sec- onds and a reading is given and recorded. The electrode is also disposable. For about a month , I followed the only instructions given to me. Af- ter the procedure. I wrapped the disposable items into tissue and put them in the rubbish. Wrong!!! I found out about this erroneous act during my first class given by a nurse. She handed me a brochure; "Think Twice About Sharps Disposal" issued by; "Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service." After a week I also at- tended the monthly TRIAD meeting. I thought that this might be of interest to all the attending Seniors. It was. There was a nurse from the V.N.A. who knew of the proper method of Bio Hazardous Waste disposal. The TRIAD coordinator from the Sheriff's Office alsoknew about it. A few of the Seniors knew about it. The majority did not , however. It is not inconceivable , to me, that a possibility ex- ists that careless actions, in this regard , could cause serious harm or even death to others. Is it not possible that handlers of rubbish contain- ing these discards could be punctured with or without their knowledge? Should they be victims of our care- lessness? Here is what we must do: We should get a free "Household Sharps Container." Where can we get this device? In the Town of Barnstable, the C.O.M.M. Fire Headquarters in Centerville , the Cotuit Fire Department and the West Barnstable Fire Depart- ment have these for you to pick up. Instructions will be supplied. When they are full, you should drop them off at the same place. Before you drop them off, you should make sure they are safe in your home. They may be an attraction to small children whom you would not want hurt . TRIAD has one request to make of you. When you talk to your Health Care Pro- vider, please tell him or her to tell you and others of the proper disposal of "Sharps." Of course, this disposal method is also a must for your needles, syringes and other devices which contact your blood. THE BARNSTABLE SENIOR CENTER By Elyse DeGroot > For those of you who read my article and called , emailed or wrote your Town Councilor regarding the Garden Level, thank you. Ifyou haven't heard the great news , the Town Council voted to approve the money we requested to com- plete the Garden Level at the Senior Center.Along with the money raised by the Friends of the Barnstable Council on Aging, we should have the resources necessary to build a beautiful lower level. What a long, complicated road it was and what an exhila- rating, empowering process it became. For the two years I have been Director, we have been literally wrestling with the rooms available to try and accommodate people and programs. It often feels like the bus with the clowns over here, or the telephone booth: how many more people can we squeeze into one building. Last week was a perfect example. Our very successful Senior Travel Expo attracted more then 200 visitors, which meant we had to find additional space for our "regulars." Talk about being victims of our own suc- cess. So, presumably in the not too distant future , we will have enough space. (How long will that be true?) The process itself of working with our seniors and the Town Council was also fascinating. My impression was that for many of our seniors, it was a first time experience advocat- ing for themselves. And they took to it like fish to water. I half suspect that several even surprised themselves with the depth of their feelings on the subject. But more importantly, what a great example of role modeling about what it truly means to be a senior: not a retiring, soft-spoken person to be seen. Instead , a group of articulate , impassioned advocates entreating their Councilors to make the right choice. The internal system worked as well with all the appropri - ate checks and balances in place. I thoroughly respect the desire to follow procedure and protocol and to ask lots of hard questions. Thank you to all. I hope all of you will come celebrate with me when the Garden Level is officially opened. Speaking of celebrations , we are holding our 8th Annual open house and Boston Post Cane ceremony on Thursday June 8"'.Wewould love to have youjoin us and I would happily take you on a "before " tour of the Garden level. Please call the front desk at 508-862-4750 to RSVP to save your spot. Light refreshments will be served. Please remember to take care of yourselves in the com- ing months as the thermome- ter finally climbs. Drink plenty of fluids , stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day and when in doubt , come in to the air-conditioned comfort of the Senior Center. And finally, a very pub- lic thank you to whomever brought flowers for my staff and me on May Day. You truly made our day. Elyse From the Director n ,- r, ., ,. n ¦ r, . . ANNM. BAJART,M.D. Eye Exams • Consultations • Second Opinions A.ROBERTBELLOWS,«.D. Eye Care For: Cataracts • Glaucoma • Retina • Cornea LAURAC.FINE,M.D. .i I n i' i -j ni r r> ALBERTR FREDERICK,JR.,M.D. Macular Degeneration • Lid Plastic Surgery NICOLE™FYNN.THOMPSON,M.D Diabetic Disease • Laser Surgery • LASIK Surgery MARK F.™ ^. JEFFREYS. HEIER.M.0. jfc* ^ t ff i S S S^ ^ ^ fcfc^ £ MARK S. HUGHES. M.O. *m\\ ^t ~ l r ,r o .,. | JAMES W. HUNG, M.D. ¦ M M M m For over 15 years Ophthalmic HVMHRWHWi! 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