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| July 2021, Vol. XXII, No. 1 |
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| Getting Back on Track |
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We are experiencing a wonderful boom in the programs and activities available to all of us and there is definitely a feeling that a weight has been lifted. People are moving forward with a positive attitude which we know will also positively impact our physical and emotional health.
All ten of the senior centers in Greene County, which are as diverse as their communities, have planned for or returned to some level of programming. Things are different, without question, but the response has been great. There will continue to be hesitancy about gathering by some, but that is to be expected as well as respected. Caution is an overriding focus of the centers and all community organizations, but our need to come together is paramount.
Your Council has also been adding programs and activities to the schedule and will continue to do so over the coming months. It has been energizing for your Council team and volunteers to plan for the in-person activities we have missed as much as you. We invite you to consider some of these activities which you will find on the next few pages of the newsletter and when you connect with us via Facebook or our website. And for those of you who are not connected with a senior center or some of the other tremendous organizations in Greene County and beyond, we encourage you to check them out.
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From the library to the various parks to the multitude of clubs and associations, there is something for everyone. We have countless opportunities to be with others, help our neighbors, and be a part of something larger than ourselves.
Last month’s newsletter included an article about the Community Survey being administered in partnership with Scripp’s Gerontology Center at Miami University. The 3,000 surveys have been mailed and we hope that those receiving the survey will carve out the time to complete and send the survey in. The information shared will help with both short-term and long-term planning of programs and activities by multiple organizations.
Please know that the return and addition of in-person programs and activities does not mean that virtual opportunities will be discontinued. Yes, there are some of us who may never embrace the online world. And that is okay. But a growing number of adults are incorporating virtual information gathering, learning, and connecting into their daily lives. Having virtual opportunities available to those we serve is an important component of our programming and outreach efforts.
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JamFest '21: The Place to Bee
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From its beginning, the Greene County Council on Aging has used many methods to reach out to seniors and caregivers to let them know what we do and how we can help. We have events, programs, classes, resources and caring people you can talk to, and we work with all of the senior centers. We use social media to share news and events with you. If you use social media, we encourage you to check us out.
Our website has current information and resources: gccoa.org
Our Facebook page is frequently updated with our latest news: facebook.com/GCCOAcares/
Our YouTube channel has fun and informative videos: tinyurl.com/GCCOA-YouTube
We also have several newsletters that can be mailed via USPS, sent via email, or viewed on our website. Click here to sign up for newsletters and read past newsletters.
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Reserve the date for our Homemade Treats and JamFest 2021! Wednesday, August 18th from 4:00pm to 6:30pm. This event will be held in the gym at Xenia Community Center next door to our main office.
Old-timey fiddle music, provided by Stuffed Possum and Cornbread, will set the tone as you walk into the building and we will have goodies and gifts for sale at the in-person Country Store. The “Silent” Auction includes a wonderful array of unique gift baskets and there will be a 50-50 raffle.
We’ll have the Cloud Race Tournament with announcer Roy Hatfield of WBZI Real Roots Radio. Some special guests will compete!
Next comes the live Action-Packed Homemade Treats & Jam Action with auctioneer Roy Hatfield
$10 per person. Tickets are now available at the Council office, at senior centers or at the door.
We also invite you to buzz on over to our Online Country Store for handmade gifts, jam and treats. You will also find the hand-painted bee-inspired table we are raffling off. Open July 26 though August 6. Payment and pick up on August 9 and 10.
Your Council members and creative volunteers are busy as bees preparing for this bee-utiful event and we look forward to seeing you in person!
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| Your Council continues to provide grab bar installations in bathrooms of Greene County seniors who are 60 or better living in their own or family member’s home. We are, however, experiencing a delay with acquiring the actual bars due to challenges in the supply chain. We appreciate your patience with what may be a three or four week delay in scheduling your installation. |
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| Is Your Financial Retirement Plan Realistic? |
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Many of us have been saving for decades to fund our retirement, and we (or a financial advisor)hopefully have projected our savings and spending to estimate whether our nest egg will last for our remaining lifetime. For example, if we have $300,000 in savings, expect to live 20 more years, and have a need to withdraw $20,000 per year (in addition to social security) over our lifetime, will our nest egg last the remaining 20 years?
This question can get very complicated if we throw in lots of variables like changing healthcare needs, unforeseen housing expenses, etc., but the basic premise of this question boils down to whether we use realistic variables for how much our initial nest egg will grow over the next 20 years, and what rate of inflation our expenses will face over the next 20 years. Using the right growth rate and inflation rate to calculate your financial longevity is critical, but unfortunately, we often get this calculation wrong. Some of us just use the back of a napkin to make this calculation, and we make it too simple or get it totally wrong. Often, we, or our financial advisor, use projections that are far too rosy. For example, the growth rate for the stock market (S&P 500 index) over the past 10 years (2011 through 2020) is approximately 14% per year. If we were to use this 14% growth rate to project out 20 years, our initial $300,000 savings after 20 years of drawing $20,000 would be worth over
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$2 million dollars! However, most people living off retirement savings are not invested nearly as aggressively as the S&P 500 index. A more realistic rate of return (safer) for someone in their 70s or 80s might be 4% or 5%, or even less if all assets are in a savings account. Our $300,000 savings would run out in year 21 if we earned 5% per year. Obviously, earning less than 5% would mean the savings would last even less time.
The bottom line here is that we need to plan for retirement, and we need to be realistic when doing so. If you have a financial advisor, ask them what variables they are using to project your savings and spending growth rates. Ask your advisor if the projections they use are historically realistic for someone nearing or in retirement. If you are making your own projections, be very conservative. Use 5% or less for a growth rate, and 2-3% for inflation.
If you would like help making these calculations, let us know at your Council on Aging.
The Council’s Financial Advocate is a volunteer who can help with financial matters. If you are in need of assistance, please contact us at the Council.
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| The Council’s Annual Meeting took place on June 15th. In addition to the regular business, proposed changes to the By-laws were approved, Erin Dill and Becca Shelly were elected to continue as members of the Board of Directors, and the Annual Report was presented and is now available on our website. |
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| The Grief program moves to a monthly support group in July. It is open to anyone who recently or not-so-recently lost a loved one. The group meets on the 2nd Monday at 10am at Peace Lutheran Church, lower level, in Beavercreek. If you are newly bereaved, you can talk with us first, or simply show up to the group. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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| Senior Summer Fitness Camp |
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The Council is hosting a drop-in Senior Summer Fitness Camp on Tuesdays from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the Xenia Community Center gym. The camp runs through August 10th and it is an hour for enjoying a variety of fun movement activities with some great people. If you would like to join us for one, a few or all of these Tuesdays, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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| In Good Health Series |
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The Council has partnered with the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District to offer senior center activities and programs for Bellbrook and Sugarcreek seniors. We have started a few activities and we hope to add more in future months.
The In Good Health Series is being presented quarterly and is also open to adults in the surrounding communities. The July sessions include Strategies for Memory Loss on July 7th, Pre-Diabetes & Lifestyle Choices on July 14th, and Improving Brain Health with Music & Exercise on July 21st.
All sessions are held at the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District Community Center at 2751 Washington Mill Road in Bellbrook from 2:30pm to 4:30pm and reservations are required. The sessions include an interactive presentation and a To-Go Snack. For more information or for reservations, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Please join us in thanking these generous donors who shared time, talents, or financial gifts since the last newsletter.
In Memory Of:
Jack Harding
Donors:
Lauren Myers
Donna Randall
Cynthia Spracklen
Amazon Smile
Pizza Dive
WBZI—Real Roots Radio
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Volunteers:
Lynn Berry
Stacie Davis Family
Leah Donohue
Barb Hawk
Rika Hendrickson
Alforetta Hughes
Linda Jones
Letha Kimball
Anita Kuntz
Beth Massie Family
Sherry Matsel
Chris Middleton
Sherry Newcomer
Maryjane Nicely
Roger Panton
Linda Parsons
Megan Randall
Tracey Rickey
Barb Vandecreek
Lisa Weinstein
Janice White
Dee Willis
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To ensure you receive information and alerts, sign up for our various mailing lists, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and like us on Facebook.
For more information on any of these events, or to make a reservation, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or 937-376-5486.
◊ Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease ~ Wednesday, July 14th, 2:30pm—4:30pm GCCOA Office. Reservations required
◊ 2021 JamFest: The Place to Bee ~ August 18th, 4-6:30pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Weekly Programming with our Partners at Real Roots Radio, WBZI FM 100.3:
Boomers and Beyond on Wednesdays around 12:05 pm
Partners in Caregiving on Thursdays soon after 6:00 pm
◊ In-Person Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups ~ contact us.
◊ Regular Updates and Information Posts on the Council’s Facebook Page and website
Please continue to be on alert regarding the various COVID-19 scams. For more COVID-19 information, please go to www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/or coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home
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Greene County Council on Aging
937-376-5486 ext. 101
Committed to Seniors and Caregivers
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| Our mission: To promote independence and quality of life for Greene County senior citizens and caregivers by facilitating and supporting the development, implementation and continual improvement of a comprehensive and coordinated system of contact and care. |
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| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
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