Tax help at Allegheny Community Center

Tax season is on the horizon and the ACC will be offering free tax services.

The service — Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) — is available both virtually and in person to anyone making less than $65,000 per year.

As a COVID-19 mitigation effort, the following procedure will be required for all seeking assistance: come to the back entrance of the ACC and a large envelope and intake form will be there. Take that home and complete it, including a phone number, whether the filer received the Child Tax Credit and the amount of the third stimulus payment. Copies of a driver’s license and Social Security card(s) should be included as well as a voided check to receive the tax return electronically. Return all of that material to the back entrance of the ACC where a lock box will be located on the right. Lift the lid and place the completed forms on the platform. Closing the lid allows the tax documentation to drop down into a secure lock box.

BINGOCIZE

Looking for a new, fun way to be more active and connect with others? Visit the Allegheny Community Center for Bingocize! Bingocize combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of bingo, which has shown to be a way to get moving and socializing. Light refreshments will be available and prizes will be offered as well! The program is free and paid for in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Bingocize will run from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays through May 19. Those interested can attend as often as they are able.

COOKING CLASS

On the first and third Wednesday of every month the Allegheny Community Center will hold a cooking and nutrition class. The group makes many different foods and baked goods and is now learning about and using Air Fryers and have had presentations on cooking with Instapots. The group has made gluten-free dishes and plans on doing some sugar-free baking. Organizers ask those participating to bring a recipe that the group can use to prepare it and put it in a calendar it hopes to publish. Thus far, the class has made Muddy Buddy cookies, Imperial chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins and gluten free blueberry muffins, cinnamon chip Snickerdoodles Air Fryer chicken wings and potato chips. Class starts at noon and usually goes to 2 p.m. in the kitchen at the Allegheny Community Center and all are welcome.

PAINTING CLASS

Artist Gail Bidwell will be starting painting classes at the ACC in the dining room on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. The cost is $10 per class with supplies included unless a special project is requested. Call the ACC to sign up.

RECEPTIONIST NEEDED

The Allegheny Community Center is in need of a receptionist for a noon to 3 p.m. shift on Wednesday. Anyone interested is asked to stop in or call 814-723-4180.

SUPPORT FOR SENIORS

The Allegheny Community Center has applications on-site for various programs such as LIHEAP (for heating), Water and Waste to help with water and sewer bills as well as a rental assistance application. Anyone with questions asked to call the community assistance office at 814-723-6330. Rental assistance questions can be directed to the Warren-Forest EOC at 814-726-2400, ext. 107. The EOC also has an application of second Harvest food distribution at the Lutheran Church.

MEDICARE GUIDANCE

Are you turning 65 soon? Are you receiving lots of Medicare mail from lots of companies making it very confusing to know what plan would be best for you? Medi PA is not associated with any insurance company and doesn’t sell insurance. Its team of councilors from the local Area Agency on Aging can help by giving unbiased information and eliminating Medicare confusion. Those turning 65 or even starting thinking about Medicare options can attend “Making Sense of Medicare” on Friday, March 29, at 1 p.m. at the Allegheny Community Center dining room. Call 814-723-4180 to attend.

CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Starting Wednesday, March 23 at the Warren YMCA from 9 to 11:30 a.m. is a free, six-session Chronic Disease Self-Management Program. For more information, call Experience, Inc..

MAKE IT TAKE IT!

March 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chef Sandy will be in the kitchen making a healthy vegetable snack tray with a St. Patrick’s Day flair.

HOME HEALTH CARE VS. HOME CARE

People often think home health and home care are the same thing. Many agencies use the terms interchangeably.

Although the terms “home care” and “home health care” sound similar and both types of care are delivered in the home, they provide distinctly different services.

Home care offers non-clinical help, such as meal prep and companionship, while home health care — sometimes shortened to “home health” — provides professional medical services. Home health care services are more medical in nature. Home health aides are available to help with things like bathing, grooming and dressing until a senior is safely able to do them again or have a caregiver who can safely assist. The focus of care is skilled nursing and therapy. Home care helps with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, grooming, cooking, cleaning and transportation. It does not include medical care like nursing or therapy.

UPCOMING MEALS

Here’s a look at the meal calendar for November which is, unfortunately, subject to change due to supply chain issues. Remember that you must order meals two weeks in advance. Please call your local center to order or – if needed – cancel meals.

Mar. 28: Baked meatloaf with baked potato, green beans, white bread and sliced peaches.

Mar. 29: Chicken marsala with rice pilaf, broccoli and cauliflower blend, wheat bread and mixed fruit.

Mar. 30: Pineapple glazed ham with whipped sweet potatoes, peas and carrots, wheat bread and fresh fruit.

Mar. 31: Hawaiian pork chop with rice pilaf, island blend vegetables and strawberry shortcake.

HOURS & CONTACT INFORMATION

Allegheny Community Center, Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (814) 723-4180.

Endeavor, Tues, Wed., Fri., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; (814) 463-7774.

Marienville, Tues.-Thurs., 8:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m.; (814) 927-6607.

Sheffield, Mon., Thurs., Fri., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (814) 968-5667.

Tidioute, Mon., Tues., Thurs., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; (814) 484-3020.