Out-of-Town Shopping

In addition to weekday rides to the Stoughton Area Senior Center and in-town shopping, Dane County’s contract with Transit Solutions also includes two scheduled trips to Madison shopping locations each month. The rides go to a variety of malls and shopping centers outside of Stoughton.

Individuals who are Stoughton residents, 60 years or older, and live independently are eligible for this wheelchair equipped transportation service. Unfortunately, per policy, those living in Assisted Livings, CBRFs and RCAC complexes do not qualify.

How it works:
Out-of-town trips take place two Fridays a month to area shopping centers like West Towne, East Towne, Hilldale, Kohl’s, Target, etc. Riders must call by noon the day before. They will be picked up from their home around 9:30 AM and will return around 1:00 PM. Each month’s trip dates and destinations are noted in our newsletter’s activity calendar on p.19. The suggested donation is $3 round trip; no one is denied rides based on ability to pay.

Please note: These trips only take place if at least three people sign up, as the County has a strict three-passenger minimum policy. If there are not enough riders registered, those who have signed up will be informed of trip cancellations the day before the scheduled trip. So…if you plan to go, please tell your friends (who qualify) to register and join you. We would hate for you to miss out on this out-of-town shopping opportunity!

For more information on out-of-town shopping and other local transportation services, see p. 2 of this newsletter.

2024 Music Appreciation Spring Series

Mondays, March 18 - May 13, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
All sessions are held at the Stoughton Opera House and are free and open to the public. Donations are accepted.

Organized by John Beutel, the series is for people who love music and want to learn more about it. The Music Appreciation Series is supported by the Stoughton Area Senior Center, a grant from the Bryant Foundation and participant donations.

March 18: Nick Hull, Pianist
We are privileged to have Nick back to perform for us the third time. He is a Stoughton High School graduate and currently is pursuing a piano major at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music.

March 25: Madlen Breckbill, Viola and Micah Behr, Piano
Madlen is a Stoughton native and a graduate in Viola Performance from the UW Madison and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She furthered her study and has performed for several years in Germany.

April 1: Christopher Allen, Classical Guitar
Christopher has received his Doctorate in Guitar performance from the UW Madison and currently teaches and performs a wide range of music composed for the guitar.

April 8: Wingra Wind Quintet
The Wingra Quintet musicians are all members of the Music Faculty of the UW Madison. They will perform music composed for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn.

April 15: Eric Tran, Piano
Eric is a faculty member at the UW Madison and teaches piano and other music classes.

April 22: Stoughton High School Solo/ Ensemble Students
These outstanding SHS instrumental and vocal music students have received starred firsts in Class A at the district music festival and have qualified for the Wisconsin School Music Association State Music Festival.

April 29: The Rabin String Quartet
The members of this quartet are all auditioned UW Madison doctoral students who are on scholarship. These musicians are respected for their outstanding musicianship.

Coming in May:
May 6: Matthew Koester, Saxophone (UW Madison Faculty)
May 13: The Hunt String Quartet

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

The VITA program is a cooperative effort by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and many individual states, including Wisconsin. Volunteers trained by the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) prepare basic income tax returns for free. Most VITA sites offer free electronic filing.

VITA is available for:

• Low-to-moderate income individuals

• Individuals with disabilities

• Non-English speaking taxpayers

• Military personnel

• Senior individuals

• Individuals who qualify for the homestead credit or the earned income credit


The Stoughton Area Senior Center is a 2024 VITA Site.

Days operating: Saturdays, January 27 - April 13

Hours open: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (last appointment at 12:15 PM)

Appoint required: Yes – Register online at: bit.ly/stovita24

Please download and complete this IRS intake form. This form and all tax documents should be brought with you to your appointment.

Energy Assistance is now booking appointments at the Senior Center

Energy Assistance is now booking appointments for the 2024 heating season. Their staff will be at the Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 W. Main Street, Stoughton on the following days:

  • Friday, January 5, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Friday, January 12, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Friday, February 2, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

You may call the Senior Center at 608-873-8585 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome too. To avoid unnecessary delays, this checklist will help you prepare for your application process. It is important that you provide the documentation required. Agencies may not be able to directly obtain income and Social Security information.

Out-of-Town Shopping

Did you know that in addition to weekday rides to the Stoughton Area Senior Center, and in-town shopping, out-of-shopping is available too? Yes, it’s true. Dane County’s contract with Transit Solutions also includes two out-of-town rides to predetermined locations such as malls and shopping centers outside of Stoughton.

Individuals who are Stoughton residents, 60 years or older, and live independently are eligible for this wheelchair-equipped transportation service. Unfortunately, per policy, those living in Assisted Livings, CBRFs and RCAC complexes do not qualify.

How it works:

Out-of-town trips take place two Fridays a month to area shopping centers like West Towne, East Towne, Hilldale, Kohl’s, Target, etc. Riders must call by noon the day before, and will be picked up from their home around 9:30 AM and will return around 1:00 PM. Each month’s trip dates and destinations are noted in our newsletter’s activity calendar on p. 19. The suggested donation is $3 round trip; no one is denied rides based on ability to pay.

Please note: These trips only take place if at least three people sign up, as the County has a strict three-passenger minimum policy. If there are not enough riders registered, those who have signed up will be informed of trip cancellations the day before the scheduled trip. So…if you plan to go, please tell your friends who qualify, to register and join you. We would hate for you to miss out on this out-of-town shopping opportunity!

For more information on out-of-town shopping and other local transportation services, see the Local Services section (p. 2) of our Yahara Senior News newsletter.

Stoughton's Memory Cafe in November

Tuesday, November 7, 9:30-11:30PM
Stoughton Health, Bryant Education Center, 900 Ridge St. Stoughton
This month participants and their care partners are asked to bring a photo of a fond memory. They will used to create an ornament to be displayed on the Dementia Friendly tree at the Governor’s Residence. See flyer for details.

What is a Memory Cafe?
At the Memory Café, individuals with memory loss and their care partners can join together in a safe, supportive and engaging environment. People can interact, laugh, find support, share concerns and celebrate without feeling embarrassed and misunderstood. Each month there are light refreshments and facilitated activities. Memory Café is free and open to everyone, no referral is needed.

Please contact the Stoughton Senior Center at 608-873-8585 with any questions.
Pre-registration is helpful but not required.

For other monthly Memory Cafe topics, search Stoughton Health’s Classes & Events Page: stoughtonhealth.com/event/

Protecting Yourself from Medicare Scams

From Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)’s October 2023 Medicare Minute.
Full Article

During Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (OEP), you will likely experience more marketing from private Medicare plans, like Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans. Companies try to reach consumers in various ways, like television commercials, radio ads, events, mailings, phone calls, and texts. The government has rules, though, to protect you from aggressive or misleading marketing. Knowing the rules can help you make the best choices for yourself during OEP.

Watch out for people who:

  • Ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information, especially before you decide to enroll. Someone can use this information to enroll you in a plan without your permission.

  • Say they represent Medicare. Plans are never allowed to state they represent or are endorsed by Medicare or any other government agency. They cannot use the Medicare name or logo on their marketing materials in a way that implies this.

  • Send you unsolicited text messages or phone calls.

  • Pressure you to enroll in their plan. You can use the entire Open Enrollment Period to make your decisions. You will not receive extra benefits for signing up early.

  • Offer you gifts to enroll in their plan. Gifts must be given to everyone at an event regardless of their enrollment choice, and cannot be worth more than $15.

Plans can:

  • Send you mail

  • Have educational exhibits at public events

  • Call or email you about other health plans and products, as long as you are already a plan member and haven’t asked them not to call or email

  • Schdeule an appointment to discuss plan options with you, but

·  Before the appointment, you must formally decide which topics will be discussed

·  The appointment must occur 48 hours or more after it is scheduled (unless you walk into their office or it’s the very end of OEP)

·  The plan agent must stick to the topics you have agreed on in advance

·  The plan agent may not use your appointment or the time before or after to market or sell plans to other people in your building or neigborhood

Plans cannot:

  • Call, send text messages, or leave voicemail messages,  unless you are already a plan member or you gave the plan permission

  • Email you or call you (even if you are a plan member) if you opt out of this communication

  • Ask for your personal information or try to sell you a plan at an educational exhibit

  • Approach you in public areas, such as a parking lot, hallways, or sidewalks

  • Give you prizes or gifts worth over $15

·    Cannot be in the form of cash

·     Cannot require enrollment or an appointment to get the gift

  • Conduct promotional activities worth over $15 per expected event attendee (for example, a raffle prize at an event for 10 people must be valued at or below $150)

  • Provide full meals at sales / marketing events

Tips for avoiding unwanted enrollment:

Never provide your Medicare information to anyone but your trusted health care providers. Confirm everything that a plan agent tells you before making a final decision about a plan. Ask for everything in writing. Call your doctors to make sure they are in network for the plan you want to join. You can also call your local SHIP for unbiased answers to coverage questions.

New this year!

Plans must provide you with the option to opt out of communications about Medicare products. It must be done annually and in writing. Also, before enrolling you, plan representatives must explain the plan’s effect on your current coverage. For example, if you have a Medigap, a plan representative must explain how you will lose that Medigap if you enroll in Medicare Advantage.

 

Report potential marketing violations to your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) or State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Who to contact for more information:

·         1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227): Contact Medicare to request disenrollment if you were enrolled in a plan without your consent or based on misleading information.

·         State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Contact your local SHIP to report any marketing violations or to request help correcting an unwanted enrollment.

 ·         Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): Call your local SMP to report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse, including marketing violations.

  • SMP toll-free: 1-888-818-2611

  • SMP email: smp-wi@gwaar.org

  • SMP website: www.smpwi.org

  • To find an SMP in another state: Call 877-808-2468 or visit www.smpresource.org

 SHIP Technical Assistance Center: 877-839-2675 | www.shiphelp.org | info@shiphelp.org

SMP Resource Center: 877-808-2468 | www.smpresource.org | info@smpresource.org

© 2023 Medicare Rights Center | www.medicareinteractive.org  |

 

The Medicare Rights Center is the author of portions of the content in these materials but is not responsible for any content not authored by the Medicare Rights Center. This document was supported, in part, by grant numbers 90SATC0002 and 90MPRC0002 from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

Falls Report & What YOU Can Do to Prevent Falls

Wisconsin EMS and Falls Report

Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in Wisconsin and in 2022, emergency medical services (EMS) in Wisconsin responded to over 130,000 falls. EMS data offers a unique insight into falls, and EMS offers an opportunity to address falls in the community.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Wisconsin has the highest fall death rate among older adults in the United States. Falls do not just cause fatal injuries, but also can cause long-term health conditions stemming from injuries or a loss of confidence in one’s own physical fitness.

Despite all of this, falls can be prevented. There are a variety of steps that people can take to reduce their chance of falling.

From CDC’s CDC’s Older Adult Fall Prevention:“What You Can Do to Prevent Falls”

Falls can be prevented. These are some simple things you can do to keep yourself from falling.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

  • Ask your doctor or healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for falling and talk with them about specific things you can do.

  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines to see if any might make you dizzy or sleepy. This should include prescription medicines and over-the counter medicines.

  • Ask your doctor or healthcare provider about taking vitamin D supplements.

DO STRENGTH AND BALANCE EXERCISES

Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance. Tai Chi is a good example of this kind of exercise.

HAVE YOUR EYES CHECKED

Have your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year, and be sure to update your eyeglasses if needed.

If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

MAKE YOUR HOME SAFER

  • Get rid of things you could trip over.

  • Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.

  • Put railings on both sides of stairs.

  • Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.

resources on preventing falls

Need Storm Damage Repairs? Choose a Trustworthy Contractor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 20, 2023
Full press release

Contact: Caleb Kulich, Public Information Officer, (608) 621-1290,

caleb.kulich@wisconsin.gov

MADISON, Wis. – Recent hailstorms in northwestern Wisconsin have led consumers to seek contractors who can complete repair work as soon as possible. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recommends property owners be skeptical of repair crews who use aggressive, high-pressure sales tactics to solicit contracts after a storm.

DATCP encourages consumers to ask for contractor recommendations from trusted sources such as friends, neighbors, and insurance agents. Do not let a traveling repair crew into your home, never agree to their offers before confirming they are permitted to operate in your area, and get your contracts in writing. Property owners with storm damage are encouraged to:

• Make a list and take photographs of damages like missing shingles, cracks in walls, etc.

• Call municipal officials to find out if a contractor holds the proper permits for door-to-door sales in their area.

• Request a copy of the contractor’s certificate of liability insurance.

• Obtain written contracts that specify exactly what work will be done, what materials will be used, a start and completion date, and warranty details.

• Contact a local building inspector to check if the repair work requires a permit – and to verify the work was completed appropriately before you provide final payment.

• Request and obtain lien waivers from any contractors hired for home repairs.

• Keep copies of all receipts, contracts, correspondence, warranties and written materials.

Wisconsin’s storm chaser law aims to protect consumers and businesses by preventing insurance fraud. Contractors:

• Cannot promise to pay any portion of an owner’s property insurance deductible.

• Cannot negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a customer. Contractors can only discuss damages and costs with insurers with the customer’s permission.

• Must ask if the requested work is related to an insurance claim prior to entering into a contract.

• Must notify customers of their right to cancel the contract within three business days if the customer is notified that their insurer has denied any portion of the claim for work.

For additional information and consumer protection resources or to file a complaint, visit DATCP’s Consumer Protection webpage at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov. If you have questions, want to check for complaints against a business, or believe you are a victim of a scam, contact DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.

If Wisconsinites encounter any issues with their insurance agent, adjuster, or company, they are encouraged to contact the Officer of the Commissioner of Insurance at (800) 236-8517 or visit oci.wi.gov for more information about filing a complaint.

###

Find more DATCP news in our newsroom, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Concert in the Park tonight!

Come to our Summer Time Concert in the Park Fundraiser event benefiting the Stoughton Area Senior Center!
-MUSIC by Marcy and the Highlights
-FOOD, DRINKS & SNACKS for purchase (cash only) including: Italian Subs, Reuben Sliders, Caprese Tortellini Salad, Fruit Kabobs, Cookies, Water & Soda
-FREE KONA SHAVED ICE Courtesy of Cornerstone Caregiving
-FUN for ALL ages! (temporary tattoos, bubbles for children)
Can't make it, but want to support the Senior Center? You may donate online: stoughtonseniorcenter.com/donate

Survey results are in!

In Spring 2023, Stoughton Area Senior Center conducted a survey to evaluate our effectiveness, generate ideas and prioritize future goals as SASC approaches another national and state re-accreditation process. Below is a summary of the results. The full report is available here and upon request.

Break-down of 110 respondents:
49 years or younger = 0.9%
50-59 years = 5.5%
60-69 years = 20%
70-79 years = 41.8%
80-89 years = 27.3%
90+ years = 4.5%
84.4% are retired or not working.
79.8% are residents of Stoughton.
79.8% say they participate at the SASC.

As a result of participating at SASC:
66.4% would recommend the SASC to a friend.
59.1% say they learn new things.
40.9% say they see friends often/make new friends.
30% say they are more physically active.
18.2% say they do not participate.

Reasons some do not attend:
20% say parking is difficult at the SASC.
19.1% say they are too busy / have no time.

Most beneficial pages of the Yahara Senior News monthly newsletter:
78.3% Programs & Activities
69.8% News & Information
49.1% Meal Site Menu
48.1% Local Services and Support

Open-Ended Questions:
Several open-ended questions were asked to gather information on suggestions for improving parking issues; thoughts on Kim’s Thursday Meals (dine-in and drive-thru); ideas for new and current programming; virtual programming interests; recommendations for fundraising campaigns; and preferences for volunteer opportunities. For a list of responses see the full SASC Survey Results Report.

Conclusions/Observations:
SASC fills a niche for many seniors in the Stoughton area. It is a community space that allows seniors to gather socially, receive support, find answers to questions and to be entertained. When asked for suggestions for improvement, many simply complimented the staff on the great job that was being done. Many responses were very creative, and maybe a little wishful: swimming pool, sauna. . There were many suggestions for new programs including travel, both short and long distances, hobby-based such as sewing, a store to sell crafted items and always more movies and music. 

The responses seem to indicate enthusiasm for the programs and services that are provided with some wariness of Covid 19 and pandemic safety measures. With all the current programs and the many that were suggested, the new annex space will be well-used, and the expanded wood workshop space will be much appreciated. Parking was an issue for many respondents and was listed as a reason that more people do not come to the center. This too should be given consideration.

Overall, the survey shows a satisfaction with the SASC on the part of Stoughton area seniors who participated in this survey. This is their community space and many use it as both a social gathering space and support for various needs.

View full SASC Survey Results

Think twice (or three or four times) before opening bank accounts with a non-spouse

June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse encompasses a range of behaviors including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, unreasonable confinement or restraint, and financial exploitation. In 2022, Dane County Adult Protective Services investigated 472 calls of elder abuse. Sixty-nine percent of those calls were substantiated as elder abuse.  Of those calls, nearly 29% were for reports of financial exploitation. Fifty percent of the abusers were family or close friends of the victim.  Researchers estimate that individuals over the age of 60 lose over a billion dollars annually because of financial exploitation[i].  One study found that financial exploitation occurs in 1 out of 18 cognitively intact, community-dwelling adults each year.[ii] It is estimated that Dane County residents lost an estimated $1,352,794 last year due to financial exploitation.

A common thread in reports of financial exploitation is the presence of a joint account. Joint accounts are often quick, easy ways for individuals to grant someone else access to their funds to help them with money management. But, due to the structure of joint accounts, individuals may unknowingly be giving someone ownership of their money.  State statutes controlling joint accounts explain that joint account holders are equal owners on all funds within the account regardless of whose money is deposited. Additionally, statutes protect co-owners from liability to the other owners. Co-owners do not have a legal obligation to the other co-owners to explain what they did with any of the money within the account.

Depending on the reason for opening a joint account, there may be options that create the same result with better protections:

I want my family member to be able to easily access my money to pay my bills for me and help me manage my money.  You can designate someone as a Financial Power of Attorney at your bank only. The bank will have you sign a form indicating that you want someone else to have access to your account. Importantly, indicating someone as a Financial Power of Attorney means that they can only use the money for your benefit and they have to account to you how the money was spent. It does not give them the authority to keep you from your money.

I don’t want my heirs to have to go through probate. If you do not want your heirs to have access to your money while you are alive but want them to easily have access after your death, you can designate a “Payable on Death” beneficiary on your account. The beneficiary will have no access or control of your account while you are alive. After your death, they will complete some paperwork with the bank and be given any funds available.

I want my family to be able to pay for my funeral. Many individuals want to ensure their final arrangements are covered in order to reduce any burdens on family. If you do not want someone to have any access to your money until funeral arrangements are needed, consider burial insurance or a funeral trust. 

Protect yourself from being at risk of financial exploitation.  Before giving someone access to your accounts, discuss with your bank the pros and cons of different available arrangements. Tell your bank what your goals are for granting someone access and ask what they think the best arrangement would be to achieve those goals.  Also discuss with tax and estate professionals to make sure that any bank designations do not affect your overall estate plans. Take your time. This is an important decision that should not be rushed. Regardless of what arrangement you choose, check your account statements monthly and report suspicious activity to your bank.  Never give anyone your password to view online accounts.  It is much simpler to take precautionary measures now than to attempt to recover lost funds later.

 

Lauren Hamvas is an attorney with the Elder Rights Project at Legal Action of Wisconsin, which provides free civil legal assistance to individuals who have been victims of elder abuse. If you would like assistance, contact our intake line at 1-855-947-2529.


[i] Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans, “Suspicious Activity Reports on Elder Financial Exploitation: Issues and Trents,” February 2019. Available https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_suspicious-activity-reports-elder-financial-exploitation_report.pdf

[ii] David Burnes, Charles R. Henderson Jr, Christine Sheppard, Rebecca Zhao, Karl Pillemer, Mark S. Lachs, “Prevalence of Financial Fraud and Scams Among Older Adults in the United States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”, American Journal of Public Health 107, no. 8 (August 1, 2017): pp. e13-e21.

For more information on how to take action to protect each other from abuse, neglect and exploitation see this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day flyer.

Medication Disposal & Sharps Collection

Saturday, April 22, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Stoughton Fire Department, 401 E. Main St.
Safely disposing of unused and expired medications and used medical supplies helps protect the people around you and your environment. Come to this free drive through service. Bring all medications in their original container and cross off, or peel off, personal information. Sharps must be dropped off in a registered sharps container or thick plastic laundry detergent bottle. The Lions Club will also be collecting used eye glasses & hearing aids. For more information, contact Teressa at (608) 877-3474 or tpellett.swc@gmail.com

SASC St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser

SASC St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser
Featuring Kim’s Corned Beef & Cabbage

Friday, March 17, 2022
Drive-thru Pick-up from 11 AM - 12 PM or Dine-in at 11:30 AM
All are invited to help support the Stoughton Area Senior Center’s mission and annual fundraising goal. Place your order(s) for Kim’s delicious home-cooked corned beef and cabbage with carrots and red potatoes, roll, and mint brownie. Enjoy great food while making a difference for the Senior Center!
Cost: single meal ($10/each) or packaged for two ($20) Order by Wednesday, March 15 by calling (608) 873-8585, or order online at: stoughtonseniorcenter.com/fundraiser

Dining space is limited. Please call to reserve a seat if you would like to dine in. This meal is open to all ages!

Help us spread the word by posting this flyer.

Share your ideas and enter to win $25

• What types of programs would you like to see in our new Annex?

• What areas of our Yahara Senior News do you rely on? What parts could you do without?

• What type of virtual classes interest you--- if at all?

• What do you wish the Senior Center did differently?

The Stoughton Area Senior Center is set to begin the process for national and state re-accreditation and we requests your ideas on how we can better serve our community. Take the 3-minute survey and you can be entered into a prize drawing for a chance to win $25. Go to survey.stoughtonseniorcenter.com or call us at 608-873- 8585 to request a paper copy.

Stepping On Class coming this Spring!

One in four older adults has a fall each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Wisconsin leads the nation in fall-related deaths for people age 60 and older.  But the good news is that falls are not a normal part of aging and can be prevented. The Stepping On program, offered in Stoughton by Safe Communities and the Stoughton Area Senior Center, has been researched and proven to reduce falls by 31% and will take place on Tuesdays, March 7 – April 18 from 12:30pm – 2:30pm.

In just 7 weekly, 2-hour sessions, Stepping On gives participants strategies for avoiding falls including balance and strength exercises, home safety check suggestions, medication review, and more.  Guest experts including a physical therapist and pharmacist and others visit over the course of the seven sessions providing falls prevention information and strategies for avoiding a fall. The workshop is designed specifically for people who age 60 or older and have fallen and have a fear of falling.  Participants can expect to leave with more strength, better balance, and a feeling of confidence and independence.

To register for Stepping On, contact the Stoughton Area Senior Center at 608-873-8585.

Stoughton Resource Guide

The newly revised Community Resource Guide, which is created and maintained by the Stoughton Homeless Coalition in partnership with Cummins Inc., is now available. The guide provides a listing of area resource for:

  • General Assistance

  • Housing Resources/Emergency Housing

  • Warming/Cooling Space

  • Community Programs

  • Food and Supplies

  • Clothing/Furniture

  • Dental

  • Transportation

  • Shower/Laundry

  • Services for Veterans

  • Children’s Services

  • Utilities

  • Phone/Fax/Printing Services

  • Crisis Intervention/Mental Health/Counseling

  • Health/Medical Care

Music & Memory

Stoughton Public Library and the Senior Center are partnering to offer this free program which helps people living with dementia, and other types of physical and cognitive limitations, enhance their memories and enrich their lives through music.

Grounded in research about how brains respond to music, the program offers participants the  opportunity to work with a trained volunteer to develop a personalized playlist of favorite songs. The selected music is loaded to a free mp3 music player and given to the participant on permanent loan.

Studies show that listening to one’s favorite music helps reduce depression and anxiety, and can also  moderate chronic pain. Participants are happier, more social, and more receptive to care and family visits. Personalized music may also help to reduce reliance on anti-psychotic, anti-anxiety, and pain medications. See how the program benefited individuals in this 6-minute excerpt from the film,  Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory on the  Music & Memory’s Website: musicandmemory.org

Interested in learning more? Contact Julia Hayde at (608) 873-8585 or jhayde@ci.stoughton.wi.us if you would like to  participate in or volunteer with this program.

File of Life First Responders Tool

Free wallet-sized and magnetic File of Life folders for your refrigerator are available at the Stoughton Area Senior Center to make lifesaving information accessible to emergency personnel. 

Additional Form: Helpful Information for First Responders When Assisting Persons Dementia.
Available upon request or the Dane County DHS website, these forms provide extra space for caregivers to note the best way to communicate with their loved ones who have dementia.

Other publications available fromt the Stoughton Area Senior Center

Stoughton Area Senior Center

248 W. Main Street, Stoughton, WI 53589  
(Map) • Phone (608) 873-8585 • Fax (608) 873-8162
Open Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

National Institute of Senior Centers and WASC logos A (002).jpg