Report of the Council On Aging

The Senior Center is located at 454 College Highway.

The center is a wonderful meeting place for the elderly population to socialize and interact with their peers.
 

Director: Jeanne Margarites

Office Staff: Denise Seibert/Andrea Holmes
 

Dining Center: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Nancy Cortesi: 569-0410
 

The Council on Aging Board Members:
 

As always the Senior Center enjoyed a very active and productive year. Pot luck dinners, ice cream socials, pizza parties, picnics, holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, wonderful entertainment, lectures and tag sales were held during the year. The Volunteer Recognition was held in May.
 

Transportation is made possible through Franklin Regional Transit Authority with a van being provided by Hulmes Transportation.
 

The Hulmes van is available during the following hours:
 

Mon. and Thurs. 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Tues., Wed., Fri. 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
 

The town owned van is manned by many gracious volunteers who enjoy helping the elderly during the hours when there is no van service available. The volunteers also drive day trips that are enjoyed by all who have attended. During the past year approximately 3600 rides have been booked through the center.
 

The following classes are offered at the center weekly with some having small fees to cover the cost of teachers salaries:  Aerobics, Water Aerobics, Yoga, Tai-Chi, Writers Workshop, Painting, Ceramics and Line Dancing. Quilting and Needlework has been added to the schedule. Bingo is played for fun on Tuesday mornings. Poker is played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. A group of seniors have started to play pool on Monday and Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM.
 

The Dining Center served close to 18,000 meals during the year. Many of the frail who are not able to attend the congregate dining center have their noon meal delivered by very caring volunteer drivers who also check on their daily wellbeing. Meals are served Monday - Friday at 11:45 AM. Donations are always welcomed to help defray the cost of the meals that are delivered from Northampton. In turn all donations are forwarded to Highland Valley Elder Services, Inc.
 

Eight issues of the newsletter were printed during the year and delivered to residents who are seniors and are listed on the town census. All functions that are held at the center are listed with dates and the time they will be held. The newsletter is mailed or hand delivered to twelve hundred homes. The newsletter is made available through Donations, State and Federal Grant monies.
 

The following trips were held:

Pomeroy Sugar House for breakfast, Battleship Cove, Sturbridge Village, Atkins Farms, Smith College bulb show, Holyoke Fish Lift, Bradley Air Museum, Shopping excursions, The Big E, Yankee Candle, Cabella’s, Magic Wings, Brunelle’s Marina for a boat ride and lunch, Bright Nights and the Casinos.
 

Monthly Blood Pressure

BI-Monthly Foot Care

Bi-Monthly Hearing Clinics

Cholesterol Screening

Manicures

Influenza (flu) Clinic is held in the fall

Outreach & Neighbor to Neighbor

Nutritional Information
 

Most programs are income eligible. Check with staff.

Fuel assistance & Food stamps

Income Tax Preparation (AARP)

SHINE (Insurance Information)

Veteran’s Representative

Brown Bag & Bread Program

Health Care Proxy & Homestead Protection Act

Speakers on Legal & Elder Issues
 

In closing, I would like to thank Alice Davey who filled in the temporary position for almost a year. Alice did a wonderful job and many seniors were sorry to see her leave. Also thank you to the volunteers who help us to provide all the programs that are available to the elderly population. At this time, we have approximately 60 volunteers who help in many different venues. I would also like to thank my staff and the following Boards, and Organizations for their continued support during the year.
 

Board of Selectmen

Council on Aging Board

Senior Citizen’s Club Inc.

Park & Recreation

Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Highland Valley Elder Services, Inc.
 

Respectfully submitted,
 

Jeanne Margarites