Georgetown – The Georgetown Council on Aging and the Georgetown Senior Community Center remain closed to the public at this time. Staff is available in the office if you have questions or need assistance. The COA office phone is 978-352-5726. Current services include: reassurance/wellbeing calls; COA Marketplace (food pantry) deliveries; Elder Brown Bag deliveries; face masks; COA Van for essential shopping by appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays; Monday – Thursday Grab & Go lunches; durable medical equipment lending, telephone appointments with SHINE Counselor; telephone appointments with Karen Tyler, Director of Veterans Services; Fitness Center appointments; Tai Chi classes on ZOOM; Yoga and Strength Training with COA Instructor Donna Bonin available on Cable Access 42 Verizon/9 Comcast; Special Music Programs on Cable Access 42 Verizon/9 Comcast along with information, resources and referrals.
Elder Services of Merrimack Valley to host Virtual Memory Café June 1 and 15
Elder Services of Merrimack Valley- North Shore will host a virtual Memory Café on Tuesday June 1 and Tuesday June 15, 1 – 2 p.m. The memory cafes offer online activity and social engagement for those living with memory loss and their caregivers. For further information and to register, call Lyn Brennan, 978-273-2501 or email LBrennan@esmv.org.
COA Walking Club Underway
The Walking Club is underway Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Participants meet outside the Georgetown Senior Community Center and choose a local walking route. Participants should bring their own water bottles. For information and to register, contact the COA at 978-352-5726.
Elder Services of Merrimack Valley Travelling Chef to offer special to-go lunch June 17
In addition to the special meals that are planned as part of the COA’s Grab and Go monthly menu, Elder Services of Merrimack Valley will provide a special Traveling Chef Grab and Go meals for holidays and special events. The menus are similar to the special event lunches that are typically hosted at the Georgetown Senior Community Center. In June the Traveling Chef meal is planned for Thursday June 17. The menu will feature Bone-in BBQ Ribs, Mac and Cheese, Veggie Baked Beans, Brownie Cookie and dinner roll. To reserve a lunch, call the COA at 978-352-5726 by Wednesday June 9.
Elder Services of Merrimack Valley sponsors A Matter of Balance Remote Workshop Scheduled June 16- August 11
Designed to help older adults at risk of falling learn techniques to reduce fall risks, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore (ESMVNS) will sponsor a free remote eight-week Matter of Balance Workshop on ZOOM Wednesdays June 16-August 11, 1 – 3 p.m. participants will learn evidence-based techniques to increase strength, balance and flexibility. For more information, call Molly at 978-651-3033 or email mgerbutavich@esmv.org. To register, call 978-946-1211 or register online by visiting: www.healthyliving4me.org
Medicare Virtual Fair Scheduled June 23
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) will hold a Welcome to Medicare national Virtual Fair on Wednesday June 23, 3-7 p.m. SHIP presenters will discuss Medicare eligibility, enrollment costs and coverage options. There is no cost for the event. Register on-line at www.shiptacenter.org. For questions and information, email info@shiphelp.org
Massachusetts Councils on Aging sponsors Walk Massachusetts Challenge
This year’s Walk Massachusetts Challenge began last month. With several goals tied to walking options and prizes, the first 500 people who participate will receive a reflective wrist band and sports pack. Prizes include Visa, Amazon and Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards. For each person who completes the challenge, COAs are entered into a drawing to win $1,000 for future programming. The program runs May 1- September 30 and includes different challenges along with an online tracking form or printable walking journal. For information and assistance with registration, call the COA at 978-352-5726.
Executive Office of Elder Affairs Caring for the Caregiver Monthly Webinar Series
Sponsored by the EOEA, Mass Home Care and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, a monthly webinar series for family caregivers is underway. The webinars are designed to provide information, support, resources, tools and tips. For information and assistance with registration, call the COA at 978-352-5726.
Weekday Grab and Go Lunch Program
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the COA has partnered with Elder Services of Merrimack Valley (ESMV) to offer Grab and Go take-out lunches Monday – Thursday at the Georgetown Senior Community Center. Lunches are mostly hot meals similar to those previously served at the Senior Center. To participate or for more information call the COA (978-352-5726) the Wednesday before the desired meals. Meals can be picked-up or delivered and there is no charge at this time.
COA Marketplace available to residents
The COA Marketplace offers a wide variety of non-perishable food such as Easy Mac/Cheese (2 flavors), V-8 juice, fruit cups, canned tuna/meats, a variety of soups, shelf-stable milk, peanut butter, rice, pasta, cereal & fun snacks to local older adults. The COA Marketplace also offers a variety of products including, toiletries, incontinence supplies, paper products & dish/laundry detergent. The COA is also able to provide some fresh foods (eggs, milk, fruit/vegetables etc.) along with Market Basket gift cards upon request. No income restrictions apply. The COA will provide individual home deliveries. Appointments are required by calling the COA at 978-352-5726.
COA Fitness Center now includes a stationary recumbent bicycle
Open for individual exercise appointments, the COA Fitness Center at the Georgetown Senior Community Center now includes a new stationary recumbent bicycle along with two stationary bikes, two treadmills, stair climber and weights. Face masks must be worn while individuals are in the building. Exercise bikes, treadmills and free weights are available for use. For information and to schedule an appointment, call the COA at 978-352-5726.
COA Van available for Essential Shopping
The Georgetown COA Van is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for essential shopping and other essential errands such as Post Office, pharmacies and banks. To schedule a ride call the COA at 978-352-5726.
NEET Program Provides Medical Appointment Rides
Scheduled through the Georgetown Council on Aging, the Northern Essex Elder Transport, Inc. (NEET) provides rides for elders to medical appointments. Additional protocol and guidelines are in place to ensure driver and passenger safety. To allow time to complete a new registration form and review guidelines, reservations should be made at least one week in advance by calling the COA office at (978) 352-5726. If the office is closed, please leave a message (the COA is not open on Fridays). After the ride is arranged, the driver will call you the day before the ride. A donation of 45 cents per mile is suggested to help support the program, but no one is turned down due to inability to pay. Reservations must be made through the COA office. Clients should not call the drivers directly.
COA has Face Masks available to residents
The COA has both disposable paper face masks and reusable fabric masks available to the public. For more information call the Georgetown COA at 978-352-5726.
Veterans’ Weekly Food Pantry available in Haverhill
Veterans currently dealing with food insecurity issues can seek assistance through the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, Inc. The Veterans’ Weekly Food Pantry at 10 Reed Street in Haverhill
on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register or for more information call the VNEOC at 978-372-3646 or visit their webpage at VNEOC.org. **ID and DD-214 is required for registration**. Co-sponsored by Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc., Fantini Bakery, The Accidental Food Bank & Massachusetts Military Support Foundation.
