HUMAN SERVICES SENIOR SERVICES DIVISION / Average Was Roughly 16%, So Concord Is Significantly COUNCIL on AGING Higher
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HUMAN SERVICES SENIOR SERVICES DIVISION / average was roughly 16%, so Concord is significantly COUNCIL ON AGING higher. The following is a sampling of service statistics for FY 2016: 1947 seniors were active at the COA this past year. 63% were female and 37% were male. 177 new se- niors began participating for the first time at the COA. 198 seniors used the van service and received 8005 rides. 499 seniors used Outreach/Social Services, 188 seniors participated in a fitness class and 3311 meals were served at the COA to 244 seniors. Outreach and Social Services Our professional staff provides advice, assessment, consultation, and referrals to seniors and their sup- port network (family, friends and neighbors) while Seated Left to right: Carole Cushing and Pam Hanson Standing Left to right: Carol Ann Hannan, Michael Rudd, Ann adhering to strict standards of confidentiality. Their Schummers, Margaret Hoag extensive and specialized knowledge of resources helps Missing: Sharyn Lenhart, Milton Cohen, Arthur Alcarez and to assist seniors to live independently as long as pos- Patty Keane sible. Strong working relationships with various town Ismael Cisse Ismael Williams Katherine Jr. Michel, Jurgens Yarmartino Abigail GoodeCatherine Chang Deedy Han Lee Christiansen Anna Jr. Michel, Jurgens Grant Goulet Jovan Alexandra Thomas Copland Yamartino Abigail Williams Katherine Cucinotta Alyssa Nicholas Morgan Wilson Gabrielle Carole Cushing departments, hospitals, home health care agencies, Pam Hanson aging service access points, housing authorities, and Carol Ann Hannan businesses provide the best comprehensive service. Michael Rudd This past year we reached out to leaders in the religious Ann Schummers community and invited them to come to tour our facil- Margaret Hoag ity and learn about our services. Sharyn Lenhart Milton Cohen Wellness and Fitness Arthur Alcarez The COA offers a wide diversity of program and fitness Patty Keane opportunities (Aerobics, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Strength and Flexibility) that contribute to the overall health of Concord seniors. We offer regular health clinics and The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle of Fund Concord The Scholarship The mission of the Senior Services Division and the Council on Aging is to promote quality of life for Con- screenings as well as a variety of speakers on an assort- cord’s seniors (age 60 and older) by helping them to ment of health topics. We continue to offer the free maintain their dignity, self-esteem, personal indepen- loan of durable medical equipment and 229 seniors dence and their roles as full participants in the life of borrowed 615 pieces of equipment this past year. This the community. The COA strives to fulfill this mission past year we were pleased to be able to increase the by providing opportunities for seniors to enhance nurse’s hours to 20 per week and are now able to offer their physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual much needed additional medical support and home well-being. visits to senior residents. We also have started an off-site blood pressure clinic at the Concord Housing According to the January 2017 Town Census, there Authority senior housing site. are 4816 Concord residents over the age of 60 and this now represents over 30% of the total population Social, Recreational and Educational Opportunities of Concord and has been growing steadily for the Because the opportunity to interact with peers, stay last several years. The percentage is up from 22.5% in intellectually active, and feel valued and needed by the 2006. The 2010 Federal census showed that the state community is key to emotional and physical health, The Albert L. & June B. Powers Scholarship* Powers B. June AlbertThe L. & MemorialScholarship* Prifti The David Memorial Scholarship* Przyjemski J. Katrina The Memorial Scholarship* Purcell Marguerite The Memorial Scholarship* Ressler Nick The Newbury – – Deaconess Court Scholarship The Rivercrest Memorial RobertsScholarship* Maura The Scholarship* Al The Robichaud Scholarship of RotaryThe Concord Club Scholarship Interact of RotaryThe Concord Club Memorial Scholarship William L. Eaton of RotaryThe Concord Club Hale Scholarship L. Richard of RotaryThe Concord Club MemorialScholarship Huckins R. Thomas of RotaryThe Concord Club Memorial Scholarship* Shepherd E. James The Memorial Scholarship* Smith W. Farnham The The Janet Gates Peckham Memorial Memorial Scholarship* Peckham Gates Janet The 170 - Schools 2017 Annual Town Report 2017 Annual Town Report Human Services - 171 we offer day trips, speaker’s series, movies, parties, Lockboxes and File of Life Financial Support COMMISSION ON DISABILITY computer tutoring, discussion groups, craft work- The COA offers the installation of a lock box on the In addition to receiving funding from the Town’s Gen- shops, book groups, cooking classes, games, music residence of any senior who requests it. This box, in- eral Fund, the COA is grateful to the following funding Jean Goldsberry, Chair classes, and guided walks just to name a few. We made stalled by a COA volunteer allows the resident to place sources for their commitment to Concord seniors and Meryl Rich, Clerk an extra effort this year to film more of our presenta- a key to their home inside in case of emergencies. Only the financial support of our work: Marybeth Barker tions for CCTV so that our homebound residents can the Fire/Ambulance Service and the COA have master Jennifer Brooke benefit from the information. This past year, we were keys. In the case of any emergency, the locked home Concord-Carlisle Community Chest: Grant allocations Linda Corbett pleased to be able to add an intergenerational garden- can be entered without breaking a door or window. provide partial funding for the following positions: Tom McKean, Select Board Liaison ing program with the students of Carousel Preschool. The COA also continues to encourage the use of “File Volunteer Coordinator, Social Service Coordinator and Nora McShane We produce a 12 page monthly newsletter that is filled of Life”, which is a red plastic folder for the refrigerator Outreach Coordinator. Lloyd Price with many choices of activities to engage in and ex- and the wallet with important medical information plains the services that we offer. Seniors that opt to in case of emergency. The COA provides these free of Executive Office of Elder Affairs: The Formula Grant, Support for 51 Walden Renovations receive the newsletter may do so by e-mail or postal charge to all Concord seniors. based on the number of seniors in our community, The Commission on Disabilities reviewed the pro- mail delivery. As an Outreach effort, in October of this provides full or partial funding for the following po- posed renovations to 51 Walden, and agreed that they year we mailed the newsletter to each Concord home Additional Support Services sitions: Wellness Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator, would make the building much more accessible. There with a resident over 60 years of age, resulting is many The COA offers these additional services thanks to and Activity Coordinators. would only be one area not accessible. We wrote a new seniors making inquiries about our services. cooperative arrangements with other agencies busi- letter to the Architectural Access Board to support the nesses and churches: “Ask the Lawyer” program which Harvey Wheeler Treasure Chest Gift Shop: Thanks to renovations. In addition, we wrote a letter requesting Of Special Note provides seniors with a free 30 minute consultation the many residents who donate quality goods for re- the that 51 Walden be given an additional six months This past year we hosted a reunion for the Shaker Tam- with an attorney, SHINE (Serving the Health and sale, the patrons who shop there and the many dedicat- to complete the renovations to allow them to apply for bourine Group that used to play regularly at the COA Information Needs of Everyone) counselors to help se- ed volunteers, proceeds are used to support many COA much needed CPA funding. and once performed at the Jay Leno show, we hosted niors with issues related to their health insurance, “Ask programs. District Attorney Marion Ryan for a discussion on a Pharmacist”, eye glass adjustment, AARP tax return Work with Trails Committee the Opioid epidemic and also learned about the Linus assistance program, fall clean up days and the delivery COA Gift Account The commission worked with the Trails Committee to project of making blankets for hospital patients. We of buckets of sand for winter. Many people chose to make a donation to the COA gift review the Harry Beyer Assessed Trail. We also are re- were pleased to host and provide a tour for a repre- account and this helped to make possible the purchase viewing additional Concord trails to provide feedback sentative from Concord’s sister city of Nanae, Japan. Social Media of a new van this past year. Most offerings at the COA to which trails might be able to be assessed or parts of We participated in a “Meeting of the Minds” of all The COA has had their own Facebook page for over are free of charge, but with the assistance of the gift them made accessible. organizations that provide social services and financial a year now and this is providing an opportunity for account we are able to provide scholarships or partial support in Concord and we have been active in a new seniors to follow the activities of the COA and also to assistance for the cost of an event or trip to folks who Support for Concord Academy Renovations Hoarding Task Force in the Town. read important and relevant tips on successful aging. could not otherwise afford to attend something they Concord Academy renovations included reorienting were interested in. one of its historical buildings (141 Main Street)to have Transportation Volunteers its main entrance toward the center of campus rather Our vans provide weekday local transportation for Volunteers greatly enhance and support the work of COA Board than on Main Street.