Programs & Services
Newsletter
The Easthampton Council on Aging newsletter, "The Courier", is mailed free on a monthly basis to all Easthampton seniors, 60 years of age and older. There is a $12.00 per year fee to individuals who live out-of-town or to Easthampton residents under the age of 60. May we susggest a $5.00 per household to help offset the cost of mailing the newsletter each and every month.
SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) Program
Provides health insurance counseling services to seniors and disabled adults. SHINE counselors are trained to handle complex questions about Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's), public benefits with health care components, Medicaid, free hospital care, prescription drug assistance programs, drug discount cards, and long-term health insurance.
SHINE COUNSELOR CONNIE RADCLIFFE AND JUDY IMES ARE AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ON THURSDAYS BETWEEN 9:00-12:00, BY CALLING 527-6151.
SHINE HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING PROGRAM SEEKING VOLUNTEERS!! Work in your own community providing information, counseling and assistance on Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, Public Benefits and more. Call Lorraine York-Edberg, Western Regional SHINE Program Director for more information at 413-773-5555 or 1-800-732-4636.
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Food Distribution Program
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Nutrition Programs
CONGREGATE MEALS: Lunch is served at the Enrichment Center by Highland Valley Elder Services (HVES), Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. Reservations must be made by calling 527-6151 ext. 14 at least 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. You must be 60 years of age or older or the spouse of a person 60 years of age and older in order to qualify. Voluntary donations are requested within your means against the $4.50 per meal cost. Transportation to/from the Enrichment Center is available by reservation (527-6151).
Eligibility for Highland Valley Elder Services Dining Center Meals: The following persons are eligible to eat lunch at the Dining Centers: *All individuals aged 60 and over. *Their spouses. *Non-elder handicapped people who reside in complexes co-located with the Dining Center (this does not apply in Easthampton). *Disabled person who reside at home with, and accompany, older individuals. Each participant must be pre-enrolled at the Dining Center. Each new participant is to complete the "Congregate Meal Form". Reservations for meals must be made at least 24 hours in advance between the hours of 8 - 11 a.m. Policy for Guests at the Dining Center: A person under aged 60 may attend the Dining Center as a guest of a participant. Each guest is charged the full price of the meal ($4.50) as set by HVES. Lunch is served at the Easthampton Council on Aging Enrichment Center, Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. Call 527-6151 to make your luncheon reservations.
HOME DELIVERED MEALS: Home delivered meals are administered by Highland Valley Elder Services (HVES). All requests for home delivered meals must be made directly to HVES. To request home delivered meals, call HVES at (413) 586-2000.
BROWN BAG PROGRAM: The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts provides a bag of groceries for income eligible individuals/families who are 55 years of age and older. Applications are available at the Senior Center. The bags are distributed at the Senior Center the second Thursday of every month. Home delivery is available to the homebound.
ATTENTION BROWN BAG PARTICIPANTS!! As of October 2010, all Brown Bag participants MUST pick up their Brown Bag between the hours of 10:30a.m. - 11:30 a.m The Enrichment Center does not have the space or time to refrigerate perishable items. If you no longer wish to participate in the Brown Bag Progrm, please call The Food Bank of Western Mass. at 1-800-247-9632 and let them know.
COA FOOD PANTRY: The Enrichment Center provides Easthampton seniors and veterans with a free bag of groceries as needed. Contact the Executive Director for further information.
SHOPPING ASSISTANCE: The Enrichment Center offers grocery shopping assistance through its Companion Program. This program focuses on seniors who do not have family members to assist them with shopping and who are not able to utilize existing transportation options for grocery shopping. This service is free, but a donation is suggested to help offset costs.
COA SPONSORED GARDEN: The Enrichment Center purchases seeds/plants for a local gardener who plants broccoli, lettuce, squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans and other vegetables which are distributed to Easthampton seniors. Excess vegetables from local gardens are also brought to the Enrichment Center for distribution. SUMMER 2010 UPDATE: Lots of zucchini, cucumbers and lettuce so far. Tomatoes, winter squash and other vegetables are on there way
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Lunch/Birthday Party
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Companion Program: Companions are Enrichment Center volunteers who provide one-on-one assistance to homebound seniors who are not able to utilize existing transportation options or who require the assistance of an escort. Volunteers provide seniors with transportation/escort to medical appointments, shopping, hairdresser/barber, errands, respite and friendly visiting. This program is dependent upon grant funding and frequently has a waiting list. This program is free, but donations are encouraged to help offset costs.
Prescription Drug Delivery Program
This service is provided to Easthampton seniors who do not drive, who do not have an available family member to pick up their medication and who cannot use existing transportation options to pick up their medication. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged.
File of Life Program: Offers a free magnetic file holder that attaches to your refrigerator and contains detailed and personalized medical information that is useful to emergency personnel when responding to your home in an emergency. There is also a wallet sized version to carry in your wallet/pocketbook or car. File of Life file holders are available at the Enrichment Center.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available at the Easthampton Enrichment Center and other local organizations. We currently have over 100 active volunteers who provide over 8000 hours of service each and every year.
What do Easthampton Enrichment Center volunteers do?
Our volunteers hold the following positions: Board Members, Nurses, Brown Bag Assemblers and Deliverers, Senior Companions, Computer Data Entry, SHINE Counselors, Friends Members, Home Delivered Meal Drivers, AARP Tax Counselors, Receptionists, Newsletter Deliverers, Bingo Callers, Professional Clowns, TRIAD Members, Activities Assistants, Van Driver, House Number Installer, Book Club Group Leader, Recreation Group Leader, Travel Club Group Leaders, Lunch Helpers, Clerical, Newsletter Assemblers, Bakers, Crafters, and Osteoporosis Exercise Instructor.
7/10 - POSITIONS PRESENTLY AVAILABLE: FRIENDS MEMBERS, FRIENDLY VISITORS, AND NEWSLETTER ASSEMBLERS
Other Volunteer Opportunities: Highland Valley Elder Services in collaboration with AARP Foundation is looking for open-minded, compassionate, and patient volunteers with good budgeting, organizational, and supporting skills to help manage the finances of older low-income individuals who want assistance. If this has described you, and you have a few hours a month to volunteer, our Money Management Program will train and match you with someone in your community who needs help to manage their everyday finances. Please contact Marcia A. Klaus, Program Coordinator at Highland Valley Elder Services by calling 413-586-2000 or e-mail: mklaus@highlandvalley.org
Book Mobile Program
The Easthampton Enrichment Center, in conjunction with the Emily Williston Library offers the delivery of library books to homebound seniors living in Easthampton. This program is available to seniors 60 years of age and older who are physically no longer able to pick up books at the library. There is no charge for this program.
Financial Programs and Services
Fuel Assistance: The Enrichment Center provides Easthampton seniors 60 years of age and older with fuel assistance application assistance during the fall and winter months. If you are homebound and are not able to come into the Enrichment Center, an Outreach Worker will make a homevisit. Applications will be taken in October 2009.
AARP Tax Assistance: Income tax assistance is provided by AARP Tax Counselors by appointment February through April on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This service is free and available to low to moderate income individuals/families. 2010 appointments will begin on Friday, February 5th from 9 - 12 p.m.
Food Stamp Assistance: Appointments for food stamp assistance are scheduled on an as needed basis. If you are homebound and not able to come into the Enrichment Center, the Outreach Worker is available to make a homevisit.
Cable Discount: This discount is available to individuals 65 years of age and older. All household members must be 60 years of age and older. To apply, you must bring in a copy of your cable bill to Charter Communication, located on Northampton Street in Easthampton . A discount is provided for basic cable only.
Gas Discount: Baystate Gas provides a discount on service only. Application assistance is available at the Senior Center.
WMECO Discount: Western Massachusetts Electric Company provides a special discount rate on your electric bill if you receive one of the following benefits and meet income guidelines: fuel assistance, public/subsidized housing, MassHealth, Veterans Chapter 115 benefits, SSI or food stamps. Applications and assistance in completing the application is available through the Senior center.
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Atlantic Egg Rearing Program
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Intergenerational Programs
The Enrichment Center offers a variety of programs for all ages. Past programs have included a game day with the Easthampton High School, story teller with Davis Bates and the Atlantic Egg Rearing Project. Programs are listed in the monthly newsletter, "The Courier".
Notary Public Service Now Offered!! The Easthampton Council on Aging Enrichment Center now offers Notary Public Service. Please call Linda Talbot, Executive Director at 527-6151 ext. 10 to schedule an appointment. We also offer Notary Public Service in your Easthampton home if you are not able to leave your home. A $3.00 donation is suggested.
New Emergency Relief Fund: The Easthampton Council on Aging Enrichment Center established its new Emergency Relief Fund in November 2008. Funding is provided by private donations and through fundraising activities, which are administered through the Friends of the Easthampton Council on Aging, Inc. The Emergency Relief Fund provides emergency funding to Easthampton residents 60 years of age and older. Funding will be used to assist with heat, utilities, food, medication and other necessities. The Easthampton Council on Aging Executive Director, Linda S. Talbot and/or the Outreach Worker, Glafyra Ennis-Yentsch "Gliffy" will determine eligibility and need. Determination of need and eligibility will be made on a case-by-case basis. The Easthampton Health Agent, Fire and Police Departments will also have authorization to act during a crisis or emergency situation when the Council on Aging is closed and/or if staff are not available. Contact Information: 413-527-6151. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE IN A CRISIS, CALL EARLY!!! |
