Council on Aging

(COA)

Services

New Senior Center

Activities

Seasonal Activities & Events

Volunteers

Friends of the Council on Aging

Did You Know

Related Links          Hanover Happenings

About Us

Contact Information

Hanover Senior Center
665 Center St
Hanover, MA 02339
 

Director: Robyn Mitton

Phone: 781-924-1913

Email: coa@hanover-ma.gov

Administration

The Senior Center office has a five person paid staff: Elderly Services Director, full-time position; Outreach Coordinator, full-time position; one full time position shared among four drivers; and a Custodian, 24 hours a week. The Senior Center has a Meal Site Manager who is paid through Old Colony Elderly Services (OCES) and a Volunteer/Transportation Coordinator who is partially paid through a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

Staff

Director: Robyn Mitton

Outreach Coordinator/Assistant Director: Joyce Wilson
Nutrition Manager: Dawn Kelly
Transportation Coordinator: Christine Abboud
Custodian: Brian Golemme
Drivers: Robert Cirino, George Shanahan, Bob Teetsell
Activities: Martha Kristian

Vice Chair:

Secretary: Joan Picard
Treasurer: Eleanor Kimball (Building Committee Rep.)
Property Overseer: Elmont Mickunas
Property Overseer: James Gallant
Property Overseer: Richard Farwell  

Programs

The Congregate Lunch Program, consisting of luncheons and Meals on Wheels, is held at the Senior Center, Monday through Friday. The food is supplied through Old Colony Elder Services (OCES- 800-242-0246). Through this program, approximately 1,500 luncheons were served at the center, 6,700 Meals on Wheels were delivered to Hanover residents in FY2005. A donation of $2.00, which is submitted to OCES, is requested from participants.

The Senior Center coordinates: the Fuel Assistance and Food Stamp Program, which is available to anyone in need regardless of age; for information or assistance on enrollment in Prescription Advantage Program or Medicare Part-D call COA Outreach Coordinator - 781-924-1913.

Services

The Senior Center is host to: Ask-A-Lawyer, Glucose screenings and acupuncture. All are volunteer services and are free of charge. Call COA – 781-924-1913 . Other services: Blood Pressure Check - Foot Clinic– Massage.

The COA Van is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm daily for medical appointments, shopping, activities at the Senior Center and other social events.
 

Activities

The Senior Center offers recreational activities such as exercise, line dancing, card games, bingo parties, health fairs and screenings. The Senior Center offers the following activities (And more):

• Hanover Travelers
• Sr. Men’s Discussion Group
• Bowling
• Ladies Morning Out Group
• Cribbage, Bridge
• Movies
• Oil and Watercolor Painting
• Book Club
• Bingo
• Exercise
• Yoga
• Voices
• Coffee and Conversation
• Arthritis exercise
• Zumba
• Yoga

Monthly education classes on topics such as Legal, Health, Cultural and Social issues are provided. The Senior Center participates in events with neighboring Senior Centers. The monthly Senior Bulletin is mailed to over 1,500 seniors’ homes with information of all activities and services provided. You can also read your bulletin online thru link, “Hanover Happenings” at end of web page.

Seasonal Activities & Events

Check current schedules for daily and monthly activities/events in your online bulletin thru link, “Hanover Happenings” at end of web page or call COA at 781-924-1913.

Friday, January 6th @ 1:00: Movie:  “The Help” FREE
Monday, January 9th @ 1:00: Harbinger Tea
Tuesday, January 10th 9:00-12:00: SHINE (appt. only)
Friday, January 20th 10:00-12:00: “What if” Workshop (RSVP)
Friday, January 20th @ 1:00 Movie: “Win Win” FREE
Tuesday, January 24th @ 12:00: Plow& Anchor Luncheon $5.00 (RSVP)
Friday, January 27th @ 1:00: Art Matters (RSVP)
All programs listed are held at the Hanover COA 665 Center Street.
Call the COA @ 781-924-1913 if you have any questions.

Click here to view or download a listing of Council on Aging Seasonal Activities & Events.

****** Check your monthly bulletin for specially scheduled events. *****

(...or access “Hanover Happenings” online thru link at end of web page.)

We are in dire need of volunteer drivers for Meals On Wheels. This takes very little time; you’re reimbursed for mileage and meet some interesting people. We also need volunteer drivers to drive Seniors to out-of-town doctor appointments, etc. This is such a worthy service for the time spent. Again, once a week, once or twice a month or whatever time you can give would be tremendously appreciated.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

SNOW EMERGENCY
The following is the snow Emergency procedure:

• Please listen to local radio/TV stations for public school closings.
• If Hanover schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Council on aging is closed for programs.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Hanover Council on Aging is always looking for volunteers in such positions as  kitchen help,  meals on wheels drivers, medical appointment drivers, as well as friendly visitors. With the opening of our new Senior Center we will l also be looking for arts and crafts instructors, line  dance teacher, yard work and light housekeeping (dusting and organizing). If you have any time available please call  Martha Kristian on Fridays from 9:00 to 12:00 PM at 781-924-1913. We would love to have you!

The Hanover COA is looking for volunteer medical appointment drivers for our clients.  This is a volunteer position, but you will be reimbursed for your mileage.  The medical appointments are  in the South Shore area.  You would pick up the client at their home (Hanover) and transport them to and from their appointment.  Please email Martha at volunteer.coa@hanover-ma.gov or call 781-924-1913 if you can help us out.  You will need to come in and fill out a CORI and show us a valid Massachusetts driver’s license. 

CARING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Volunteer as little as 1 hour per month to make a world of difference .
Drivers are needed to deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound Seniors on Monday through Friday ( not including holidays).
The Meals on Wheels program would not be possible without the dedication of caring volunteers contributing to their community.

IT’S MORE THAN JUST A MEAL!

Each Meals On Wheels delivery is made by a driver who also checks on the well-being of each Senior- bringing peace of mind to clients and their families.
For many, the meals on Wheels driver is the only person they see during their day.

If you are interested in volunteering to become a driver please call: 781 924-1913 and speak to Martha Kristian or
e-mail: coa@hanover-ma.gov
Delivery time is 11:30 to 12:30. It only takes 1 hour.
Drivers must be 18 years old or older and have a valid MA Drivers license.

Background

The home of the Hanover Senior Center began in 1889 as the King Street School. The building was in use as a school until 1953 when the Center Elementary School was opened. Following a period of disuse, the building became the meeting place of the Hanover Grange and eventually the Golden Age Club (1969). The Hanover Council for Aging, (more lately referred to as the Council On Aging),was formed in 1966 with five members appointed by the selectmen “for the purpose of providing information and services to elder residents of the community” and an office was provided in the building. In 1987, the building was dedicated by the Hanover Board of selectmen as the Henry S. Newcomb Senior Center. Henry Newcomb, a lifelong resident of Hanover, was the founder of Hanover Council for Aging, an active member at 91 years of age, recognized for his contributions to the Council for Aging, Golden Age Club, and senior citizens. Mr. Newcomb passed away in 1993 at the age of 96. At one hundred and eighteen years, the building is still serving residents of the Town of Hanover, by providing a meeting place for seniors to enjoy, as well as a community resource for services, information and referrals for the older adult population and their families.

Mission

The mission of the Hanover Council On Aging, interchangeably known as the Senior Center, is to provide services, programs and activities to maintain and increase independence and quality of life for residents sixty years of age and older. The Council identifies and assesses the needs of elders, and offers services to meet the challenges of aging. There are 2,375 residents of Hanover who are 60 years of age and older as of Fiscal Year 2005.

Volunteers

The greatest energy of the Hanover Council On Aging is produced by our Volunteers. If it were not for them, it would be impossible to provide the programs and service that are currently available through the COA. They are the backbone of the COA and we appreciate the 90+ people who volunteer their time and talents by delivering meals, driving to Doctors appointments, serving lunch, preparing the online newsletter “Hanover Happenings” and mailing of the monthly news bulletin and the office workers, friendly visitors performing numerous other chores. We always welcome new volunteers.
 

Friends of the Council on Aging

The Friends continue to raise money to supplement the Town and State funds. All donations and monies raised go directly to services for our seniors. We could not provide many activities without them and are very grateful for their contributions.

Click here to view or down load a printable Membership - Contribution Form and become a member of the Friends of the Council on Aging.
 

Did You Know?

• You can read your Senior Center Bulletin “Hanover Happenings” online thru link at end of web page.
• We have a large selection of books, magazines, puzzles and videos in our COA Lending Library
• We have a drop-off box for old eyeglasses
• We have a drop-off container for food donations for the Hanover Food Pantry
• We have many informational pamphlets and brochures on various senior related topics
• We have applications available for many different programs
• Stop by to check these items out for yourself. You are always welcome!
 

Related Links

Board of Health
Board of Selectmen
Town Clerk
Massachusetts State Website
Massachusetts General Laws
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Massachusetts Councils on Aging
U.S. Government Administration on Aging
Alzheimer's Association
American Association of Retired Persons
Access America for Seniors
ABCRx Access To Benefits Coalition
South Shore Community Action Council
Medicare + Part D Information
Social Security

Hanover Happenings

OLLI at Umass Boston
Understanding Life in the Golden Years: Gerontology Resources