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Council on Aging (COA)

Click on one of the links below for more information about the Hanover Council on Aging (COA) and Senior Center:

Seasonal Activities & Events

Spotlight - Nutrition Team - Dawn and Rita

Continuing Education

Volunteers

Friends of the Council on Aging

Did You Know

Related Links Hanover Happenings

About Us

Contact Information

Henry S. Newcomb Senior Center
624 Circuit Street
Hanover, MA 02339

Director: Robyn Mitton

Phone: 781-878-6361
Fax: 781-878-8665

Email: coa@hanover-ma.gov

Click here for a pdf view of the Council on Aging Brochure

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.

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: Joyce Wilson
Nutrition Manager: Dawn Kelly

Transportation Coordinator: Judythe Borland

Custodian: Gregg Brooks

Drivers: Robert Cirino, George Shanahan, Bob Teetsell

Advisory Board

The committee of the Council On Aging, originally named the Council for Aging, formed in 1966, increased its membership to seven in 1974. The committee is required to report yearly through the annual Town Report. Members are appointed under the Town guidelines first established at the March 1930 Annual Town Meeting and reestablished at the March 1938 Annual Town Meeting under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.).

COA Advisory Board Members:

Chair: Joanne Cure

Vice Chair: Donald Buckley

Secretary: Joan Picard
Treasurer: Eleanor Kimball (Building Committee Rep.)
Property Overseer: Elmont Mickunas
Property Overseer: James Gallant
Signature Representative: Jane Murray

Programs

The Congregate Lunch Program, consisting of luncheons and Meals on Wheels, is held at the Henry S. Newcomb 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 - 781-878-6361.

Services

The Senior Center is host to: two AARP tax assistants (seasonal); SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) and Ask-A-Lawyer and Ask-A-CPA. All are volunteer services and are free of charge. Call COA � 781-878-6361. 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.

Future Planning

Present situation as reported in the Town annual report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2005

A. The Senior Center at 624 Circuit Street is housed in the former King Street School, which over the years has been remodeled and improved. The lot is approximately three fourths of an acre, the building is approximately 2,000 square feet, and there is parking for about 27 cars plus 4 handicaps.

B. The estimated senior population, over 60 years of age, is 2,376 or 16% of the population. On average, approximately 500 people use the Center from time to time or approximately 22% of the seniors. Estimates are that by the year 2020, 27% will be over 60. In towns with a new facility, the percentage of use has greatly increased.

C. The current space available restricts the extent of the programs and the ability to carry out different programs at the same time. For example, if there are health and fitness classes going on, there�s no space for other activities such as arts and crafts.

D. There is also no office or conference room space for seniors to discuss, with the Director or other councilors, such problems as health care, financial problems or needs of caregivers, all of which require confidentiality.

E. The one main room only seats approximately 75, which restricts participation in many activities such as special holiday events. This necessitates a waiting list, which means some of those who wish to attend are turned away.

F. Expansion of the present facility is not possible due to the size of the lot. Even if an addition could be effectively designed, the already limited parking would be diminished and there is no room for septic system expansion. Land is not available on any side of the lot.

Building Committee

A five member Building Committee is in process of planning a study for a much needed larger facility to better accommodate the increasing population of seniors in Hanover.

Committee Members: John Thomson (Chairman), Eleanor Kimball, Elaine Shea, Joan Du Bois, Richard Farwell.

The Senior Center Building Committee has been meeting regularly since its appointment. There have been visits to the new Senior Centers in Marshfield and Duxbury. Three potential building sites on Town owned property have been visited. A Town wide survey designed to obtain citizens interests and needs has been received and evaluated.

The New Senior Center

The Senior Center Building Committee has spent the time since last Town Meeting re-studying and revising the plan for a new Senior Center. A combined effort of the Committee, Architect and Engineers has resulted in a new building plan and modified site plan.

Pictured is the design concept of the new Hanover Senior Center offered by architect Josef Rizza

Building

The Committee has adopted a two-phase approach to reach the eventual goal of a 10,500 sq. ft building as was previously presented. The newly proposed building is 7,250 sq. ft and is designed so that an addition can be constructed in the future when the Town is ready to go forward with a larger
building.

The new building will meet the present needs, without some of the features that would be desirable, but not essential at this time.

The most important feature of the building, retained from the prior plan, is the large multi purpose room. This room has a capacity of two hundred, seated at tables, has adjacent kitchen facilities, and can be divided into three smaller sections, which for day to day use will provide needed activity space.

The large room also provides the Town with a hall with capacity for other uses. Functions where food is to be served or other group functions could be scheduled during the hours when the Center is not in use for Senior programs, generally evenings or weekends.

Pictured is the floor plan of the new Hanover Senior Center by architect Josef Rizza

Site Development

The developed site has also been reduced due to the reduction in the size of the building, which also affects the size of the septic system and drainage. The parking lot, with one hundred-car capacity, has been retained. This is considered necessary due to the capacity of the multi purpose room.

Access Road

The access road from Center Street is necessary to reach the developable portions of the property. The land abutting Center Street is not buildable. Building the road serves not only the Senior Center but provides access for future development of ball fields. Installed along with the road will be water, electric and gas utilities.

The road and parking will be available for use by citizens desiring to hike the trails through this seventy-acre property. In the winter it would be possible to access the trails for cross country skiing.

Costs

The overall cost of the new plan is $3.7 million dollars, as compared to last year's $4.9 million dollars.

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

� Bi-monthly Massage
� Walking Club

� Bowling

� Ladies Morning Out Group
� Cribbage, Bridge, Scrabble Whist

� Red Hat Society

� Movies
� Oil and Watercolor Painting

� Book Club, Writing Class

� Bingo
� Exercise

� Yoga

� Line Dancing

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 781-878-6361.

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

Transportation to local medical appointments, hair appointments, to the Senior Center for lunch, events and activities, and shopping, etc., are available. Please call 781-878-6361 in advance for reservation. Check bulletin for normal scheduling.

****** 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.

Spotlight - Nutrition Team - Dawn and Rita

Dawn - Nutrition Manager: Dawn always worked with food since she was a kid � when she was able to work � she wanted to do something that would help other people. Asked how she got this job she said, �Actually I applied to be a driver for Old Colony Elder Services. I went for an interview for drivers � this position was open. Because I had so much experience they offered me this position.� When she was fourteen she started off at Burger King - working part time � and through college she also worked at Burger King and then she was co-manager at Wendy�s. Dawn attended Allegheny College in Maryland and finished her Associate�s Degree in Business Marketing at Massasoit in Brockton. She has been with Hanover Senior Center about a year March 15. Lives with her sister in Marshfield, her brother lives in Florida, mother and father are living in their home in Brockton. Visions about the senior center that she would like to be known, �I would like them to know that we do an awful lot here at the senior center. There is a ton of programs that go on here � and I would like to see more of the seniors be able to come out to some of the functions � and get more seniors out of the house � and socialize - very important.� Besides preparing senior center meals, she sometimes delivers Meals on Wheels when there isn�t somebody here to drive, fills in for doctor�s appointments, friendly visitor and other volunteer work after her work with Old Colony is done in the afternoon.

Rita - Nutrition Volunteer: A twenty five year resident of Hanover with her husband and disabled son, Rita got interested in volunteering when, at seventy; she couldn�t stand the boredom of retirement. �I volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels � and was site manager here for five years. I left and retired again � then got another job. I came back here after I got laid off from that job and started volunteering again. Here I am, six - seven years later still back. I like to keep busy.� Rita was a Dietary Manager for thirty years before her first retirement, so she is very comfortable in her volunteer position. Asked what she would like to see happening with people who come in and use the senior center, �Well, I would like to see more people come in � because they have something here that you can�t buy with money � that the seniors need � and it�s called � caring and love �and they have so much of it here to give. If we just get them in - and give it to them - we can get them back again � and the center is succeeding in doing this.� In closing she added, �It�s a good place here, I like it here. Working with Dawn is a good experience too. Great people work here � and the seniors are the greatest.�

Continuing Education

- a fortune cookie read; �the purpose of Education is �to fill an empty mind� with an open one� -

A Lifelong Learning Opportunity: An opportunity to continue your learning experience through a Lifelong Learning Institute sponsored by the Gerontology Institute, UMass Boston, with a satellite campus at Cordage Park, Plymouth. See website link below �OLLI at UMass Boston.�

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!

Hanover Happenings

OLLI at Umass Boston