Welcome to The Central MA Senior Connection Bulletin
The Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging (CMAA)
serves 61 towns and municipalities.
We want to spread the word about excellent events
and programs for senior citizens in our region.
Read on to find out what’s going on in your community!
Zoom will be waiving their 40-minute time limit on Thanksgiving Day.
That means you can talk with friends, family, and loved ones as long as you’d like!
Get your favorite food together and share a virtual meal. It’s a great, safe way to meet!
FriendshipWorks invites family members, caregivers, and front-line workers to join in a Service of Remembrance to celebrate the lives of those we have cared for, loved and lost during the past season.
This is a special opportunity to listen, share, remember and honor those who have passed during this most challenging time. Our intention is to create a safe virtual environment where we can hold space for each other and honor the lives of our elder friends, volunteers, family and pets who we have lost over the last year. Readings will be given in English and in Spanish.
Directly after the Service of Remembrance we will break out into small groups for a virtual coffee hour to continue the sharing and receive support from others.
We invite you to share names and photographs. If you are unable to attend the event, and you would like us to share a name or photo of someone you have lost, please email otennyson@fw4elders.org.
The Service of Remembrance will be held on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92564554542 and will also be broadcast LIVE on the FriendshipWorks’ Facebook page. The event is 3-4:30pm.
LUNENBERG
A friendly reminder that the Lunenberg Council on Aging offers a Dementia Caregivers Toolbox to help people find the resources and support they need. Located at the Eagle House Senior Community Center, the Lunenberg COA is an excellent local resource, especially for caregivers.
If you’d like to receive a free tote bag, call 978-582-4166 to make arrangements to pick one up Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm.
*Note: The COA will be closed this Thursday and Friday for the holiday.
GARDNER
The Gardner Senior Center is pleased to announce a socially distant ‘Holiday Stroll’ (weather permitting). Meet at 1:00pm at the skating rink lot on Park Street. Treats for participants will follow the stroll.
To RSVP, call 968-630-4067 and reserve your spot!
WORCESTER
The Worcester Center for Crafts’ Krikorian Gallery presents The Cup Show.
Join Worcester Center for Crafts on Saturday, November 27 from 10:00am-5:00pm for an afternoon of handmade cups and mugs from talented artists!
Handmade cups are on view and available for purchase in the Krikorian Gallery (25 Sagamore Rd, Worcester) & online at wccgallerystore.com
RUTLAND
Rutland’s 1st Annual Holiday House Decorating!
Rutland Recreation has collaborated with the Rutland Historical Society, Rutland 4th of July Committee, CTMS, Glenwood and Naquag to bring you…
Rutland’s first (and-sure-to-be-annual) Holiday House Decorating Contest!
Your display can have any holiday theme you can cook up! Lights, inflatables, construction projects, live actors (Clark Griswold, crazy Uncle Eddy??)
Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:
1. Creative Inflatables
2. Traditionally Elegant
3.Christmastime Cheer
4.Clark Griswold Award
Deadline to register to get on the map and be prize-eligible is 5PM on Wednesday, December 2nd.
To register, the form on the town website and show your receipt of your $20 donation.
Your display must be drive-by-spectator-ready for voting and viewing by Monday, December 7th.
Displays must be fully lit (if applicable) nightly from dusk to 9pm (minimum) through Saturday, December 19th (weather permitting).
Judging will be done by the public via a voting link that will be posted on Monday, December 7th. Prizes will be awarded to the best display in each category.
Winners will by announced on Sunday, December 20th at noon.
BLACKSTONE
Mark your calendars for December 10th because the Blackstone Public Library is hosting an adult holiday ornament workshop!
Learn how to use recycled light bulbs to create a fun holiday decoration from the comfort of your own home. Supplies will be provided except for glue guns and craft sealer spray.
Registration is required to obtain a craft kit, which can be picked up using curbside delivery starting December 1st.
Call the library at 508-883-1931 or this link. Hope to see you there!
STURBRIDGE
Join the Sturbridge Recreation Committee for the 2020 Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony this Friday, November 27th.
The event begins at 6:00pm and will be available to watch on Facebook Live or on Sturbridge Community Television (Channel 191)
For more information and updates, visit the Facebook event page.
What a way to kick off the week!
We had an excellent time helping Jubilee Worcester and Friendly House distribute hundreds of pounds of food for the holidays! CMAA also contributed Senior Fraud Helpline materials to be included in the meal kits.
Want to see a recap video? Click here to view!
Senior Fraud HelpLine
A partnership between RSVP Volunteers of Central MA,
Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging, and Family Services of Central Massachusetts
The Senior Fraud Prevention Initiative helps seniors recognize, resist and report fraud.
When calling the HelpLine, you will find a peer who may have had a similar experience to yours. You will speak with a person trained and knowledgeable about what to do next; a confidante who cares about your fears. The volunteers answering these calls have been trained to identify the tell-tale signs of scams and frauds.
You are not alone.
RSVP’s Senior Fraud HelpLine receives calls from
9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday
1-800-297-9760
Central Massachusetts Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
CMAA is pleased to offer seniors residing in nursing or rest homes
a continuing resource for resolving issues related to long-term care!
What is the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program?
An Ombudsman visits residents in nursing and rest homes to investigate and resolve complaints related to personal care, their belongings, food matters, roommate problems, and other issues which impact their daily lives. Ombudsmen resolve complaints through discussion, negotiation, or referring issues to the State Ombudsman. They also provide residents, their families, and community members with information and advocacy.
These professionals are trained and certified by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and here to help!
For more information, contact OMB@seniorconnection.org