Welcome to The Senior Bulletin, your weekly update for older adults in Central Massachusetts and their supporters.
We are excited to share new activities, resources, and opportunities with you this week! We’ll also be highlighting important updates about our region’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
(If you or anyone you know would like to have something highlighted in our weekly newsletter, email akrasinski@seniorconnection.org.)
CMAA UPDATES
Eldercare 2021 Goes Virtual
Mark your calendars for May 3, 2021 because #ElderCare2021 is coming to a screen near you!Learn about local resources and information for older adults in Central Massachusetts virtually. We’ll be broadcasting the event online and across the region starting on May 3rd.Presented by:
Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging &
Sheriff Lew Evangelidis of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
Sponsored by:
Joseph D. Early Jr. Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, Reliant Medical Group, UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Medical School, Unibank, Fallon Health, and WTAG News Radio.
CMAA Receives $16,500 From The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts
We are extending a big thank you to the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts for recently awarding $16,500 to support grandparents raising grandchildren in North Central Massachusetts!
“This pandemic has put enormous burdens on all families. Thanks to our partnership with the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging scores of grandparents across North Central Massachusetts and the children they are raising will receive help to adjust to COVID conditions,” said Stephen Adams, President of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.
This will significantly help our Agency continue our efforts to reach older adults and families in need, particularly in the northern part of the region.
Thank you for your support!
“The State of Older Adults in Central Massachusetts”
with Dr. Moses Dixon
Our Executive Director, Dr. Moses Dixon, recently gave an address about the state of older adults in central Massachusetts. In the address, he highlighted the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the older populations in our region. He also discussed how the Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging has responded to support local efforts during these challenging times.
Click the play button above or click this link to watch!
EVENTS AND MORE
Uxbridge Senior Center
The Uxbridge Senior Center, in collaboration with the UHS Student Council, and the National Residence Hall Honorary Bridgewater State University Campus, are offering FaceTime and Pen Pal Programs for seniors. This also include students from Taft Elementary School and local volunteers.
Call 508-278-8622 to sign up and let the Center know if you prefer FaceTime or the Pen Pal Program.
Spring Gardening Program with Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens
Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30pm via Zoom
Join the experts of Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens for this virtual class on Herb Gardening.
Let’s face it…. store bought herbs, either fresh or dried, can really put a strain on your wallet. Why not grow your own?
This is a virtual class which will be held on the Zoom platform.
Medicare 101 Sessions
The SHINE Program will be hosting Medicare 101 sessions via Zoom on:
- March 2
- March 9
- March 16
- March 23
- March 30
This is a great way to get introduced to Medicare!
To register, visit shinema.org
CENTRAL MA RESOURCES FOR
SENIORS & CAREGIVERS
Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Currently, the following groups are eligible for vaccinations:
- people listed in Phase 1
- people age 65 and older
- people over the age of 16 with 2+ certain medical conditions
- caregivers accompanying people 75 and older to vaccination appointments
Please note that vaccine supplies are very limited. It may take several weeks to get an appointment, so be mindful and patient as best you can.
Here is a link to information about what medical conditions are currently eligible in the current phase: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccinations-for-individuals-with-certain-medical-conditions
Have you registered for your vaccination appointment yet?
There are several ways to do so!
For online scheduling, visit www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine.
The state is regularly updating it to reflect new information and working to simplify the appointment process.
For those with limited internet access or who have difficulty navigating the website, the state has a 211 phone line to register for an appointment. This phone line has with over 500 staffers available for multilingual live phone support. To access, dial 2-1-1.
CMAA has also added COVID-19 vaccination information to the homepage of our website, including a link to the part of the Massachusetts state website with vaccination clinic locations. (The link can also be found here.) Our Agency is not able to schedule appointments for you, but we are here to point you in the right direction!
For those with concerns about the safety of the vaccine or what information can be trusted, we have found an excellent resource to answer your questions.
The state of Massachusetts has a very thorough information section about what the vaccine is comprised of, how it works to protect you against COVID-19, and more.
Visit www.mass.gov/info-details/trust-the-facts-get-the-vax to learn more.
Black Vaccination Day
March 10th
AARP Tax-Aide Program
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and remote tax assistance free of charge to anyone, with a special focus on taxpayers who are 50 or older or who have low to moderate income.
Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide, and are trained and IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code. Tax help is provided in safe environments using a variety of methods based on a number of factors, including where you are located, COVID-19 spread, and volunteer availability. Visit aarp.org/taxaide for more details.
