EAST BRIDGEWATER — Director Nancy G. Hill is pleased to report that the East Bridgewater Council on Aging will be increasing its outreach and services in the coming weeks.
The Council on Aging will be collaborating with COAs in Bridgewater and West Bridgewater, as well as the three local access cable stations in the three towns, to offer simultaneous programming during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Isolation and loneliness have been serious consequences of older adults quarantining to protect themselves from COVID-19, and our goal with this concurrent programming is to stimulate conversation between friends who live in the tri-town area,” Director Hill said. “Along with our own programming being recorded by each of the three towns, Councils on Aging in the state have partnered with MassAccess and are building a library of programming that is of interest to older adults from which we can borrow and also share our programs. We are excited about this collaboration and envision that it will continue into the future.”
The East Bridgewater COA will also be starting select outdoor programming in August, including the Walking Group, Crochet Group, Busy Hands Group, Mat Yoga, and Exercise/Dance classes. These groups will be held outside in small, socially distanced groups.
An outdoor concert with an ice cream truck on site is also being planned, as is a car parade.
With the assistance of East Bridgewater DPW Director John Haines, the installation of a bocce court is being explored and a corn hole game is on order. Both will provide further outdoor program options. An awning for the COA back deck has been ordered as well, which will increase available shaded outdoor space after it is installed.
“I would like to commend my entire staff, who has worked diligently to continue to provide essential services to a population that is most at risk, during this extremely challenging time,” Director Hill said. “We have all had to think outside the box and quickly pivot the way we do business. Although the Center may be closed to the public, the COA has been very busy providing services to the older adult population in our community.”
The COA has also continued to produce a monthly newsletter and provide SHINE counseling services and assistance with SNAP and fuel assistance applications through many phone calls, mailings and information drop-off and pick-up.
Some COA volunteers have returned to deliver Meals on Wheels, and several new volunteers have come on board recently. The staff continues to deliver meals as necessary as the number of MOW recipients has greatly increased since the onset of the pandemic.
“We look forward to the Council on Aging resuming many of its services, while continuing to do so cautiously and with the welfare of our older residents always at the forefront,” Town Administrator Brian S. Noble said.
For more information on the East Bridgewater Council on Again, call 508-378-1610 or follow them on Facebook.
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