The Hopedale Sr. Center is Open!                        

Masks not required to enter the Sr. Center however, we encourage anyone who is not vaccinated to wear a mask in consideration of the health and well-being of themselves and others.  Masks will continue to be required for all individuals who use our transportation services.  In addition, the Sr. Center will continue to have plenty of hand sanitizer available throughout the building. Need a mask...we have those too!

Open Monday - Thursday 9 am to 3 pm    and Friday 9 am to 12:30 pm

It’s Medicare Open Enrollment Time!

OCTOBER 15, - December 7, 2022

Honoring Hopedale Veterans

The Hopedale Veteran's Day Ceremony will take place on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. at the Hopedale Senior Center. The Hopedale Sr. Center invites the community to our outside ceremony (weather permitting) honoring our deceased and living veterans.  Please join us for coffee and pastries following the ceremony. 

Drive our van! 

The Hopedale Sr. Center is looking for an experienced driver for our 8 passenger van. The schedule is as needed, on Tuesdays and Thursdays for approximately 4 hours each day. All driving is to local area towns. A paid train-ing in general operation and CPR is required through the MWRTA (MetroWest Regional Transit Authority).

If you or anyone you know would like to help the Sr. Center continue this valued service, please contact Carole Mullen at 508-634-2208.

Free Anxiety and Stress Reduction Classes

The Senior Center is offering free classes that combine Yoga and meditation.

Anxiety Management classes will teach you easy and fun ways to help you feel better and look at situations in new ways.

There are six sessions that are a little over an hour each. The classes will explain what anxiety is, how it affects your thoughts and body and how anxiety affects the ways you relate to other people.

The dates of the classes will be determined. At least 12 participants are needed to hold classes. This is a continuation of the posting from the April 2022 newsletter. Call the Senior Center for sign-up at 508-634-2208.

Do You Need Help Paying for Prescription Drugs?

Each year thousands of Medicare beneficiaries reach a gap in their Medi-care prescription drug plan, often referred to as the “donut hole.”

If you reach that gap, you will see your prescription drug costs increase dramatically! Don’t let this happen to you. Prescription Advantage can help.

Prescription Advantage is a state-sponsored program that supplements your Medicare drug plan to fill the gap.

For more information about Prescription Advantage, call the Sr. Center at 508-634-2208 or go to prescriptionadvantagema.org.

Knitters' Group

Meets at the Senior Center on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10 a.m.

Bring a bag lunch and we will provide dessert. All levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome. Our group is very welcoming and eager to help new knitters. We have loads of free yarn and beautiful patterns to share. We donate all items we make to local charities. Quilters and sewers welcome too!

Come play with us!

Mah-Jongg, Tuesdays 12:30 p.m.

Bridge, Mondays, 9 a.m. & Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m.

Cribbage, Wednesdays, 1 p.m.

Tax Credit Program Applications Available

Effective November 1, 2022 applications are available for the Sr. Citizen Real Estate Tax Credit Program. This highly successful program is open to seniors age sixty (60) and older who reside in their Hopedale homes and pay real estate taxes to the town of Hopedale.

Qualified program participants work in various town departments. In lieu of pay, seniors who complete the required 84 hours of service will receive a $1000.00 real estate tax credit (minus required taxes and withholdings). Please note that there are a limited number of positions. The Tax Credit Policy can be found online on the Town of Hopedale’s Council on Aging Department Webpage. Applications are available at the Hopedale Senior Center.

Deadline for applications is December 19, 2022.

Volunteer Opportunities

Become a "Grandfriend" at the Bright Beginnings Center Preschool in Hopedale

Become a "Reading Buddy" at the Bancroft Library (Summer Program)

Call BINGO  (Monday afternoon)

Assist in preparing the monthly Newsletter for mailing

Deliver Meals on Wheels (Meals are delivered on weekdays only around 11:30 am.

Teach a Class at the Sr. Center

Escort Grocery Bus or Help Us Serve Meals at Our Monthly Lunches 

Train to be an AARP Tax Preparer

 Call the Sr. Center at 634-2208 for Details

Council On Aging Board

The Board meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00pm at the Senior Center located inside The Community House. Check COA Calendar for changes.  No meetings in December or July.

Having trouble getting a COVID-19 Booster shot?  

Please call us at (508)-634-2208 for assistance.

                                     

Massachusetts Homebound Vaccination Program

Homebound Individuals may call the State's Central Intake Line at" 1-883-983-0485 

Please note there are guidelines for qualification for the Homebound Program.  You can discuss the guidelines with the Intake Worker.

Still haven't received a COVID-19 vaccine?  Please call the Sr. Center at (508)634-2208 if you need assistance locating a vaccine clinic or scheduling an appointment.

Food Stamp Application Assistance

The Hopedale Council on Aging will assist town residents with Food Stamp Applications.

Please call (508)634-2208 for a confidential meeting.  Appointments are required.

Literature Class 

Wed. 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm

Free of Charge

Taught by Deb McGonnell, certified, retired high school teacher with over 35 years of experience.

In this class, we examine short pieces of literature from a variety of genres, to help us to better under-stand what we read and increase our enjoyment of reading, itself. This is for adults of all ages and all work will be done in class with no prior preparation or homework. This is not a book club, but rather, a deep dive into writing and discussion of our chal-lenges and insights.

S.A.F.E. Program

Smoke Detector Replacement

(Battery Powered)

The Hopedale Fire Department with the support of the Hopedale Council on Aging is happy to offer smoke detector replacement for qualified Hopedale residents who have battery-powered smoke detectors in their home.

This typically applies to homes built prior to 1975 without significant changes. Unfortunately, the department cannot replace or install hard-wired detectors. We can assist with seasonal backup battery replacement for these devices. We area available to assess the detectors in your home and provide guidance on appropriate assistance. Battery-powered detector and battery replacements are offered on a first-come first served basis.

Smoke alarms should be replaced 10 years after manufacture, and carbon monoxide alarms 5-7 years after manufacture.

The manufacture dates printed on the back of your smoke alarms can be used to determine if it is time to replace them.

Seniors who need help testing, maintaining, or replacing smoke alarms are encouraged to contact the Hopedale Fire Department for assistance. This service is offered to ensure the safety of our community and is supported by the Senior S.A.F.E. program.

To request an assessment or discuss questions about your home's smoke detectors, please contact FF Cote at 508-473-1050 x227 -or- email [email protected]. Expect a response within 48 hours to schedule a visit.

Veterans’ Services 

Veterans’ Services are Available through the Senior Center

The Vets.’ Agent can help with many different services. Assistance ranges from addressing issues and questions on medical or prescription drug assistance, exploring questions regarding service-connected disability, or searching for missing awards and medals. Vets.’

Agents can also help determine whether an individuals is eligible for broadened financial assistance for medical care, prescriptions, real estate tax abatement, obtaining Veterans' license plates, and or burial benefits. Agents can sometimes help individuals decide how to plan for their funerals and whether the veteran is due full military honors. Agents can obtain grave markers for Veterans’ final resting place either locally, or in a state or federal Veteran's cemetery.

DROP-IN EXERCISE PROGRAMS

GENTLE YOGA

Meets at the Sr. Center

Tuesdays

9:00 am to 10:00 am

Crystal Lee - Instructor

$5.00 p.p.

You may be seated in a chair or on a mat . Try this won-derful movement class.

Tai Chi

Meets at Sr. Center

Thursdays

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Faith Kennedy - Instructor

$5.00 p.p.

Gentle movement class that incorporates breathing and meditation.

MOVE,GROOVE, SCULPT

Meets at Sr. Center

Thursdays

10:00 am

Ann Lynch-Masse

$5.00 p.p.

A fun class that combines movement, stretching and

Strengthening for both upper and lower body. Free trial.

MEDITATION (Seated in Chair)

Meets at Sr. Center

Wednesdays

11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Deb McGonnell Instructor/$5.00 p.p.

Low Impact Exercise

This is not a Sr. Center class.

This is a Community House Class.

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Instructors: Shirley Areano

Christine Bositis (Fridays)

Membership and registration required for this class. See Tara Chambers.