Frail, homebound adults aged 60 and older who are considered at risk of institutionalization are provided a variety of services through the Westfield Council On Aging Volunteer Companion Program so that they may age in place in their own homes. Services currently include grocery shopping, errands, companionship, hazardous weather check-ups, home assessments to determine the level of safety and convenience in the home for those who are most at-risk, low-cost transportation to medical appointments, Spanish-speaking volunteers for those clients who do not speak English, as well as fire and home safety checks and education. The Companion Program is funded through a variety of grants and each year the scope of services provided increases as the needs of the clients become more varied. The number of Spanish-speaking volunteers and clients has grown in recent years, necessitating more comprehensive information for them regarding local services.
As this fiscal year draws to a close, the Council On Aging Companion Program in collaboration with the Westfield Spanish American Association (WSAA) announces the development of a community resource booklet in Spanish that includes agencies, programs, and services for older adults living in Westfield. With funding from the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) as well as a grant from Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc., Companion Program staff at the Council On Aging developed a booklet with the names, addresses, contact information, and a brief description of local and State resources available for the City’s older adults. The booklet was then translated into Spanish by former Westfield City Councilor and WSAA member, Agma Sweeney. The translation was reviewed by WSAA members for accuracy and then printed for distribution.
The following agencies are included in the booklet: Westfield Council On Aging; Alzheimer’s Association; Carson Center for Human Services; Elder Law Project; Highland Valley Elder Services; Massachusetts Commission for the Blind; Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Mercy Adult Day Health of Westfield; Noble Hospital; Salvation Army; Stavros; Westfield Food Pantry; Westfield Housing Authority; and Westfield Police Department.
“Is There Help? A Booklet of Local Resources for Westfield’s Older Adults” is available in both Spanish and English at the Westfield Senior Center, 40 Main Street. Additional copies in Spanish are available at the office of the Westfield Spanish American Association located at 52 Court Street, Suite 1 in the Webster’s Flowers building. For more information on the booklet, please contact Fran Aguda at the Westfield Council On Aging, 562-6435.
Tina Gorman
Executive Director
Westfield Council On Aging
