Volunteer Companions Sought

If you want to impact an older adult’s life in a positive way, consider volunteering with the Westfield Council On Aging Companion Program. Companions assist homebound elders in Westfield with grocery shopping, errands, transportation to medical appointments, and/or friendly visiting. The goal of the Westfield Council On Aging Volunteer Companion Program is to help older adults maintain their independence and sense of well-being. It takes only two hours per week and volunteers are reimbursed for their gas mileage. There is no charge to seniors for the service which is funded by the Westfield Community Development Block Grant, Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and private donations. For more information, contact Joyce Peregrin at the Senior Center at 562-6435.

 

“Male Call!” Fitness Class at Westfield Senior Center

Greg Hannum, a Westfield State University Movement Science graduate, facilitates “Male Call!” an all-male fitness class at the Westfield Senior Center on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. The cost is $5 per class on a pay-as-you-go basis. This is a general fitness class designed specifically for older men with a variety of fitness abilities. Please remember that participants utilizing the Fitness Room for classes and dance sessions are required to change their footwear before walking on the hardwood floor and also sign a Release of Liability and Usage Agreement. For more information, contact the Westfield Senior Center at 562-6435.

 

“Side By Side” Support Group at the Westfield Senior Center

The Westfield Senior Center’s “Side By Side” support group meets on the fourth Friday of the month from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and is open to any senior who is a little overwhelmed with the stresses of life. Whether an older adult is dealing with health problems, the loss of close family members and friends, or caregiver responsibilities, the support of others, often “in the same boat,” can be most helpful. Participants chat informally over coffee or tea and all discussions are strictly confidential. Please consider joining the group as a “regular” or a “drop-in.” For more information, call Tina Gorman at the Senior Center, 562-6435. The Westfield Senior Center is located at 45 Noble Street.

 

Nursing Services at the Westfield Senior Center

Nursing services are available at the Westfield Senior Center, 45 Noble Street, thanks to the generosity of Baystate Noble Hospital. Mary Ellen Asher, RN, is at the Senior Center Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon and can assist older adults with blood pressure checks, medication review, blood glucose testing, and one-to-one health education. There is no charge for this service and no advance appointments are necessary.

 

Westfield Senior Center’s “Heaven’s Angels” Project

Michelle Moniz coordinates a group at the Westfield Senior Center who sew “angel” gowns for newborns who never make it home from the hospital. The white angel gowns are made from wedding gowns and offer comfort to strangers coping with the death of a child from miscarriage, stillbirth, or through neonatal loss. The baby gown is used to present the infants to their families as they say a final farewell before burial or cremation. The “Heaven’s Angels” group meets on the first Monday of the month from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Westfield Senior Center, 45 Noble Street. Participants should feel free to bring a portable sewing machine, sewing scissors, and pins. Those who don’t sew can participate by dismantling wedding gowns as well as tracing and cutting patterns. Please call the Westfield Senior Center Program Director, Mary Lou Niedzielski at 562-6435, to sign up or get additional information about the program.

 

Ballroom Dance at the Westfield Senior Center

Do you enjoy ballroom dancing? On the fourth Monday of every month from 2 to 4 p.m., the Westfield Senior Center Great Room is the hot spot to trip the light fantastic! Couples and singles have the opportunity to dance the afternoon away. Local favorite musician, Richie Mitnick provides the live music each month. The cost is $3 per person on a pay-as-you-go basis. No advance sign-ups are necessary. The Westfield Senior Center is located at 45 Noble Street.

 

Westfield Senior Center Offers “Real Estate Reality”

Are you an older adult who is thinking of buying or selling a house, downsizing, and want to know your options? It’s never too soon to begin exploring and gathering information for the future. Experienced Realtor and Friends of the Westfield Senior Center Board member Lesley Lambert is at the Senior Center on the second Wednesday of every month from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on the ‘Deck’ of the Great Room to get you started in the process or answer any real estate questions that you might have. No advance sign-ups are necessary.

 

Chess at the Westfield Senior Center

Each Monday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m., a small dedicated group of Chess players gathers for one of the quietest activities at the Westfield Senior Center. Les Hutton offers Chess instruction and guidance to anyone who is interested in learning the game. No prior experience is necessary and Chess sets are provided. Lessons are tailored to the participant’s abilities and goals. Experienced players can always enjoy a friendly game and helpful advice. The benefits of the game are numerous. Chess helps to improve memory, concentration, logical thinking, and creativity. But most importantly, it’s an enjoyable way to exercise your brain! Drop in and join the group any Monday afternoon. The Westfield Senior Center is located at 45 Noble Street.

 

“Be Aware, Be Prepared!” Packets Available

The thought of preparing for disasters or emergencies can be overwhelming. Planning is key! The Medical Reserve Corps of Hampden County has prepared a family records packet to assist in the planning process. The document is extensive but simple to complete. “Be Aware, Be Prepared!” packets are available at the Westfield Senior Center, 45 Noble Street. Once completed, the document should be kept in a clear watertight plastic bag, ready to be taken with you in the event of a disaster if you need to evacuate your home. It is the hope of the Medical Reserve Corps that you will never have to use the “Be Aware, Be Prepared!” document. But hope is not a plan!

 

“Viewpoints” Low Vision Support Group

The Westfield Senior Center’s “Viewpoints” low vision support group meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. and is open to individuals with low vision and those who support them. The group is facilitated by Council On Aging Activities Aide, Agnes Fleming. Guest speakers, group discussions, solutions and strategies for common challenges, and new friendships are just some of the benefits of participation. Please call Agnes Fleming at the Senior Center, 562-6435, if you would like more information. The Westfield Senior Center is located at 45 Noble Street.

 

Local Legislators Hold Office Hours at the Westfield Senior Center

Representative John Velis and/or his Legislative Aide, Emily Swanson holds office hours at the Westfield Senior Center every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon. City Council President Ralph Figy is generally at the Senior Center on the third Thursday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon. Please take advantage of these opportunities to meet with your local Westfield legislators and ask questions, voice your opinion, or just put a face with a name. The Westfield Senior Center is located at 45 Noble Street.

 

Zumba Gold at the Westfield Senior Center

Instructor Becca Perron offers a Zumba Gold at the Westfield Senior Center located at 45 Noble Street. Zumba Gold takes the popular Latin-dance inspired workout of Zumba and makes it accessible for older adults, beginners, or others needing modifications in their exercise routine. Zumba Gold builds cardiovascular health by challenging the heart and working the muscles of the hips, legs, and arms with dance moves. The class is offered on Mondays from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Each class is $4 on a pay-as-you-go basis. No advance sign-ups are necessary. Ditch the workout and come join the party!

 

Assistance for Retired Teachers

The Edith Stewart Chase Foundation grants emergency financial assistance to retired educators who confront an economic crisis. Those who receive benefits from the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement Board and who are members of the Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts (REAM) are eligible to apply to The Foundation for assistance. Applications are available online or by calling The Foundation office in Milford, MA at 508-422-0109. Brochures are located in the Westfield Senior Center Fireside Lounge, 45 Noble Street.

 

“Art Unlimited” Class at the Westfield Senior Center

Are you an older adult who has always wanted to experiment with art? Consider joining Westfield Senior Center’s weekly “Art Unlimited” class. The name is a reflection of the broad scope of creative artistic techniques that the older adult students learn. In addition to paint, they experiment with charcoal, pastels, and other mediums. Instructor Elaine Lees encourages each student to explore the unlimited possibilities that art provides. The class is offered on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $4 per class on a pay-as-you-go basis. The class is partially funded by a grant from Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc. Because no previous art experience is necessary, this is a wonderful opportunity to try something new! The Westfield Senior Center is located at 45 Noble Street. No pre-registration is required.