Tina Gorman, Director, Westfield Council On Aging
Navigating the service network for older adults can be an intimidating, time consuming, and daunting task. Programs vary in their funding sources, eligibility requirements, and availability. Without knowing where to begin, older adults, family members, or caregivers frequently give up before they ever get started. That may be the difference between an older adult getting appropriate housing, personal and wellness care, medications, transportation, proper nutrition, and even recreational opportunities or going without. In an effort to address this “information gap,” each year the Westfield Council On Aging sponsors its annual “Senior Options” event.
What began years ago as a health fair, has expanded to include a broad spectrum of services and programs designed to enhance the well being of the community’s older adults. Representatives well versed in community support services, medical and disability services, consumer information, travel, housing, skilled nursing facilities, and recreation and leisure will be available for consultation by seniors and their family members.
Senior Options 2013 will be held in the South Middle School cafeteria on Thursday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will have an opportunity to sit with vendors one-on-one, ask questions, and obtain information. Representatives from the PVTA will be on hand to explain the PVTA van transportation system as well as to issue PVTA photo identification cards. Card carriers can ride the large PVTA buses at a discounted rate. In addition, the cards offer a form of identification for those who no longer carry a driver’s license. Local legislators will be in attendance to discuss concerns of particular importance to this population.
Highland Valley Elder Services, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program, the Westfield Fire and Police Departments, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Friends of the Westfield Senior Center are just a sampling of the organizations that will be represented at the event. Philip Beattie from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, a public protection agency that licenses and regulates all physicians in the Commonwealth, can explain how to obtain information about doctors. Millie Johnson from the Office of Consumer Information, specializes in identity theft, credit disputes, shopping rights, telemarketing, and landlord/tenant rights.
Traditionally, a festive atmosphere permeates the event and this year should be no exception. An Art Show will be held in the hallway adjacent to the cafeteria and will feature pieces on display and for sale by participants in the Senior Center’s “Art Unlimited” class. Lunch will be catered by Paul B’Shara, owner of the Runway Restaurant and Lounge at Barnes Airport, for a nominal fee. Entertainment will be provided by the Senior Center’s Do Re Mi Singers followed by a Chinese auction and grand prize raffle, a television donated by Firtion Adams Funeral Service.
This event is a public service provided to older adults and their family members so that they can learn how to access the services and programs that are most appropriate for them and their loved ones both currently and in the future. Senior Options 2013 provides an ideal opportunity to obtain valuable information in a socially energized atmosphere that would otherwise require dozens of telephone calls, hours of time, and probably a great deal of frustration. There is no admission fee for this “older adult informational one-stop shopping” opportunity.
Tina Gorman
Director
Westfield Council On Aging
