Notice of Amendment to Annual Action Plan
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Lowell Senior Center
Michelle Ramalho, Executive Director
The Council On Aging is a Senior Citizen's Center that provides services of nutrition, health, recreation, transportation, information, and referral programs to the elderly of Lowell.
Services Provided Include:
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- Breakfast Program
Free coffee and pastries available Sunday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.
- Daily Meals
These meals are prepared on site and served Monday – Friday. Excluding 3rd Friday of each month, from September till May, due to special dinner dance Excludes major Holiday's).
The hot lunch program is sponsored by The Lowell Council on Aging with funding provided by the Older Americans Act, (Title 3 funding) as granted by Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. These meals are available for a donation of $2.00 per day, if able to pay. - Meals on Wheels
These meals are delivered to the homebound seniors in Lowell; there are actually two programs and they are for people on a regular diet or a special diabetic diet..
The Merrimack Valley Nutritional Program delivers hot meals, Monday though Friday.
- Recipients to be 60 years of age or older
- Recipients must be a resident of The City of Lowell
- Recipients must be homebound (confined to a bed, chair, apartment, or house). This would mean that the recipient is unable to leave his/her residence except for hospital, clinic, or doctor visits.
- **Temporary cases of emergency meals are available; this must be waived by the Director of the program. The Merrimack Valley Nutrition Project provides meals on wheels including diet type on percentage basis from each site in Lowell. Participants are asked to make a donation of $2.00 per day. This project accounts for 25% of all meals served at the various sites. Age requirement for this program is 60 and over.
- Weekend Meal Program
This program provides weekend meals for senior citizens (age 60 and over); meals are served each weekend’s excluding major holidays. At 11:30 a.m, The Lunch fee is $2.00.
Daily Transportation to the center is available by calling 978-970-4131, between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on the day transportation is needed.
- Drop In Center
We have various areas for seniors to utilize within the building. One room has three pool tables, another area –a library with computers and reading materials, a game room for playing cards or constructing puzzles as well as for bowling game table and other board games. A separate lounge area is available with a large screen color TV/VCR. A Wii Game system is also available on Thursday at 1pm courtesy of Blair House for your enjoyment.
- Parking
The Lowell Council on Aging has approximately 60 free parking spaces for seniors who utilize our programs.
- Monthly Meetings
Special meetings are held and guest speakers are scheduled to inform seniors on updated issues concerning health care, insurance, and many other relevant issues. Free Refreshments are served. Support and anxiety groups also meet at the center. See the center’s newsletter “The Heritage” for upcoming events.
- Nursing Services
Nursing Volunteer Services are available for Blood Pressures and weight on Tuesday and Wednesday in the mornings. In addition to the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month courtesy of Wingate at Lowell. The volunteer nurses are from Commonwealth Nursing, the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), and the Lowell Community Health Center. Once again see the center’s calendar page in the “The Heritage” newsletter for any addition or changes.
Podiatry clinics are offered on the first Friday of every month excluding holidays for $20.00 per person. Please call 978-970-4131 for an appointment.
- Newsletter
The Lowell Council on Aging provides a free monthly newsletter, the Heritage. The Heritage includes a Director's message, which informs readers of new programs and information for senior citizens. It also lists activities for the month, along with other events that might be of interest. The Heritage is distributed throughout the city to pharmacies, housing projects, and businesses where the patrons frequently visit. The Heritage is always available at the center. You may become a member of the “Friends of the Lowell Council on Aging” for an annual fee of $5.00 per person; by doing so, you have the option to have a newsletter mailed to you monthly. You will also be helping the senior center raise funds.
- Mini Bus Transportation
Mini bus transportation is provided six days a week to seniors residing in Lowell. The Lowell Senior Center’s mini bus will pick you up and drop you off at the center for lunch, and return the seniors to their homes afterwards.
Transportation for shopping is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for some area housing units please call for more information at 978-970-4131.
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- Telephone Reassurance Program
We provide a daily telephone reassurance program for the seniors in Lowell who are alone and need to hear a friendly voice. The Council on Aging volunteer checks on these seniors daily to make sure they are doing well, and are not in need of medical assistance or harm to themselves. If you know someone who would like to join this list please call at 978-970-4131.
- Tax Preparation
This first come first served drop-in -- no appointment necessary service provides seniors with qualified tax preparation assistance annually. The Lowell Senior Center is a certified volunteer tax preparation site and operates every Tuesday beginning in early February to April 15th. Help is for those using the Short Form and EITC only. If you have a Mortgage of any kind or a business you must seek help elsewhere. The AARP offers free tax service, by appointment only, for seniors 60 + over and specializes in more detailed and complex situations. Call 978-970-4131 to make an appointment.
- Outreach Programs
The Lowell Senior Center has senior outreach workers available for seniors and non-English speaking (Khmer - Spanish - Portuguese) residents. Services are available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Assistance is provided for applications for food stamps, fuel assistance, medical insurance assistance, + social security assistance at the senior.
- Senior Tax Abatement Program
Seniors who are eligible can work up to 100 hours per year and earn up to $750 off of their real-estate property bill. For additional information, please call Audrey McMahon at 978 970-4133. Applications are available at the senior center beginning July 1st.
- Home Care Services
The Lowell Senior Center works closely with Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. Their services include home care. The purpose of homecare is to assist elderly persons in their own home by providing homemaker services, light and heavy cleaning, additional chore services, and helping out with errands. An elder service representative can visit you to see if you are eligible for these services.
- Outreach Services
The Lowell Senior Center outreach workers are available on-site to elderly clients. Clients are often referred to us through various means including: Visiting Nurses and Social Services. Outreach workers coordinate access to Meals on Wheels and Community Teamwork and help refer clients to other elder services such as prescription programs, SSI, Insurance, Senior Nutritional Assistance Program, Taxes, and fuel assistantance.
- Civic Events Program
This program assists with recreation and provides reduced tickets to plays and concerts.
Dance with DJ Chet Harnden's “Big Band Sound” featured from September through June, free of charge, on the first Friday of the month at 1 p. m. coffee and pastries are served during a break.
Day trips are provided to area restaurants, malls, and other locations throughout the year at a reasonable rate. The center also offers discounted day and overnight motor coach trips to Foxwoods, Atlantic City, Red Sox games in Toronto, NY and Baltimore in addition to Special Shows and Concerts. Friday socials are held each month at 1:00 p.m. (excluding 3rd Fridays in June, July and August) seniors dance to CD’s and socialize. Pizza, hot dogs or hamburgers are served free of charge. Donations welcome. The “Civic Events Director” coordinates all these activities. For additional information, please call 978-970-4135.
- Special Dinners
Special dinner/dances are provided throughout the year such as St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas celebrations as well as our annual August outing. These dinners include a full course meal, door prizes and entertainment by DJ Ray Tremblay and Jon Mainsfeld as well as others. The dinner/dances cost $7.00 per person. A table of 8 or 10 can be reserved.
- Fitness Program
Aerobic classes are available with a certified instructor weekly on Monday's and Thursday's from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. A fee payable to the instructor of $2.00 per person is charged.
An exercise equipment room is available with treadmills, bikes, free weights, and other useful machines. Volunteers are on site 40 hours per week for assistance with equipment. Participants must register before using the exercise room. Men and women's separate showers are also available.
- Classes
Exercise for Health (Strength Training) --- Mondays and Thursdays at 9:00 a.m.
Yoga --- Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Regular and Chair Yoga)
Tai Chi --- Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Knitting & Crocheting classes are available throughout the year and are free of charge. Seniors and volunteers get together on every Tuesday from 1:00 PM -3:00 PM. They have plenty of yarn. Everyone is welcome to come and utilize the knitting and crocheting room. Some class members knit hats for newborn babies and cancer Patients for Lowell General Hospital.
Country Line Dance classes are available on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 10:00 a. m. to 12:00 p. m, these classes are also offered from September to June and cost $4.00 per person.
Quilting – Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fee paid to Instructor. No Classes in June or July.
- Shoveling
The Lowell Senior Center in conjunction with the Mayor’s office and The Neighborhoods Services Office along with the Lowell High School ROTC students help seniors by doing their home shoveling. Call 978 - 970- 4035 or 978- 970 - 4040 to get help for seniors with this task.
- Picture IDs
The Lowell Senior Center offers Picture IDs. The identification cards are issued every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $3.00 each you must be 60 years of age.
- B I N G O
The Lowell Senior Center offers bingo on Wednesday's from 1:00-3:00 PM. Cards go on sale at 12 noon for .50 cents each. All money collected is distributed to BINGO game winners. Also game and door prizes are also available.
- Whist Tournament
Every Thursday afternoon, from 1:00 to 3:00 p. m. the senior center sponsors a Whist Tournament. There is an admission change to participate in this tournament. All monies collected are distributed to the winners.
- Cribbage Games
Every Tuesday afternoon, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p. m. the Lowell Senior Center sponsors a Cribbage game. There is a $1.00 admission to participate in the tournament. All monies collected are distributed to the winners.
- Poker Games
Every Friday afternoon, from 11:30 PM to 3:00 PM the Lowell Senior Center sponsors a Cribbage game. There is a maximum purchase of chips. All chips are cashed in by the winners. - Computer Training
The Pollard Memorial library annex is located in the senior center. The library offers computer classes, free of charge in the computer training lab on the second floor. Please keep your eyes open for a monthly flyer. Call 978-970-4120 "Pollard Memorial Library" to sign up. There is public access to the computers in the library area on the second floor. You must have a current library card to be eligible.
- Pollard Memorial Library Annex
The Pollard Memorial library has a branch inside the senior center where you can borrow books and videotapes and also reserve or return items on loan from the library. Please take advantage of this great service. A library card is required.
- Pool Room
The Senior Center has a beautiful pool room with three new state of the art tables. The room is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:45 p. m. It is on closed weekends and holidays.
- Talent Group
The Senior Center has a talented group of seniors that practice singing together along with a pianist on Monday's at noon. Following the practice they leave the center and visit area nursing homes as well as seniors who are homebound. Anyone interested in joining the group please come down and join in.
- Friends of the Council on Aging Group
The Friends of the Lowell Council on Aging Center Inc. is the fundraising group for the Lowell Senior Center. Funds raised are utilized for many purposes including kitchen equipment, new furniture, and social events. They also provide needed financial support for new programs and activities for seniors. If you are interested in becoming a Friend member the annual fee is $5.00 per person. With your membership you receive a monthly mailing of the "Heritage" newsletter and voting rights. Donations are accepted and happily welcomed! The (FLCOA) group meets on the last Friday of the month at 9:30 AM in the Great Hall on the main floor of the Senior Center. No meetings are scheduled in July and August. For further information please call 978-970-4132 or 978-970-4131. Check out our website at: www.friendslcoa.org
- Veterans Breakfast
A free veteran’s breakfast is offered on the 2nd Friday of each month at 9 am. Followed by a discussion and or seminar provided by Donald Belanger, Real Estate. Seminars are geared towards the interest of veterans and seniors.