Council on Aging

Welcome to the Ware Senior Center!
Masks are a personal choice but recommended when in the building.
All meals are served indoors in our dining hall.
to link services to those needs, and to improve the quality of life of our seniors.
Great News—Bad News - *Update!* We have some wonderful news to report and that is our very own Services Coordinator Janine Leis and her husband Patrick welcomed their first child Charlotte into the world this month. Both mother and child are doing great and Janine reports she is "head over heels in love". We have a staff full of Grandmother’s that have already offered to babysit! Janine will remain out until September 5th, justifiably taking the time off to spend with her new addition so we will continue to be without a social Services Coordinator until then. This is similar to the fall of 2021 when we were transitioning between coordinators. Many of your calls and questions have been directed to the Social Service agencies which Janine acts as a liaison for. |
Age and Dementia Friendly Community In 2020 the Town of Ware began the three year process of becoming accredited as an Age and Dementia Friendly Community as recognized by the AARP and the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Being an Age and Dementia Friendly Community commits the Town to making Ware a more attractive place to age in place, from birth to retirement and all of the obstacles in between. Ware was given a “Livability “ index score of 52 out of 100. You can see the details here at this link: AARP Livability Index |
Notable August Events Tuesday 2nd—6-8PM—National Night Out—Grenville Park—Family fun event Tuesday 9th—11:30-12PM—Birthday Party—Stephen George—Entertainer—$5 Per Plate Wednesday 10th—9-1:30PM—Foot Nurse—Dianne DeWan—Call 967-9645 for an appointment Wednesday 10th—10-11:30AM—Kirsten Krieger - Quabbin Region DPH Nurse— Office hours Friday 12th— 10:30-4PM - Brown Bag Program Tuesday 16th— 1-2PM - Mobile Food Pantry - @Grenville Park Ware, MA Thursday 18th—11:30-2PM—Heritage Hearing Clinic—Call 967-9645 for an appointment Wednesday 27th—10-11:30AM—Kirsten Krieger - Quabbin Region DPH Nurse— Office hours Wednesday 27th—10-11PM—Lucas McDiarmid—District Director for Senator Anne Gobi
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SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Counselors are available at:
-
SHINE counselors are available to meet with you in person or by telephone.
· First time enrollees for SS & Medicare MUST call Social Security to enroll
· Medicare open enrollment 10/15 – 12/7
SHINE counselors available at:
Springfield SHINE office (413) 750-2893
MassOptions (800) 243-4636
WMEC (413) 538-9020
Toll-free phone: (800) 243-4636
Toll-free TDD: (877) 610-0241MassHealth (under 65)
1-800-841-2900 or
MAhealthconnector.org
MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636. MassRelay 711 or (800) 439-0183 (voice) TTY/ASCll (800) 439-2370
Email: SHINE@state.ma.us -
Fuel Assistance
*Accepting Applications November 1st, 2022 through April 30th, 2023*Call Community Action Pioneer Valley
413-774-2310
17 New South St., Suite 116
Northampton, MA 01060Online Portal at:
You can use this website to apply for the first time or complete your re-certification. Just click on the apply button in the middle of the page or make an appointment for an in office consult at the Greenfield MA office.
SNAP program (food stamps)
If you or someone you know in the vicinity has questions or needs access to the SNAP program (food stamps) call:
DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363
Holyoke Office: 413-552-5400
Fax: 617-887-8765Alicia Smith (857) 337-4274 – Springfield Liaison
Angela Maxwell (857) 293-8165 - Springfield Liaison
To apply online:
www.dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov
Verifications Needed:
· Copy of Social Security Card/License
· Proof of residency (lease, mortgage statement, utility bill)
- Proof of income
The DTA Assistance Line is open from 8:15 A.M. to 4:45 P.M.
for more information you can visit:
www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-snap-benefits-food-stamps
Social Security Questions?Holyoke Office: 877-480-4989 (Ware Residents)
Worcester Office: 866-331-9069 (Worcester County Residents)
www.SocialSecurity.gov - By using this website you will be able to create an account under the My Social Security tab. After setting up an account you can access your yearly statements, order new Medicare and Social Security cards as well as change bank account and address information.
Medicare open enrollment is October 15th 2022 - December 7th 2022. (to enroll in in a part D prescription plan, Medicare Advantage Plan (part C), or to change your current C or D plan)
First time enrollees MUST call Social Security to set up a telephone interview and enroll.
If you have been receiving SSDI (Social Security Disability Income) for 24 months, you will be automatically enrolled in Original Medicare (A&B). Look for a red & blue Medicare card in the mail.Over 60? Need help with?
Grocery pick-up & Prescription pick-up
Small errands, post office, make a copy etc.
FREE PROGRAM
Short term or long term. We can help!
Call Carol 413-497-4407
Quaboag Valley CDC, 23 W. Main Street, Ware, MA
All Workers are CORI Checked
Information on Covid Treatments
Healthy Bones and Balance video
The class consists of seated strength training exercises and standing strength training and balance exercises with a warm up and cool down. The program is lead and demonstrated by Healthy Bones and Balance leaders for this area.
Take a virtual tour of the Ware Senior Center here: (Thanks to Chris Murphy!)
Virtual Tour
Staff Directory
413-967-9645 - Senior Center Front Desk
413-967-9600 - Social Services
413-967-9294 - (fax)
Name
|
Title
|
Phone Ext.
|
---|---|---|
John Zienowicz
|
Executive Director
|
501 |
Janine Leis | Social Services Coordinator | 502 |
Donna DiPilato
|
Finance Coordinator | 506 |
Alton Davis
|
Chef
|
505 |
Marie Stacy
|
Van Coordinator
|
504 |
Names Term Expires
|
---|
John Zienowicz |
Irene Eskett 2023 Cheryl Haigh 2022 |
Carl Waal 2023 |