Council on Aging

Welcome to the Ware Senior Center!

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Ware Senior Center/Council on Aging to identify the total needs of the community’s elder population,
to link services to those needs, and to improve the quality of life of our seniors.

Writing Group at the Ware Senior Center

Who else will tell what you remember, and try to make it real, but you?

Who else will show what the world looks like, but you?

- Jim W. Corder (1929-98)

Do you have a story to tell?

On behalf of the Ware Senior Center, we invite all interested members

to participate in this monthly writing group, where we will write and

read alongside one another. Broadly, we will focus on storytelling:

cultivating our own and our collective experiences, memories, and

futures.

When?

First meeting date is Tuesday May 2nd, 2:00-3:30 pm. Drop-in

attendance is anticipated and welcome! We are mindful of varying

schedules and capacities. Future dates are TBD based upon writers’

preferences.

Who?

All interested members of the Ware Senior Center are welcome,

including seniors, staff, family, and friends. No prior or formal writing

experience is needed. We will write adaptively to writers’ needs,

including modes of writing (i.e. speech or print) and language (i.e.

multilingual writers).

This group will be facilitated by Danielle Pappo, a Writing Facilitator &

Instructor at UMass Amherst, focused in community writing. For questions or

concerns, please contact Danielle at dpappo@umass.edu.

 


Safe Aging At
Home

Presented By:

Kirsten L Krieger RN, BSN

Quabbin Health District

Public Health Nurse

(413) 967-9615

www.quabbinhealthdistrict.com

Special Guest Presenter:

Rachel Senecal, Coordinator

Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit
Northwestern District Attorney's Office

(413) 437-5747 www.northwesternda.org

MAY 24, 2023 AT 11:30 AM

Ware Senior Center

1 Robbins Road

Ware, MA 01082

Call by 12pm on May 23rd if you want to have lunch with the presentation

Topics Include:

Fall Risks & Prevention

Medication Safety

Exercise

Elder Abuse

Avoiding Scams

Cryptocurrency

Preventing Fraud and Identity Theft

And more!

 


 


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
Holly Orzech Finance Coordinator 506
Alton Davis
Chef
505
     

  

COA Board Members
Names                    Term Expires
John Zienowicz
Irene Eskett                     2023
Cheryl Haigh                  2025
SK Robinson                   2025
Ginger Ziglar Thomas   2025
Walter Lahair Sr.             2025
 



Take a virtual tour of the Ware Senior Center here:
(Thanks to Chris Murphy!)

Virtual Tour


Social Services at the Ware Senior Center 
Fuel Assistance- SNAP Benefits - SHINE Counseling - Housing Application Assistance and much more!

Our Social Services Coordinator Janine Leis is taking appointments for Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays. So call the front desk 413-967-9645 to schedule an appointment or 413-967-9600 to talk to Janine directly.  

We will continue to provide you with a list of contacts and agencies as well as their functions so that you will still be able to access these services as you need them. In fact most if not all of the numbers and names appear on this page under the "Social Service Resources" tab and also in our monthly newsletter. 

Don't wait too long!

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 the link below.
In August of 2022 the final Community Assessment and Action Plan was submitted to AARP for full acceptance as an Age Friendly Community.  Concurrently our application was also submitted to the Massachusetts Councils on Aging for Ware to be designated as a Dementia Friendly Community. We are pleased to report that both applications have been accepted and we are officially an Age and Dementia Friendly Community!

AARP Livability Index

What is a livable community?
AARP Livable Community Video

The full Community Assessment and Action Plan is available on the left side of this page under the Age/Dementia Friendly Information tab, just click on the tab to read the full report.

  If you would like to participate on one of these committees please send an email to jzienowicz@townofware.com.
AF Domains
AF Priorities



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   

    SHINE counselors available at:

    Ware Senior Center (413) 967-9600

    Springfield SHINE office (413) 750-2893

    MassOptions (800) 243-4636

    WMEC (413) 538-9020

    Toll-free phone: (800) 243-4636
    Toll-free TDD: (877) 610-0241

    MassHealth (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 01060


    Application assistance also available at the Ware Senior Center 413-967-9600

    Online Portal at:

    www.communityaction.usa

    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.


    May Schedule of Daily Activities at the Senior Center

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    9AM

    Tai Chi

    10AM

    Scat

    11:30AM

    Lunch

    6PM

    *Whist Party 5/8 & 5/22

    *Normally the second and fourth Monday of every month unless a holiday is involved

    9:00AM

    Exercise @  Valley View Housing

    9:30AM

    Quilting Club

    10AM

    Scat

    11:30AM

    Lunch

    5:30PM

    Scrapbooking#

    6PM

    Pitch**

     

    **Registration

    starts @5pm

    # $3 per class

    9AM

    Tai Chi 

    10AM

    Scat

    11:30AM

    Lunch

     

     

     

    9:00AM

    Exercise @  Valley View Housing

    9:30AM

    Line Dancing for beginners

    10AM

    Line Dancing

    Scat

    11:30AM

    Lunch

    1PM

    Knit-Crochet-Laugh

    2:30PM

    Art Class

     

     

     

    9AM

    Tai Chi

    10AM

    Scat

    11:30AM

    Lunch

    1PM

    Chair Yoga

    6PM

    Pitch**

     

    **Registration

    starts @5pm

     

    Notable May Events

    Tuesday 2nd—2-3:30PM—Writing Group—Free Introduction to Writing with Danielle Poppo

    Wednesday 3rd—9-3PM—Foot Nurse—Allison Williams—Call 413-967-9645 for an appointment

    Friday 5th—11-12:30PM—Cinco de Mayo Party— Memory Lane—Entertainment

    Monday 8th—6-8PM—Whist Party—$3 donation

    Monday 8th—6:30-9PM—Annual Town Meeting—Ware High School  Auditorium

    Tuesday 9th—11-12:30PM—Mother’s Day Party—Roger Tinknell—The Beatles and Beyond– Courtesy of the Ware Cultural Council

    Wednesday 10th—10-11:30AM—Kirsten Krieger - Quabbin Region DPH Nurse— Office hours

    Thursday 11th—11:30-3PM—Heritage Hearing Clinic—Call 413-967-9645 to make an appointment

    Friday 12th— 10:30-4PM -  Brown Bag Program

    Tuesday 16th—11-12:30PM—Birthday Party— Stephen George—Entertainer

    Tuesday  16th— 1-2PM -  Mobile Food Pantry -  @Grenville Park  Ware, MA

    Tuesday  16th— 9-10AM—Council on Aging Meeting

    Monday 22nd—6-8PM—Whist Party—$3 donation

    Wednesday 24th—10-11PM—Lucas McDiarmid—District Director for Senator Anne Gobi

    Wednesday 24th—10-11:30AM—Kirsten Krieger - Quabbin Region DPH Nurse— Safe Aging at Home Presentation w/ Rachel Senecal, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office

    Monday 29thCLOSED—Memorial Day


    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:

    Ware Senior Center -  Social Services (413) 967-9600
    DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363
    Holyoke Office: 413-552-5400
    Fax: 617-887-8765

    Alicia 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, library pick up/drop off,

    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


     

Fire Safety Tip of the Month


Serenity Nursing Care at the Ware Senior Center

 Allison Williams, LPN

Professional Foot Care Services

Monthly Foot Care Clinics at the Ware Senior Center

I can see people with Diabetes as long as they let me know. If you have any further needs from a Podiatrist, I will let you know at the time.

Each Foot Clinic will be able to provide services for 12 people (9am-2pm)

Payment would be due on the day of service (Cash/Check). 

Podiatry Clinic $28.00

Home Visit $55.00

I will bring all supplies each day of Podiatry Clinic and make follow up appointments for future visits that day.

Next available appointments at the Ware Senior Center February 1st  9-2pm

Call 413-967-9645 for an appointment


Check out the new Quabbin Health District website! (click the link below)

Quabbin Health District

Information on Covid Treatment
Covid Isolation and Exposure Guidelines




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.