Lifestyle

Senior calendar


Published: November 26, 2008

Ongoing events

Fuel assistance — The Action Fuel Assistance Program is available to qualified households, from Nov. 1 until April 30, 2009. Gross yearly income limits are: one person, $20,800; two-person household, $28,000; three-person household, $35,200; four people, $42,400; and $49,600 for five people. Fuel assistance can pay for all kinds of fuel as well as system repairs, cleaning and replacement. Discounts on natural gas, heating oil, electric and telephone bills are also offered. The program's goals are to teach clients how to conserve energy, lower utility bills and to assist them in those processes. Call 978-281-3900.

Trash stickers for seniors — City of Gloucester trash removal stickers are sold at discounted prices, for seniors only, at Rose Baker Senior Center. Gloucester residents ages 65 and older may purchase stickers Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Discounted stickers are limited to five per month, per household. Seniors may purchase additional stickers at the regular price at other locations.

Medications review — Registered nurses Mary Aloisio and Bonnie Marshall, coordinator of ambulatory services at Addison Gilbert Hospital, are available to assist people with cards listing all the medications they are taking and answer questions regarding medications and possible drug interactions on the first Friday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Rose Baker Senior Center in Gloucester. The service is free, and no registration is required.

Shopping trip for seniors — A weekly trip for Gloucester seniors leaves the Rose Baker Senior Center for the Liberty Tree and Northshore malls on Mondays at 10 a.m. The return trip leaves the mall at 1:30 p.m. A minimum of five passengers is required. To register, call the Council on Aging at 978-281-9765.

Social Day Care Program — Gloucester Council on Aging Adult Social Day Care Program meets at the Rose Baker Senior Center in Gloucester on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch is provided through SeniorCare. Call Christie at 978-281-9765.

Medical insurance help — SHINE counselor Sefatia Romeo meets with seniors and low-income residents in Gloucester who need help with health insurance forms or information on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Rose Baker Senior Center. Community Health Center financial counselor Fatima Calisto also has office hours at the senior center on Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call the Council on Aging at 978-281-9765 to schedule an appointment with Romeo or Calisto.

SeniorCare Nutrition Program — Serves lunch daily at senior luncheon centers at 11:30 a.m. Suggested donation is $2. For reservations, call the Rose Baker Senior Center at 978-281-0081, Rockport Drop-in Center at 978-546-7061, Sheedy Park at 978-281-5128 and McPherson Park at 978-283-3141. Meals on wheels are also available. Call 978-281-1750 for details.

Day by Day Adult Care Inc. — 4R Blackburn Center offers specialized services for the elderly and functionally impaired under medical supervision. The center provides social and therapeutic activities, health and nutrition education, entertainment and special events. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Transportation to and from the center is available, and breakfast, snacks and a nutritious hot noon meal are served each day. Call Martha Rappoli, director, at 978-281-0252. New members are welcome.

Money Management Program — This free service assists low-income elders who have difficulty writing checks, balancing their checkbooks and managing money. Trained, insured, supervised volunteers are matched one-on-one with elders needing help. To refer an elder for assistance or volunteer, call Debby Beveridge at SeniorCare at 978-281-1750, ext. 374.

Brown Bag Program, for Gloucester seniors, held the last Friday of each month from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center. Sponsored by Cape Ann Food Pantry, SeniorCare and Gloucester Council on Aging. Advance registration is required at the senior center.

Monday, Dec. 1

Exercise, 9 a.m., Rockport Senior Center.

Free beginners and advanced quilting classes, 9:30 a.m., Manchester Community Center.

Dominoes for beginners, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center. Call 978-281-9765.

Art program, 10 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Line dancing for seniors, 12:15 to 1 p.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Bingo, 12:30 p.m., Rockport Senior Center.

Bingo, every other Monday, 2 p.m., Plains Community Room, Manchester.

Knitting, every other Monday, 2 p.m., Plains Community Room, Manchester.

Tuesday, Dec. 2

Body and Sole Walking Club, Manchester, 8:30 a.m. Call Carol Schanley at 978-526-1295.

SHINE/interpreter, 9:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Tai chi, 9:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center. Call 978-281-9765.

Friends of the Council on Aging meeting, 9:30 a.m., Essex Senior Center.

Yoga class, 9:45 to 11 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center. Call 978-281-9765.

Art program, 10 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Knitting and crocheting group, 10 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Duplicate bridge, 11:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Scrabble games, noon, Rose Baker Senior Center. Call 978-281-9765.

Sew and sew social, 12:30 p.m., Essex Senior Center.

Bridge Club, 1 to 4 p.m., Plains Community Room, Manchester. Call 978-526-4515.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Computer classes, Rose Baker Senior Center. 978-281-9765.

Blood pressure clinic, 9 to 11 a.m., Essex Senior Center.

VNA clinic, 9:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Low-impact exercise class, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Plains Meeting Room, Manchester.

Chair yoga, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Essex Senior Center. $4 per session.

Yoga, 10 to 11 a.m., Congregational Chapel, Chapel Lane, Manchester. All levels welcome, $5 per class.

Swim program, 11 a.m. to noon, Ipswich YMCA. Call Council on Aging at 978-768-7932.

Chair yoga, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Rose Baker Senior Center. To register, call 978-281-9765.

Line dancing, 12:45 p.m., Essex Senior Center.

Scrabble games, 1 to 3 p.m., Rockport Senior Center. Call Diane at 978-546-2573.

Bingo, 1 p.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Thursday, Dec. 4

Community Health Center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

VNA health clinic, 9:30 a.m., Rockport Senior Center. 978-283-2020.

Tai chi, 9:30 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center. Call 978-281-9765.

Intermediate yoga, 9:45 to 11 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center. To register, call 978-281-9765.

Chi Gong classes, 10 to 11 a.m., Congregational Chapel, Chapel Lane, Manchester. $5 per class. To register, call 978-526-7500.

Art class, 10 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Contract bridge, 12:30 p.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Friday, Dec. 5

Exercise, 9 to 10 a.m., Rockport Senior Center.

Mystery and Suspense Book Club, 10 a.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.

Cribbage, 12:15 p.m., Essex Senior Center.

Dominoes, 12:15 p.m., Essex Senior Center.

Bingo, 1 p.m., Rose Baker Senior Center.