Halloween event for adults/seniors
Haverhill's Council on Aging and Bethany Communities will host a trip to the Venus de Milo in Swansea for a Halloween Hoot and Howl, Thursday morning, Oct. 29. Includes live entertainment, dancing, treats, prizes and lunch. Costumes are optional and participation in a costume contest is encouraged. For more information, contact Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390, kbresnahan@cityofhaverhill.com or call Darlene Sutton at 978-374-2165.
Upcoming trips
The Haverhill Council on Aging and Bethany Community Services in Haverhill are hosting a variety of day and overnight trips:
Oct 15 and 16: Kennebunkport, Maine. Day one includes transportation from Haverhill to Wells, Maine, on the "Downeaster," motorcoach transportation to the Nonantum Resort, lunch, sightseeing tour by local guide, and a complete dinner. Day two includes a full breakfast, browsing time in Kennebunkport, shopping at the Kittery outlets, and a lunch stop. Cost is $335 per person, double occupancy and $396 per person, single occupancy. A deposit of $25 per person is required with balance due Sept. 24. Insurance is available.
Oct. 28: A trip to the Peabody Essex Museum for a special exhibition of Iris Apfel's designs. The cost is $36 per person and includes admission, a guided tour and transportation.
Nov. 2: Atlantic City and the Tropicana Casino and Resort on the Boardwalk.
Dec. 5-7: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins in Miami, FL.
Dec. 6-7: Historic Hudson River Valley.
Tours in 2010:
Feb. 20-28: Eastern Caribbean Cruise.
For more details, call Kathy Bresnahan, ext. 11, or Rita LaBella, ext. 16, at 978-374-2390 or Darlene Sutton at 978-374-2165.
Green Books available
Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley has made Green Books available throughout the area. The free resource guide to programs and services for older adults and adults with disabilities is available at the Haverhill public library and through the Council on Aging. Clients of Pentucket Medical Center may pick up a copy at any one of its offices. The book is a reference source for more than 150 categories, including housing, health insurance, nutrition, home health care, day care, long-term care and opportunities for volunteering and education. Copies are available in English and Spanish.
Caregivers Home accepts referrals
Caregivers Home, a program that provides community-based housing options for elders and disabled adults in need of daily care and assistance, is accepting referrals in Haverhill. The Caregivers Home program pays family or nonfamily caregivers to care for an elder or adult disabled family member (over the age of 16) at home. Caregivers are reimbursed $10,000 to $18,000 per year. The program participant and caregiver must live together in either the caregiver's or the participant's home. Care can be provided by a nonfamily caregiver. A registered nurse and a care manager oversee each case through regular home visits, telephone and a Web-based case record system. Call nurse Linda Morreale-Steele at 857-891-7432 or visit www.caregiverhomes.com.
Blood pressure clinics every Tuesday
Clinic hours are from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. Clinics on the first and third Tuesdays of the month will be staffed by two nurses. The other weeks, the clinic will be staffed by one nurse.
Reduced-price homes available
Community Action Inc. has applications available for low- to moderate-income residents over the age of 55 to buy new condominiums for the reduced price of $209,100 and $220,913. The two-bedroom condominiums are part of The Fairways development located off Newton Road. The maximum allowed annual income for a single person is $54,700, two-person household is $62,600, three-person household is $70,400, four-person household is $78,200. For information, call Richard Lynch at 978-373-1971.
Trade service for taxes
Seniors 65 years or older who own and live in their own home in Haverhill are eligible to receive a reduction in their real estate tax bill by volunteering their services to the city of Haverhill. For more information, or for eligibility guidelines, contact Joel Berg at the Council on Aging on Wednesdays or Fridays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at 978-374-2390.
Shredder available
The Haverhill Council on Aging and TRIAD have purchased a shredder for city seniors to use. The shredder will be available at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., Room 30, every Wednesday and Friday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Papers that should be shredded to reduce the risk of identity theft include charge slips and charge bills, bank statements, financial records and all papers that contain Social Security numbers and account numbers. There is no charge for this service. For information, call Joel at 978-374-2390, Wednesdays and Fridays, noon to 2:30 p.m.
Staying Healthy schedule
Haverhill Council on Aging revised its Senior Staying Healthy program schedule. Blood pressure clinics will now be held every Tuesday in the nurse's office at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The foot clinic will be the second Thursday of each month, by appointment only. The blood pressure and foot clinics are provided by Home Health VNA and HomeCare Inc. For additional information, call Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.
On-the-job training
The Senior Community Service Employment Program provides a paid, on-the-job training program that enables a participant to work 20 hours per week at a nonprofit organization or government agency training site in the community, and earn $7.50 per hour. The training site agrees to train the participant in a new skill that will enable him or her to pursue unsubsidized, full-time employment over time. For more information, call Ms. Jepson at Operation A.B.L.E., 888-470-2253, ext. 122.
Programs offered at Citizens Center
Creative Problem Solving through Journaling on Tuesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room 32 at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St. Cost is $20 for six weeks. For information, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.
Drawing and painting classes with Cara Smoley. Classes are every Wednesday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., and are open to the public. Cost for the six-week series is $30. Participants must buy their materials. New members need to bring three pencils, a kneaded eraser and a 9-by-10 Bristol Drawing Pad. Registration is required. To register, call 978-374-2390.
"Mr. Fix-it": A volunteer is available to come into the center on a monthly basis to fix small appliances and lamps, change watch batteries, etc., for seniors for a nominal fee. To sign up, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.
Bingo is played Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Line dancing is Mondays and Wednesdays 9 to 11 a.m.
Bridge is played Wednesdays and Fridays noon to 3 p.m.
Memoir writing is Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Evening yoga classes every Tuesday at 6:15 at the Citizen Center on the second floor, 10 Welcome St. Cost is $5 per session. For information, call Kathy or Rita at 978-374-2390.
Newcomers group for seniors who have recently moved to Haverhill meets the first Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 22. If the first Monday is a holiday, coffee hour is held the second Monday. Longtime Haverhill seniors are encouraged to participate. Refreshments will be served.
Vintage movies are shown Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. in Room 45.
Wood shop is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Knitting circle is Mondays at 10 a.m.
Tai chi classes are Thursdays at 9 a.m.
Walkers meet Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m.
A discussion group meets Mondays at 1:30 p.m.
Blood pressure clinics every Tuesday in the nurse's office from 8 a.m. to noon.
Chair massages offered free for Haverhill seniors the first Tuesday of the month by licensed massage therapist Susan L. Plouffe. For reservations, call 978-274-2390.
SHINE counselors are available to offer confidential health insurance counseling for elders and their family members at no cost. For appointments, contact SHINE counselor Pat Paradis on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St.
Free cellular phones are available for qualifying seniors. Phones are programmed to call 911 in an emergency. For details, call Joel at 978-374-2390.
Electric wheelchairs available at no cost to seniors and permanently disabled citizens through the Three Wishes Inc. program. For information, call 800-823-5220 or www.threewishes2.com.
