HANSON – It’s always welcome news for the Select Board when a town department can save people money.
The Multi-Service Senior Center saw more than 138 Hanson residents during the open enrollment period ending Dec. 7, 2023 – saving them more than $58,000 all together. One client saved $16,000 when his carrier no longer covered his insulin.
“It’s their money, and if we can save them a little bit …” said Elder Affairs Director Mary Collins, who provided the board with an update on the Senior Center and its services such as Meals on Wheels and Hanson SHINE counselors, state-certified personnel who help seniors enroll in Medicare.
“We’re not making people’s decisions for them,” Collins said. “We’re giving them options.”
SHINE counselors are certified by the state, to aid seniors in selecting Medicare advantage plans without commission from insurance companies, unlike the advantage plan brokerage firms advertised by retired celebrities on TV.
“We’re going to give you unbiased information,” Collins said. “We [also] have the ability to vet people for maybe public benefits that they’re unaware they may qualify for. We truly want them to benefit from it.”
Part-time administrative assistant Roberta Bartholdson schedules Medicare open enrollment and intake appointments. Part-time Outreach Coordinator Linda Mulrey and volunteers Fae Vitalle and Jim Hickey – who were all SHINE-certified last May, assist Collins with open enrollment, as well.
Nutritional services and food donations and help with SNAP and housing benefit applications are always available, too.
“Don’t ever feel that you are in need,” Collins said. “There’s always food available, just pick up the phone, or have somebody you know make the call.”
Over the course of a year, more than 5,400 Meals on Wheels volunteers go out to Hanson seniors. More than 200 emergency meals went out and congregate meals are served at the Multi-Service Senior Center twice a week, will “well over 1,100” served over the past year.
“Throughout COVID – before, after and for the most umpteen years – we have had four groups of people that deliver Meals on Wheels,” Collins said. “There are many reasons why it’s beneficial for people to get Meals on Wheels. Of course, nutrition and [dependable] access to food … people are seen by someone.”
Many of the Meals on Wheels drivers return to clients after they complete their route for a cup of coffee or tea and a social visit.
“It’s another set of eyes on people who might be frail in our community,” she said.
Leah’s Club, which has taken the place of the Supportive Day Program – forced to be discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic – on Tuesdays and Wednesdays offers support and activities for people with dimensia.
“The feedback from the families is tremendous,” Collins said.
She is also seeking a $300,000 grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to bring back supportive day programs or estblish new ones to help expand the facility or improve use of space to help make that possible.
Music, dancing, chair yoga and other programs are also available.
Collins also thanked Camp Kiwanee for housing the center after pipes burst last February and Community Christmas for bringing cheer to elders in need at the holidays.