Medical Services:

§         SHINE Program - SHINE Health Insurance Counselors provide free, confidential and unbiased health insurance information, counseling and assistance.  Contact Norma Clark 781-982-2145.

§         Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plans – contact volunteer Norma Clark 781-982-2145.  

§         Prescription Advantage – the State’s prescription program is open for new members until April 28, 2006. Applications available from COA 781-982-2145 or get application on line at Prescription Advantage Application.  Check eligibility requirements at www.mass.gov/elders.                             Back to Top

Fuel Assistance:

§         Volunteers Mary Cooke and Bill Kendall are at the Abington Council on Aging during the winter season to assist folks of all ages to access benefits.  Call 781-982-2145 for an appointment.   November – May.            Back to Top

Tax Assistance including Circuit Breaker Credit:

§         Volunteer Greg Doyon is at the Abington Council on Aging during tax filing season to assist seniors to file their income taxes.  Bud Wheaton is still helping Seniors to determine whether they may be eligible for Circuit Breaker Tax Credit available since 2001.  Call 781-982-2145 for an appointment.

Bereavement Support Group:

§         Meets at Abington Library – 1^st Thursday each month at 6:30 p.m.  The facilitators are Holli Spooner, Social Worker and Amy Somers-Quealy, Quealy’s Funerals of Abington. Call 781-878-2112 to learn more and/or sign up.

Transportation:

§         Dial-A-Bat Bus door to door Services are available to seniors age 65 and older and anyone who is disabled. The service travels to locations in Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Whitman and Stoughton and to selected Boston hospitals. The cost of a trip within Abington is $2.00 each way, $3.00 each way to other towns and $5.00 each way to Boston.  A trip to Boston must be booked two days in advance before noon.  Other trips must be booked by noon the day before the trip. Call Eileen Maraget at 781-982-2145 for more information.                             

§         Council on Aging Van travels to neighboring towns between 9am – 2pm.  Door to door service is available for medical appointments, bank, harirdresser, pharmacy, etc.  $3 round trip, pay the driver.  Rides for grocery shopping also available.  You must be able to handle your own bundles.  Free rides to Thursday Senior Luncheon and Senior movie showings.  Call the COA between 9am – 12:30pm, Monday to Friday to make appointment.  781-982-2145. activities.

§         Friday Morning Shopping Bus has plenty of room for your bundles – Jack will help carry those bundles.  Each Friday the bus travels to a mall (Hanover, Westgate or Kingston) or to WalMart and Stop & Shop, Abington.  Call Natalie Walker, Coordinator at 781-878-4543 for more info.           Back to Top

Nutrition:

§         Meals-on-Wheels delivered lunchtime Monday through Friday.  Just $2.50 per day.  Wonderful volunteers deliver wonderful, nutritious meals right to your door. Referrals can be made by your doctor, the visiting nurses or a social worker/case worker.  For more information call 781-982-2145

§         Senior Luncheon during the school year only every Thursday.                                                                      

Just $2.50 for a full meal in the company of about 40 nice folks.  Someone wins a free lunch and/or door prize every week. Mingling starts at 11:00 a.m.

Buffet lunch begins 11:30 a.m. sharp. 
Call Rita Estey, 781-982-2146 by Monday to reserve for that week’s Thursday luncheon.  (No luncheon is held during the summer)                   Back to Top

Outreach:

§         The Outreach department assists seniors in many ways, including Pharmacy and Insurance programs, emergency assistance, referral to other agencies and assistance with federal and state programs.

If you are interested in volunteering, or for more information, please call 781-982-2145

Volunteer Professionals – Free.  Appointments are needed.  Call the COA 781-982-2146 :

§         Auto Repair Intermediary – Mr. Mark Jamieson will talk to your mechanic, “second opinion”, so to speak.

§         Banking Issues – Mr. Hal Norton will talk to you about any banking issues..

§         Elder Law Clinic – Abington Attorney George Whiting at the COA on the 3^rd Monday morning of each month.  You will meet confidentially and the attorney will answer your basic questions and offer general legal guidance.  Call 781-982-2145.

§         Elder Hearing Screening – “Listen to Life Again” – Specialist John Klefeker visits the COA on the 1^st Tuesday afternoon each month for hearing screenings and hearing aid checks.  Free.

§         Elder Real Estate – Specialist Sue Johnson and Roger Woods can be contacted anytime.  Call the COA 781-982-2146.

§         Insurance – Mr. David Klein will talk to you about your insurance needs including long term care.

§         Moving – Mr. George Weir will give you tips on moving.

§         Reverse Mortgage – Specialist John Fournier at the COA on the 3^rd Wednesday afternoon of each month.  Must be 62 years old to participate.  Cash for any purpose, using the equity in your house.  No paying back until the house is sold.  No credit or income requirements.                                                                   Back to Top

Senior Activities     

·        Walking Club – “The WOW Group (Walking on Wednesday) meets the 2^nd Wednesday and 4^th Wednesday monthly at 9:30 a.m.  Call the COA for details       781-982-2146.  Join us when you can.                                                                                                                                                                       

·        Line Dancing with leader Barbara Reeves – Fridays during the school year, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm in Abington at the big hall of St. Bridget’s Church.  (455 Plymouth St.)     Get happy feet.                                                                                                                    

·        Free Movies – newly released movies shown – all towns welcome.  Shown on the   1^st Tuesday and 3^rd Tuesday monthly at Abington Public Library.                           No signup necessary.

·        Trips – COA informs Seniors of exciting day trips and long trips from Senior Assoc.  Connie and Rita.