Council on Aging 2006 Annual Report

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ON AGING (COA)

The Council on Aging is a Town Department, serving residents age 60 and
older. The "Baby Boomers" (born between 1946-1964) are now turning 60, and
we expect the number of Seniors to grow exponentially. Today nearly 1/4 of
Abington residents are in the age group. The COA office is a part-time office
(9-3, M-F) in Town Hall. We stand primarily as an advocacy office for Seniors
and their families. To foster Senior health, independence and well being, we
concentrate on the areas of transportation, nutrition and outreach/communica-
tion.

Transportation: The Council on Aging van travels throughout Abington and the
surrounding Towns. Van drivers convey Seniors to medical appointments, the
Senior luncheon, the bank, grocery shopping, hairdresser, errands, etc. (We
were saddened by the death of Jean LaCamera this year.) On Fridays the COA
offers a school bus trip to a mall or department store.

Nutrition: Nutrition is a strong link to health - both mental and physical. We are
grateful for the Abington School Nutrition Program for sponsoring a
once-weekly Senior Luncheon on Thursdays in a hall at a church. A speaker or
entertainer sometimes follows this "congregate meal". The price to the Senior
is just $2.50 - the socialization aspect is priceless. One may reserve a
Thursday meal by calling the COA by Monday of the same week.

Meals on Wheels, also known as noontime "home delivered meals" are for
home-bound Seniors. Delivered by a volunteer each Mon-Fri, this daily visit is
reportedly the best part of the program! (We thank our 25 Meals on Wheels
Volunteers!) Also, the volunteers of St. Vincent DePaul organization's Food
Pantry caters to Abington Seniors who need a little bit of help keeping
stocked up with healthy foods.)

Outreach describes a wide variety of services provided by the Council on
Aging. Outreach is currently staffed by Norma Clark. Outreach involves
assessing a Senior's needs (in office, or home visit), helping complete forms
for help & entitlements, making referrals for services, troubleshooting and
general advocacy. The Council on Aging communicates with Seniors via our
monthly newsletter, "The Senior Informer".

Thank you with appreciation to Council on Aging staff! Office: Norma Clark,
Rita Estey and Eileen Maraget - Office Volunteers: Mary Cooke and Maureen
Wall (the M & M's), Joanne Curtis, Joyce Joseph - Van Drivers: Alice Dumas,
David LaCouture and Jack McGrath -Luncheon Staff: Marianne Crooks
(Coordinator), Kay Cotter, Liz Norling, Esther Paquette and Stan Shura

Our un-paid staff consists of over 120 volunteers! We encourage folks of all
ages to consider volunteering with us - a very rewarding use of your valuable
time. Thanks to the COA Board, the Senior Center & Building Committees and
many other individuals and organizations who have made an investment in
the lives of Abington's "greatest generation" - her Senior citizens!

The Last and Best news to report is: The Senior Center is Coming! On 12/2/06 a
Special Election was held and the Townspeople voted by a 2 to 1 margin to
fund our Senior Center. What a victory! What a legacy for today's Seniors and
the generations to come. As soon as the Center is built, the Council on Aging
Office will be moving there and we will have so many activities to offer
Seniors! It will be great!

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Elliott
Council on Aging Coordinator

The C.O.A. Board of Directors 2006
Betty Berry
Ted Butler
Norma Clark, Secretary
Joanne Curtis
Mary Donlan (1/2 year)
Joe lacobucci
Kate Kelley
Bill Kendall, Vice Chair
David Klein, Assoc.
Jack Libby
Ellie Peck
Betty Slinger (1/2 year)
George Whiting, Chair