In the Fellowship Building of the Unitarian Church, the large room is filled with early morning sunlight. A score of elder students follow their instructor as he leads them through a series of movements that are the heart of tai chi, an ancient martial arts form. The class meets twice a week to study a discipline that maintains health, improves balance, and adds to longevity. The students move deliberately and gracefully through the forms, and a sense of peace quietly fills the room.
This class is but one of the activities sponsored by the Harvard Council on Aging. The COA’s mission is to provide services that meet the needs of Harvard’s seniors and their families. Up the hill from the Fellowship Building is Hildreth House, the operations center of the COA. The historical building has a warm and welcoming atmosphere that is enhanced by the energy of its director, Debbie Thompson.
Operating with modest funds and a commitment to serve Harvard’s seniors at home or at Hildreth House, much of the COA’s work is geared to helping seniors live independent and healthy lives. The COA employs two outreach workers, Maria Holland and Charlotte Winchell, who are available to do home visits to assess services needs and connect with family members as needed. It can be difficult for some seniors to drive, especially in the winter months. In-home visits from COA staff and rides in the MART van to a range of appointments and activities are vital to keeping elders healthy and socially engaged. Administrative assistant and transportation coordinator Cathy Walker oversees the Meals on Wheels program and as she puts it, “does whatever needs to be done.”
Trips and recreational activities, talks, and projects with young people also keep seniors connected to the community. Under the leadership of program coordinator Pete Dumont, the COA has worked together with a wide range of groups, including the Woman’s Club, the Lions Club, Boy Scouts, and many others. This intersection of senior activities and other community members enriches the community as a whole. Trips are regularly scheduled to local places of interest, such as Tower Hill Botanical Garden and various local restaurants.
Harvard seniors have a wide range of needs, both financial and social. Sadly, some of Harvard’s seniors are income insecure. The two largest costs for many are housing and health care. Help with these expenses is available through locally and state-funded programs such as SNAP food benefits and senior tax programs, and the COA is experienced in helping elders access these resources.
The serving of a hot lunch at Hildreth House can help seniors maintain their nutritional requirements while socializing with their peers. Lunch is provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For those who cannot easily travel, a dedicated group of volunteers deliver “meals on wheels.”
It is important that the COA maintain and increase its services over the coming years. The number of elders in the United States is growing at a significant rate. This growth surge includes Harvard, where elders currently make up almost a third of the town population. As spring arrives, let’s celebrate our seniors and acknowledge their contributions to our civic and family life. The COA is available to take telephone calls at 978-456-4120. It also maintains a town website at www.harvard.ma.us.
Deb Thomson is a member of the Council on Aging’s board of directors and a former attorney. This is an updated version of a column previously published by the Press.
