Amesbury Caregiver Support Group: Are you caring for someone with memory loss? You are invited to join this group to share common experiences and explore solutions for daily problems and long-range decisions. This group welcomes people of all ages who reside in Amesbury and the surrounding communities. Support group members offer friendship and encouragement to one another. The group is facilitated by Tricia Laovoie, MSW, and it meets the third Wednesday of every month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Amesbury Health Center.
Free women's health services: The Women's Health Network, administered by VNA Care Network and Hospice, links uninsured and underinsured, income-eligible women to free mammograms, Pap tests and cardiovascular screenings at participating doctors' offices and area hospitals. Open to women ages 40 to 64, but younger and older women may also qualify for some services. For details in English, Portuguese or Spanish, call 888-663-3688, ext. 1340, or e-mail kwebber@vnacarenetwork.org. All inquiries and services are confidential. Immigration status is not considered. A Social Security number is not required to receive services. This program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. VNA Care Network is a nonprofit home health, hospice and wellness agency.
Hearing clinic: Free hearing exams, hearing aid adjustment, battery replacement and minor repairs are offered by Joseph Sarofeen of Rogers Hearing Solutions. Call 978-388-8138 to schedule an appointment.
Hot lunch is served every weekday at 11:20 a.m. The cost is $2 per meal for a person 60 or older, $4.50 for those under 60. Reservations are a must and should be made two days in advance by calling Deb Shirley, meal site manager, at 978-388-2254, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone who has reserved a place but is unable to attend is asked to call Shirley. Home-delivered meals are available for homebound elders. Call Elder Services of Merrimack Valley at 1-800-892-0890, ext. 490, to make arrangements.
MassMedline: Massachusetts residents can speak directly to pharmacists about their medications and to specialists about obtaining discounted or free medications. This is a free service provided by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs. For more information, call MassMedline at 1-866-633-1617 or www.medline.com.
Men's Breakfast Group: It's most helpful for men to build informal support networks with other retirees and peers. This group meets the first and third Friday of each month, 9:30 to 11 a.m., at the Amesbury Health Center, 24 Morrill Place, Amesbury, in the Carriage Room on the main floor entering the building at the Highland Avenue entrance. Enjoy coffee and muffins provided by Amesbury Village. Men from Amesbury and surrounding towns 60 and older are welcome to these confidential meetings. To register, call John Rich at 978-459-7672.
Legal assistance can be arranged through the Elder Unit of Merrimack Valley Legal Services Inc. For assistance, call 1-800-427-2521.
Low vision services group: Adaptive Technology Consulting (ATC) at 102 Bridge Road, Salisbury, has developed a peer support group in conjunction with the Amesbury Council on Aging. This group welcomes people of all ages who reside in Amesbury and the surrounding communities. The monthly meeting is an opportunity for those with vision loss to learn about their eye conditions and develop strategies for dealing with everyday sight-related challenges. This group is beneficial to those who have recently been diagnosed or those living with diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc. If you have any level of vision loss, due to a diagnosed condition, you may join. Meetings are the first Thursday of each month, 1 to 2 p.m., at the Amesbury Health Center, 24 Morrill Place, Amesbury, in the Carriage Room, on the main floor entering the building at the Highland Avenue entrance. If interested, call Amy Halloran at ATC at 978-462-3817.
Low vision support group: MAB (Massachusetts Association for the Blind) Community Services has developed peer support groups throughout Massachusetts to provide an opportunity for people to share their issues and concerns along with coping strategies in dealing with sight loss. If you are having problems with your eyesight and would like support in adjusting to your vision loss, you are invited to join monthly meetings. Call 978-388-8138 if you are an Amesbury resident and need transportation. For more information, call Laurie Werle at 978-852-3029.
Merrimack Valley Transit offers EZ Trans, a curb-to-curb service for Amesbury residents who cannot use the MVRTA fixed route bus system. Transportation is offered for Andover, Amesbury, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newburyport and North Andover residents. EZ Trans also offers non-ADA service to people who are over age 60. To receive an application, call MVRTA at 978-469-6878, Office of Special Services (select option 3 on the menu when prompted). Or call the Senior Center and ask for Colleen to assist you with completing the application.
Outreach Program is committed to connecting Amesbury residents with programs and services available to support their needs and enhance their lives. Call Colleen at 978-388-8138, ext. 546. Meetings can be scheduled at the Senior Center or in your home.
Safe Place, a survivor support group: The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley developed Safe Place for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide. Appropriate for teens, young adults and adults, and open to residents of Amesbury and surrounding towns. Meetings are the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Amesbury Council on Aging, 9 School St., Amesbury, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. You are not alone. Safe Place is a confidential, free support group led by a survivor. It is a place to talk, listen, be silent, grieve, be accepted and understood. Call Debbie Helms, program director of the Samaritans, at 978-688-0030, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for more information. All calls are confidential.
SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders): This program assists elders with their health insurance needs. Olyce Moore, SHINE counselor, can help process health benefit claims and complete applications. Call 978-388-8138 to schedule a Wednesday appointment.
Transportation: The van is available to seniors and disabled adults for transport to local doctor appointments, stores, banks, hairdressers and barbers, etc. If you need a ride, call the center at 978-388-8138 and provide the following: Name, address (and apartment number), your phone number, appointment time, date, expected length of appointment, appointment address and phone number. All rides are booked on a first call basis. Be ready 30 minutes prior to scheduled pickup time. Provide 24 hours of notice to schedule transportation. Winter schedule has changed to reflect the first appointment at 8:45 a.m. The van operates Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. On Wednesday, the van operates from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Remember to call and cancel your ride if you do not need it. Reminder: Do not tip the van driver. This is a service provided by the town at no charge.
Our Neighbors' Table: The van transports people on Wednesdays to and from Heritage Vale, Heritage Towers and Powow Villa to Our Neighbors' Table. Pickup time is 3:45 p.m. and return time is 5 p.m. Call the Senior Center to schedule a ride on the van.
Basket weaving: Thursdays, 9 a.m. The fee is for materials and depends on the basket made. Irene Kimbrell is the instructor.
Bingo: Tuesdays, 12:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the fun with a nice group of people.
Homebound library service: Book delivery service to homebound Amesbury residents. If you need this service, call Colleen at the Senior Center.
Book discussion group: This new morning book group will meet on the fourth Friday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Senior Center. For more information, to sign up, or to reserve a copy, please call Assistant Library Director Patty DiTullio at 978-388-8148.
Bowling: Mondays at 1 p.m. at Lafayette Bowling Lanes, 11 High St. The fee is $1 per string, plus shoe rental.
Bridge meets every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. A small and enthusiastic group looking for new players.
Busy Needles: Tuesdays at 9 a.m. Wanted: Ladies who love to crochet, do needlework or knit. Knitted and crocheted items are available to purchase; they are displayed in the Senior Center lobby. All proceeds help support the center.
Cards: Tell us at the Senior Center when you, a family member or friend are sick or not feeling well so we can send a "thinking of you" card.
Computer room: Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. except when computer classes are held. Available to seniors.
Exercise class: Wednesdays at 12:45 p.m. with instructor Lisa Henrick. Pay the instructor $3 per class.
Oil painting: Fridays at 1 p.m. The fee is $20 for six classes. Pat Lambert is the instructor. New participants are welcome.
Stamps: For your convenience, you can purchase stamps from the receptionist at the Senior Center.
Thrift Shop: At the Senior Center, open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Watercolor painting group: Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Painters of all abilities are invited to join this group.
Food pantry at Community Action: Residents of Amesbury and Merrimac are eligible to use the food pantry at the Town Hall Annex in Amesbury. Call 978-388-2570. Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Food & Nutrition Program: (U.S. Department of Agriculture) provides fruit, vegetables, pudding, meat, cheese, tuna, soup, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, cereal and orange juice. Income limits: one-person household, $18,130; or two per household, $24,420. You can pick up the USDA food twice a month, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Food stamp program: A significant factor in physical well-being, healthy eating can sometimes be a financial challenge during changes in careers, income and family structure. With an average monthly benefit of $93 per participant, the program can help participants save money. Under guidelines for the past year, approximate monthly income limits are: one-person household, $1,552; two-person household, $2,082. Annual income guideline for a family of four is $26,000. Applications are available at the state Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), 15 Union St., Lawrence, MA 01840. 978-725-7100. Information about the program and locations of other DTA offices is available by calling 1-800-249-2007, or visiting www.mass.gov/dta.
Fuel assistance: This program can pay a portion of your winter heating bills. Benefits of fixed amounts are available based on income and number of household members. To qualify, a single person can have a maximum gross income of $19,600; a two-person household can have a maximum gross income of $33,200. Payment is made to the primary heat source vendor (oil, propane, coal, wood, gas or electric). New applicants are advised to call Community Action (Haverhill office) at 1-800-332-9004 or 978-373-1971. When scheduling an appointment, request the meeting to take place at the Amesbury office at 11 School St.
