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Cures for cabin fever
By Sim Gaunt & Carol Cizek, I & R Specialists
Elder Services’ Information and Referral (I&R) Department receives many calls each month from elders with problems or issues they would like help with. We would like to share a few of these calls.
Q. I have a bad case of “cabin fever” and would like to meet other people. I don’t have a lot of money or any transportation. Are there any activity programs available for seniors in Berkshire County?
A. Berkshire County has many senior centers offering a wide variety of activities including: congregate meal programs, exercise programs, arts & crafts, health clinics, and guest speakers. Van transportation is available to and from the senior center.
Lunch and activities
Consider attending lunch at your local Senior Center and staying afterwards for afternoon activities. You will need to call at least 24 hours ahead for a lunch reservation and to arrange transportation. Below are senior centers offering lunch and programs:
Adams Community Center.... 743-8333....... M, T, W, Th, .. 11:30 a.m.
Becket Town Hall................. 623-8934....... T, Th............... 11:45 a.m.
Cheshire Senior Center......... 743-9719....... M, W, F.......... 11:45 a.m.
Dalton Community Center..... 684-2000....... T, Th............... 11:30 a.m.
Great Barrington Center........ 528-4118....... M, T, W, Th, F 11:45 a.m.
Hinsdale Lions Club.............. 655-2973....... W, F............... 11:30 a.m.
Lanesboro Town Hall........... 442-4761....... T, Th............... 11:30 a.m.
Lee Senior Center................ 243-5545....... T, Th............... 11:45 a.m.
Lenox Community Center..... 637-5535....... M, W, F.......... 11:30 a.m.
Pittsfield Senior Center......... 499-9346....... M, T, W, Th, F 11:30 a.m.
Jewish Community Center..... 442-4360....... M, T, Th......... Noon
North Adams Spitzer Center. 662-3125....... M, T, W, Th, F 11:30 a.m.
Stockbridge Heaton Court.... 298-3222....... T, Th............... 11:30 a.m.
Williamstown Harper Center. 458-8350....... Sun, M, W, F.. 11:45 a.m.
Supportive Day Programs
You may also wish to consider attending a more structured day program. Supportive Day Programs provide supervised activities such as exercises, arts and crafts and you can attend for either a whole day session or a half day. Below are the locations for the Supportive Day Programs:
Ralph Froio Senior Center
330 North Street, Pittsfield, MA
Contact: John DiTomasso-499-9346
Adams Council on Aging
Community Center, 20 East Street, Adams
Contact: Antoinette Alizio-743-8333
North Adams Social Day Care
420 Curran Highway, North Adams
Contact: Nancy Veceillio-664-4048
Adult Day Health Programs
Adult Day Health Programs offer similar activities to Supportive Day Programs and also have a nurse on duty who can monitor medications and handle a variety of health and medical issues. Below are local Adult Day Health programs:
Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
151 Christian Hill Road, Great Barrington
Contact: Terry Koldys-528-4560
North Adams Adult Day Health
420 Curran Highway, North Adams
Contact: Nancy Vecellio-664-4048
Pittsfield Adult Day Health Center
33 Bradford Street. Pittsfield
Sandy Dopple-442-4978
Volunteer
Volunteers are needed in the many programs available to seniors throughout the community. Volunteers provide a wide variety of services including transportation to doctor’s appointments, medical treatments and banking. They also provide grocery shopping and companionship through friendly visits and/or phone reassurance. For more information, contact Elder Services at 499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.