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January 2005 Monthly News

 

Ask Elder Services

Cabin fever cures

By Simone Gaunt and Carol Cizek, I & R Specialists

Elder Services' Information and Referral (I&R) Department receives many calls each month about elder-related problems or issues. Below is a recent call.

Q. I have a bad case of “cabin fever” and would like to meet other people.  I don’t have a lot of money, and I don’t have transportation.  Are there any activity programs available for seniors in Berkshire County?

 A. Consider attending lunch at your local senior center and staying afterwards for afternoon activities. Senior centers throughout Berkshire County have a wide variety of activities. Many have congregate meal programs, exercise programs, arts & crafts, health clinics, and guest speakers. Van transportation is available to and from senior centers.  You will need to call at least 24 hours ahead for a lunch reservation and to arrange transportation.  Below is a list of senior centers and Councils on Aging (COA) that offer various activities. Many of them offer Elder Services Congregate meal program.    

Senior Centers   

Adams Community Center....... 743-8333 

Becket Town Hall...................... 623-2397 

Cheshire Senior Center........... 743-1172

Clarksburg COA........................ 664-6605 

Dalton Community Center........ 684-2000

Egremont Town Hall.................. 528-3488             

Florida COA.............................. 662-2811

Gt Barrington Senior Center.... 528-1881 

Hinsdale Town Hall................... 655-2652 

Lanesboro Town Hal ................ 448-2682

Lee Senior Center.................... 243-5545 

Lenox Community Center......... 637-5535 

North Adams Spitzer Center.... 662-3125

Ralph Froio Senior Center....... 499-9346 

Richmond Town Hall................. 698-3315 

Jewish Community Center....... 442-4360 

Savoy Town Hall........................ 743-4290 

Sheffield COA........................... 229-7022

Stockbridge Heaton Court....... 298-3118

West Stockbridge COA........... 232-4317

Williamstown Harper Center.... 458-8250

Windsor COA............................ 684-3882 

 

The more structured Supportive Day Programs provide supervised activities such as exercises, arts and crafts. You can attend for either a whole day or half-day session.  Below are Supportive Day Programs: 

Ralph Froio Senior Center
330 North Street, Pittsfield
(413) 499-9346
 

Adams Council on Aging
Community Center, 20 East Street, Adams
(413) 743-8333
 

Adult Day Health Programs offer activities similar to the Supportive Day Programs and also have a nurse on duty who can monitor medications and handle a wide variety of health and medical issues. Below are Adult Day Health Programs in Berkshire County: 

Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
151 Christian Hill Road, Great Barrington
(413) 528-4560
 

North Adams Adult Day Health
420 Curran Highway, North Adams
(413) 664-4048
 

Pittsfield Adult Day Health Center
33 Bradford Street, Pittsfield

(413) 442-4978
 

Volunteers are always needed. 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, call Elder Services at 413-499-0524 or 1-800-544-5242.