CHORE
Courteous Help On Repairs Economically
A minor home repair and chore service is being operates with volunteers from the Natick community including working individuals, students, and retirees. This service is coordinated through the Natick Council On Aging's Kennedy Senior Center Volunteer Resources Department. This service assists eligible seniors and people with disabilities who desire to remain in their own homes independently. Volunteers will help people with small tasks around the house that they, or a family member, are not able to perform.
These minor tasks might include, but are not be limited to: Minor electrical repair (doorbells, phone jacks); Minor plumbing (leaking toilets/faucets, plugged drains, replace washers); Minor carpentry (repair door handles, hinges, locks, steps, railings, screens); Minor chores (put in or take down screens/storm windows, replace smoke detector batteries, change light bulbs, set up new appliances such as VCRs or answering machines).
Work that cannot be performed would include: yard work, gardening, painting, general cleaning, washing windows, new construction, roof work, or any job requiring a permit or license. If you need help or are willing to volunteer your time to provide a needy individual with this type of help, please call the Kennedy Senior Center at (508) 647-6540.
Library
Regular Library- Located in the Social Room:The Senior Center holds a well stocked library that includes the classics, biographies, travel guides, cookbooks, reference volumes, language texts, and an array of fiction and non-fiction.
Audio Books And Video Library - Located in the Main Office:We have a book on tape audio library as well as a great supply of videos in the video library. All are available to take home or view the videos here.
Large Print Libray - Located in Room 2:The Center has a new and separate Large Print Library, thanks to a donation of books from the Morse Institue Library, the selection is quite extensive and varied.
Medical Reference & Resource Library
Working with the Morse Institute Library, we now have an up-to-date medical reference and resource library. These books are conveniently located in the waiting area near the front entrance. The books can be read here on site or they can be checked out at the front reception desk.
All materials listed above are available to take out on loan.
Medical Services
Blood Pressure Screenings
Natick VNA provides free blood pressure screening twice a month. No appointment is necessary.
Day & Time: 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 2:00 P.M.
SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders)
Trained and certified volunteer counselors provide information, counseling, and other assistance on health insurance options for senior citizens and other Medicare beneficiaries on a twice weekly basis. Prescheduled appointments are necessary. Please call (508) 647-6540 to schedule your private and confidential appointment with a SHINE counselor.
Days & Times: Every Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. to noon.
Every Thursday from 1:30 to 3:30.
Medical Equipment Loan
A wide variety of medical equipment and supplies may be borrowed for as long as they are needed. The program operates with donated equipment which is in good condition that otherwise might be thrown away or sit and collect dust. If you have equipment you might like to donate or if you are in need of medical equipment, come down to the center, or give us a call at (508) 647-6540.
Podiatry Clinic
Podiatry services are available one morning per month at the Kennedy Senior Center. The Podiatrist is here from 9:00 to Noon, usually the third Wednesday of the month, please call the center to check the exact date and to schedule your appointment.
Services provided by the podiatrist at the Senior Center include: Trim nails, treatment of corns, treatment of calluses, screening for problems that could require further foot care. A $20.00 (twenty dollars) charge is to be paid to the doctor at the time of the appointment. Call the Senior Center at (508) 647-6540 to make an appointment.
NOTE: Podiatry treatment for diabetes and vascular disease are Medicare reimbursable conditions and not eligible for treatment at the center. If either of those conditions are present you must be treated at a podiatry office.
Day & Time: Usually the third Wednesday of the month from 9:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M.
Flu & Pneumococcal Vaccines
The Natick Board of Health provides a free annual flu and/or pneumococcal vaccine clinic at the Senior Center for residents who are 65 and over or who have a medical condition which makes a vaccine medically recommended . The date and time are announced in September each year. Please call either the Senior Center at 1-508-647-6540 or the Board of Health at 1-508-647-6460 for the exact date and time or for other clinic locations.
Nutrition
On-Site Meals
A hot nutritional lunch is served at the Kennedy Senior Center Monday through Friday at 11:45 A.M., except holidays and when the Center is closed due to inclement weather. A $2.00 donation is requested. Reservations must be made by 11:00 A.M. the day prior to the day you wish to attend (Monday lunch must be ordered by 11:00 on Friday). The lunch program is an opportunity to socialize and make new friends. Call the Kennedy Senior Center at (508) 647-6540 for more information or to make a reservation.
Home Delivered Meals
Home-delivered meals (also known as Meals-On-Wheels) are available through the Senior Center to homebound residents of Natick, Monday through Friday, except holidays and when the Center is closed due to inclement weather. A $2.00 donation per meal is requested. The South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) provides the food and a meal site coordinator, and the Council on Aging recruits and schedules volunteer drivers. For more information, call the Elder Nutrition Office at (508) 872-6570
SERVE
Serve is a food co-op run by volunteers, for volunteers. In exchange for volunteering two hours per month and $20.00 fee, participants may pick up one bag of food worth approximately $35.00 that includes meats, vegetables, fruits, as well as dry goods. Additional bags may be purchased. For more information, contact the Senior Center at (508) 647-6540
"Seniors Serving Town Services"
This program allows seniors, who meet the eligibility requirements; to reduce property taxes by $750 for the year by working for a department in the Town of Natick. The number of participants allowed each fiscal year is 35. Job opportunities can be in municipal or school departments, classrooms, offices, libraries, clinics, and other town departments. The jobs are based on departmental needs. Participants in the program will work a total of 100 hours at the rate of $7.50 per hr for a credit of $750.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Age 60 or older
• Homeowner
• Own and occupy as a primary residence, the property to which the taxes will be credited.
• Gross receipts from all sources can not exceed $41,000 (single) or $51,000 (married).
For more information about this program call the Kennedy Senior Center at (508) 647-6540.
Support and Advocacy Services
Elder Advocates
Our Elder Advocates are licensed social workers who offer a number of support services at no cost, including:
• Links between older persons and resources avaliable to them in the center and in the community
• Counseling for a variety of issues, including losses, transitions, depression, loneliness, isolation, self-esteem, and family conflict
• Outreach to older people, including home visits
• Assistance with applications to federal, state, and health care agencies
• Crisis intervention
• Computerized screening for eligibility to federal and state programs
• Depression screenings
Please call the Senior Center if you would like to make an appointment with one of the Elder Advocates. Telephone consultations are also available. (508) 647-6540
Bereavement Group
"Rebuilding After Loss"
Support group for adults of all ages who have lost a loved one within the past three years.
Day & Time: Usually the third Thursday of the month at 1:00 pm.
Caregivers Support Group
This support group is for individuals who serve as primary caregivers for someone with Alzheimer's Disease.
Day & Time: We hope to be offering this program again soon.
Diabetic Support Group
Day & Time: Varies, usually the second Tuesday @10:00 . Please call for exact date.
Low Vision Support Group
Day & Time: 4th Friday of the month at 1:00.
Transportation
The Kennedy Senior Center transportation volunteers use their own vehicles for rides that are coordinated through the Council on Aging office at the Kennedy Senior Center. This vital service allows senior citizens to maintain their independence and their community connections. Rides and escort services are provided for the following:
• Medical appointments
• Shopping
• Hair appointments
• Nursing Home visits
• Visits to the Senior Center
• Banking and other needs
For a ride please call the Kennedy Senior Center at least 48 hours in advance (508) 647-6540
