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Additionally, the Council on Aging coordinated
<br />the Senior Property Tax Work -Off Program. The
<br />program matches Town government needs with senior
<br />skills, talents and abilities in a program that allows
<br />seniors to receive a property tax credit for their efforts.
<br />The participants assisted in a variety of Town
<br />departments, giving their time and considerable skills
<br />toward assisting Town government operations.
<br />There were several personnel changes during
<br />2016. One new Mature Worker was placed at the
<br />Senior Center by Elder Services of Cape Cod and the
<br />Islands, staffing the reception desk in the afternoons.
<br />The Senior Center continues to use part-time, grant -
<br />funded and training positions to support its operation.
<br />The Council on Aging wishes to thank all of their
<br />employees for their dedication and service.
<br />The Activity Program continued to grow and
<br />evolve in 2016 to meet its mission of providing
<br />meaningful and enjoyable activities to promote social,
<br />physical, cultural, intellectual and educational
<br />stimulation and to address the diverse needs and
<br />interests of the entire senior community, from baby
<br />boomers to those in their 90's. There were many new
<br />programs and activities conducted at the Senior Center
<br />including a drum circle, the kindness rocks project, and
<br />presentations on ageism, a film discussion series, jazz
<br />concerts, and many more.
<br />The Outreach Coordinator continued to assist
<br />seniors in our community to find the resources needed
<br />to help them make the best choices to maintain the
<br />highest quality of life. In 2016, many senior residents
<br />needed help finding affordable housing, transportation,
<br />medication, food, and ways of supplementing their low
<br />and/or fixed incomes. The Brown Bag program offered
<br />low income seniors a bag of groceries the first Friday
<br />of each month. Additionally, the Outreach Coordinator
<br />assisted seniors experiencing significant mental health
<br />concerns such as anxiety, depression, bipolar illness
<br />and/or substance abuse, as well as assisting seniors
<br />coping with significant physical disabilities. We are
<br />pleased that the Town recognized Outreach
<br />Coordinator, Darlene Perkins, as an Employee of the
<br />Month in 2016. She represents the Mashpee Council
<br />on Aging on the Board of Directors, of Elder Services
<br />of Cape Cod and the Islands, and on the Town's
<br />Substance Use Task Force.
<br />In 2016, Mashpee Council on Aging Director
<br />Lynne Waterman was recertified by the Massachusetts
<br />Association of Councils on Aging and Senior Center
<br />Directors as a Certified Program Manager. Also, she
<br />was elected co-chair of COAST (Cape Cod Senior
<br />Center Directors). She serves as a member of the
<br />Mashpee Cultural Council and represents the Mashpee
<br />Council of Aging on the Board of Directors of the
<br />Parkinson Support Network of Cape Cod.
<br />We continue to be proud of the facilities and
<br />programs of our beautiful Senior Center. We are also
<br />very proud to be one of the few senior centers to offer
<br />courses through the Academy of Lifelong Learning
<br />sponsored by Cape Cod Community College. We owe
<br />it all to the continued support of all the good citizens of
<br />our Town.
<br />The Council on Aging wishes to acknowledge the
<br />continued support shown to us by the Board of
<br />Selectmen, Town Manager, Department of Public
<br />Works, Recreation, Human Services, Police and Fire,
<br />Library, IT, and all other Town departments and
<br />committees which provide direct and indirect services
<br />to the Council on Aging, the Mashpee Senior Center,
<br />and the senior community. In particular, we appreciate
<br />the support of the citizens at Town Meeting. With this
<br />support, the Council on Aging continues to meet the
<br />challenges of our fast-growing senior community and
<br />the community at large.
<br />Respectfully submitted,
<br />THE MASHPEE COUNCIL ON AGING
<br />C. Ernest Cornelssen, Chairperson
<br />Norah McCormick, Vice -Chairperson
<br />Virginia McIntyre, Treasurer
<br />Marijo Gorney, Secretary
<br />Mary Gaffney
<br />Jean Noussee
<br />David Egel
<br />John Jordan
<br />Irving Goldberg
<br />Lynne Waterman, Director
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