Age Well Focus Team Update
The Age Well Focus Team meets regularly with a rotating schedule of locations: City Hall, Yosman Towers and the Governor Clinton complex. The regular members are: Marge Gagnon-chair, Elaine Habernig, Jane Riley and Claire O’Brien, and Emily Flynn. Francesca Ortolano, the building manager, attends as her schedule allows.
Progress has continued with the “Cyber Seniors” program in which 24 senior residents have been matched up with students from Kingston High School to teach them how to use the computers that have been installed at the Governor Clinton Apartment complex and Yosman Towers. Refresher courses will be offered this fall.
We have created resources for seniors including:
We are starting the planning process with a community partner to present technology options for seniors this November. Keep an eye out for that event.
As a dual Focus Team effort, Age Well and Eat Well have been collaborating to work on food insecurity for seniors. Brain storming has been happening around providing transportation for seniors at Governor Clinton and Yosman Towers to Community Action’s Mass Distribution of food. A food survey was taken and results complied.
Community Action is looking for drivers (who will get reimbursed) for seniors who need transportation for non-emergency medical appointments. Visit www.uccac.org, call (845) 338-8750 x102 or email ghoward@uccac.com for an application.
Age Well participated in the Paint the Town Yellow project with an inter-generational event where preschoolers from Livingston Street Early Childhood Community visited the seniors at Yosman Towers, did a flower craft, and sang and talked about happiness.
Ongoing and future projects and goals
- Recruit additional members to Age Well
- Continue to work on a way to live stream the U.C. Office of the Aging’s Lunch and Learn programs for anyone who is not able to participate in person
- Educate seniors about the benefits of, and how to access, health and banking portal websites
- Improve transportation options and infrastructure
- Discuss the creation of a senior center
