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Managing Editor CHICOPEE Secretary of Elder Affairs Michael Festa came to listen and ask questions at the Chicopee Senior Center on Friday, but not to make any promises of funding for a new senior center. Adele Tawrel, the president of the Friends of the Chicopee Senior Center, said that in a meeting with Festa and the city's Council on Aging (COA), the secretary did not speak of any state funding or grants that could be used to help build the new center. Tawrel said she was not discouraged, though. Sandra Peret, chair of the COA, said a new larger center was discussed. Tawrel said the new center must be large enough and have programs to accommodate three distinct groups: the World War II generation who are now in their 80s, the seniors who follow them who are in their 70s and the first of the baby boomers who are entering their 60s. In a public meeting with Chicopee seniors, Festa said. "We will do whatever we can to support a new senior center." At that meeting, Mayor Michael Bissonnette said the Chicopee Housing Authority, which owns the present senior center building, is "committed to funding and finding a new senior center." "This is an important time for this council, this senior center," he added. Festa said the Legislature has given senior programs additional funding and stressed that programs such as those offered at the Chicopee Senior Center are important in keeping elders active and healthy. He did acknowledge there are "major fiscal challenges" facing the state in the future and to lower the cost of care for seniors, the Patrick Administration is shifting funds to support programs that allow seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible. He said that at one time, sending a senior to a nursing home was the first choice of many caregivers. Now, providing that senior with help to remain in his or her home is the preferred choice. Festa said there is also a senior work initiative in the planning stage that would allow seniors to remain in the work place. | ||||||
