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Date: 2/3/2021
EAST LONGMEADOW – Seniors have someone new on their side in East Longmeadow. Mary Beth Dowd was named as the Council on Aging director on Dec. 28, after Carolyn Brennan vacated the role.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for people of all ages and I believe that just because you turn 60, it doesn’t mean you can’t live a capable life,” Dowd said.
Dowd, an East Longmeadow resident, had worked at Greater Springfield Senior Services (GSSSI) for 32 years before leaving in 2018 and has an academic background in geriatric sociology and rehabilitation. This is Dowd’s first time working in a municipal setting.
“I think with every job you have to learn the ropes,” Dowd said about the change, however she noted, “It kind of fits in well. Part of my focus has always been to make sure elders have the information they need. Not only are we providing actual services, we are getting people the information they need to live their lives.”
East Longmeadow has a significant elder population, with 4,928 people over age 60. Dowd said that there are no big changes planned for the Council on Aging or the Pleasant View Senior Center at the moment.
“I’m coming on at such a unique time,” Dowd said, noting that she is relying on a “great staff who have been really creative at getting people the services they need.”
One of the most immediate tasks ahead of Dowd is coordinating with the East Longmeadow Fire Department and Health Department to offer a coronavirus vaccine clinic at the Pleasant View Senior Center one day per week. The clinic will accommodate East Longmeadow residents over the age of 75. Dowd said residents under that age are being referred to mass.gov for more information on eligibility. In addition the town is working cooperatively to ensure information about the availability of and registering for vaccines gets out to residents as soon as it is available.