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Date: 10/6/2021
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Council on Aging has received three grants from Highland Valley Elder Services to support the creation of a Memory Cafe in Stanton Hall, and an outreach worker to assist elders who are aging in place.The grants, which total $18,400 the first year, will serve the senior population in the Hilltowns who lost services two years ago when the Southern Hilltown Consortium dissolved. The consortium provided an outreach worker, created a caregiver library and helped to create a Hilltown Resource Guide.
The new grants will fund a five-hour part-time caregiver support coordinator and facilitator for two years to plan and organize the Hilltown Memory Café program in Stanton Hall at 26 Russell Rd., and to provide support, resources and training for caregivers. The COA is looking for people with educational and professional experience in social services, nursing, or education and personal or professional experience working with individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The Hilltown Memory Café will provide a warm and welcoming environment for the whole senior population, with special attention paid to suggestions and recommendations from seniors and caregivers.
“The Hilltown Memory Cafe would be for anyone in any of the Hilltowns. There is one in Shelburne Falls once a month; my goal is once a week,” said Kathleen Peterson, COA coordinator who applied for the grants.
Peterson said she envisions splitting Stanton Hall in half, with seniors impacted by memory loss and trained volunteers in the front of the hall engaged in activities or entertainment, and caregivers and family members in the back meeting with the caregiver support coordinator, who will have books and helpful information.
Another grant will fund a five-hour part-time outreach worker to work with elders who are aging in place, support families with resource information, and assist with paperwork for benefits. Prospective applicants should have educational and professional experience in social services, nursing, or education and personal or professional experience working with elders.
Expected goals of the programs include providing community support, education, socialization, and emotional support for seniors and caregivers in Hampshire County and western Hampden County.
“We will be working with the COA and faith groups to get the word out and for recommendations and referrals. Volunteers will be trained using the Dementia Friends Champion format provided by Jewish Family & Children’s Service,” Peterson said.
For more information about the positions and programs, visit www.huntingtonma.us, email coa@huntingtonma.us or call 512-5205.