Outreach Department Contact Information

   

Betsy Loomis Social Service Coordinator : 508-430-7551

 email: bloomis@town.harwich.ma.us

Beth McCormick Outreach Assistant 508 430 7550 x13

email: bmccormick@town.harwich.ma.us

Pat Switchenko Volunteer Coordinator 508 430 7550 x15

email: pswitchenko@town.harwich.ma.us

  
OUTREACH SERVICES

The mission of the Outreach Department is to link seniors to supports and services which would allow them to remain independent in their community. We attend workshops and training to remain current in issues facing seniors so that we can act as advocates for them as they age in place. Below are some but not all of the services we provide.

Home/Office Visits to Assess Needs 

  • Home care referrals  
  • Files of Life, C.A.P.E Bags
  • Driving Concerns
  • Telephone Reassurance
  • Friendly Visitor
  • Applications for Fuel Assistance, Food Stamps, Housing
  • info about how health care proxies and hippa work together and DNR and comfort care forms.
  • info about assistance to lower bills and preserve income

 Medical Rides Program

  • Call Beth Or Betsy at (508) 430-7550 at least 3 business days before your appointment. 
  • Tell us the Day, Time and Address of your appointment.
  • We find you a volunteer driver that will pick you up at your house, take you to your appointment, wait with you and take you back home. 
  • We only service the areas from Hyannis to Wellfleet.
  • There is a donation to the driver of $15.00 for rides to Hyannis, Yarmouth or Wellfleet & $5.00 for any of the other areas.
  • The volunteer can stop at a Pharmacy to fill your prescription after your appointment - but no other errands or stops allowed.
  • Call for our packet of transportation resources!

    
Outreach News

Friendly Visitor Volunteers Outreach is in need of volunteers for this program-both male and female. This is a once a week social commitment with a senior who is in need of some companionship. The benefits are mutual!Call Betsy at 508 430 7551 for info on how to get involved.

Essential Skills for Alzheimer's Care sponsored by Elder Services of Cape and Islands and Alzheimer's Services will be held on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Pre registration is required. Please call 800 272 3900 to reserve a space. This is first in a series of new skills based programs designed with family caregivers in mind.

Learn successful ways to start conversations and activities and make daily tasks less stressful. Laughing, Talking and reminiscing will make the day a lot brighter!

Year Round Affordable Rental Housing  Located in Provincetown, MA, Income elegible restrictions. Selections is based on review of application. This is not a lottery. Contact Khristine Hopkins 508 487 2462 ext 3. Deadline March 19th 2012

Nauset Neighbors  Nauset Neighbors has expanded into Harwich! This is a non profit group whose goal has been to help senior residents on the Outer Cape and Brewster remain in their homes as long as possible. Harwich residents can now access their services for a reasonable annual fee. Volunteers assist seniors with direct services such as transportation to medical appoints, errands, and social engagements. Volunteers  assist with minor home repairs as well.

Volunteers are needed from Harwich to help once or twice a month to provide these services and a variety of other services that fit your talents and schedule.  For more information about becoming a member or a volunteer call 508. 514.7067 or email info@nausetneigbors.org. Or visit www.nausetneighbors.org to complete and return the Volunteer Interest and sign up form.

    
Welcome!

The Harwich Community Center
 100 Oak Street
Harwich, MA
02645

Click here for directions

Phone Contacts
& Individual Department Hours

Building Hours
Monday - Friday
6:00AM - 10:00PM

Saturday
9:00AM - 5:00PM



We are handicap-accessible
and equipped with a TDD phone
with brail signage
throughout the center.

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Outreach Updates

The 2011-2012 heating season is here!

On behalf of the South Shore Community Action Council, the Harwich COA's trained staff assists with the review of applications for accuracy and thoroughness before forwarding to SSCAC who will then make the determination of eligibility. It is advisable to apply as soon as you think you might be in need as the processing time is lengthy due to high volume.

 

Emergeny situtations will not be considered unless a complete application has been submitted to the SSCAC. An oil tank must be at less than an 1/8th of a tank to be considered an emergency. Appointments will be made on Monday Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 3pm.

When you call for an appointment we will determine the documents you will need to bring in to support your application

There's No Place Like Home!

 Are you worried you might fall in the bathroom?  Are the stairs getting harder to negotiate? There is help available to assist seniors with financing home modifications to make  home safer and more comfortable.

The Home Modification Loan Program can be used only for home modifications such as  a ramp, stairlift, grab bars, or widening doorways so that you can stay independent and remain in your home longer . It is a zero to three  per cent interest loan and is repaid at the time of sale or transfer of the home. There are generally no monhly payments and no interst accrues.

Eligibility is based on income guidelines and documentation of need. For more information call the Outreach Office at the COA or Susan Gillam at 617 204 3739. You can also visit www.mass.gov/mrc.hmlp

Frauds and Scams

Are you tired of receiving those annoying telemarketing phone calls at dinner time?  Unsure about which mail to keep or discard? Below is contact information from the Federal Trade Commission and the US Postal Service to remove your name from these lists.

  • To remove your name from mailing lists, enclose $1  and write to Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, PO Box 282, Carmel NY 10512
  • To remove your name from telemarketing call lists contact: Do Not Call registry at 1 888 382 1222 or register online at www.donotcall.gov
  • To opt out of pre-approved unsolicited credit card offers register online at www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1  567 8688 888

By registering with these sites, you will be protecting yourself from unwanted mail and phone calls that could potentially lead to being scammed.

 

 

 

 

 

    
INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTHY AGING

Healthy Eating for Successful Living

Elder Services is sponsoring a workshop on ths topic beginning February 16th 2012 for six weeks. Learn how small nutrition and lifestyle changes can promote better health! Contact Linda Zevitas for more information at 508 394 4630 x401

Walking Keeps the Body and Brain Young!

Many people know that exercise and walking is good for physical health and improves mental health as well. But a new study  published in an online issue of Neurology  the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology shows that this effort may also prevent dementia and Alzheimers disease.

You  must walk at least 6 miles to make a difference. By starting this activity in mid life the study shows that you can cut the risk of developing memory problems in half! Just one more reason to make exercise part of your life!

    
Seasonal Information

Cape Cod National Seashore Pass!!

Did you know?? For a one time fee of $10 dollars, if you are over 62, you can buy a pass that will give you lifetime access to all the National Parks which require entry fees. This is called the America the Beautiful Pass (formerly known as the Golden Age Pass).  This includes all the National Seashore beaches on the Outer Cape. This pass can be obtained at the entrypoint to the park and gives access to all the occupants of the vehicle!

This includes Coast Guard Beach and Nauset Light Beach in Eastham, Marconi Beach in Wellfleet and Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro and Race Point and Herring Cove Beach in P-town!

    
Support Groups

 Support Groups

  • Caregivers, Alzheimer's Support Group at Harwich COA 3rd Wednesdays 10 to 11:30 Call ASCCI @508 775 5656
  • Bereavement:Caregiver's Support Group "The Journey of the Long Goodbye" Wednesdays, from 9:30 to 11:30 at Dennis Memorial Library, 1020 Old Bass River RD, Dennis.  Call Cecile Brown at 508 394 4630 X451. Reservations are required.
  • Parkinson's Support Group  Meets monthly at the Orleans COA on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10 AM Call Gail Glanvill at 508 255 7774 or Jane MacDonald @ 508 237 5253