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Elder Services
Related Board: Council on Aging
Mission Statement
The Hingham Department of Elder Services supports the independence and ongoing personal development of Hingham’s population 60 and older, advocates for their needs and works to enhance the quality of their lives.
Programs and Services
The Department of Elder Services operates a 5,500 square foot senior center located next to Town Hall and the Hingham Police Department. The center provides programs and services to meet the dynamic interests and needs of Hingham’s older adult population.
The center hosts 30-40 in- person programs per month and 18-25 remote programs monthly. We offer fitness classes, educational programs, art, music, writing classes, social and volunteer opportunities, recreational games, support groups, wellness programs, day trips and local transportation to medical appointments and for essential errands.
Video: Hingham Senior Center | Know Your Town
Volunteering
Wondering What to Do With Your Free Time? We have the answer. Join the senior center volunteer family. Call us at 781-741-1458.
Transportation
The Department of Elder Services provides transportation to local medical appointments for well visits, essential shopping, local errands and to senior center Programs. All transportation requests must be made by calling our Transportation Coordinator, Stephen Monteiro, at (781) 741- 1458. Reservations must be made at least one week prior to the requested ride. Our shuttle services are staffed by volunteers and will be available based on van capacity and volunteer driver availability.
Medical Appointments
Transportation provided to local and surrounding area medical appointments between Mondays through Thursdays between 8:30am and 2:00pm and Friday’s between 8:30am and 11:00am. Reservations must be made at least one week prior to the requested appointment. Rides are provided on a first come first serve basis and there are no guarantees. Suggested donation is $5 for Hingham and abutting towns and $10 for Quincy, Braintree and Scituate. Inquire about other towns.
Shuttle Van Services and Senior Center Programs
Shuttle Van errands include local shopping, beauty appointments, pharmacy, the Library etc. Rides are provided on a first come first serve basis and there are no guarantees. Reservations required one week prior to requested ride. Van transportation from Lincoln School Apartments and Thaxter to Stop and Shop is available weekly and reservations are required.
Alternative Transportation Programs
MAP (Medical Access Program): Door to door handicap accessible transportation to Boston and South Shore medical appointments may be available. These rides are free of charge and made possible by Title III-B funding under the Older Americans Act from South Shore Elder Services. Donations are encouraged to offset the cost of the program. Contact our Outreach Coordinator to inquire about program eligibility.
MBTA– The Ride: Contact Outreach at the Senior Center (781) 741.1458 for more information. You can also visit: MBTA-The Ride
Zoom Help
Watch the tutorial from Zoom on Joining a Meeting
Nutrition
South Shore Elder Services provides Meals on Wheels delivery to seniors in need five days per week. For more information about the program or to sign up, please call South Shore Elder Services at (781) 848- 3910. Meals on Wheels is more than a meal delivery service. It is a friendly face checking in on you or your loved one with each meal delivered. The congregate meal program coordinated by South Shore Elder Services at the senior center is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:30 at the senior center. For more information please contact Outreach at (781) 741- 1458.
Current Resources
- Hingham Elder Services
781-741-1458 - South Shore Elder Services Aging Services Access Provider. Provides home care, meals on wheels, money management, Options Counseling, Family Caregiver Support, Protective Services 781-848-3910
- Hingham Food Pantry
781-740-8180, hinghamfood@gmail.com - Hingham Link - Connecting Hingham residents in an immediate and useful way www.hinghamlink.com
- The Town of Hingham has created the Exceptional Needs Registry as a method to enable first responders who are called in to assist an individual with unique circumstances.
- Plymouth Country Sheriff’s Department Free Safety Assurance Program - a computerized telephone system that places a call to a participant at a pre-arranged time each day. Calls are received between 6 am and noon.
- South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. (SSCAC), a private, non-profit community action agency, provides a range of services that help improve the opportunities and well-being of low-income individuals and families throughout the South Shore. SSCAC runs a range of programs in the areas of nutrition and food assistance, home energy and utility assistance, energy conservation assistance, early education and family support, transportation for the elderly and disabled, and income maximization. 508- 747- 7575
- Massachusetts Elder Abuse Hotline; If you suspect or know of an elder at risk for abuse; call the 24 hour hotline at 800- 922-2275 to report. A report may also be filed online.
- Medicare
- Common Housing Application for Massachusetts Programs (CHAMP)
- Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP): Monthly financial assistance benefit distributed on an EBT card to help buy nutritious food.
- 2022 Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Information. Additional information on the tax credit option for seniors is available on the Mass.gov website.
Central Times
The monthly newsletter, Central Times, provides current information about services, classes and other programs. Residents may request to have the newsletter mailed to their home. Information about programs and services can also be obtained at the reception desk at the Senior Center. You can also subscribe to the newsletter electronically by visiting: MyCommunityOnline
Click on the “subscribe link” to get it delivered directly to your email box each month!
You can now register for programs online using your MySeniorCenter scan card by visiting: MyActiveCenter. To register for MyActiveCenter please view this video for instructions.
Funding for Operations
Municipal funds, grants, donations and volunteer services all support the Department. This support enables us to provide programs at a reasonable cost or free of charge.
Important Documents & Links
- Strategic Plan July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2020 (PDF)
- Newsletter - The current issue and previous issues of Central Times Newsletter are available through Liturgical Publications.
- Aging in Hingham (PDF) - A needs assessment of Hingham residents 45 and older
- UMass Final Presentation on Aging in Hingham: A Community Needs Assessment (PDF)
- Tax Work-off Application Form (PDF)
- Council on Aging