Elder Services

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 and music classes, writing classes, social opportunities, recreational games


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.  

Masks must be worn at all times in the shuttle van or medical transportation vehicle. 

 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, Hanover 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 now require reservations.

 Alternative Transportation Programs

MAP (Medical Access Program): Door to door handicap accessible transportation to Boston appointments. 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. 

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

Current Resources

Community Survey 

April 2022 - The Town of Hingham has embarked on a Community Survey to identify current and long-term needs of residents aged 45 and over in Hingham. In an effort to better serve Hingham's  growing demographic of those 45 and over we have teamed up with the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston to conduct the assessment and analyze the results.

The Community Survey is the final step in the assessment process which has included both qualitative and quantitative methods of study that began January of 2022. By completing the survey you have the opportunity to have your voice heard on your views about living in Hingham. Elder Services and the Council on Aging, as well as other Town departments, needs your help to understand what matters to you today and emerging issues that may impact you over the next 5 to 10 years.

The survey should only take about 15 minutes to complete. Please complete the survey once. It may be completed by all household members aged 45 and older.

We look forward to sharing what has been learned over the coming months. Thank you for your participation. Together we will maintain Hingham as a strong, vibrant community for people of all ages.

Proceed with Survey

Jennifer Young
Director of Elder Services                        Hingham Senior Center

Hinghamlink.com volunteers assisting Seniors in need.

Hinghamlink.com volunteers are creating a schedule to take sturdy, bagged, and tied household (non-hazardous) trash to the Hingham Transfer Station for seniors in need. Interested Hingham seniors should sign up at HinghamLink, e-mail us at HinghamLink@gmail.com, or call us at (781) 908-0590. Please read the attached document for additional information.

Information about HinghamLink.com Services

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

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


Nutrition

South Shore Elder Services provides Meals on Wheels delivery to seniors in need. For more information about the program or to sign up, please call South Shore Elder Services at (781) 848- 3910. 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.


Do you live alone? 

The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department offers a free Safety Assurance Program, a computerized telephone system that places a call to a participant at a prearranged time each day. Please follow the link below to sign up for this service. 

www.pcsdma.org/sac.html