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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, Ed Rinella on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 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 Kathy Glenzel, Outreach Coordinator at the Senior Center (781) 741.1458 for more information. You can also visit: MBTA-The Ride
If you or a loved one have transportation needs that cannot be met by Hingham Elder Services, there may be alternative options. Please contact Kathy Glenzel, Outreach Coordinator at (781) 741.1458 to discuss your specific transportation needs
Zoom Help
Watch the tutorial from Zoom on Joining a Meeting
Current Resources
- Hingham Elder Services
781-741-1458 - South Shore Elder Services
781-848-3910 - for Home Delivered Meals - Hingham Food Pantry
781-740-8180, hinghamfood@gmail.com - Hingham Link - Connecting Hingham residents in an immediate and useful way www.hinghamlink.com
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.
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: MyCommunityOnlineClick 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
- 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
- Tax Write-off Application Form (PDF)
- Council on Aging
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 Kathy Glenzel, Outreach Coordinator at (781) 741- 1458 or via email at glenzelk@hingham-ma.gov.
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.
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
October 15th through December 7th
You can enroll in Medicare Advantage Health Plans and Medicare Part D drug plans from October 15 – December 7.
Get ready for Medicare’s Open Enrollment with these 5 tips:
Check your mail. You may get important notices from Medicare or Social Security. If you’re in a Medicare plan, you’ll get an Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC). Note any 2021 changes to your health coverage or any Extra Help you may get to pay for prescription drugs. You may also get health plan marketing materials, like brochures, from insurance companies that offer Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Remember — plans aren’t allowed to call or come to your home without an invitation from you.
Review your 2022 “Medicare & You” handbook. It has information about Medicare coverage, as well as Medicare plans in your area. If you get your handbook by mail and want to get your next copy electronically, choose to go paperless next fall.
Think about your Medicare coverage needs for 2022. Carefully review your Medicare coverage materials during Medicare Open Enrollment. Note any changes in 2022 costs or benefits. Decide if your current Medicare coverage will meet your needs for the year ahead. If you like your current coverage and it’s still available for 2022, you don’t need to take any action.
Preview 2022 health and prescription drug plans. Medicare Plan Finder makes it easy to compare coverage options and shop for health plans. For a personalized search, log in or create an account (if you have a Medicare Number) to create or access a list of your drugs, compare your current Medicare plan to others, and see prices based on any help you get with drug costs.
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) Counselors are available to assist people in this process. Consultations will take place in person or by telephone. Please call Kathy Glenzel at 781-741-1458 to set up an appointment. Appointments are available on a first come first serve basis.
Prior to meeting with a SHINE Counselor complete the 2022 Part D Pre-Enrollment Form.