Did you know that every day, an average of 11,400 people turn 65 in the USA? And in Marblehead, about one-third of the population is 60 or older? For many of us who fall into that category, these statistics can feel gloomy. As we age, our bodies start to break down (some faster than others). While many of us have intact minds (I’m going to assume mine is until I’m proven otherwise), and we like to keep active, that can be challenging.
So, what’s so great about getting older? Four words: Marblehead’s Council on Aging (COA). I’m going to admit my bias, as I’ve been volunteering there since I moved to Marblehead in 2018. At first, I was serving lunch to a small group on Fridays (we had no more than 15-20, usually, with exceptions for special events). Then COVID hit and everything went sideways for a bit.
Today, we have at least 75-80 people come to lunch on Tuesdays. There are several volunteers and people who work in the renovated kitchen to make everything from scratch. It’s quite a social event, with a volunteer violin player and table games. Occasionally, we have other entertainment like the Old Men of Marblehead. All this for $5!
The COA is a hidden gem. They currently have about 2,000 members. Activities range from the luncheon I mentioned to inexpensive fitness classes (yoga, pilates, Zumba, dance, muscle conditioning and weight-lifting, among others, and if you play bocce, they have a new bocce court). There are games such as cribbage, bridge, canasta and mahjong, and crafting like knitting and quilting. COA offers over 25 fitness and recreation activities weekly. And I’ll be remiss if I don’t mention the trips! For extreme discounts, you can join the groups going to South Dakota, Lake George and Spain/Portugal. There are also day outings to the Danversport Yacht Club to see tribute bands performing such acts as Fleetwood Mac, John Denver and Olivia Newton-John.
If you can’t drive (whether temporarily or permanently), COA has a transportation program that allows you to sign up to reserve rides to doctor’s appointments (in or out of town), in-town rides to the hairdresser, bank, pharmacy, etc., and they make regular weekly trips to Market Basket, Crosby’s and the Food Pantry. They even have a discounted rate for the Lynn and Salem Ferries. See the weekly calendar of events published in this paper.
Recently, I was talking with a woman I know in town. She mentioned that she doesn’t drive and wishes she had a more active social life. I immediately suggested she join the COA and she said, “No, that’s for old people.” She’s 72. I chuckled and said, “Newsflash…you’re old, and so am I!” It surprises me that people think this way when, at age 55, you can join the COA for free and reap the benefits of all these programs, events and activities on a pay-as-you-go basis. Classes average of $4 to $6. And you’ll make plenty of new friends in the process.
Have you recently lost a loved one? There’s a bereavement group for that. Are you a caregiver who needs a warm and accepting environment to share your burdens? There’s a support group for that, too. Friday mornings, you can have “Coffee with a Cop,” a tradition Chief King started to allow citizens to ask the police department questions on things that concern them.
COA also offers help with technical gadgets once a month in a classroom setting as well as help with Medicare decisions in their “SHINE” program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone). And finally, for $2, there’s even a Grab and Go meals program whereby you can sign up a week in advance and drive up on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to get your meal (most often hot, occasionally cold).
I know I sound like an advertisement, but in talking to people in town, it seems that a great many people eligible to join have not, and don’t realize what an opportunity they’re missing. To get an idea of a month’s worth of events and programming, go to MarbleheadMA.gov, then the Council on Aging Department to see the newsletter. And for more information, call the COA at (781) 631-6225 or visit their Facebook page. You’ll be glad you did!
Lisa Marchionda Fama is a retired attorney who has lived in Marblehead for seven years, loves this town, and hopes she never leaves. Visit her blog at TheSoberWidow.com.
