All programs are held at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St., unless otherwise stated. For more information or to RSVP for programs, call 781-631-6225 or email councilonaging@marblehead.org.
Increased fees
The Council on Aging Board voted August 31 to increase many fees, including most fitness programs by $1, Lunch by Doug by $2 and Instructional Bridge by $5.
These increases will offset instructors fees, fuel and food supply costs. All participants, including online participants, are required to pay for classes.
New Fitness/Recreation prices
Balance & Mobility $4
Instructional Bridge $10
Bocce/Curling $15 per season
Chair yoga $4
Fitness Center $3 visit
Fitness $15 for 5 visits
Monthly Fitness Center $35
Line Dancing $6 class
Muscle Conditioning $4 class
Osteo Prevention $4 class
Quilting $6 class
Strength & Stretch $4 class
Step It Up $4 class
Strong Bones $4 class
Tai Chi $6 class
Weight training $4 class
Yoga $4 class
Zumba $4 class
Van donations in town $2 each way
Van donations out of town $4 each way
Payment
Payment for classes and lunch can still be made at the COA. Our new software, SchedulesPlus, will allow participants to set up a “cash account” for a specific amount of money to pay for classes and lunch. This can be done online with a credit card or in person with a check or cash. COA staff will be available to assist. The first week of October specific scheduled assistance times are: Tuesday, October 3; Wednesday, October 4; Thursday, October 5; 10 a.m.-12p.m. or 1-3 p.m.
Ongoing assistance after the first week of October will occur by appointment. At this time, all participants are required to pay for their classes, transportation and/or lunch. Please see Lisa or Janice if you have any questions.
State Rep. Jenni Armini visit
Friday, Oct. 20, 9:30 a.m.
Come chat with Rep. Armani at the COA.
Medicare open enrollment information meeting
Oct. 25, 1 p.m.
Peter Bowen, one of our local SHINE counselors, will be presenting about Medicare open enrollment, including the following:
- Why the open enrollment period October 15 to December 7 is important to you.
- A summary of Medicare changes for 2024, and what hasn’t changed.
- A review of Medicare choices (supplement plans, drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans)
Seats are limited. RSVP
Choose Happy Parkinson’s Network
Monday, Oct. 2, 11a.m.
Ths monthly class is facilitated by Gail Perry Borden. Come together, share stories, ask questions and find encouragement and inspiration.
Foot Care Part II
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.
Hear from Cheryl Wall, RN with Footwise. Appointments are available on Thursday, Oct. 12; and Friday, Oct. 13. Appointments begin at 9:30 a..m. RSVP
October Book Club
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 3-4 p.m.
Finish discussing “The Lincoln Highway” by Amor Towel. Next meeting is Monday, Oct. 23, book TBD.
Topsfield Fair trip
Wednesday, Oct. 4
$15 admission fee with advanced purchase. COA transportation is free. Twelve seats available. RSVP.
Movie Days
Friday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m. “Gaslight”
Friday, Oct. 27, 1 p.m. “Witches of Eastwick”
Seats are limited. RSVP
Caregiver Support Group
NEW day/time: Friday, Oct. 20, 1-3 p.m.
Caregivers meet for support and to share information. Facilitated by Sharon Doliber and Stacey McCarthy. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP
Flying Solo with Sharon, Road trip to the Great House at Castle Hill
Tuesday, Oct. 24, leave COA at 12 p.m. for a 1 p.m. tour
People may have to carpool. Cost is $10 per person. Sharon has several ideas for stops on the way home. RSVP
Support group
Friday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m.
Join Trish Crean, bereavement coordinator from AllCare Hospice. RSVP
Lunch at the COA
Lunch by Doug offered on Tuesdays at noon. Doug prepares a delicious home cooked meal.
Reservations must be made the week prior.
Grab-n-go lunches
Grab-n-go lunches are offered by AGESPAN on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the COA. Pick-up time is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Coffee with a Cop
Join Chief Dennis King or someone else from the Marblehead Police Department to discuss community concerns. Fridays at 8:30 a.m.
Blood Pressure Clinic
Drop-in blood pressure clinic on Thursdays from 11 a.m.-noon.
The COA Fitness Center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tai Chi/Qigong
Tai Chi/Qigong is an excellent form of exercise for low-impact strengthening, stress relief, balance and flexibility. Qigong is an ancient Chinese system that combines breathing, movement and meditation to cultivate health and wellbeing. Thursdays at 1 p.m.
Muscle Conditioning
Muscle Conditioning with Kim is on Mondays and Fridays at 9 a.m and Wednesdays at 10 a.m.
Stay Active
Balance and Mobility is with Mary Manning on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. No class Oct. 9.
Osteo Prevention is offered by North Shore Physical Therapy on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. No class Oct. 9.
Zumba Gold
Zumba Gold with Kim classes are held on Wednesdays at noon. It is a lower-intensity dance class inspired by Latin and world music.
Parkinson’s Fitness
The Parkinson’s Fitness class Mondays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. (No class Oct. 9.) Specifically developed for folks with Parkinson’s disease but appropriate for all, this class focuses on strength, mobility and balance. The program is paid for by the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Strength & Stretch
The COA offers a Strength & Stretch class on Mondays at 11 a.m.
Step it Up
Karen Jancsy leads this high-impact movement and muscle conditioning class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m.
Weight Training
Weight Training by Vivian is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:45 a.m.
Yoga with Evie
This yoga class is held on Mondays at 9 a.m., Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. and Thursdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. (No class Oct. 9.)
Chair Yoga
Gail Perry Borden teaches Chair Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Line Dancing
Kate Hoffman teaches Line Dancing on Thursdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The first hour is focused on beginners; however, all are welcome and encouraged to participate.
Quilting
Learn how to quilt in this class on Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Knitting Group
Drop-in knitting is Thursdays at 9 a.m. in the COA Library.
Cribbage
Cribbage is held on Tuesdays. Doors close at 9:30 a.m.
Mahjong
Play mahjong Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
I Love Bridge
This advanced bridge instruction class meets Mondays, 12:30 p.m. Drop-in bridge is on Fridays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Canasta
Canasta is now at the COA on Thursdays, 12 p.m
Learn more about Medicare
Trained SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors offer free, unbiased, confidential counseling on all aspects of Medicare and related insurance programs. Appointments are available at the COA. Call 781-631-6225.
Get a senior Charlie Card
People who are 65 years or older are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a senior Charlie Card. These cards are valid for eight years. Call Nadine Lepick at 781-631-6225 Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. to ask questions or make an appointment to process an application. Cards can also be reloaded with cash on any bus.
Want a lift?
The COA offers low-cost transportation services to both in-town and out-of-town medical appointments to surrounding towns such as Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott; and in-town errands such as the hairdresser, or to the COA for fitness, education and recreation programs and/or lunch by Doug. Weekly grocery shopping trips to Crosby’s and Market Basket are also offered. Transportation operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Rides must be scheduled a minimum of 48 hours in advance. For more information call 781- 631-6225.
Home safety audits
The town offers home safety audits to local residents. A representative from both the Marblehead Fire Department and the Council on Aging will schedule a time to meet seniors at their homes and review and discuss home safety options. To learn more, contact Sharon Doliber at 781-631-6225.
Leigh Blander is an experienced TV, radio and print journalist who has written hundreds of stories for local newspapers, including the Marblehead Reporter. She also works as a PR specialist.