Social Services
Senior Center
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109
The Wethersfield Senior Center, located in the Pitkin Community Center, is a community resource where older adults can receive information and services to help maintain their health, independence and well-being. Senior center staff can assist older adults and their families identify and obtain access to programs and services available through local, state or federal agencies. Through the provision of activity classes, educational and entertainment programs the Senior Center strives to prevent isolation and encourages socialization. For more information call (860) 721-2979 or e-mail Donna Mattison, donna.mattison@wethersfieldct.com.
ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATION FOR OLDER ADULTS
Activities, classes and educational programs are provided throughout the year. Programs may change based on the interests expressed by seniors and resources available. Some examples are: Line Dancing, Art Classes, Craft Programs, Mah Jongg Club, Ballroom Dancing, Investment Education, Energy Conservation Information, Programs on Alternative Living Arrangements, Flower Arranging, Cooking Classes, Book Discussion Group, Singing Group. A Senior Lounge area is available to read the newspaper, a magazine, visit with others, play a card game or enjoy a cup of coffee or tea on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday mornings.
COMPUTER CLASSES THROUGH THE WETHERSFIELD COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER
A group of volunteers manage and provide computer classes through the Wethersfield Computer Learning Center located within the Senior Center. Currently two different introductory courses are offered at various times. The basic class for beginners is Introduction to Computers; this class is held once a week for two hours over a four week period. The second introductory class is Introduction to Software Applications; this is an eight week program scheduled for two hours per week. The maximum class size is seven with an instructor and two coaches. The following additional classes have been added to the curriculum: Word Processing, Graphics, Genealogy, Internet and Digital Cameras. Contact the Senior Center (721-2979) to learn how to enroll in the Computer Learning Center and sign up for classes. See Volunteer Opportunities if you have computer skills and an interest in teaching or coaching others as well as learning from other volunteers of the Computer Learning Center.
COMMUNITY CAFÉ
The nutritional lunch program provided through CRT and the Department of Social and Youth Services serves lunch Monday through Friday at the Pitkin Community Center. Any senior can participate and reservations are made one day ahead. A donation of $2 is requested. To make a reservation, contact the Pitkin Community Center at (860) 721-2955 for the next day's meal.
HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING (CHOICES)
CHOICES is a program of Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling and Eligibility screening. "One Stop" information and preliminary screening are provided for state and federal benefit and support programs that may assist Connecticut seniors.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROMOTION AND SCREENINGS
The Senior Center uses resources arranged and provided by the Central Health District to assist with providing health screening and education for seniors. In addition, arrangements are made for program presentations or screenings provided by community agencies or individual health care providers. Physical, mental and social health issues are addressed at various times.
Did you know?
Connecticut's most common and costly unintentional injuries are fall related. Over a third of our community's older citizens will fall this year. Some will be injured, make a trip to the emergency room or require hospitalization. Many falls can be prevented. To learn more about the risks and how older adults can help themselves visit the Connecticut Collaboration for Fall Prevention website: www.fallprevention.org.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
As interests of seniors are identified it becomes a challenge to locate an individual or agency that can meet that need. Frequently individuals are willing to share information, a hobby or a skill they have with others. Examples are flower arranging, singing, scrapbooking. Volunteers also assist with the Senior Lounge -- making coffee, maintaining the area and greeting others or cleaning up the area. The Community Café uses volunteers to help set the tables, serve and clean up after the meal. The Wethersfield Computer Learning Center is totally operated by volunteers: management, publicity, computer operation and maintenance, class scheduling and registration, instructing and coaching. Call or e-mail Donna Mattison at (860) 721-2979 if you have skills or talents to share with others.