Town of Amherst Seeks Community Feedback on Senior Services
Amherst Senior Center. Photo: amherstma.gov
Source: amherstma.gov
The Town of Amherst Council on Aging, in partnership with Amherst Senior Services, is pleased to announce a new initiative aimed at better understanding the needs of our community’s older adults. All residents ages 50 and older are invited to participate in an anonymous survey designed to gather valuable insights into the challenges faced by older adults and how they are accessing services at the Senior Center.
The survey will help the town identify areas where Senior Services can improve and expand support to meet the growing needs of our aging population. Community feedback is essential in guiding future programs and resources that enhance quality of life for all seniors in Amherst.
Complete the survey here: amherstma.gov/senior-survey
The survey is open through November 15.
Physical copies of this survey are also available at the Amherst Senior Center in the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk), which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Completed surveys can be returned to the Senior Center or by mail.
“We want to hear directly from our older residents so we can better address their needs and ensure they feel supported and connected,” said Jeanne Horrigan, Chair of the Amherst Council on Aging. “This survey is an important step in shaping the future of senior services in Amherst.”
Results of the survey will be shared with the public by being posted on the Amherst Senior Services website. The information collected will be used to enhance services and ensure that our Senior Center continues to be a vital resource for our community’s older adults.
For any questions or comments, please contact Amherst Senior Services by stopping by the Senior Center, emailing seniorcenter@amherstma.gov, or calling 413-259-3060.
About Amherst Council on Aging and Senior Services
The Amherst Senior Center and Council on Aging serves and supports older adults from all walks of life. We seek to assist older adults in remaining as independent as possible, while maintaining total wellbeing and dignity. We advocate and offer programs and services to assist with all aspects of life: community building, mental wellness, health, cultural inclusion, volunteer outreach, accessibility, and cost-of-living. We explore new ways to create or adapt programming to meet the needs of seniors of all ages. We also endeavor to advocate, educate, collaborate, and build coalitions within the larger community on behalf of older adults. Learn more at: amherstma.gov/SeniorCenter
As with the condition of our roads and sidewalks, the DPW building, and the Central Fire Station, the (so-called) Senior Center is an embarrassment.
For those seniors who drive, I highly recommend the centers in Hadley, Northampton, South Hadley, Holyoke, and Chicopee, among others in the Valley. All are relatively new buildings, dedicated to senior services, spacious and clean with adjacent parking and a wealth and variety of programs. In each are areas where you can just shoot pool, play cards or board games, or have lunch or coffee with friends. Staff members are welcoming, and the message is clear: seniors matter.