Hopewell Valley Senior Services offers a wide range of programs
By Lisa Zola-DeLibero
As the U.S. population continues to age, demands grow on government agencies to provide support for the senior community.
One such agency that’s been offering such support for some time now is Hopewell Valley Senior Services, which serves Hopewell Township and Borough as well as Pennington. The regional operation, run out of the Hopewell Township Municipal Complex, aims to provide residents 55 years old and older with information and referrals as well as programs and activities specifically suited to the needs of older people.
Hopewell Valley Senior Services offers residents information in a variety of areas where seniors frequently need support, including caregiver support, legal services, financial assistance and nutrition programs. There are also a number of recreation and fitness programs and social and support groups as well as activities held at the senior center in Pennington on a regular basis.
Abigail Waugh, the Senior Services Coordinator, has developed a number of programs since she began working for the program in 2006. Waugh, a graduate of Columbia University with a degree in American History, realized after meeting an advocate of social work in her junior year of college, that she was interested in pursuing a career in social work. She later attended The Smith College School for Social Work.
“My goal is promote connection and joy for people,” Waugh said. “I want to help to improve the quality of life for individuals, and be a resource for practical needs, like Medicare and social security.”
Ages at the senior center range from 60 to 90, but Waugh said most members are between the ages of 70 and 80. Many are regulars, but there are also have quite a few who just drop in for certain workshops or events.
One of the newest programs held by HVSS is Mondays with Mia, begun in September 2013. On the third Monday of each month, Mia the chocolate lab and her trainer meet a group of seniors at the Hopewell Train Station for conversation about dogs and life.
Waugh gets many of her ideas for programs or presentations from phone calls that she receives from the community. She gets calls about the times and locations of events and activities, as well as requests for transportation to and from physical therapy, dialysis and doctor visits.
“Many of the seniors may have family who live too far away, or who work full time jobs, and may not be able to transport them on a regular basis,” Waugh said. “So we provide the transportation for them. But I also get ideas from the seniors who call us up, asking questions due to concerns that they have.”
One of the many programs that Waugh is excited about is “Tech-Time,” which meets at the Mercer County Library Hopewell Branch on Pennington-Titusville Road.
“Tech-time is great for seniors,” Waugh said. “We have teens from local high schools who meet with the seniors to teach them how to use the technology that they are interested in.”
Seniors call ahead to let them know what devices they need help with, and HVSS sets up one or two teens to work with each senior.
A program for creative seniors is the Artists Choice Group, which meets once a week at the center. Waugh said some of the artists are or have been professionals, and others are amateurs. They do watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting, and every September, they display their artwork to the public at the Hopewell branch of the Mercer County Library.
And on Wellness Wednesdays, Waugh provides seniors who attend with a variety of topics that benefit their health.
“I try to make sure that I have a mix of topics for everyone, “ she said.
Many speakers are from local hospitals and are coming in to educate the groups on health issues that have been suggested by seniors. They have had workshops about swallowing disorders, anxiety and stress, and a number of other topics. There is also an annual wellness fair, which seniors can attend to get a variety of about fitness and long-term care.”
Four times a year, Waugh hosts a “Quarterly Care Giver Night” for individuals, who are caring for an elderly parent, spouse, friend, or for someone who may have questions pertaining to their own care. It’s “always a nice mix of people who are very compassionate and caring, “ Waugh said.
Listening to the needs of the community is something that is very important to Waugh. After Hurricane Sandy, for example, many senior members of the community felt that they needed to have more preparation in case of another storm, or any type of emergency. So for Jan. 29 (which is after the Express went to press), Waugh put together an Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Open House.
The open house was to feature the Pennington First Aid Squad, Capital Health, the Hopewell Township Health Department, the Hopewell Township Police, and much more. Seniors may drop in, at the Municipal Building located at 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, anytime during that two-hour time frame, to get advice on handling emergencies.
After each seminars or workshop, businesses usually provide lunch or dinner for the attendees. After the Emergency Preparedness Open House, the Brandywine Senior Living Services of Pennington was set to provide the lunches.
Waugh likes to come up with about three new programs each year. A monthly newsletter about all of the upcoming events can be found at hopewelltwp.org/senior_news.html.
Waugh feels that people in the community are benefitting from the programs.
“I definitely notice that people have built relationships through the programs,” Waugh said. “They look after one another, making sure that, if there is anything that anyone needs, they are there to help.”
The Hopewell Valley Senior Center is located at 395 Reading St. in Pennington. For more information, call (609) 737-0605, Ext. 692.
