Sep 05

Little Things Add up to Big Things

As we go through life, challenges that we least expect can become daunting.  While we can access medical care through insurance policies, programs and clinics, it is often the subtle or chronic physical and mental challenges that make other types of help valuable to improve safety and quality of life.   When informal supports are not [...]

Sep 02

Trish Smith

Springwell Names Trish Smith as New CEO

Springwell appointed Trish Smith as its new chief executive officer on August 30, 2019. Trish, who was named as interim CEO in July after serving as Chief Operating Officer since 2013, brings over 15 years of leadership experience at organizations dedicated to serving older adults. Dedicated to Springwell’s mission of helping people live and age [...]

Jul 09

Springwell searches for new CEO

After 19 years at Springwell including the past six as CEO, Ruth Beckerman-Rodau is resigning to explore the next chapter of her career. One of her important roles prior to being CEO was formalizing the annual and strategic planning process that supports ongoing quality improvement across the agency. Beckerman-Rodau’s mantra as CEO has been to [...]

Jun 15

Partnership with Simmons University benefits multiple generations

Simmons University School of Nursing students, Christina and Sarah, volunteer weekly at the Brookline Senior Center. These second-year students are two of twenty-three participating in a “Nutrition and Health Promotion service- learning seminar” this semester. Service-learning combines community service with academic instruction. The students’ volunteer work at the Springwell-operated senior community dining program in Brookline [...]

May 15

Malnutrition in the Elderly

Springwell’s Nutrition Program is helping seniors better understand the risks of malnutrition and make them aware of solutions to this common problem. Malnutrition is dangerous because it leads to bone loss which can trigger falls and fractures. Diets low in calcium, a lack of adequate sun and a sedentary lifestyle contribute to bone loss. Bone [...]

May 07

Why are we concerned about older drivers?

Debra A. Kerrigan, MS, OTR/L, from the Drive Safe Program at Newton Wellesley Hospital, visited Springwell to discuss ways to help seniors and their families understand if it is time to curtail or stop driving. While many older adults are safe drivers, the majority of older adults will outlive their ability to drive safely by [...]

Apr 24

Caring for LGBT Elders

Lisa Krinsky, LICSW, Director of the LGBT Aging Project at The Fenway Institute recently led a training to help Springwell staff maximize their professional capacity as an ally to LGBT elder adults. Clips from Gen Silent, a documentary on how the fear of homophobia from health workers or services impacts LGBT elders’ lives, served as [...]

Apr 18

two happy Springwell volunteers

Volunteering leads to a surprising connection

Volunteering is well understood to have benefits to both the community and to the volunteer. Sometimes the benefits can be surprising. As the Springwell Volunteer Appreciation event last year an unexpected surprise came in the form of a reunion of two childhood friends. Sherry and Ed, long-time volunteers at different Springwell Community Dining sites, saw [...]

Apr 02

Diet Fads: Facts and Fiction for Seniors

For National Nutrition Month, Meghan Ostrander, Nutrition Director at Springwell, presented a special program titled, Fad Diets- Pros and Cons at Community Dining sites in Springwell’s service area. Ostrander succinctly laid out claims, as well as potential benefits and risks, of four of the new most popular diet trends. Before starting any new diet plan, [...]