“Suicide prevention is hope” said Steven Karaiskos, PhD, Senior Director of Community Education & Outreach at Samaritans, Inc., in a recent training seminar for Springwell employees. Dr. Karaiskos is a social learning expert, a suicide prevention advocate, an educator, and a long-time suicide loss survivor. He has spent years supporting those affected by suicide and […]
According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans each year. Falls impact older adults’ safety and independence but they do not have to be an inevitable part of aging. Falls, with or without injury can impact quality of life. A fear of falling […]
Dalia Cohen, Springwell’s Director of Nutrition, recently visited the Beech Street Center in Belmont, the Brookline Senior Center, and the Newton Senior Center to share information with older adults about bone health. Many older adults may learn from health care professionals that their bones are at risk for fractures due to osteopenia or osteoporosis. Bones […]
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is an annual opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect. Springwell employees and friends have joined the 2nd annual virtual Walk for […]
Recently, Springwell’s Caregiver Specialist and Dr. Katherine King, PsyD., a psychologist who helps older adults and their families, hosted family caregivers for a virtual workshop. The topic was universal human needs and how caregivers can meet their own needs even when there is very little extra time. King described caregiving as the ultimate marathon. Just […]
As an Area Agency on Aging, Springwell develops an Area Plan on Aging every 4 years. In 2020, Springwell’s area planning process started with a needs assessment that included large and small virtual public gatherings, focus groups, and surveys. Older adults, caregivers, and professionals participated, allowing Springwell to gather a wide range of views. One […]
Evelyn and Ray, longtime residents of Newton, have been married for 36 years. About four years ago, Evelyn noticed subtle differences in Ray that turned out to be the onset of dementia. Recently retired, Ray had worked until he was 80. He and Evelyn were active in their community and longtime supporters of many organizations […]
Yolanda Rodriguez, a native of Brookline and longtime Math teacher and department head in Wellesley Public Schools, thrives in retirement by learning new things. The civic-minded Rodriguez is finishing her third and final 3-year term on Springwell’s Board of Directors. A number of years ago, she attended exercise classes at the Brookline Council on Aging […]
As a nonprofit, Springwell depends on volunteers as one of our most valuable resources to support delivery of our programs. We are fortunate to have eight volunteer programs serving our communities: Friendly Visitors, Shopping Assistants, Medical Escorts, Office Support workers, Home Delivered Meals Drivers, Congregate Dining Assistants, Money Managers and Ombudsmen. While we always appreciate […]