Update 4/10/20:
Hello All,
All of us at the Senior Center are hoping that you are healthy and staying safe. As you know, the Senior Center and Town offices remain closed to the public and the Senior Center staff are working remotely to minimize risk of contracting or spreading the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Although this is challenging, we encourage you to continue to do the same. Please contact us if you have need assistance, or just need to talk. We are offering limited community services during this time; see below for more information.
Please reach out to us, especially if you have a need, at 978-443-3055 or [email protected].
The Sudbury Council on Aging met on Tuesday, April 7 via the online software called Zoom. The COA members send you their best wishes for good health. They had some great information for me to share with you today. In addition, the Senior Center staff and I meet regularly via Zoom and we have helpful information to share as well.
U.S. Census – Please Participate!
Please complete your U.S. Census form via mail or online. This is very important! The U.S. Census is updated only once every 10 years. This year’s count will be the official count used until 2030. The numbers of people, and their ages, etc., are counted for each town. Accurate numbers are important; used to guide funding amounts for many programs: Federal and State funding – including the State Formula grant, which sends funds to the Sudbury Senior Center, funds that provide Meals on Wheels, MassHealth/Medicaid, highway and construction funds, and on and on. Make sure that every person who lives at your address is counted by completing the mail-in or online form!
New Volunteer Service – Phone Buddies
The Senior Center is setting up a new way of connecting you to your neighbors. We are looking for residents who would like to be matched with a phone buddy (a volunteer from the Senior Center*). Phone Buddies will call once a week for friendship and conversation. Please contact the Senior Center at [email protected] or 978-443-3055 and leave a message with your name, phone number and email address, if possible.
*All Senior Center volunteers are interviewed and complete the required paperwork, including a Mass. CORI Criminal background check.
BayPath Elder Services Home Delivered Meals Program
BayPath Elder Services continues to deliver meals to clients in Sudbury on Tuesdays and Fridays. The delivery includes a hot meal, cold meal and frozen meal. All meals are sealed at the catering facility. Meal Site Manager Debbie Peters follows strict safety protocols and ensures that her delivery drivers do the same. Should you have a question, concern or would like to apply for home delivered meals, please contact BayPath Elder Services at 508-573-7200.
Tax News
The IRS and State of Massachusetts have extended the filing deadlines for Federal and State taxes to July 15, 2020. When the Senior Center is open again, the AARP Tax Return Volunteers will be able to reschedule the appointments already scheduled before the suspension of services.
Please be aware that due to the Coronavirus outbreak, there have been changes to due dates and other tax related requirements, possibly including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Please check with your tax accountant, investment firm, retirement accounts and other established entities for the latest information.
Voting
The March 30 election and May 4 Town meeting are postponed to an undetermined date as of this email. You may want to consider filing for an absentee ballot. Please contact the Town Clerk’s office at [email protected] or 978-639-3351. You can request to receive Absentee ballots for all upcoming elections during this year (2020). For information about Absentee ballots and about the Town Clerk’s services during this time, please go to Town Clerk’s Services during Pandemic.
Newsletter
We hope to send out an abbreviated, combined April/May newsletter soon.
Information/Resources
The Sudbury Board of Health is posting updates on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak at Board of Health Coronavirus Updates.
The Town Social Worker has comprehensive lists of resources on her webpage at Social Worker Resources.
Of note:
Continue to practice “social distancing” – keeping a 6-foot radius of space around you and between you and others. Staying at home or outside away from people is the safest way to do this. If you absolutely need to go out of the house into a public space, it is recommended that you wear a face covering/mask.
Beware of scams – there are many bad actors taking advantage of this situation to try to scam people of their money, or their identity information. Please be very wary. People may call, email or knock on your door offering free COVID-19 testing, or some other offer. You should only talk to your doctor/doctor’s office about these things. The town and state of Mass. are not calling or knocking on doors to offer these services. There are also many other types of scams – if you don’t know the person – just do not respond.
A personal message from John Beeler, Chair of the Sudbury Council on Aging.
These are at best scary times. I find myself hovering between fear and hope.
My 17-year old granddaughter has tested positive for the virus. Her 19-year old brother was tested on Monday. We are waiting for the results. My son and daughter-in-law will be tested next. They live in Westport, CT.
My all-time personal song is on my mind. “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
The Sudbury Senior Center is taking calls and is equipped and ready to assist you and your requests for information and who you might connect with for assistance at 978-443-3055. You are not alone.
I miss seeing you all, the programs, the classes. Especially the rhythm, energy and the smiles we all seem to share.
Please track down my favorite song and play it loud and often. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will give you chills.
The closing lyrics are …” Walk On, Walk On, With Hope In your Heart and You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
A special thanks to the staff members… Debra, Chery, Debbie, Judy, Ana Cristina, Sharon, Tia, Phyllis, Josephine, Janet, Linda, Amy and all of our volunteers.
John Beeler
Stay well,
Debra Galloway
Director
Sudbury Senior Center
Additional resources:
Sudbury Home Delivery Resources
Sudbury Town Social Worker Resource Page
Centers for Disease Control
Mass. Department of Public Health
Mass Dept. of Public Health Coronavirus Information
Mass Dept. of Public Health Coronavirus Blog – Ask Questions
Sudbury Senior Center
40 Fairbank Road
Sudbury, MA 01776
978-443-3055
Important Update 3/20/20:
Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, all programs, classes and events at the Sudbury Senior Center are cancelled until further notice. The Senior Center is also closed to the public, along with other town buildings. Staying home and away from crowds during this period will help to reduce your risk of both catching and spreading the virus. We will evaluate when to reopen at a later date. Please check back to the Senior Center website at www.sudburyseniorcenter.org or the Town of Sudbury website www.sudbury.ma.us for more information.
We recognize that this time of social distancing is very challenging for many reasons. The Senior Center staff will be available for phone or email consultation during this period. (978-443-3055 or [email protected]). Please feel free to reach out to us.
The Sudbury Board of Health is posting updates on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak at Board of Health Coronavirus Updates. The Board of Health also posted a notice about Gatherings that you should read.
The Town Social Worker has comprehensive lists of resources on her webpage at Social Worker Resources.
Of note:
Continue to practice “social distancing” – keeping a 6-foot radius of space around you and between you and others. Staying at home or outside away from people is the safest way to do this.
Beware of scams – there are many bad actors taking advantage of this situation to try to scam people of their money, or their identity information. Please be very wary. People may call, email or knock on your door offering free COVID-19 testing, or some other offer. You should only talk to your doctor/doctor’s office about these things. The town and state of Mass. are not calling or knocking on doors to offer these services. There are also many other types of scams – if you don’t know the person just do not respond.
Tax News
The IRS asks people unable to file their tax returns by April 15 to request a 6- month extension. They have also extended the deadline for any tax payments due to July 15. When the Senior Center is open again, the AARP Tax Return Volunteers will be able to reschedule the appointments that had to be postponed due to the suspension of services.
Please feel free to contact the Senior Center with questions or concerns or If you need paper copies of information mailed to you at 978-443-3055 or [email protected] .
Stay well,
Debra Galloway
Director
Sudbury Senior Center
978-443-3055
Additional resources:
Sudbury Home Delivery Resources
Sudbury Town Social Worker Resource Page
Centers for Disease Control
Mass. Department of Public Health
Mass Dept. of Public Health Coronavirus Information
Mass Dept. of Public Health Coronavirus Blog – Ask Questions
Additional resources:
Sudbury Board of Health – https://sudbury.ma.us/BoardOfHealth/
Advocates at 508-872-3333 for mobile crisis mental health emergencies
Please note that HOPE Sudbury applications will not be processed this week.
For emergency financial needs, please reach out to St. Vincent de Paul conference at St. Anselm. They will need to visit you to better understand your needs and help as they can: 978-443-8981.
Non-crisis support phone lines for people coping with mental health and social emotional concerns: 877-733-7563.
Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/get-your-household-ready-for-COVID-19.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
Mass. Department of Public Health
Mass Dept. of Public Health Coronavirus Information
Mass Dept. of Public Health Coronavirus Blog – Ask Questions
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