Visit us here for the latest information, news and items of interest to seniors.
7/8/25 – Overdose Prevention and Narcan Training–Click Here to register
6/9/2025 – Lord Pond Plaza Plans and updates.
See the following web sites for more information and updates:
https://lordpondplaza.wordpress.com/
https://www.bscgroup.com/portfolio/greening-lord-pond-plaza/
4/16/25 – Grandparents’ Support Group – “A place where grandparents can come to talk, listen, and learn from one another in a supportive space.”
Weekly meetings on Tuesdays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at
Valuing Our Children;s North Quabbin Patch & Family Resource Center
109 Lumber Street, Athol
Support with childcare is provided
To sign up please call Pat or Angelina at 978-249-5070
Funded by LifePath, children’s trust, Family Resource Centers
9/9/24 – Fuel Assistance Season Information – For information about the 2024-2025 Fuel Assistance Season, please click on this link for a 2-page pdf file.
3/6/24 – Royalston Residents!!! Through the Royalston COA and in partnership with Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) residents aged 60+ are eligible for
door-to-door rides by reservation.
*Royalston residents only
*Ride must originate in Royalston
*Monday through Friday
*Athol trip – One way $1.00
*Orange trip – One way $2.00
*Gardner trip – One way $2.00
*Call 1-800-922-5636 to schedule your ride with minimum of 48 hours in advance
2/21/24 – Good News!
As of March 1, 2024, there is NO ASSET LIMIT for the Medicare Savings Program (formerly the Senior Buyin). The QMB Program pays for:
- Medicare Part A premiums
- Pays for Medicare Part B premiums
- Comes with Health Safety Net coverage at acute care hospitals and community health centers (CHCs)
- Pays for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copays
- Helps you with prescription drug costs by automatically enrolling you in Medicare Part D Extra Help.
7/6/23 – Distribution of Farmers Market Coupons
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Coupons – Eligibility
In 2023 and 2024, eligible Seniors can apply for a $50 booklet of coupons to purchase locally grown, unprocessed, furits, vegetables, fresh cut herbs and honey from participating vendors. Each booklet has 10 coupons worth $5 each. The coupons expire on October 31, 2023.
To be eligible for Senior Farnmers Market Coupons, you must be:
~60 years of age or older, or
~Disabled and living in senior housing wherfe congregate nutrition services are provided, and
~Your income must be lower than the Income Limits outlined below.
To be eligible to receive Senior Farmers Market Coupons, an applicant’s gross household income (i.e. before taxes are withheld) must be no more than:
(Effective from July 1, 2023 to June 3, 2024)
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly |
| 1 | $26,973 | $2,248 |
| 2 | $36,482 | $3,041 |
| 3 | $45,991 | $3,833 |
| 4 | $55,500 | $4,625 |
| 5 | $65,009 | $5,418 |
| 6 | $74,518 | $6,210 |
| 7 | $84,027 | $7,003 |
| 8 | $93,536 | $7,795 |
| Each add’l family member add | $9,509 | $793 |
1/5/23 – Sand For Seniors – The Athol Lions Club, with assistance from the Athol Council on Aging, is offering the “Sands For Seniors” program. This program will provide citizens with sand for their walkways during the winter months. All requests, new or refills must be made by calling the Athol Council on Aging at 978-249-8986. Five day notice is required. Must be age 65 plus. Athol residents
8/23/22 – The Salvation Army will deliver a hot meal to you on Tuesday evenings along with any other food items you may need. Please call the Salvation Army office for more information and to set up regular delivery. 978-249-8111
8/22/22 – Be sure to check out the Events and Activities page. There is a lot going on at the Senior Center. Don’t miss out!
7/18/22 – The Department of Transitional Assistance has issued warnings to SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) recipients regarding Skimming and Phishing scams. The agency and its investigations team became aware of banks and retailers who appear to have had their ATMs and card processing terminals compromised. These scams are aimed at obtaining credit, debit and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card information and Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). DTA is advising clients to change their PIN numbers regularly. People should never provide their personal information or EBT/P-EBT card number over the phone to unidentified callers. If any DTA client believes he/she may have fallen victim to a skimming or phishing scam, they are encouraged to report it to DTA’s fraud hotline at 1-800-372-8399.
The agency also created a webpage on Skimming and how to protect benefits.
7/13/2022 – Caregiving can be a challenge. Here are 12 books on caregiving recommended for caregivers by Daily Caring.