On August 1, Marion’s Council on Aging staff, along with members of the Friends of the Marion COA and other senior community members, gathered to celebrate the first anniversary of the senior drop-in center at the Marion Music Hall and the lady who made it all happen.
The brainchild of a woman who has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, Joanne Mahoney sought and found a way to provide Marion’s aging population with a “center,” a location where they could gather together to participate in a variety of activities.
Without a brick and mortar structure to call its own, the Marion COA, unlike its neighbors, wasn’t able to provide social or enrichment activities – activities that Mahoney believes are critical to senior citizens. After casting about trying to find a location, she approached the town about using the Music Hall. In her imagination, it was the right size with the right accessibility to allow programs for seniors to take place.
A year later, her vision was crystal clear. “I had two objectives,” Mahoney said. “The first one was to raise awareness that we needed a senior center, and the second was a get a place where people could come together,” she said. The Music Hall is open to seniors on Mondays and Wednesdays with such programs as chair yoga, blood pressure clinics, a social hour, buffet luncheons and lectures.
“We are seeing about 50 people throughout those days,” said Mahoney. Mahoney’s personality, training, and her long career as a psychologist added to her first person understanding of the needs of the aging. “Loss is the word that comes to mind,” she shared, “…you lose your husband, your kids move on, your job is gone, friends die, you deal with lots of loss…”
To combat the depression associated with loss, Mahoney believes you have to keep pushing forward, “The trick is to stay involved.” But without a place to go to, where others might be available for friendship or just to share a cup of coffee, Marion’s seniors were adrift.
Jean Wickenden Lake, lifelong Marion resident said, “Being able to come here is very exciting. I get a few hours away from home, hear great lectures, see friends, I’m very pleased.”
Priscilla Ditchfield, board member of the Friends of the Marion COA said, “In the beginning Joanne did everything, arranged everything, got the speakers.” Now with the assistance of the Marion COA staff, all the programs are running smoothly and growing.
Marion’s new COA Director Heather Sylvia added to the conversation saying, “The main focus for me is to get our own center. We share this building and that’s great, but as programs continue to expand, we’ll outgrow the Music Hall.” She said that another new program that will be taking place in the antique building is the Memory Café.
“It will be a nonjudgmental program. People who are still high functioning but dealing with dementia can come here,” Sylvia said. She continued, “Caregivers can get a break as well as resource materials to help them and their loved one. There’ll be games, speakers, outings, and education.” She said that people dealing with cognitive issues find some programs too overwhelming, so the need was there for a something geared towards this specific group of senior citizens.
After presenting Mahoney with a huge bouquet of flowers and a rousing round of applause in appreciation of all she had done for the seniors in the community, everyone tucked into a delicious buffet luncheon followed by a live musical performance.
For more information on Marion Council on Aging programs, visit www.marionma.gov or call 508-748-3570.
By Marilou Newell
