LYNN — Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) invites the public to review and comment on the draft of its Area Plan on Aging for 2022-25, which serves as a blueprint for meeting the needs of people ages 60 and older; adults living with disabilities; and their caregivers in Lynn, Lynnfield, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott.
GLSS prepares the plan every four years and submits it to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the state agency that designates GLSS and other organizations like it as Area Agencies on Aging.
As a designated Area Agency on Aging, GLSS receives funding for services dubbed “Title III” programs, including information and referral; nutrition (Meals on Wheels and senior lunch programs); money management; Family Caregiver Support Program; Ombudsman Program; healthy-living programs; legal services (through Northeast Legal Aid); and a network of grant-funded community agencies. Contracts with such agencies allow GLSS to offer things like companion services and emergency short-term care for free to older adults in need.
A volunteer advisory council, made up of representatives from GLSS’ five community service areas oversees GLSS’ Title III programs.
A draft of the plan is available by contacting Andrew Wallace, GLSS’ Title III planner, at [email protected] or by calling 781-477-6702. The comment period will end with a virtual public meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 4‒5 p.m. Please contact [email protected] for the Zoom link.
The commonwealth has also designated GLSS as an Aging Services Access Point, which funds other various programs — such as home care services — that help older adults and people living with disabilities remain independent. For more information, visit www.glss.net.
Alena Kuzub can be reached at [email protected].
