The Rockport Council on Aging was established at Town Meeting on March 1, 1971. Councils on Aging in Massachusetts were first created by Chapter 495 of the Acts of 1956 and made part of the General Laws Section 8B of Chapter 40.

The Rockport Council on Aging consisting of from seven to eleven citizens of this Town, appointed by the Board of Selectmen for terms not to exceed four years for any member. Said terms shall be staggered so that not more than three appointments shall be made in any calendar year. Members can be reappointed for consecutive terms. As of April 16, 2010 the Council currently has one opening. The duties of said Council on Aging shall be to:

Identify the total needs of the communities elderly population

Educate the community and enlist support and participation of all citizens concerning these needs.

Design, promote or implement services to fill these needs; or coordinate present existing services in the community

Promote and support any other programs which are designed to assist elderly programs in the community.

The Rockport Council on Aging shall cooperate with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commission on Aging and shall be cognizant of all state and federal legislation concerning funding, information exchange, and program planning which exists for better community programming for the elderly.

The Rockport Senior Center located at 4 Broadway in the Rockport High School Apartment building, the former School Administration building, is open Monday through Friday from 8:30-3:30 PM, except holidays.

The Rockport Senior center is located in the heart of Rockport, close to the public library, churches, and bus lines. While the center opened its doors in this location in the fall of 1997, the Senior Center has been active for the past 37 years. The center has a community room for morning coffee, conversation, noon lunches, classes, activities, a well-equipped kitchen, television, DVD, and a treadmill.

Activities

The Senior Center offers many activities. We would like to invite you to join us for Bingo, Strength/Resistance Class, Scrabble, Bus Trips, Barbecues, and special lunches with entertainment.

Health and Wellness

Health and Wellness is key to a healthy lifestyle. The VNA of the North Shore currently offers two blood pressure clinics. One clinic is at the Senior Center on the second Thursday of each month from 9:30-11:30 AM. The second clinic is offered at Millbrook Park on the fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30-11:30 AM. Appointments necessary by calling the VNA.

Other wellness activities include three Strength/Resistance training classes offered every Monday from 9:00-10:00 AM and every Friday from 9:00-10:00 AM and 10:00-11:00 AM. Cost is $4.00 per class., access to the senior center treadmill, and a six-week class entitled My Life, My Health.

Social Service

The Council on Aging provides information and referrals, case management, client support, in-home services, housing assistance, money management, senior advocate and benefit counseling.

Community Education

Several educational programs are offered at the center. Programs have included elder law, fall and fire prevention, scam prevention, prescription information, nutrition information, health information, benefit information, art history and current events offered by the Salem State Explorers program.

Nutrition Program

Meals at the center are provided by SeniorCare Nutrition Program for those 60 and over. The center is a designated meal site (lunch Monday through Friday at 11:30 AM. Cost is $2.00). Reservations are needed by calling 978-546-7061, 24 hours in advance.

SeniorCare provides meals for the homebound for those 60 and over. If you need meals on wheels, you can call SeniorCare at 978-281-1750 and ask for the nutrition department.

The Rockport COA together with the Cape Ann Food Pantry and SeniorCare Nutrition provide the Brown Bag Market on the last Thursday of each month from 10:15-11:15 AM at the Senior Center for low-income seniors. Three bags of fresh fruit, vegetables, and groceries are provided for pick up.

Transportation

Transportation is provided by Cape Ann Transportation Authority, (CATA), Dial-a-Ride program. CATA provides transportation for medical appointments, local shopping, and mall shopping. Grocery shopping is every Tuesday from 11:45-2:00 PM. You must call 978-283-7916 to make a reservation. The driver stops at IGA Rockport, Stop & Shop Gloucester, and Shaw’s Market, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester, Cost is $4.00 round trip. The CATA bus rides to the North Shore Mall/Liberty Tree Mall once each month on the first Wednesday after the 3rd of the month. Pick up is at Pigeon Cove Ledges 9:30 AM., Millbrook Park 9:35 AM, and Rockport Senior Center at 9:40 AM Cost is $5.00 round trip.

SeniorCare in Gloucester provides Rockport seniors volunteer transportation beyond Gloucester for medical appointments. You must call SeniorCare in advance.