Directory Of Senior And Caregiver Resources

The mission of Bringing Assistance for Grocery Shopping (B.A.G.S.) is to provide a grocery shopping service, which increases access to and meets the needs for grocery shopping for all levels of Needham's senior population. There are three levels to B.A.G.S. - Independent shoppers needing transportation and bundle assistance, Seniors interested in home-delivered groceries,  and Shoppers needing assistance inside the store. A handicap accessible van can provide door-to-door transportation. Volunteers can be available to assist in the store as needed. A home delivery component is also available to address the needs of those unable to shop for themselves. There is no cost attached to this program. Call the Social Services at 781-455-7555 for information

The Clutter Support Group meets on Mondays at 1:00-3:00 PM at the Center at The Heights in Needham. Come find support and learn how to best help yourself, a family member or friend address the cluttering problem. Discussions are in a supportive environment with a non-judgmental group and confidential.

As a town department, the Needham Council on Aging is charged with serving Needham's 60 plus population and their families, by addressing diverse aspects of aging service interests, concerns and needs. The Council on Aging also offers a variety of programs and services five days a week at the nationally accredited the Center At The Heights

The Needham Community Council Food Pantry has been in existence for more than twenty-five years. We serve over 200 Needham households each month. Customers of the Food Pantry receive food, paper goods, and toiletries. Items are provided by Roche Bros., Sudbury Farms, Volante Farms, Needham Community Farm, Houses of Worship, local schools, Scouts and Postal Workers’ food drives, social organizations, local companies, individuals and donated funds. The Greater Boston Food Bank also is a source of food. Click on the link to learn how to become a Food Pantry shopper.

The Needham Council on Aging's Friendly Visitor Program matches homebound Needham elders where ever they live, with a Friendly Visitor Volunteer. Friendly Visitors and their seniors get together regularly to talk, share a meal, or do whatever suits their mutual interests. Both volunteers and seniors find this a truly rewarding experience. For further information call 781-455-7555.

SHINE counselors provide free, unbiased health insurance counseling for Medicare beneficiaries of all ages and their caregivers. SHINE appointments are available year-round. SHINE counselors are trained by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and are located at the Center at the Heights in Needham. Call 781-455-7555 or stop by the Front Desk of the Center to schedule a personal appointment. There is no cost for this service and all information is strictly confidential.

The Massachusetts Association for the Blind offers a monthly low vision support group at the Center at the Heights in Needham. The group provides practical and emotional support to individuals coping with serious sight loss. The group provides the opportunity for participants to share fears, frustrations, coping mechanisms, and resources as their vision changes. Other groups are located in communities throughout Massachusetts. Many are led by visually impaired peer coordinators. For more information call 781-455-7555.

The Needham Community Council will lend any Needham resident medical equipment at no charge, based on availability. Among the items available are: crutches, wheelchairs (heavy duty and light weight), walkers, commodes, and bath seats. Most equipment may be borrowed for short-term loans or as long as 6 months with the exception of our light-weight wheelchairs, which are limited to a 2-week loan. 

A noontime meal is served at the Needham Senior Center Monday through Friday. All menus are designed by Registered Dietitians to meet 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. They have minimum sodium content and include 1% milk. People 60 years of age and older and their spouses are welcome to participate, regardless of their income. A donation of $2.00 for all meals is requested to help defray the cost. To make a reservation call the Needham Senior Center at 781-455-7555 by 11 A.M. the day before or register in person with the dining staff.

Neighbor Brigade is a non-profit organization that establishes and mobilizes community-based networks of volunteers to provide immediate and free assistance to neighbors experiencing sudden crises such as cancer treatment, illness, accident or other tragedy. Neighbor Brigade volunteers provide critical support services such as home-delivered meals, transportation to and from medical appointments and home maintenance help.

The Center at the Heights in Needham continues their commitment to provide programs emphasizing education, wellness, and recreation. These include creative and social classes, educational and exercise programs, special events and trips and opportunities for socialization, independent activities and learning. Their Compass newsletter is a great way to get an overview of what is offered monthly and can be found online.

Senior Compass is the Newsletter for The Center at the Heights in Needham and lists upcoming programs, courses, dinners, events and trips.

Metro West Legal Assistance provides quarterly legal counseling at the Center at the Heights. Free legal information, referral, and advice on civil matters to people 60 years and older. For more information or to make an appointment, call 781-455-7555. If you need assistance sooner please ask to speak to one of our social workers. There is no fee for this program.

Needham Council on Aging (NCOA) provides rides to and from a Needham resident's home to the Needham Senior Center, and from his or her home to the supermarket. A request for a ride on the van requires 24 hrs notice minimum. COA Transportation is partially funded by the Town of Needham.
Your $1.00 donation per ride is essential. All riders are required to have a phone and a working number with which to communicate.

Needham’s Traveling Meals Program, fee for service, was designed to deliver meals to homebound residents who do not have the support of family or any in-home services that would enable them to purchase or prepare their daily meals. The two-meal package is nutritionally balanced. The package includes one hot and one cold meal and is prepared at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. The packages are delivered by volunteers to the individuals that meet the criteria.

Newton transportation system for residents age 60 and older is called NewMo – Newton in Motion. The service is provided by Via under a contract with the Department of Senior Services. Riders can request trips to the Senior Center, medical appointments, houses of worship, grocery shopping, and to long-term care facilities within the Garden City. You can also go to any Village Center, any city building or city-sponsored program or event, and to the Needham Street Corridor. NewMo takes riders to certain medical facilities outside of Newton as well. Unlike Newton’s previous transportation system, NewMo is an on-demand, ride-share system, similar to Uber or Lyft. That means you call shortly before you want to travel, on the day you want to travel; other passengers may be in the vehicle with you. Before you request a ride, you must set up an account with Via. To do this, you will need a credit or debit card, and a promo code, which you can only get by calling the Newton Senior Center. Once you have the promo code, you can create an account by downloading the Via app on your smart phone (look for the one that says Via low cost ride-sharing), by calling Via’s call center, or by calling the Senior Center. Without the promo code, you will be charged $25 a ride. The number for the NewMo call center is 617-655-8019.