Easthampton Council on Aging to Host Three Community Forums on Oct. 7-8

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Council on Aging (ECOA) will host three community forums about addressing the evolving needs of Easthampton’s aging population and about the town’s senior center on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 7-8.

Caitlin Coyle, director of the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging, Gerontology Institute, UMass Boston, will facilitate the forums. She previously was the principal researcher on Easthampton’s 2018 older adult needs assessment project.

“This is an opportunity for you to share your views and experiences about creating a vibrant community for people to both grow up and grow old,” Coyle said. “The meetings will have a town-hall format with fun refreshments, and they are at various times of day and locations, in person and online, to better attract interest.”

The forums will take place at the following locations and times:

• Monday, Oct.7, 3-4:30 p.m., in person at ECOA, 19 Union St.;

•  Tuesday, Oct. 8, ad hoc building committee meeting, noon to 1:30 p.m., School Department, second floor of City Hall, 50 Payson Ave., or remotely at meet.google.com/iph-vchp-zzt; and

• Tuesday, Oct. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Easthampton Media, Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., Suite 102, or remotely at meet.google.com/knx-qgdh-zvs.

An ad hoc committee selected by Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle is assessing the need for a new senior center, as well as potential locations and age- and dementia-friendly design. Council on Aging Director Cynthia Tarail said the committee’s report, to be finished by the end of 2024, will include information reported by Coyle on Easthampton’s older population and services provided by similar communities.

“We want input and feedback from seniors, their care partners of all ages, people working with older adults, residents who will eventually use our services, and city officials and staff,” Coyle said. “Pick one of these forums and just show up — no need to RSVP.”

For more information, contact the Easthampton Council on Aging at (413) 527-6151 or coa@easthamptonma.gov.