Transportation Services Transportation for medical appointments, and to the meal site:
The Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs provides free van transportation for those age 60 and older to the Senior Center Meal site and to Medical Appointments through the RIDE Program. (Monday through Friday). Transportation to the Meal site may be automatically made upon reservation for your meal with the Senior Center Meal site Manager or by calling (401) 596 - 7216. Transportation for medical appointments, which requires advance notification, can be scheduled through RIDE at (800) 479 - 6902.Transportation for hairdressing, visits, and personal reasons:
The Town of Westerly, in conjunction with the Senior Center, offers free van transportation for Westerly residents age 60 and older to Westerly grocery stores, department stores, banks, hairdressers, drug stores, Center activities, the library, nursing home visits, and other personal needs not covered by the State RIDE program. This program operates Tuesday through Thursday. To schedule an appointment, call the transportation coordinator through the Center's Meal site office at (401) 596 - 7216. (Trips to the Warwick and Crystal Malls are also scheduled monthly.)
Social Services Social Workers:
An Elder Information Specialist and a part time Social Worker are available for information, resource linkage and referral, short-term counseling, and assistance with medical / consumer issues. The department will also provide home visits if seniors are unable to come to the Center. The following is a partial list of services available: RIPAE, Housing Assistance, Heating, Financial Assistance, Medical (Federal/State), Medicare Savings Program, SHIP, Health Insurance, Printed Source Material, Medical Equipment Loan(s). Also, numerous special programs involving senior issues are scheduled throughout the year.Social Security:
A representative from the Social Security Administration is available at the Senior Center on the second Thursday of the month, through December. The representative can answer questions or concerns regarding social security issues and provide necessary forms and applications. After the first of the year, the representative will be at the center on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.Support Groups:
Various support groups are offered at the Senior Center including a monthly INSIGHT support group (for those with visual impairments), and an "Emotions" Group that meets Tuesday at 12:15 PM and Wednesday at 7:00 PM. Additional groups are scheduled according to season and schedule availability.
Health Programs Visiting Nurse:
The VNS of South County and Jamestown provides a visiting nurse to the Center who will meet individually at no cost with senior citizens to discuss current health problems, to take blood pressures, and to offer basic advice. The visiting nurse is at the Senior Center every fourth Thursday of each month from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Appointments are made on a first-come first-served basis.Podiatrist:
Dr. Thomas Walter provides basic feet care procedures bimonthly at the Senior Center. Be sure to check the newsletter or the Center's Sunday column in the Westerly Sun for updates on the schedule. Appointments are required in advance. For schedule and complete information, call Dr. Walter's office at (860) 599 - 4555.Westerly Hospital Blood Lab:
A representative from the Westerly Hospital will be here on Tuesdays from 11 AM to noon to draw blood. Please have your physician's orders or be registered at the Westerly Hospital Lab.URI Pharmacy Mini Clinic
The University of Rhode Island Mini Clinic is held on the fourth Monday of the month from 11 AM to noon. You may have blood pressure checked or review medications.
Special Programs S.H.I.P. (Senior Health Insurance Program):
S.H.I.P. provides counseling on over-insurance, Medicare Supplement Insurance, eligibility for free and reduced cost medical care, and other programs related to senior health insurance. A S.H.I.P. - trained counselor is available at the Senior Center on every Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM to noon. Call the Senior Center at (401) 596 - 2404 for information on scheduling an appointment.Health Insurance:
The Senior Center allows representatives from various health insurance programs to make presentations and offer information on their respective programs at the Center on a continual basis. The Senior Center does not endorse any particular plan but does provide the space and opportunity for these programs so that you, the consumer, can make an educated choice based on the information you may be seeking. For specific scheduling of each health plan, consult the Senior Center's monthly newsletter .AARP Safe Driving Course: offered seasonally
AARP Tax Assistance:
Trained volunteers offer assistance with filing tax returns February through May.
Additional Services Postal Services:
The Westerly Senior Citizens Center has a contract postal unit at the front desk of the Center to meet all of your postal needs which include: the sale of stamps (all denominations), post cards, stamped envelopes, mailers, money orders, checking of parcel weight, insurance of parcels, return receipt material, etc. The postal unit is open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.
Center Mini-Store:
Members and visitors may take advantage of a small gIft shop / general store which offers greeting cards, post cards, pens, candy, chips, small inexpensive items, and seasonal gift items, as well as Center sweatshirts and T-shirts and novelties.