All programs listed below are brought to you with federal funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Virtual Adult Program -Caring for Others, Caring for Ourselves
Tuesday September 14, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Join us for an evening with Emily Kearns, a Care Consultant and Coach for Revive and Thrive’s Dementia Resource Network (DRN), to learn how to better support ourselves as we support loved ones living with challenges which may include dementia, Parkinson’s, diabetes, etc. During this session, we will explore what it means to be on a caregiving journey- the difficulties and challenges, as well as resiliency found in our strengths, resources, and surprising places. Together we will learn why it is so important to create self-care practices including meaningful respite in our lives and to help grow support for ourselves as we care for others.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources
Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Caregiving book list.
Virtual Adult Program -Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are
Tuesday August 10, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Join Marjorie Turner Hollman, author of the Easy Walks in Massachusetts trail guide series, as well as Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. In this presentation, she will be talking about local places to go to experience the joys of taking an easy walk in nature, as well as offering lots of suggestions, experiences, and ideas that can help you have a more positive experience in the outdoors. This presentation is especially appropriate for elders, those with disabilities, and families with young children who hope to use strollers while sharing the outdoors with their little ones.
Virtual Adult Program -Gentle Chair Yoga
Tuesday August 3, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Join us for a chair yoga class designed for all levels with yoga teacher Toby Kumin of Boston Yoga. No yoga experience is necessary. You will need a chair with a firm seat and no arms (a folding chair works well). Participants will be guided through poses to uplift and relax both body and mind. Incorporated into the class will be some breathwork and mediation. We will perform gentle yoga poses both in the chair and also standing and using the chair as support. Participants are also welcome to stay seated the whole time.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources
Virtual Adult Program -Living to 100 with Dr. Tom Perls
Tuesday July 20, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
How do you live to be 100? Find out from Dr. Tom Perls, who is among the international leaders in the field of human exceptional longevity. He is founder and director of the New England Centenarian Study, the largest study of centenarians and their families in the world. He is also co-author of Living to 100: Lessons in Living to Your Maximum Potential at Any Age. In this program, Dr. Perls will explore the epidemiology of aging, how centenarians are special and what they can teach us about the biology, determinants and opportunities of healthy aging.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources
Virtual Adult Program -Gentle Chair Yoga
Tuesday July 13, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Join us for a chair yoga class designed for all levels with yoga teacher Toby Kumin of Boston Yoga. No yoga experience is necessary. You will need a chair with a firm seat and no arms (a folding chair works well). Participants will be guided through poses to uplift and relax both body and mind. Incorporated into the class will be some breathwork and mediation. We will perform gentle yoga poses both in the chair and also standing and using the chair as support. Participants are also welcome to stay seated the whole time.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources
Virtual Adult Program -Staying Connected, Building Community with Author Val Walker
Tuesday June 15, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Even before COVID-19, it took courage and initiative to break out of isolation and rebuild our support networks. We may have already been strapped in isolating situations such as illness, caregiving, living alone, divorce, relocation, or the death of a loved one. Join author Val Walker for a program in which we will explore and share ways to stay close to others and deepen our bonds, despite social distancing. And further, we will learn how to build our communities and expand our networks, paving the way for our future social life.
About Val Walker, MS: Val Walker is a rehabilitation consultant and contributing blogger for Psychology Today. She is the author of The Art of Comforting, which won the Nautilus Book Award and was recommended by the Boston Public Health Commission as a guide for families impacted by the Boston Marathon Bombing. Val has a master of science degree in rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University and has led support groups for twenty-four years for people living with chronic illness, disability, grief, and trauma. She lives in Boston and teaches and speaks throughout New England. Learn more about Val HERE.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program -Financial Challenges in Retirement
Thursday June 10, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
This seminar will discuss opportunities for seniors to enjoy the fruits of their labor in retirement, and will address some of the financial challenges that may occur. This program will cover the three main topics all people planning to retire must deal with:
- Planning and Budgets
- Investing and Savings
- What Can Go Wrong
At the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to:
- Discuss steps to figuring out where you will live in retirement.
- Share some of the positive and negatives of living near family.
- Share ideas about the components of a retirement budget.
- Explain how the components of an investment plan, i.e. cash, bonds, stocks, etc.
- Share ideas about the positive and negatives of stock market shifts.
- Describe some of the events that can require changes to a retirement budget and investment plan, i.e. changes in interest rates, inflation, unforeseen family money issues, loss of a spouse, etc.
About the Presenters
The Andover Money Mentors are retired financial professionals, Roland Jacobson, Jeff Kaplan and Don Schroeder. Email questions to them at andoverseniormentors@gmail.com.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program -Are You Ready for Retirement?
Thursday May 27, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
This seminar will consider retirement issues and provide useful insights to people who are planning for retirement, and those already retired who are rethinking their retirement finances.
At the conclusion of the program, participants will be able to:
- Describe some actions toward answering the question, “Will I have sufficient Income”?
- Consider options for what they are going to do with their time in retirement.
- Share ideas of some options for a new personal purpose.
- Speak about staying healthy in retirement.
About the Presenters
The Andover Mentors are retired financial professionals, Roland Jacobson, Jeff Kaplan and Don Schroeder. Email questions to them at andoverseniormentors@gmail.com.
View recorded program on BATV.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program - Getting Started in Your Garden with Backyard Growers
Thursday May 13, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Spring into the gardening season with a garden planning training that will help you get started in your garden. This program will be presented by Jess Reid, Program Coordinator at Backyard Growers. While appropriate for adults of all ages, this program will also introduce tips for seniors to use gardening as a sustainable, healthy hobby for years to come!
About Backyard Growers: Backyard Growers is a Gloucester-based nonprofit that cultivates healthy, connected, environmentally sustainable communities and fights for food justice by teaching people to grow their own food. This organization provides resources and support to establish vegetable gardens at homes, housing communities, organizations, and schools. Find out more on their website here.
View recorded program on BATV.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
- The Backyard Growers Garden Guide
- The Backyard Growers Resources page on their website. This page includes videos, recipes, and other helpful documents.
- Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew (Book)
- How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons (Book)
Virtual Adult Program - Lessons from the Blue Zones
Monday March 29, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
This program presents the latest research on the physiology of aging and longevity enhancement by exploring four areas of the world where people live the longest (Blue Zones). Learn how specific lifestyle changes can biologically slow down the aging process. Explore the role of genetics in aging and how lifestyle choices affect the expression of our genes. Discover how to create a plan or “roadmap” that will incorporate this important research and protect your most important asset: your health and vitality. This program benefits all ages but is particularly important for folks at mid-life (age 50-75). Presented by Paula Koppel, a registered nurse, geriatric nurse practitioner, and founder of Age Well Be Well.
Carolyn Savio, Health and Community Program Coordinator at the Billerica Council on Aging, will introduce Paula and will also share some of the many excellent resources available through the BCOA, our community’s primary source for aging services.
View recorded program on BATV.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program - The Adventures of a 70 Year Old Veteran Walking Across America
Thursday March 16, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Meet U.S. Air Force veteran William Shuttleworth, who started a national conversation with his 109-day, 3,000-mile cross-country walk from Newburyport, MA to the Vandenberg Air Force Base in San Diego in 2019. William made the journey to raise money for veterans and to raise awareness about the issues of homelessness and health problems confronting veterans. William will join us to share memorable stories from his incredible adventure, accompanied by photos and videos. To learn more about William, visit his website.
Joe Ruggiero, Billerica’s very own Veterans Director, will introduce William and will also share some of the many wonderful local resources Billerica has available for those who have served our country.
Virtual Adult Program - Piano Bar Favorites with Keith Belanger
Thursday March 9, 2021 at 7pm via Facebook Live
Join the library for an evening of piano bar favorites with musician Keith Belanger! This program will be held on Facebook Live, so no registration is required. Join us on Facebook for a fun night of classic tunes. Keith does take song requests, so bring some of your favorites to add in the comments!
More information about Keith: Keith Belanger has been playing the piano and singing since he was six years old. From being a church organist to singing lead vocals in a rock band as well as working as a theater music director and actor Keith loves to play and loves to sing. Keith is the music minister at Grace Episcopal Church in Concord NH. He is also the resident music director at the Majestic Theatre in Manchester. Keith has worked with many other groups in Northern New England including Windham Actors Guild, the Village Players of Wolfeboro, the Pentucket Players and many others. Keith is thrilled to have the opportunity to perform for the great audiences at the Front Porch and he is looking forward to making new friends while doing what he loves best – Making Music! For more about Keith, check out his website here.
Virtual Adult Program - Cards that Pop with Elaine Sousa
Tuesday February 16, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
To say “Hello” or to celebrate – a card says it for you! Join longtime crafter Elaine Sousa for a virtual card-making workshop. Participants will create at least two cards to use, and will also learn techniques to make cards after the class. Surprise your friends…these cards will “POP!” Card-making materials are provided in the form of kits to be picked up at the library during the week before the program.
View recorded program on BATV.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program - Now’s the Time, Make Your Own Plan!
Tuesday February 2, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
It’s more important than ever to take charge of your health care decisions and make your own health care plan. Join Ellen DiPaola of Honoring Choices Massachusetts for an interactive program in which participants will review a simple step-by-step process to complete a free MA Health Care Proxy and MA Personal Directive (Living Will), using Honoring Choices’ Getting Started Tool Kit.* Participants will also receive a handy discussion guide, “5 Things to Talk About with Your Care Providers”, and will review three other MA care planning documents to update and add to your plan as your health needs change. Bring your questions and comments for a lively, interactive webinar!
View recorded program on BATV.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program - Immunity for a Lifetime
Thursday January 28, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Ever wondered how to improve your immune system? Well, wonder no more. Join Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore’s Andrea Thompson for a program covering the components of the immune system and how this can be impacted by the foods we eat. Adequate nutrition is just one way to keep the immune system in tip top shape. This program will cover everything you need to know in order to ensure a healthy and vibrant immune system.
View recorded program on BATV.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program - Mindfulness: Simple Steps, No Cushion Required
Tuesday January 19, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
This program introduces mindfulness-based practices that support wellness and reduce stress. It presents a practical view of mindfulness and is designed to debunk common myths associated with meditation. This program will give you the opportunity to practice simple and doable mindfulness-based exercises, and you will leave with some simple practices that can be incorporated into everyday living. Some of the recent research on the benefits of these timeless practices to individuals and our society will also be highlighted. Presented by Paula Koppel, a registered nurse, geriatric nurse practitioner, and founder of Age Well Be Well.
View recorded program on BATV.
Presenter Handouts/Suggested Resources:
Virtual Adult Program - Should I Stay or Should I Go? - Decluttering, Rightsizing and Moving
Tuesday January 5, 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
Join Ellen Sullivan and Certified Senior Advisors and Seniors Real Estate Specialists, Erin DiCarlo and Lauren Watts for tips and tricks on home organization, de-cluttering, and deciding whether or not your current home meets your current and future needs. Also learn the best ways to move to a senior living community!
View recorded program on BATV.
Program Worksheets: