The Barnstable Adult Community Center is very pleased to announce that our doors are open again. We are excited to welcome you back, and ask that you please bear with us as we work to get our in-person programs and activities up and running. In the meantime, please continue to enjoy our virtual programs. You can register for these by calling us at 508-862-4750 or emailing: susan.griffin@town.barnstable.ma.us

Exciting News: Volunteers Needed for New Respite Program

The Barnstable Council on Aging is thrilled to announce a respite program starting this fall. We are looking for caring, energetic, and compassionate volunteers to support this new respite program. All volunteers will receive Dementia Friendly training and work alongside a BCOA staff member. For more information please contact Stacey Cullen 508-862-4765 or email: stacey.cullen@town.barnstable.ma.us

Support Services:

Support Services are available to assess the needs of Barnstable citizens age 60+, to advocate for these older adults, provide them with assistance, resources and referrals for local, State and Federal programs. Support Services also acts as a safety net for isolated and homebound older adults in our community. Here are some of the resources available:

  Health Insurance Counseling/ SHINE – The SHINE Program is for people who have Medicare or are about to become eligible for Medicare and need to connect with a counselor to learn about benefits and options.

  Caregiver Support – The Barnstable Council on Aging continues its commitment to caregivers in our community. Caregiver Support Services provides educational programs, respite opportunities, dementia friendly programs and resources to caregivers.

  Fuel Assistance – Support Services continues to assist with Fuel Assistance applications. Fuel Assistance renewal forms will be sent out to those who had FA the previous year in August. New applications can begin to be filed thereafter.

  Real Estate Tax Abatement Program/ 41C – Support Services continues to be available to assist with the 41C application. This application must be filed annually. Applications for the FY22 can begin to be filed in July.

  Telephone Reassurance Program – Daily check-in phone calls made to seniors who may live alone, are isolated or homebound.

  Mailbox Sticker Program – Working with our local Post Offices, the sticker is placed in mailbox and simply says “if there is an accumulation of three (3) days of mail in the box, please notify the Barnstable Council on Aging”.

  Brown Bag Program – In conjunction with the Greater Boston Food Bank, the program provides a bag of groceries the first Friday of each month. Bags can either be picked up at the BACC or can be home delivered.

  The Barnstable Silver Alert Program – The Silver Alert Program provides the Barnstable Police Department with vital information about potential “at risk” residents in the Town who may wander or may have the potential for getting lost.