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G2S Project Code: 2020-MA-85298
State: Massachusetts
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
BILLERICA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Lizzie Meier
Director Phone: 978-671-0948 ext. 4102
Director Email: lmeier@billericalibrary.org
General Information
Title: Health and Wellness: Aging in Place: Keeping 60-70 Seniors Connected to the Billerica Community
State Project Code: 21.08.02
Start Date: 10/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The Billerica Public Library sought to address the needs of younger seniors from the ages of 60-70 in the Billerica community, as this age group is not utilizing community-based healthy aging resources at as high a rate as seniors age 71 and older due to stigmas surrounding aging. To that end, the Library expanded healthy aging resources through the purchase of relevant books and specialty items, prioritized partnerships with local organizations, and offered virtual programming on a variety of topics related to healthy aging.
State Goal: Developing Skills
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$7,500.00
$0.00
$5,629.54
$13,129.54
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.
Health & Wellness
Personal/Family health & wellness
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Should I Stay or Should I Go: Decluttering, Rightsizing, and Moving
Narrative: Ellen Sullivan and Certified Senior Advisors and Seniors Real Estate Specialists, Erin DiCarlo and Lauren Watts provided tips and tricks on home organization, de-cluttering, and deciding whether or not your current home meets your current or future needs. The presenters provided participants with a worksheet before the program to begin brainstorming, and then additional worksheets for after the program to assist them as they consider their living spaces. 

A recording of this program was also made available on Billerica Access Television.
Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 21


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: BILLERICA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 15 CONCORD RD.
City: BILLERICA
State: MA
Zip: 01821
Activity Details
Title: Immunity for a Lifetime
Narrative: The Library partnered with Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore to offer a program on boosting immunity. Elder Services' Andrea Thompson led a presentation that covered the components of the immune system and how that system can be impacted by the foods people eat. This program was a comprehensive look at everything participants needed to know in order to ensure a healthy and vibrant immune system. At the close of Thompson’s presentation, Nändi Munson, the Community Outreach Coordinator at Elder Services, provided an overview of the wide range of resources available through Elder Services for residents of the Merrimack Valley. Thompson also provided a collection of healthy smoothie recipes for program participants that are available on the Library’s grant webpage.

A recording of this program was also made available on Billerica Access Television.
Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 45
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 14


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: BILLERICA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 15 CONCORD RD.
City: BILLERICA
State: MA
Zip: 01821
Activity Details
Title: Now's the Time, Make Your Own Plan!
Narrative: The Library partnered with Ellen DiPaola of Honoring Choices Massachusetts for an interactive program in which participants reviewed 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 also received a discussion guide, “5 Things to Talk About with Your Care Providers”, and reviewed three other MA care planning documents to update and add to their plan as their health needs change. Honoring Choices Massachusetts provides Massachusetts-specific health care planning information and free Massachusetts planning documents to help community members take charge of their health care decisions and make a personal health care plan. The Billerica Public Library was the first library to partner with this nonprofit, and is now listed as a regional partner on the Honoring Choices Massachusetts.

A recording of this program was also made available on Billerica Access Television.


Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 60
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 12


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: BILLERICA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 15 CONCORD RD.
City: BILLERICA
State: MA
Zip: 01821
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
66% of respondents indicated that they had a better understanding of local healthy aging resources. 77% of respondents indicated that they had implemented changes into their lives.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
This project wanted to target older adults that did not think of themselves as 'seniors' and ignored services and resources marketed that way. The approach of having the Library be the provider of information and resources instead of the Senior Center and other types of aged-names organizations allowed individuals in that age bracket to learn about relevant resources as well as incorporate changes into their lives based on what they learned.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The Library sought out numerous partnerships for this grant. There are lots of other organizations that are out there who really want to connect with this demographic. Libraries offer a great platform and can eliminate the stigma that other places might have. Virtual programming is something that should be considered when programming is happening, as you can reach audiences you wouldn't otherwise. Here's a direct quote from attendee: 'I find that for many that I know who are homebound because of health issues or because they do lack transportation to attend things in person, Zoom has not only been a real lifeline connection for them, but all of the different programs and presentations the libraries have been good about putting out there and just using their creativity and they have provided a way for people to feel engaged, to feel like they are still a part of something, even if they are physically separated from other people. It really has been a lifeline for many.'
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: aging in place