'Aging Mastery' sessions being offered to senior citizens in North Berkshire. The first 12-week program begins Friday at the Spitzer Center; register by calling 413-458-8250.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The saying goes "Growing old is not for sissies," but Council on Aging senior centers offer programs and activities that improve the quality of life for older adults.

The National Council on Aging last fall requested proposals for a grant to be funded by Tufts Health Plan Foundation and the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Brian O'Grady, director of the Williamstown Council on Aging, seized the opportunity to gain financial support for a wellness program for senior citizens when

"The applications had to be submitted by December. It was a long process," O'Grady said last month, but his efforts were rewarded. "We received a grant of $6,000 to do a pilot program of 'Aging Mastery.' "
 
It will be the second year of the Aging Mastery Pilot Program in Massachusetts.
 
Developed by the National Council on Aging, the program aims to empower participants age 55 and older to make and maintain small but impactful changes in their behavior that will enhance the later stage of their life — a stage of life that has become significantly longer in the past 50 years. "But most people generally are not prepared for this increased longevity," as stated in an article from NCOA.

Results of initial testing of the program, according to the NCOA, show that participants increased their social connections, physical activity, healthy eating habits, understanding of preventive benefits, communication with their health care team and use of advance planning.

"We want to offer [the program] to the elder community in North Adams, Adams, Cheshire, Savoy, Clarksburg, Florida and Hancock as well as Williamstown," O'Grady said. "We will do two 12-week sessions, one from March to May and one in the fall."

The first 12- week session will start on Friday, March 13, at the Spitzer Center in North Adams and then locations will be rotated to include other COA senior centers.  All sessions will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Dates for the fall sessions have yet to be announced.

Among topics to be explored at training sessions are techniques for improving sleep quality, physical exercise, healthy eating and hydration, medication management, planning for the future, financial fitness, healthy relationships, falls prevention, community engagement, Alzheimer's disease/dementia and stroke.
 
Participation in the program is free of charge, and a complementary healthy snack will be served at each training session.
 
Program Manager Jennifer Munoz is currently recruiting 40 older adults aged 55 and above to participate in the training sessions that begin on March 13.

"Everyone ages, but can have a fulfilling life, even if they are not in perfect health or have suffered the loss of a spouse," Munoz said in a telephone interview.

Rotating locations, Munoz pointed out, will tie in with the topic "Community Engagement."

"It will give participants an opportunity to be in new surroundings and meet new people," she said. "Friendships may be formed."

Munoz quipped that she would not be the only person participants would be expected to listen to during training sessions.  "At each session we will have a speaker who is an expert on the topic of the day," she added.

Participants will receive basic educational materials, a checklist of potential next steps and a system for tracking behaviors.

A self-paced program, "Aging Mastery" enables participants to set their own goals and record their progress. As an incentive to attend all sessions and reap the benefits of the program, participants will earn points for positive actions and turn them in for small rewards, said Munoz. Positive actions include taking part in activities at COA locations that relate to the topics of the Aging Mastery Program, such as an exercise class.

 Munoz mentioned that one of the reasons she especially likes working with and helping elderly people is because it helps fill a void in her life.
 
 "My grandparents are gone," she said. "Now  I'm looking forward to meeting the people who are going to come on this Aging Mastery journey together."

To register or learn more about the program, contact your local Council on Aging: Adams, 413-743-8333; Cheshire, 413-743-1172; Clarksburg, 413-663-8253; Florida, 413-662-2811; Hancock, 413-738-5225; North Adams, 413-662-3125; Savoy, 413-743-2542; Williamstown, 413-458-8250.

Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly stated the Harper Center would host the first session.

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