City of Methuen Master Plan

Public Facilities and Services
wheelchairs, canes, walkers), information and referrals, exercise programs, outreach services, income tax
assistance, intergenerational programs with Methuen schools, weekly health clinics, telephone outreach,
and a range of social and recreational activities.
Social and Recreation Activities
The Council on Aging (COA) provides a wide range of social and recreational activities including an
exercise program with a variety of offerings such as aerobics, fitness, yoga, dance, weight training and tai
chi. All classes are offered on a first come, first served basis. The Center offers twelve exercise classes;
attendance in these classes has been increasing significantly.
Health Care
The Council on Aging partners with other town departments and agencies to provide additional services
to Methuen’s seniors. The COA in conjunction with HomeCare VNA and the Methuen Health
Department offers a comprehensive health clinic Tuesday mornings (9:00 – 11:00 am). Elders are
served on a first come, first served basis. Health clinic services include vitamin B12 injections,
prescription drug counseling, blood pressure monitoring, and nutrition guidance. Psychological
counseling is also available.
Other health programs offered throughout the year include: cholesterol screening, vision and hearing
screenings, nutrition workshops, flu shots, weight management programs, and health fairs. The Council
on Aging also coordinates with the Public Health Nurse on an as needed basis.
The COA organizes volunteers to visit homebound Methuen elders. Volunteers also visit at nursing
homes and assisted living facilities.
Hot Lunch and Meals on Wheels
The Methuen Senior Activity Center offers a hot lunch program Monday through Friday at 11:30 am.
The meals are prepared at the Greater Lawrence Regional Vocational Technical High School and
delivered hot to the Center every morning (which is why reservations are required). The Meals on
Wheels Project is designed to provide a hot meal five days a week to those Methuen elders who qualify.
Volunteers deliver meals each day between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. Some frozen meals are provided to
qualifying elders for the weekends. The Merrimack Valley Nutrition Project is in part funded by the
Older Americans Act as granted by Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. Approximately 40 – 60
people come daily for meals at the center and 195 meals are delivered every day to homebound seniors.
Transportation
Another important service provided by the COA is transportation for medical appointments. Rides are
provided through the Northern Essex Elder Transportation (N.E.E.T.) Program. Drivers are
volunteers who are reimbursed at a fixed rate per mile.
The City of Methuen also contracts with the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) to
provide busses and EZ Trans services (curb-to-curb services for citizens who cannot use the fixed route
bus system due to disability). EZ Transit also offers non-ADA services to residents over the age of 60.
Due to a significant decline in state subsidies, the MVRTA doubled the cost of ride coupons during the
fall of 2002. The City reimbursed the Methuen Council on Aging with state grant funds so that it may
provide lower cost tickets to residents in need. This program serves over 150 low and moderate-income
seniors and eligible disabled individuals.
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