Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services

07/21/2025

July is ! Did you know the first Disability Pride Day was celebrated in Boston 35 years ago? Disability Pride Month commemorates the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and celebrates the community’s identities, culture and contributions. It’s also a time to combat stigma, promote inclusivity and advocate for disability rights and services.

At SCES, we are committed to helping people stay safe and live with dignity in their own homes. We offer several supports for people with disabilities, such as our Adult Family Care (AFC) program, which serves people who can’t live alone due to a medical diagnosis.

AFC participants and caregivers benefit from stipends, ongoing support, paid respite and more! For more information on AFC, please visit adultfamilycare.org/ or call 617-440-0987.

07/17/2025

Summer is in full swing and hot weather is here! Older adults are especially at risk in high heat and humidity, making it more important than ever to know how to stay safe and stay cool.

Here are some helpful tips:
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Dress for the heat: Lightweight, light-colored clothing is best
• Avoid outdoor or strenuous activities during peak heat hours (11 am–4 pm)
• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen if you need to be outdoors
• Never leave anyone in a parked car, even for a short time
• Check on older relatives or neighbors who may need extra support

These tips may help lower your risk of illness, but it’s important to recognize when hot weather is making you or someone you know sick. Symptoms like dizziness, weakness, high pulse or nausea are signs to rest in a cool place and drink plenty of water. Call 911 immediately if someone you know has a fever higher than 103, is having seizures or losing consciousness.

Cooling centers can be found in Somerville and Cambridge. Swipe left for more local resources!

07/16/2025

The Fall River tragedy was a sobering reminder of the unique challenges older adults and people with disabilities face during emergencies. Limited mobility or cognitive impairment, for example, can hinder timely evacuations — something emergency plans don't always consider.

SCES President and CEO Marta Corvelo spoke to GBH reporter Meghan Smith about these vulnerabilities and what we can do to mitigate them. Visit the GBH website for the full story or tune in to 89.7 to hear more.

Thank you to Meghan for covering this important topic!

Many of the residents used wheelchairs, walkers or were on oxygen and struggled to escape.

07/15/2025

Important update! Please note that SCES' farmers market coupon inventory is limited tomorrow. Distribution will be first come, first serve, so please show up early.

Coupons are not guaranteed and will only be available while supplies last. Distribution begins at 11 am at the SCES office, 61 Medford St., Somerville. Once all coupons have been claimed, the event will end.

Unable to make it tomorrow? There will be two additional distribution events:

🍅 July 18, 1–3 pm, at North Cambridge Senior Center, 2050 Mass Ave., Cambridge

🍅 July 24, 9:30 am–12:30 pm, at Somerville Senior Center, 167 Holland Street, Somerville

Thank you for understanding — we hope to see you tomorrow!

07/10/2025

Thank you to Somerville Council on Aging Director Ashley Speliotis for hosting our Tech Access Program (TAP) team on Senior Circuit!

The TAP team sat down with Ashley to discuss how the program helps the community and advances digital equity. TAP helps older adults in Somerville and Cambridge develop essential tech skills, covering everything from setting up an online account to access health records to learning to spot scams and stay safe.

Click the link below to watch the full segment and learn more!

Somerville, MA: Host and Somerville Council on Aging director, Ashley Speliotis, speaks with members of the Somerville Cambridge Elder Services Technology Pr...

07/09/2025

Calling all older adults in Somerville! 📣 You’re invited to help shape the future of the Somerville YMCA at an upcoming focus group.

The Somerville Y is hosting a series of focus groups to learn more about community needs as it plans for the future of its facilities and programs, including a redevelopment project. No preparation or registration is needed.

📅 July 17, 12–1:30 pm

📍Somerville YMCA, 101 Highland Ave

07/08/2025

SCES’ free farmers market coupon program is back!

This month, SCES is distributing free $25 farmers market coupons to eligible older adults, made possible by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. Coupons can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at area farmers markets.

Applicants must be a resident of Cambridge or Somerville and 60 years or older. People younger than 60 who have a disability and live in a senior housing location with a congregate meal program are also eligible.

Coupons are available first come, first serve on the following dates at various locations:

🍅 July 14, 9:30 am–1:30 pm and July 16, 11 am–3 pm, at SCES, 61 Medford Street, 3rd floor, Somerville

🍅 July 15, 9–11:30 am, at Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Mass Ave., Cambridge (proof of age and residency required)

🍅 July 18, 1–3 pm, at North Cambridge Senior Center, 2050 Mass Ave., Cambridge

🍅 July 24, 9:30 am–12:30 pm, at Somerville Senior Center, 167 Holland Street, Somerville

Please visit our website for more info on eligibility: eldercare.org/free-farmers-market-coupon-program-returns.

07/04/2025

SCES will be closed on Friday, July 4. Meal delivery and congregate meals will resume when our office reopens for regular business hours on Monday.

If you have a non-urgent request, please call our main line at 617-628-2601 and leave a message. If you would like to file a protective services report, please call 800-922-2275. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

07/03/2025

SCES' Technology Access Program (TAP) Manager Colin Barr and Communications and Public Affairs Manager Eliza Adams joined their peers at the State House for Digital Equity Advocacy Day in June! Thank you to members of the Massachusetts Digital Equity Coalition for organizing this event, including the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, The Alliance for Digital Equity, Vinfen, the City of Boston, The Massachusetts Telemedicine Coalition, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, and Tech Goes Home.

Before engaging in advocacy with members of our legislative delegation, we were inspired by remarks from Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Adam Gómez, and Representative Lindsay Sabadosa about the importance of passing legislation that would expand broadband and technology access for underserved communities across the Commonwealth.

At SCES, we understand that technology connects individuals to opportunity. Without reliable internet access and tech devices, older adults cannot access health information, benefits portals, community gathering notices, and more. Our TAP team has assisted hundreds of clients in accessing their devices so they can take advantage of these critical resources. For more information about our TAP program, please visit: https://eldercare.org/find-what-you-need/advice-info/tap-events/

Thanks again to our nonprofit and legislative partners for your work in organizing this important advocacy day!

07/02/2025

We had a great time at Cambridge Community Foundation's Imagine Together event last month! Adult Family Care Director Nina Cohen, Director of Development Jeremy Bratt and Marketing and Communications Coordinator Rachel Moore enjoyed celebrating CCF’s Imagined in Cambridge Award winners — six innovators addressing unmet needs in Cambridge. The event reflected the diversity of organizations and causes in Cambridge and reminded us of our collective dedication to serving our community.

06/30/2025

We’d like to congratulate Housing Programs Manager Jeffrey Clement for graduating from Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition's Emerging Leaders Program! The 12-person cohort spent the past six months sharpening their leadership skills through interactive training sessions and networking. With a focus on diversity and inclusivity, the Emerging Leaders Program empowers participants to shape the future of the nonprofit sector.

Congratulations again, Jeffrey! We can’t wait to see your new skills in action.