Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Needham senior center wins state grant to continue Gogo medical transportation; staff pursues meal, dementia and connectivity partnerships
Summary
At a Council on Aging meeting, staff reported a state grant of just under $10,000 to continue a medical transportation pilot with Gogo Inc., progress on a tablet distribution program and plans for dementia-focused programming and backup meal vendors amid funding uncertainty.
A senior center staff member told the Town of Needham Council on Aging that the center received a state grant “for, just under $10,000 to continue the medical transportation program through Gogo Inc.” The report came during routine program updates at the council’s meeting.
The staff member said the Gogo Inc. service differs from taxi-based transport and has produced “some growing pains,” but staff and the provider are “working with them to figure out… the most effective people way to get people from point a to point b.” The center will evaluate later whether to continue Gogo or return to taxi services.
Staff also reported progress on a tablet-distribution program intended to improve remote access and reporting. “And I think about 52 of the tablets are accounted for at this point,” the staff member said, then corrected the count: “I’m sorry. 72.” Reporting on the tablet program is due in April, and staff thanked volunteers who completed surveys used in the required reports.
On outreach, the staff member said the center met with a Needham Public Library employee interested in expanding dementia supports. Staff described possible monthly “dementia-friendly” days and co‑sponsored lectures to “reach younger caregivers,” noting their existing caregiver support “tends to trend on the older side.”
To shore up meal delivery, staff said the center is applying for an additional grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation “around just increasing food supports.” The center is also discussing a possible partnership with the Needham Public Schools to provide meals and is exploring other private vendors as a contingency if SpringWell — the current meal provider — becomes unavailable for certain delivery services.
The updates framed the council’s near-term priorities: maintain transportation service while assessing its cost-effectiveness, finish tablet reporting in April, expand dementia outreach through the library, and secure additional funding or vendor options to preserve congregate and delivered meals.
Staff said next steps are to monitor the Gogo pilot’s performance, finalize the tablet reporting, and continue grant and partnership conversations with MetroWest, the school system and alternate vendors.
