July 26, 2002

Seniors in the spotlight: Senior HealthWISE program officially launched

It was an appropriate setting for launching a new community health program for seniors. More than 150 hospital and community leaders and guests gathered July 17 at the Blackstone elderly housing development to celebrate the beginning of a new partnership that will benefit seniors living in the West End and Beacon Hill neighborhoods.

Called MGH Senior HealthWISE, the program provides free nursing and social service clinics for seniors living in the Amy Lowell, Blackstone and Beacon House apartment buildings. In addition, the program provides discounted meals at the hospital, health and wellness programs and access to community services for all older residents.

Guest speakers at the celebration were James J. Mongan, MD, president of the MGH; John Rich, MD, medical director of the Boston Public Health Commission; Joan Quinlan, director of the MGH Community Benefit Program; Barbara Moscowitz, LICSW, director of Senior HealthWISE; Lois Koehler, property manager for Beacon House; and Kenneth Minaker, MD, chief of MGH Geriatric Medicine.

Photo at right, from left: Mongan, Rich, Quinlan and Moscowitz

" Hundreds of seniors live within walking distance of the hospital. But that short distance can seem like a huge chasm for older adults who are physically frail and worried about their health," said Mongan. "Our goal with this program is to keep our elderly neighbors independent and healthy for as long as possible."

For more information about Senior HealthWISE, call (617) 724-6756.