For caregivers: technology to help elders be safer at home
Every day, new technology comes out that can assist elders to be safer in their homes, whether it monitors well being and sends information to caregivers or others, provides virtual assistants, or offers support for those with hearing or visual impairments. Learn more about what is available, as well as their advantages and possible challenges, when Margaret McLaughlin comes to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. to reprise her November talk during an evening to accommodate working caregivers. McLaughlin is Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California and is currently Distinguished Visiting Research Scholar in the College of Communication at Boston University.
On Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m., Congresswoman Katherine Clark will host a telephone town hall discussion about how people can support the mental health needs of themselves and their loved ones during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Clark will be joined by Dr. Claire McCarthy, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Brent Forester, chief of McClean Hospital’s Center of Excellence in Geriatric Psychiatry, who can provide best practices and resources available to our community as we guide our families through this challenging time. The public will be invited to submit questions ahead of the call or ask their question live. Questions can be submitted here. Dial 844-734-8764 to join the call.
Join The Walden Woods Project and RESTORE: The North Woods for a virtual lecture by Dahr Jamail on Wednesday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. Jamail will discuss his award-winning book The End of Ice: Bearing Witness and Finding Meaning in the Path of Climate Disruption, in which he journeys to locations experiencing the most dramatic impacts of climate disruption, climbing and diving alongside leading experts and front-line scientists. The End of Ice was named one of the 10 Best Science Books of 2019 by Smithsonian and is a finalist for the 2020 Pen/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award for exemplifying literary excellence.
The free virtual event will take place via Zoom. Directions for logging on will be sent to those who register online.
The Lincoln Public Library will hold its Friday Morning Book Group via Zoom on Friday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m. Participants will discuss Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen. Hepburn participated in the Dutch Resistance, working as a doctor’s assistant during the “Bridge Too Far” Battle of Arnhem, the brutal execution of her uncle, and the ordeal of the Hunger Winter of 1944. Copies of the books are available for download in eBook or audiobook formats. Email lincoln@minlib.netfor assistance and an invitation to the Zoom meeting.
Mass Audubon’s Bird-a-thon, which typically sends teams of birders rambling throughout the Commonwealth in a friendly competition to identify the most species in a 24-hour period, is staying at home this year to respect social distancing and will take place Friday to Saturday, May 15–16.
Mass Audubon’s biggest single fundraising event is again expected to attract hundreds of competitors of all abilities, but will be carbon-free, safety-focused, and family-oriented. Participants will select bird observation spots—a window, backyard, or a green space within short walking or biking distance from their homes. From 6 p.m. on Friday the 15th through 6 p.m. on the 16th, they’ll spend time observing and identifying species from their birding positions, solo or with other household members.
Competitors join teams representing different Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and programs. Their pledges can be directed to specific wildlife sanctuaries and programs or to the overall organization, the state’s largest nature conservation nonprofit. Participants can also earn points for their team by completing other fun, nature-based activities or as “Bird-a-thon Boosters,” who raise money while birding for fun (or not birding at all).
Last year’s event raised $240,000 and recorded 273 species, with Drumlin Farm garnering $30,850 for its work through the event. Sponsors this year include presenting sponsors Ream Design of Ayer and Camosse Masonry Supply of Worcester, and media sponsor WBUR.
To participate, donate, and to learn more about Bird-a-thon, visit www.massaudubon.org/birdathon.
The Lincoln Public Library’s Children’s Room Summer Reading Program kick off Wednesday, June 17 from 1–6 p.m. (rain date: June 18 at the same time). Children and families are invited to drive to the library any time during that period to pick up summer reading materials, including information about virtual summer programs and the beloved Summer Reading Challenge.
Families will remain in their cars while a masked staff member greets you and safely hands the reading materials to a masked family member in your car ready. The library is discouraging arrivals on foot or by bike and is asking all participants arrive and remain in their car. Come see what costumed character is on the lawn waving hello. Anyone with questions may email dleopold@minlib.net.
The Council on Aging is offering a free beginners’ meditation session for all ages via Zoom on Friday, June 19 from 2–2:30 p.m. Meditation opens the channels of our natural states of peace, joy, and health, and aids in decreasing the negative effects of aging. Experienced meditation teacher Lynne LaSpina will begin each session with a few minutes of stretching muscles to relax, and breathing exercises to help focus before meditating for about 10 minutes. You must sign up in advance by emailing bottumc@lincolntown.org.
In place of Lincoln’s traditional Splash-Mash-Dash kids’ triathlon, the Parks and Rec Department and triathlon organizers invite kids to do their own “duathlon” (run, bike, run) this weekend (June 20-210. Children age 5-14 can complete the suggested distance (see below) and submit their time and/or photos here — no need to sign up or register anywhere beforehand. This can be done around the school campus ballfield (only on the weekend when there is no construction traffic!) or any other route where you can measure out one-third of a mile. Watch this video for tips on how to set up and execute your race.
- Ages 5-6: 3 mile run, 1 mile bike ride, 0.3 mile run (on Ballfield Road this would be 1 lap, 3 laps, 1 lap)
- Ages 7-10: 3 mile run, 2 mile bike ride, 0.6 mile run (1 lap, 6 laps, 2 laps)
- Ages 11-14: 6 mile run, 3 mile bike ride, 1 mile run (2 laps, 9 laps, 3 laps)
Since the roads will not be closed to traffic as they are during the regular triathlon, make sure your kids ride and run safely by following the rules of the road, wearing helmets, watching carefully for hazards, and (when necessary) participating with them. If your child is able to complete the challenge, bring them to the Hartwell parking lot on Ballfield Road on Monday, June 22 between 4 and 6 p.m. to get a free Lincoln Kids Triathlon shirt (choose the color you like from a previous year’s race) plus a certificate to reward them for their efforts.
Children and teens (rising first-graders to recent high school graduates) who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life are invited to join a virtual group hosted by Care Dimensions to connect with grieving peers and learn some coping tools to navigate this difficult time. Group will be held via Zoom starting on Tuesday, June 30 the following times:
- 10 a.m. – Elementary school students
- 11 a.m. – Middle school students
- 12 p.m. – High school students
Advanced registration is required; rolling enrollment. For more information or to register, contact Kelia Bergin, children’s program coordinator, at KBergin@CareDimensions.org or 781-373-6570.
Join the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of virtual Pollinator Bingo. We’ll be highlighting some of Lincoln’s bees and butterflies, but no naturalist knowledge is required to win.This is a free event, but registration is required; click here to register. Once you’re registered, you’ll receive the Zoom meeting link and a bingo card. There will also be prizes from local businesses and LLCT swag.
What is mindfulness and does it really have all the physical and mental health benefits you read about? Mindfulness is both a way of living life aware of our thoughts and the present moment and specific practices like meditation. To find out more, come to a special Council on Aging session with Catherine Collins via Zoom on Tuesday, July 7 at 10 am. You’ll come away with a better understanding as well as specific practices. To get the Zoom address, register by emailing gagnea@lincolntown.org.
Do you have questions about Covid-19, whether about its prevention, transmission, symptoms, or treatment? Are there other concerns you have about seasonal health issues such as ticks and Lyme disease or EEE? Do you have general health questions? Join Tricia on Wednesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Tricia will answer your questions and provide you with accurate and science-based information. To attend, email gagnea@lincolntown.org. Advance registration required.
Care Dimensions, which operates the hospice house in Lincoln, is hosting single-session virtual support groups and an eight-week-long support group for people who have had a family member die from the Covid-19 virus. The sessions are Tuesday, July 21 from 4–6 p.m. (RSVP by July 17) and Thursday, Aug. 20 from 3–5 p.m. (RSVP by August 14).
Led by a bereavement counselor, the eight-week group (for those whose loved one died at least three months prior to the first meeting) will be a safe space to process grief, learn coping techniques, and make connections with others who are on a similar grief journey. This group requires commitment from participants to attend all sessions, which will be on Wednesdays from September 9 to October 28 from 3–4:30 p.m. (RSVP by September 4).
All sessions will be held via Zoom. Although there is no charge for most support groups, donations are appreciated. For more information or to register, click here, call 855-744-5100, or email grief@caredimensions.org.
The Pierce House is hosting a Lincoln picnic on Saturday, July 18 from 4–8 p.m. with several vendors (Moyzilla food truck with Asian food, the Bacon Truck, and the Shuck Truck with fresh local seafood) offering dinner for sale. Bring your own blanket and beverages. Patrons are encouraged to wear wear face masks and maintain social distance of six feet while in line and on blankets, and they may enter the Pierce House to order and purchase food. All staff and food service is in compliance with CDC guidelines.
“Twister” will be shown in the Lincoln mall parking lot as a drive-in movie with car-side meal delivery from Real on Sunday, Aug. 2. Parking for dinner opens at 7:45 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:45 p.m. The cost is $25 per vehicle plus food. Pre-registration is required (click here), and dinner must be pre-ordered from Real by Thursday, July 30 (click here to order). Registration closes on August 2 at noon, or when capacity (35 cars) is reached. Sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department and the Rural Land Foundation.
Join Real restaurant owners RuthAnne Adams and Tom Fosnot on Wednesday, August 5 at 1 p.m. via Zoom to learn to make a delicious in-season summer dish, and then answer your questions. Preregistration required. To preregister, email gagnea@lincolntown.org.
The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust is sponsoring a virtual talk on “Monarchs, Milkweed, and Citizen Science” with Kristin Steinmetz on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. Free, but registration is required; click here.
The Council on Aging is sponsoring a Dash ’n Dine drive-through box lunch pickup for Lincoln seniors on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at the Real Restaurant. Seniors must register by calling 781-259-8811 or emailing gagnea@Lincolntown.org by August 11. Contactless pickup offered by COA staff. Co-sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and The Commons.
Care Dimensions, which operates the hospice house in Lincoln, is hosting single-session virtual support groups and an eight-week-long support group for people who have had a family member die from the Covid-19 virus. The sessions are Tuesday, July 21 from 4–6 p.m. (RSVP by July 17) and Thursday, Aug. 20 from 3–5 p.m. (RSVP by August 14).
Led by a bereavement counselor, the eight-week group (for those whose loved one died at least three months prior to the first meeting) will be a safe space to process grief, learn coping techniques, and make connections with others who are on a similar grief journey. This group requires commitment from participants to attend all sessions, which will be on Wednesdays from September 9 to October 28 from 3–4:30 p.m. (RSVP by September 4).
All sessions will be held via Zoom. Although there is no charge for most support groups, donations are appreciated. For more information or to register, click here, call 855-744-5100, or email grief@caredimensions.org.