Day Programs
Senior Centers: The Madden Senior Center, located at 1500 Dorchester Avenue, and the Codman Senior Center located at 645 Washington Street, Dorchester, offer a wide variety of activities and services designed for seniors 60 years of age and older.
Recreation & Fitness: There is something for everyone including exercise, bingo, quilting, art and computer classes, billiards, card playing, volunteer opportunities, or relaxation. - Social Opportunities There are many opportunities to meet people from different cultures and to take part in musical performances, cultural festivals, parties, bazaars, and other events. Frequently, participants develop lasting friendships.
- Meals: Coffee, tea, and muffins are available in the morning followed by a nutritious lunch at noon.
For more information, come for a visit; call Kit Clark at (617) 825-5000, or e-mail bcikacz@kitclark.org.
Adult Day Health Centers: Health and social supports are provided in a group setting for adults who require nursing treatment or monitoring.
- Social & Educational Opportunities: Participants meet new friends and discover interests in an exciting and warm environment. Each person chooses from a variety of therapeutic and creative individual or group activities. Outings and seasonal celebrations are offered on a regular basis.
- Recreation, Fitness, & Nutrition: Regular exercise and healthy, balanced meals are essential components of the day program. Recreational opportunities include arts and crafts, creative writing, poetry, art groups, cooking, group discussions, music therapy, and health education.
- Skilled Nursing: Nurses administer medications, assess and monitor health, and carry out medical and restorative treatments.
- Coordinated Care: The adult day health staff team consists of nurses, social workers, activities coordinators, and program assistants, all qualified to respond to a full range of participant needs.
Kit Clark Senior Services has provided adult day health since 1975 and has three programs in Boston. Transportation is provided. Some third-party payment is available. For more information, call (617) 825-5000 or e-mail jgottler@kitclark.org.
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Memory Loss Day Centers:The Centers provide a safe, friendly, and supportive environment for people with Alzheimer's disease or other memory loss. The program also provides a break for the day-to-day caregivers.
- Sensitive, caring, well-trained staff: The staff is specially trained to attend to the safety and social needs of participants.
- Supportive Activities: The program offers activities for the skill level of each participant. A supportive environment encourages participants and helps them feel comfortable.
- Individual Attention: : The program ensures that participants have individual support and supervision when needed. Staff also travels with clients to and from Kit Clark to ensure their safety on the vans.
- Individual consultation & support groups for caregivers: Recognizing that family and other caregivers are crucial members of any treatment team, we offer individual counseling and support group services to assist them. A memory loss specialist provides in-home assessments and consultation.
Transportation is provided. Some third party reimbursement is available. For more information, call (617) 825-5000 or e-mail dallen@kitclark.org.
Senior Health Center: The Kit Clark/Bowdoin Street Senior Health Center, located at 1500 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester, provides seniors the opportunity to see doctors who specialize in healthcare for older adults. Individuals also receive coordinated care from a team of doctors and, social workers. Volunteer escorts can accompany patients to and from their medical appointments. Transportation is available. The Senior Health Center is also accessible via the "T" (Red Line - Fields Corner Station) and a number of Dorchester bus routes. Seniors can relax with a cup of coffee or participate in activities before and after their visit with the doctor. For more information, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail gbeaudain@kitclark.org.
Mental Health Services: Kit Clark offers a comprehensive mental health program for people 60 years of age and older. Mental health clinicians help older adults adjust to changes as they age. The professionally trained staff helps seniors cope with life transitions, including issues of grief and depression, through individual or group psychotherapy. An experienced psychiatrist is also available to evaluate and monitor medications. In addition to counseling and support services, the staff help seniors access a wide range of social support programs.
The mental health clinic was established in 1980 and was the first geriatric mental health center in Boston. It is located at 1500 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester. Third party payment is available. For more information, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail jfrancis@kitclark.org.
Addictions Counseling: The Recovery Program serves adults 50 years of age and older who are concerned about their own or another's use of alcohol, drugs, medications, or their gambling habits. Many older adults suffer from addiction problems and often feel ashamed and helpless. These services help elders to regain control of their lives and offer opportunities to get well. All discussions with counselors are confidential. Services include:
- Addiction assessment
- Individual and group counseling
- Support groups
The program was established in 1980 and was the first addictions program in Boston specifically for people 50 and older. Its headquarters are at 1500 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester. For more information, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail jfrancis@kitclark.org.
Health And Fitness: Seniors can receive up-to-date information on maintaining good health and participate in our state-of-the-art fitness program. Healthcare professionals conduct frequent discussions at various Kit Clark sites about timely health topics and medical screenings for elders. Seniors can also participate in a variety of fitness programs including exercise groups, aerobics, muscle strengthening, and flexibility improvement. Kit Clark offers many support groups, including programs for people living with cancer and for caregivers in stressful situations. Kit Clark Senior Services offers fitness programs throughout Boston. For more information, call (617) 825-5000 or e-mail anasra@kitclark.org.
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Meal Sites: Convenient sites located throughout Boston neighborhoods offer lunch, as well as social activities, community events, and helpful information for older adults. The meal sites are part of the Federal Elderly Nutrition Program, which Kit Clark Senior Services manages for two-thirds of the City of Boston in collaboration with the Boston Commission on Affairs of the Elderly/ Area Agency on Aging. For more information about meal sites call (617) 825-5000 or e-mail cobrien@kitclark.org.
Meals On Wheels: Individual meals are delivered to seniors in Boston who have difficulty shopping, cooking, or visiting a meal site. Fresh and nutritious meals are delivered to seniors' homes, Monday through Friday. The Meals on Wheels Program is part of the Federal Elderly Nutrition Project, which Kit Clark Senior Services manages for two-thirds of the City of Boston in collaboration with the Boston Commission on Affairs of the Elderly/ Area Agency on Aging. For more information about Meals on Wheels, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail rstanley@kitclark.org.
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Volunteer Programs & Services: Volunteers assist in many of Kit Clark's programs. Seniors can request volunteer help through the Volunteer Insured Time banking Association (VITA) Program. Volunteers help out in the following ways:
- Make a difference: A volunteer can get great satisfaction by improving the mood of a homebound elder through a simple visit.
- Are a valuable Kit Clark resource: Volunteers are a necessary part of Kit Clark's daily activities. They welcome participants, set tables, and serve the food at nutrition sites. As representatives of the senior community, they are members of the House Council and advise the Executive Director on important issues. Volunteers help with group programs by paying extra attention to participants who need additional support.
- Assist seniors with day-to-day activities: Through the VITA Volunteer Program, Kit Clark volunteers can accompany seniors to medical appointments, translate information, run errands, and provide companionship. VITA volunteers earn service credits for their help and can use the credits to get volunteer help for themselves if they become ill or incapacitated. VITA volunteers have helped hundreds of seniors.
The VITA Program was part of a very successful national demonstration project through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation when it was initiated in 1987 and remains successful to this day. For more information about volunteer opportunities throughout Kit Clark Senior Services programs, call (617) 825-5000 or e-mail bcikacz@kitclark.org.
Homemaker Services: This program offers supports in seniors' homes. Assistance can include:
- Housecleaning and Laundry: Experienced staff assist with household chores
- Personal Care: Professional staff help prepare for the day by assisting seniors with bathing, shampooing hair, and dressing
- Meal Preparation: Nutritious meals can be prepared in the home kitchen
- Shopping: Homemaking staff makes trips to nearby stores for essential grocery items
Kit Clark Senior Services has provided homemaking services to elders in Boston since 1975. The trained staff lives in the communities they serve. For more information about homemaker services call (617) 825-5000 or e-mail ahumes@kitclark.org.
Assistance For Seniors With Limited English: The program provides information, referral, education, and assistance to older adults in Boston who speak Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, and Haitian Creole. Other languages also may be available. Kit Clark's trained outreach workers are bi-lingual and bi-cultural. They come from the communities they serve. Assistance for seniors includes:
- Housing
- Benefits
- Healthcare
For more information about assistance for seniors with limited English, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail jfrancis@kitclark.org.
Home Repair: The Senior Home Improvement Program (SHIP) provides eligible homeowners with home rehabilitation and repair services including:
- Interest-free loans
- Low-cost home repairs
- Emergency assistance
- Security improvement and energy conservation
SHIP is a collaboration with the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development. Kit Clark Senior Services professional staff helps elder homeowners get reliable contractors at reduced prices. For more information about SHIP, call Kit Clark at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail at lmoss@kitclark.org.
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Mental Retardation Services: The Family Support Services Program assists older families caring for a person with mental retardation and older individuals with mental retardation who are living in the community.
- Service Coordination: The staff helps families arrange for needed services such as transportation, healthcare, and home assistance
- Training & Education: A trainer helps people with mental retardation improve their life skills and provides caregivers with useful information
- Financial Assistance: A stipend is provided to assist families and individuals
- Long-term Planning: The staff works with families to help them plan together for the future
The Family Support Services program was the first of its kind in Boston. For more information, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail mpimentel@kitclark.org.
Transportation: Experienced staff provides clean, safe, and courteous transportation using a fleet of handicapped-accessible vehicles. The staff is trained in CPR and first aid.
- Kit Clark Program: Our lift-equipped vans can be dispatched to provide transportation between seniors' homes and program sites for adult day health, memory loss, congregate nutrition, and program related recreation programs
- Shuttle service to medical appointments: Kit Clark vans also provide shuttle service between home and doctors appointments at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Bowdoin Street Health Center, Little House Health Center, and the Kit Clark/Bowdoin Street Senior Health Center
- Additional transportation services: Kit Clark contracts with a variety of vendors to provide rides to seniors with medical, mental health, addiction recovery, and housing needs
Kit Clark Senior Services transportation program has provided competent service to elders through trained professionals since 1974. For more information, call Kit Clark's transportation department at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail mjohnson@kitclark.org.
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Service Coordination In Senior Housing: Multilingual service coordinators help residents in senior housing access a wide range of community resources.
- Health and social services
- In-home services
- Volunteer and education opportunities
- Recreational and social events
For more information, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail at eberg@kitclark.org.
Congregate Housing: A shared living environment is available for elders and homeless individuals. Staff helps residents to access additional services.
- Coordination with medical, mental health, and addiction recovery services
- Group activities help residents develop the skills needed to move into permanent housing
For more information on congregate housing, call Kit Clark at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail jgreen@kitclark.org.
Transitional Housing: Supportive environments are provided for homeless adults. Participants learn to access resources required to complete their move into permanent, independent housing. The program offers:
- Safe, comfortable rooms in a culturally diverse and supportive environment
- Intensive case management focused on sobriety, employment, and money management
- Housing counseling and placement
- Participation in a supportive community
Kit Clark Senior Services collaborates with the Boston and Chelsea YMCAs and the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance on transitional housing at the Boston and Chelsea YMCAs.
For more information, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail at jmcpherson@kitclark.org.
Day Shelter: Open Monday through Friday, the Cardinal Medeiros Center is a day center for homeless men and women ages 45 and older.
- Supportive services:
- Intensive Case Management
- Benefit Advocacy
- Connection to Mental Health Services
- Nurses Clinic
- Chiropractic Care
- Substance Abuse Counseling
- Housing information and referral to both private and subsidized housing options
- Social activities
- A variety of activities are offered to promote socialization and personal growth
- Mid-day meals served Monday through Friday
The Cardinal Medeiros Center is the first and only shelter specifically for older adults in Boston. Established in 1984, it is in the basement of Holy Trinity Church, 140 Shawmut Avenue in Boston's South End. The program is a collaboration with the Holy Trinity parish. For more information, call Kit Clark Senior Services at (617) 825-5000 or e-mail eberg@kitclark.org.
For administration call Denise Bradley at 617-825-5000 or email dbradley@kitclark.org.