Former COA Home Care Coordinator Indicted

Kathryn Christopher allegedly stole $900K from a frail Oliver Road woman.

The former home care coordinator for Belmont's Council of Aging has been indicted on charges that she allegedly stole over $900,000 from a frail elderly Oliver Road resident with dementia, including obtaining a signature under false pretenses for the victim’s will and mortgage, according to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone. Kathryn Christopher, 64, of Everett, was indicted today, Sept. 15, by a Middlesex grand jury on charges of larceny of a person over 60 over $250 and three counts of obtain a signature by false pretense, according to Leone's office. An arraignment date has not yet been set. In July 2010, Belmont Patch reported that the Enforcement Division of the State Ethics Commission alleged that Christopher violated the state'…

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Council on Aging Corner

Learning to Minimize Errors in Medication

Events and classes sponsored by the Council on Aging at the Beech Street Center.

Preventing Harm Ways to Avoid Medication Errors. Tuesday, Aug. 30, at 1 p.m.  When used appropriately, prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can enhance quality of life by limiting loss of function and alleviating troublesome symptoms, and even extend life. Despite these benefits, all medicines have risks, especially among older adults, who take more prescription and OTC medication than any other age group in the United States. This educational series will promote safe and appropriate medication use by giving older adults the tools and know-how to avoid medication misuse, recognize and manage common side effects, and improve their knowledge, attitudes, and skills to avoid medication-related errors.  Please sign up in advance.  …

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Council on Aging Corner

Summer Music Festival this Weekend at Beech Street

Events and presentations taking place at the Belmont Council on Aging's Beech Street Center.

Belmont Summer Music Festival Saturday, Aug. 13 & Sunday, Aug. 14, at 2 p.m. The Belmont Summer Music Festival returns to the Beech Street Center this August with works by Dvorak! Come for a thrilling afternoon of symphonic masterpieces performed by an orchestra of talented college students from the Boston area. Concerts are at 2 p.m. on Aug. 13 and 14, free admission. Please note that seating is limited. Please call for reservations 617-993-2970. Iced Tea and Cards on the Patio Friday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. Come enjoy an afternoon on our patio sipping iced tea and playing cards. We have enough room to accommodate groups playing up to five different games (bridge, poker, etc.) Space is limited so please sign up in advance. Event will be held …

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From The Town Administrator’s Office

Plans Call for Rec Dept, COA to Share Programs

Move seen saving money, better serve public; a December Town Meeting on the radar.

The Town Administrator’s office is working with the Recreation Department and the Council on Aging on preliminary plans to see if both departments can begin share programs. "It’s quite a challenge to put the two together for joint services but the end result will be an increased variety of programs for the public and additional revenue for the town," said Town Administrator Tom Younger, Thursday, Aug. 4. “The Recreation Department is holding more programs at the Beech Street Center,” Younger said. “We are in the process of reviewing them and looking to the future for what can be shared with the Council on Aging.” Younger – who said the town will continue to keep the Recreation Department director's position vacant since the retirement of …

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Council on Aging Corner

Remembering Revere Beach and Ice Tea on the Patio

Events and presentations taking place at the Belmont Council on Aging's Beech Street Center.

Revere Beach Slide Show Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 1 p.m. Please join us for a one hour presentation and description of more than 100 beautiful images of historic Revere Beach and its glorious past! Root beer floats will be served. Sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care. Please sign up in advance. Iced Tea and Cards on the Patio Friday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. Come enjoy an afternoon on our patio sipping iced tea and playing cards. We have enough room to accommodate groups playing up to five different games (bridge, poker, etc.) Space is limited so please sign up in advance. Event will be held inside if it rains. Second Opinions and Overtreatment Thursday, Aug. 4, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Obtaining a second opinion is a time-honored tradition in medicine, and …

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Council on Aging Corner

Being a Better Driver Despite Growing Older

Events and classes at the Beech Street Center sponsored by the Council on Aging.

Red Cross Blood Drive. Friday, July 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For an appointment or more information, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) AAA’s Older and Wiser Driver Tuesday, July 26, at 1 p.m. Traffic safety awareness is vital for drivers of all ages, but older drivers experience physical changes that can affect one’s driving ability: changes in vision, cognition, reaction time, and  flexibility. While older drivers as a group do have more crashes than people in their 40’s, their individual safety records differ as much as any other group. AAA’s 60-minute Older and Wiser Driver presentation discusses practical tips seniors can use to compensate for the physical changes that come with age. The tips and assessment tools presented aim …

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Council on Aging Corner

Patio Tea and Cards Highlights Center Activities

Finances, care alternatives and other events hosted by the Council on Aging.

Iced Tea and Cards on the patio this Friday, July 15, at 1 p.m. Come enjoy an afternoon on our patio sipping iced tea and playing cards.  We have enough room to accommodate groups playing up to 5 different games (bridge, poker, etc.)  Space is limited so please sign up in advance at the Center or call 617-993-2970. Rain date: Friday, July 29, at 1 p.m. Caring and Conversation. Tuesday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come listen, learn and share as we talk about Care Alternatives and your loved one’s hospice benefits as covered under Medicare. Speaker Andrea Cooperstein, M. Ed. (Care Alternatives Hospice) will talk about additional services available and explain the 10 Most Common Myths about hospice. Light refreshments will be served. …

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Council on Aging Corner

Classes About to Begin at Beech Street Center

Movies and travel opportunities also on COA's agenda.

Website. We are happy to announce that the Beech Street Center has a new website located here . Thank you to Margo Cole and The Friends of the Belmont Council on Aging for all their hard work, which made this website possible. Movies Tuesday, July 5, at 1 p.m. House of Flying Daggers (PG-13) Mandarin Language Film Friday, July 8, at 1:00 p.m. Morning Glory (PG-13) Classes Please sign up for all events and classes in advance. • Art Exhibit in the Lounge. Elizabeth Flemings’ exciting print exhibit continues through Aug. 10. Be sure to schedule a visit to the Senior Center to view the work of this talented local artist. • Cardio & Conditioning: Improve the shape you’re in! Starts Tuesday, July 12, at 5:30 p.m. Each class begins with low …

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New COA Website And Other Senior News

What's happening at the Council On Aging and the Beech Street Center.

Website: The Beech Street Center has a new website according to the Belmont Council on Aging : http://beechstreetcenter.org. Thank you to Margo Cole and The Friends of the Belmont Council on Aging for all their hard work which made the website possible. Extended Hours: The Beech Street Center will be open extended hours on Tuesdays starting on June 7, 2011.  We will close at 7pm.  Programming will be announced as it is confirmed with instructors. Art Exhibit in the Lounge: An exhibit featuring Arlette Doherty's beaded art will run through June 27. Come to the Senior Center to see the fine work of this Belmont artist. Legal Seminar: The topic Elder Abuse, will be discussed Friday, June 10, at 1 p.m. Learn how to recognize abuse, neglect, …

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