Andover Elder Services Gets $20K Donation For 2 Programs

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Elder Services recently received a $20,000 donation from Andover Senior Community Friends, Elder Services Director Jane Burns told the Select Board at their Nov. 29 meeting.

The Select Board unanimously accepted the donation, which will go toward two programs, Burns said.

The money came from Pfizer, which Andover Senior Community Friends approached for support during the Robb Center capital campaign, Burns said.

Pfizer offered support in July for two evidence-based programs: Aging Mastery and Matter of Balance.

"Both programs have long track records," Burns said. "This donation will allow us to run both programs simultaneously year-round."

The department previously received donations, including one from the Andover Home for Aged People, for startup costs for the two programs.

Aging mastery is a 10-week program that addresses 10 aspects of aging well, ranging from sleep to community engagement to long-term care planning. Matter of balance is an eight-week program that "addresses fear of falling" through a cognitive restructuring program.

Andover will be the first community in the county to run both programs, Burns said.

The full meeting is available here from AndoverTV.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.