HATFIELD — For Hatfield senior citizens unable to drive but who need to get to medical appointments, go grocery shopping or pick up prescriptions, regular van service has been an important lifeline.
“There is no public transportation at all in Hatfield,” says Jane Betsold, who recently retired as the director of the Council on Aging after nearly 30 years. “They rely on our vans.”
This door-to-door van transportation for residents 60 and over, which now has five paid drivers for the two vans, is one of the signature achievements of Betsold’s tenure, which has also included adding more programming at the senior center’s basement site at Memorial Town Hall, continuing the daily meals supplied by Highland Valley Elder Services, and providing access to a library of books and other materials.
Shawn Robinson, chairman of the Council on Aging board, said Hatfield residents appreciate Betsold’s service.
“Her commitment to the health, safety and well being of our elders is unsurpassed,” Robinson said. “I feel lucky to have worked with someone who for decades was selflessly dedicated to those who make our town what it is, and who are often forgotten.”
Earlier this month, Geralyn Rodgers of Holyoke, who began working alongside Betsold in June, took over the full-time job, just as the senior center is about to move to temporary quarters at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. That move is necessary as a renovation project begins that will add an accessible ramp and elevator.
Rodgers most recently was director of marketing and admissions at Christopher Heights of Northampton senior living facility, and before that had extensive experience with Highland Valley Elder Services programs.
Rodgers said the immediate challenge is how to handle programming, which will be based at the church for six to eight months during the renovation.
Even though the Town Hall is being renovated, it doesn’t appear the senior center will have its space overhauled, even though there is little privacy for when foot clinics are offered or a SHINE counselor visits. The center will also be impacted by losing about 40 percent of its kitchen.
Although the town looked into whether the former Catholic church, Holy Trinity, could be used as a senior center a few years ago, Rodgers said she believes the town can make do with what it already has.
“If we could maximize the space down here we’d be good,” Rodgers said.
When Betsold began, the job was still half time and she also worked to launch or sustain the nutrition program with a daily hot lunch, as well as activities and services that include an exercise class and chair yoga. She has also seen the senior population, those 60 and over, grow from about 490 residents to 1,230 residents.
Rodgers aid she hopes to have a Facebook page that will publicize activities and reflect center’s website updates, as well as continue getting information out through a newsletter.
“Jane’s done a great job with the programs here, and I will try to enhance them and get seniors even more active,” Rodgers said.
Betsold said it was a privilege to work with town elders, even if many have long strived to be independent.
“It’s been such a giving and respectful generation of senior citizens,” Betsold said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
