Community Offers Support to Elderly in the Cold

Many senior centers across the city are offering games, free food and lots of support.

Health officials are urging people to keep an eye on the elderly during this frigid blast.

Many senior centers across the city are offering games, free food and lots of support.

Whenever the temperature starts to plunge, Mary McGonagall grits her teeth and makes the rounds, making sure the seniors in the Robert Georgina tower in Charlestown are okay.

Doctors say winter may be the most dangerous season for the elderly. Anyone at the extremes of age, whether the very old or very young, are just more susceptible to the effects of temperature change.

The severe cold makes it difficult for the elderly to get around, further isolating them inside. Freezing weather increases the risk of falls on ice. It is also flu season, the time of year that kills tens of thousands of seniors nationwide.

Along with staying safe, Gloria Platt still loves playing the piano for her friends, and says community helps warm the heart.

The Peterborough senior center in the Fenway neighborhood is offering free food and games.

They encourage them to come as long as it’s safe for them. They reach out with phone calls to make sure people are safe and okay.

Some other senior centers are delivering groceries and the city of Boston’s elderly commission is helping fill out forms for heating assistance.

“Bottom line, everyone needs to look out for everybody,” says McGonagall.

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