Housing Workshops and Resources, Spring 2023

Aging in Wayland logo

In the spring of 2023, the COA is presenting a special series of workshops on housing options for seniors. All workshops feature panel presentations and Q&A sessions.

All workshops are video recorded. Links to the recordings are included below as they become available, as well as resource materials. 

To register for coming workshops, call us at 508-358-2990. 

Thursday, March 2:  Aging in Place: Would you like to stay in your own home? Would you like to know what services are available and how to access them? Join us for this informative session on in-home services. Panelists will include Options Counselor Kelly Binette from Springwell; Geriatric Care Manager and elder care expert Joan Harris, LSW, MBA, CMC; and COA Outreach Coordinator Maura Snyder, MSW, LCSW. They will give an overview of programs and services that help seniors remain safely and comfortable in their own homes. Click here for video recording

Thursday, April 6: Downsizing: Should I Stay or Should I Go? How do you decide if it is time to move or renovate.  Join us for this information filled workshop. Panelists will include Brian Harvey, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and owner of Harvey Home Modifications; Amy Cowan from the SMOC Home Modification Loan Program; Susan Blumenfeld from New Roots Move Management; Marie Leblanc from Transitions Liquidation; and Joanne Berry from Coldwell Banker Realty. Topics covered include how to make your home accessible and adaptable to age in place, financing renovations, organizing, decluttering, downsizing, deciding to sell, and move management. Click here for video recording

New Roots Move Management Slide Presentation
Transitions Liquidation Slide Presentation
Harvey Home Modifications Slide Presentation 
Home Modification Loan Program Presentation 

Thursday, April 20:  Housing in Wayland  Katherine Provost, Wayland's Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator & Section 8 Administrator, will provide an overview of the Wayland Housing Authority's (WHA) Affordable Housing Programs. Lynn Poisson, Program Administrator for the WHA, will talk about Wayland's public housing locations, the application process, and wait lists. Rachel Bratt, Co-chair, Housing Partnership Committee, will discuss 40B housing and some of Wayland's proposed projects, including Mahoney’s Cascade and St. Ann's Senior Village Affordable Housing. Katherine Provost will also discuss Section 8 housing, including the application process. Click here for video recording

Thursday, May 11: Housing Options Exploring Independent and Assisted Living, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, and Memory Care. Presenters will describe and discuss the differences in the living options and how to pick the right home for you. Panelists include Michelle Woodbury from 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors and Laurie Cashman, Director of Education at the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association. Click here for video recording.

Thursday, May 25:  Alternative Housing Options Mike Crisafulli, Wayland’s Building Commissioner, will discuss Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), sometimes known as granny flats or in-law suites and the zoning requirements in Wayland. Annamarie Pluhar, President of Sharing Housing, will discuss home sharing. And Victoria Thatcher, co-founder of Hager Homestead senior cohousing to talk about cohousing, and the senior cohousing being built in Littleton. Click here for video recording