Eric Poulin may be new to the role of Council on Aging director in Rochester, but he brings with him a depth of knowledge on a number of issues facing senior citizens. That came through loud and clear when The Wanderer caught up with Poulin during the June 24 Meet and Greet that the COA hosted with its new director.
Poulin said when he began to consider making a career change, he knew he wanted to do something that would give his more than 20 years of experience in the Fall River District Attorney’s Office handling elder affairs a new opportunity to serve a population whose numbers grow with each day. Poulin’s scope of experience, which includes being on the boards of Bristol Elder Services, Southeast Alliance for Elders, and the Samaritans, placed him in direct contact with 27 senior centers in the DA’s service area.
“I was interacting with senior centers and was aware of the work they were doing.… It was something that interested me,” said Poulin, whose timely opportunity to fill Rochester’s COA vacancy could be deemed something that was meant to be. He wanted the opportunity to work directly with seniors face to face and now he can.
Poulin’s previous experience found him organizing and coordinating massive events geared toward providing information to seniors on a variety of issues such as fraud and cybercrime. He wants to bring programs to Rochester that will help seniors to better understand and protect themselves against illegal activities, but he has other ideas, too, such as helping seniors navigate effectively on computers.
“A recent survey conducted by Coastline Elder Services found that seniors want to learn how to use a computer; it was the number-one issue they wanted addressed,” Poulin said. He said the second item ranked on the survey was exercise programs. On that score, Poulin is already searching out potential Tai Chi instructors. And the third item ranked in the Coastline survey was the hiring of service providers for home repairs and improvements. “I want to help seniors think about what should be considered before hiring a contractor,” Poulin stated.
In July, Poulin plans to bring a speaker to the Rochester COA from the attorney general’s office to address the topic of being a savvy senior. He said he plans to bring in a variety of presenters to discuss matters that are relevant to local seniors.
Also in attendance at the welcoming event was Selectman Woody Hartley, a longtime member of the COA’s Board of Directors. Of Poulin, he said, “Eric is on top of programs and has lots of networking contacts … for programs on many topics.” Hartley believes the COA has been a well-oiled machine for many years and that Poulin will help focus efforts in that continuum of service.
Hartley pointed to the voters as a prime reason the COA and youth athletic programs have flourished in the community. “The town has supported both very well,” he said.
To contact Poulin, call 508-763-8723 or send an email to epoulin@townofrochester.com.
By Marilou Newell