COA Facts

FACT SHEET

The new 12,600 sq. ft. Marshfield Senior Center opened October 13, 2003. Its central function is to provide a home for the Marshfield Council On Aging (COA), the town’s primary human services department. The Center is under the care, custody and control of the Board of Selectmen, who appoint the nine-person COA, a policy-making Board. The Director manages the day-to-day operation.

COA MISSION: “is to provide and coordinate services for Marshfield seniors that assist them to live within the community with dignity and to enhance their quality of life.”

THE SENIOR CENTER is the focal point for adults aged 60 and over to come together for:

  • Companionship to counteract isolation
  • Stimulating Activities to exercise the mind and body
  • Social Services to promote senior health and independence
  • Assistance to Families and Caregivers seeking help for their elderly loved ones
  • Volunteer Opportunities to share of themselves and their wisdom and friendliness

SUPPORT SERVICES and PROGRAMS provide assistance with:

  • Wellness: personal safety, nutrition, exercise, caregiving, information and referrals
  • SHINE: health insurance counseling, social service, referrals, in-home support
  • Nutrition: hot lunch,, Meals On Wheels, grocery shopping
  • Housing: home maintenance and repair, subsidized senior housing and placement
  • Transportation: free scheduled shuttle/van/volunteer drivers for around town and medical appointments
  • Financial: subsidies, utility/property tax exemptions/deductions/deferrals, money management, income tax form preparation, fuel assistance, referrals
  • Advocacy, Outreach and Education for and about senior issues and needs
  • Baby Boomer Planning for the coming surge in the senior population
  • 58,000 units of service to 1,700 different people were provided in FY’06

PROFESSIONAL STAFFING (FY 2009 funded by the Town and federal, state and in-kind grants):

  • one Director, the only full-time staffer (FT, 5 days/wk for 37.5 hrs)
  • one Clerk/Administrative Assistant (PT, 3 full days/wk for 25 hrs)
  • two Social Service SHINE Counselors for outreach/Medicare (PT, 25 hrs/wk total)
  • one Volunteer Coordinator to recruit, train and supervise volunteers (PT, 19 hrs/wk)
  • one Special Projects Coordinator (PT, 16 hrs/wk)
  • one Activities Assistant (PT, 6 hrs/wk)
  • one Nutritionist to direct the hot lunch and Meals On Wheels (PT, 20 hrs/wk)
  • five Van Drivers/Dispatcher to provide senior transportation (PT, 47 hrs/wk)

(Note: these staffing numbers have remained virtually the same since before 1998)

HOURS of OPERATION are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday (These hours are determined by budget and staffing). In bad weather we may close when the Town’s schools close.

COA BUDGET Town-funded Budget for FY 2007 (7/06 to 6/30/07) = $186,166

CITIZEN SUPPORT: Citizens and interested parties can support the COA by

  • Volunteering. In FY’06, 294 volunteers provided 26,385 hours of service
  • Financial Gifting (income tax deductible) to the:
    • MARSHFIELD COA GIFT ACCOUNT, which receives monetary gifts for COA expenses/services/programs/equipment, is separate from the Town’s general funds, and is under full COA control
    • MARSHFIELD COA BOOSTERS, Inc., a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c) 3 organization whose purpose is to raise funds for the COA.
    • Both MAILING ADDRESSES=: 230 Webster Street, Marshfield, Ma 02050
  • INFORMATION at MARSHFIELDCAREGIVERS.NET (or .ORG) and at TOWNOFMARSHFIELD.ORG COA


SCHEDULE A VISIT OR ASK QUESTIONS BY CALLING THE COA AT 781-834-5581