Brookline Senior Center Policies

SOLICITATION POLICY

The Brookline Senior Center is a haven for seniors to come and be safe from the intrusions of solicitation from politicians, sales people and research studies.

Teachers, volunteers and speakers are reminded that the explicit promotion of private businesses or the overt recruitment of clients is not permitted. Distribution of business cards and promotional materials and follow-up calls for mailing or recruitment purposes is prohibited. We encourage participation when it is appropriate, as a sanctioned forum by the Council on Aging. Please contact the Director for information on being invited to one of our forums or to leave literature.

Please respect our elders, as this is their policy that has been voted on by our Board of Directors.

This policy is strictly enforced without exception.

Solicitation or receiving campaign contributions in a government building is prohibited. Examples include city and town halls, public schools, libraries, police and fire stations and public works buildings and senior center.

No one (not just public employees) may:

  1. Sell tickets to fundraisers or otherwise solicit or collect political contributions in a public building.
  2. Send solicitation into a government building, such as by phone, mail or e-mail.
  3. Use a public building as the site of a fundraiser, the return address for contributions or the contact phone number for buying tickets to a fundraiser.
  4. Post in a public building any advertisement for a fundraiser.

M.G.L. Chapter 55, the Campaign Finance Law, regulates political activity by public employees and the use of public buildings and resources in campaign. Public employees who take part in political campaigns and the candidates and committees they support should be aware of these sections of the law.

Follow this link to download a copy of the Brookline Senior Center's Solicitation Policy

BEHAVIOR POLICY

The Brookline Council on Aging welcomes you to the Senior Center. We are committed to making everyone feel accepted and part of our community. We expect that everyone at the Senior Center, visitors, volunteers and staff will be conscious of the rights of others and will act in a courteous, considerate and socially appropriate manner. We expect all to show respect for others, their possessions, the building and our equipment.

We encourage an inviting atmosphere that is warm, tolerant and kind to others. 

We welcome all persons whatever their race, religious affiliation, age, socio-economic status, nationality, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation or mental/physical ability.

We urge our participants to resolve conflicts in a courteous, socially appropriate manner.

We ask that our visitors bring any issues and/or compliance concerns to staff members. We will investigate and deal with all complaints in a timely fashion.

Offensive behavior will NOT be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of profanity, disparaging comments about race, religious affiliation, age, socio-economic status, nationality, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation and/or mental/physical ability, yelling, excessive noise, bullying, angry tirades, sexual harassment, inappropriate talk or behavior, inappropriate touching, pushing/shoving, threats, intimidation, assault and battery, and/or exploitation of others.

No smoking or alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Senior Center. Inebriated persons will not be allowed in the building.

No solicitation of any kind may take place on Senior Center property.

Visitors must follow staff instructions on where food and beverages or messy activities are allowed or prohibited.

Visitors must follow staff instructions around where access is allowed or prohibited within the Senior Center.

Participants may be required to leave the Senior Center if their personal hygiene is poor or if their dress is inappropriate.

Participants need to be able to care for themselves including, but not limited to the ability to feed and toilet independently, and navigate through the Center unassisted. Proper usage of scooters and walkers must not endanger other participants. Those who need extra assistance may be required to have a caregiver attend with them.

Misuse and abuse of Senior Center resources including food, office supplies, copier machine and other material is not allowed.

The only animals allowed are service/support animals that aid people and those requested as part of a presentation or program.

Damaging, defacing, or stealing any property is against the law and those who do are subject to prosecution as well as immediate dismissal from the building.

Participants must comply with all current public health regulations/protocols regarding COVID-19.

Participants must not use bathroom facilities for personal care such as hair washing or sponge bathing. Disposal of paper towel, maxi pads, incontinence pads/underwear or excessive amounts of toilet paper in the toilets is not allowed and can cause damage to Senior Center property. Please dispose of the aforementioned in the trash receptacle.

Failure to comply with these rules may result in the violator being asked to leave the Senior Center premises and may lead to being barred from the facility. This includes temporary expulsions to permanent no trespass orders.

Follow this link to download a copy of the Brookline Senior Center's Behavioral Policy

EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS

It is our expectation that the identified group leader/teacher will take a leadership role in managing an emergency situation. Council on Aging staff will provide training on an individual basis as needed.

Medical Situations

  1. Call 911 (or instruct another person to do so) preferably from a Senior Center telephone. Tell the dispatcher you are at the Senior Center, 93 Winchester St., Brookline. Tell them what floor you on and what room you are in. Describe the emergency. Don’t hang up until you are told to do so.
  2. Call extension 2777(or instruct another person to do so). Tell the person who answers that you have called 911 and tell them your location. If no one answers, ask someone to notify COA Staff (2nd floor) in person. A COA staff person will then provide assistance and support as needed. The COA staff person will also complete an incident report.

    If the individual has completed an emergency contact form, COA staff will obtain a copy for emergency personnel. 
  3. Do not move or pick someone up from a fall. Please explain that “the Brookline Council on Aging is required to call 911. The ambulance personnel will assist you once they arrive. You can refuse to go to the emergency room, but it may be in your best interest to go, if it is recommended.” Individuals who can safely get themselves up from a fall may do so however, Council on Aging staff, volunteers, and participants are not allowed to provide any physical assistance. Our recommendation is that people wait for emergency personnel to arrive in order to prevent potential additional injuries. 

    It can often be embarrassing, upsetting or physically difficult to remain on the floor following a fall, but we have found that it can be helpful if the program leader or a COA staff member can safely get down on the floor, sit with the person and offer reassurance while awaiting emergency personnel. 
  4. When in doubt – call 911.

Fire/Evacuation Situations

It is our expectation that the identified group leader/teacher will take a leadership role in managing an emergency situation. Council on Aging staff will provide training on an individual basis as needed.

If you discover a fire or see smoke:

  1. Call 911 (or instruct someone else to do so). Tell the dispatcher you are at the Senior Center, 93 Winchester St., Brookline. Tell them what floor you on and what room you are in. Describe the emergency. Don’t hang up until you are told to do so.
  2. Call extension 2777(or instruct another person to do so). Tell the person who answers that you have called 911 and tell them the location of the fire or smoke. If no one answers, ask someone to notify COA Staff (2nd floor) in person. A COA staff person will then provide assistance and support as needed. 

In the event that the fire alarm sounds:

  1. Stop your activity/program and leave the building immediately.
  2. Do not use the elevators.
  3. Do not return to building until you are directed to do so by the Fire Department or Council on Aging staff.
  4. Meet in 112 Centre St. courtyard or in front of 89 Winchester St., leaving the Senior Center driveway unobstructed for emergency vehicles.
  5. If someone cannot use the stairs, notify the staff at ext. 2777 or in person.

Tips for dealing with dealing with an emergency situation

  1. The building is equipped an AED Device. It is located in the Council on Aging office supply closet (near our I&R Desk).
  2. 2. Most rooms have telephones. Calling from a landline is the most effective way to reach local emergency personnel. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the location of our phones.
    If you are in the Fitness Center and experience an emergency, the closest phones are in Room 213, the Health Services Office, or the COA offices.
  3. In the event that someone is stuck in the elevator, it is equipped with an emergency call button.
  4. We have an ice machine in the kitchen. Basic first aid supplies are available from the COA offices.
  5. If someone is experiencing a medical emergency, please refer to our emergency protocol. Call 911. Once the emergency system has been activated, our recommendation is for all involved to maintain a calm presence. Other helpful behaviors might include sitting with the person and offering reassurance as appropriate. Please do not move or pick someone up from a fall.
  6. Volunteers and participants are strongly encouraged to complete and maintain an updated emergency contact form. These forms are securely and confidentially maintained in the COA Director’s office. Blank copies are available from the COA offices. 
  7. Please notify COA staff if you smell gas or any other potentially dangerous odors in the building.
  8. In case of a fire, please familiarize yourself with stairwells and emergency exits. If you have any questions, please see a COA staff member. The building is equipped with fire alarms, fire doors, fire extinguishers, and a sprinkler system.

Follow this link to download a copy of the Brookline Senior Center's Emergency Protocol.

SNOW POLICY

In the event that the Senior Center is closed, information will be posted on the Town website (www.brooklinema.gov) and updated on our main telephone lines (617-730-2777; 617-730-2770). The Program Manager will also notify program leaders regarding cancellations and closures.

Please be aware that although the Senior Center building may be open and functioning as an emergency site, we encourage our seniors to exercise caution and stay at home in case of inclement weather.

If you have a commitment at the Center, please call the main number at 617-730-2770 and leave a message if you would like to cancel.

ADULT EDUCATION classes are canceled when Brookline Public Schools are closed. Classes are rescheduled at a later date. Call 617-730-2700 for more information.

ELDERBUS & VAN do not run when Brookline Public schools are closed. If storm begins later in the day, driver will make a decision in consultation with the Director based on road conditions. 

MONTHLY FOOD COMMODITY PROGRAM will be postponed to the following Wednesday at the discretion of the Director and/or the Greater Boston Food Bank. Please call 617-730-2770 for updates. 

RECREATION PROGRAMS will be canceled when the Brookline Public Schools are closed. If a storm develops later in the day, please call the Recreation Departments 617-730-2083 for cancellation information.

SENIOR CENTER PROGRAMS will be canceled at the discretion of the Director and Program Manager. Please call for updates.

SPRINGWELL LUNCH will be canceled at the discretion of Springwell’s executive director. The decision is NOT based on school cancellations. The Senior Center will be notified by Springwell nutrition staff. They will also leave a message on 617-730-2777. Call 617-926-4100 for more information. 

Follow this link to download a copy of the Brookline Senior Center's Emergency Protocol.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CALL THE SENIOR CENTER AT 617-730-2770 FOR THE LATEST UPDATES.