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COUNCIL ON AGING
Welcome From Director Ruthann Dobek
On behalf of the Council on Aging board and staff, I welcome you to our website. I am pleased to present information about the services and programs that we provide for Brookline residents age 60 and over and their families.
About the Council on Aging
The Brookline Council on Aging is a town agency responsible for planning, coordinating and providing comprehensive services for Brookline residents age 60 and over. We work with other town agencies and community service providers to enhance the quality of life for our elders.
READ OUR FEBRUARY 2023
NEWS AND EVENTS EDITION HERE!
FEBRUARY 2023 BROOKLINE SENIOR CENTER
UPDATE & NEWSLETTER
Welcome to February 2023! The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, February 20th in celebration of President’s Day. Join us for a special Valentine’s Day Traditions program on Wednesday, February 8th at 1:00 PM, and a celebration of Black History Month on Monday, February 13th at 1:00 PM.
As always, there is an abundance of information in our monthly Senior News & Events. February is an especially busy month with a variety of programs to enjoy. While pre-registration of programs is requested as it is helps in planning, it is not necessary unless indicated, so walk-ins are welcome at many programs. You can find the February 2023 edition as well as any past or future editions of the newsletter here.
February is often the month for snow- a reminder to check our webpage for updated information. The most timely updates, however, can be found on our main phone lines at 617-730-2770 and 617-730-2777. As we continue to cope with seasonal illness and COVID-19, please be sure to get vaccinated. We are also encouraging participants to stay at home when feeling ill.
Wishing all a lovely Valentine’s Day.
Warmly,
Ruthann Dobek, Director
Brookline Council on Aging / Brookline Senior Center
NOW AVAILABLE!
The Brookline Older Adult Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), was conducted in collaboration with the Brookline Council on Aging, Brookline Senior Center, and BUSPH Professor Harold Cox. Topics of the assessment include transportation and the built environment, healthcare access, housing, and personal and legal rights.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & THE COA
At the top of the Town of Brookline’s organizational chart are its residents: we are in charge. Therefore, to do its job, Brookline’s government must engage with the community: Brookline is strongest when ALL of its residents are full partners in the Town’s leadership. To support this partnership, we have developed Brookline’s first Community Engagement Plan, prepared following the adoption by Town Meeting of the Community Engagement Bylaw in fall 2019.
You can click this link for the Council on Aging's Community Engagement Goals.
Or click this one for the For the Town of Brookline's full Community Engagement Plan.
Click here to DONATE via PayPal
Programs & Services
WHAT MAKES BROOKLINE'S COUNCIL ON AGING SO EXTRAORDINARY?
The Brookline Council on Aging’s (COA) Senior Center is indisputably one of the most active centers in Massachusetts. The Brookline COA is a Town agency responsible for planning, coordinating and providing comprehensive services for Brookline area residents age 60 and over. We work with other Town agencies and community service providers to enhance the quality of life for our elders. The Brookline Senior Center (BSC) is a gathering place dedicated to enriching the aging experience by providing a diverse environment with a wide range of opportunities, programs and services (the majority of which are provided by volunteers) in the areas of health, learning, art, socialization, nutrition, and recreation. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, the Brookline COA provides Brookline area seniors a strong and inviting community in which to meet new friends, socialize, volunteer and stay active.
Quote from Ruthann Dobek, Director:"Our goal is to help seniors maintain their independence and continue to be or become active members of their community. We believe wholeheartedly in enhancing growth, dignity and a sense of belonging while encouraging individual contributions and the sharing of diverse life experiences. The Senior Center welcomes all who walk through our doors, regardless of age, income, disability, ethnic, religious or sexual orientation.
One of our strengths is recruiting volunteers. We have >433 volunteers of all ages – 14 – 96 performing 693 activities. Many are active in more than one activity; many have volunteered with us for ten years or more. These volunteers, most of whom are seniors themselves, donate the equivalent number of hours of more than 20 full-time staff. Without our volunteers who execute the programs, the BSC could not provide the number and variety of programs and activities that we offer to seniors.
Assistance Programs
Social workers and volunteers provide help with accessing Fuel Assistance, SNAP, AARP Tax Preparation and Information and Referral. They also provide legal assistance (BLAB), assistance with identifying Medicare supplement options (SHINE), Job Search Support with individual appointments and workshops (REAP), Home and Escort Linkage Program (HELP), Equipment Loan Program (ELF), Real Estate Tax Workoff Program (TAP), the Elder Resource Guide, and the Caregivers’ Respite Program.
Exercise and Fitness
Our on-site fully equipped, supervised Fitness Center provides – Mat & Chair Yoga, Flexibility, Resistance Training & Balance and Aging Backwards as well as individual sessions. In addition, Tuesday Dance Party, Zumba Gold, Tai Chi, Solemates Walking Club, Ping Pong, Strength Training for Seniors, Senior Stretch, Exercise for Health & Rejuvenation and Arthritis Exercise provide exercise/fitness options for every taste and ability.
Health
Programs to support seniors’ health at the Brookline COA include: Podiatry Clinic, Memory Café, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Hearing screenings, as well as Reiki and Acupuncture. Health support includes: Ask a Geriatrician, Ask a Nurse, Low Vision Group and a Health Coach. Talks on Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Aphasia and Fall Prevention are also offered.
Food and Nutrition
Programs to assure that no Brookline area senior goes to bed hungry include Monday-Friday hot and cold lunches provided by Springwell, the monthly Greater Boston Food Bank Federal Food Commodity program providing shelf stable food to 72 low income seniors and the SHOP Program where Brookline High School students shop for seniors as part of their community service requirement.
Arts & Crafts
Programs include: Quilting, Beading, Knitting & Crocheting, Flower Arranging, Basic Drawing, Water Color, Still Life Workshop, Art for Pleasure, exhibits in the Brookline Senior Center Gallery supporting local artists and our Annual Holiday Craft Fair.
Entertainment
Tuesday Movies, Easy Travel, Theatre Club, Senior Chorus, Ukulele Group, Coolidge Corner Community Chorus, Swing Band, Chess, Mah Jong (US & Chinese), Scrabble, Bridge, Canasta and Bingo as well as the Let’s Go Out To Lunch Bunch and the LGBT Out 2 Lunch Bunch, concerts and theater productions and many other special events such as ‘Genius of George Gershwin’ and ‘Dance Caliente’.
Learning
ESL Conversation, Spanish Immersion, French Conversation, Current Events Discussion, One-On-One Computer and Open Computer Lab, A Taste of Poetry, the Book Discussion Group, Living Our Values and Telling Our Story.
Support
Various Support Groups provided by social workers and volunteers throughout the year include: Bereavement Support, Job Search Support, Depression Support, Grandparent Alienation Support, Retired Men’s Club, Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support, and the Low Vision Support groups.
Additional Information
The Senior Center welcomes all who walk through our doors, regardless of age, income, disability, ethnic or religious background, or sexual orientation.
We recognize the efforts of all our program collaborators and are grateful of their support.
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Ruthann Dobek
Director
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Council on Aging
Physical Address
93 Winchester St.
Brookline, MA 02446
Phone: : 617-730-2777
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
and occasional evening and weekend hours
SPRINGWELL “GRAB AND GO” LUNCHES EXTENDING TO 5 DAYS-PER-WEEK!
Beginning July 1st, 2021, “grab and go” lunches in collaboration with Springwell will be available Monday through Friday. If you would like a lunch, please call the Senior Center TWO business days in advance by 10:30 am at 617-730-2747 to make a reservation.