Elder Affairs Commission

About

The Commission on Elder Affairs is composed of volunteers representing many ages and experiences and who reflect themselves in matters of concern to the operation of the Elder Affairs division of City services. Public and private agencies share their methods, goals, and problems with Commissioners and administrative staff. Commissioners meet monthly unless required more frequently. Commissioners are urged to participate in related organizations so as to increase their understanding of the needs of elderly citizens.

Commission Profile How to Join

In addition, the Commission performs the following functions:

• To collect facts and statistics and to conduct special studies affecting the health and welfare of the elderly population of the City;
• To encourage the development of programs for the elderly in Worcester;
• To identify the pertinent needs of the Community's older population;
• To educate and to enlist the support of the Community on the needs of the elderly;
• To promote the coordination of public programs designed for the elderly in Worcester;
• To advise the public agencies of the City of Worcester on matters affecting the elderly;
• To report to the Commission and the City Manager on state and federal legislation concerning the elderly;
• To cooperate with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
• To manage and operate a senior center facility, which shall be the land and buildings acquired by the City of Worcester and located on Providence Street between Winthrop and Spurr Streets (hereinafter "Senior Center");
• To encourage and assure within the senior center the maximum level of coordination, collaboration and co-location of individuals and organizations, public and private, engaged in the delivery of services, programs and activities of interest to elders, such as:
  • health insurance, caregiver, benefit and employment counseling services; medical and screening clinics; information and referral services on the issues of health, housing, transportation education, legal assistance, consumer protection, public safety and support groups; on-site and delivered meals and emergency food distribution; literacy, citizenship and English-as-a-second-language instruction; vocational, cultural and computer programs; senior outreach; senior travel; recreational and wellness programs; dances; gardening; story telling; concerts and entertainment; transportation; day care for elders; and child care for grandparents raising grandchildren;
• To perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law, or as directed by the City Manager.