Who We Are
Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) is a nonprofit, membership association of the 350 municipal councils on aging and senior centers. COAs are the first stop on the continuum of care. We support the 1.7 million older adults, 60 and over in Massachusetts, lead healthy, purposeful lives.
Recent News
MCOA Legislative Alert: FY22- House 1 released January 27, 2021 noon
MCOA Membership: HOUSE 1 FY22 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET: FY22 Proposed FY21 Allocated 1. HHS ELD 91101640 Geriatric Mental Health Services Program $800,000 $1,000,000 2. HHS ELD 91109002 Grants to Councils On Aging $17,066,651 $17,000,000 + earmarks IMPACT: EMHOT...
Senior College at Bridgewater State University
Senior College at Bridgewater State University is hosting an Information Session TODAY (January 19) from 1-2 pm, on their Spring 2021 Courses Seniors in your community may be interested in BSU’s Senior College courses which meet weekly for 4 to 8 weeks starting on...
FY22 Letter to the Legislators
To the 192nd General Court: Downloadable and Priintable Version On behalf of the Massachusetts Association of Council on Aging and Senior Center Directors representing 350 communities that have established a municipally based Council on Aging, we express our gratitude...
MCOA FY22 Request to Governor Baker
Dear Governor Baker: On behalf of the Massachusetts Association of Council on Aging and Senior Center Directors representing 350 communities that have established a municipally based Council on Aging, we express our gratitude for signing the FY 21 budget that...
Impact of 2020 US Census on the COA Formula Grant – Projections
The following is an estimate of the formula grant for FY22 based on funding availability in the state budget. Impact-of-2020-US-Census-on-the-COA-Formula-Grant-12.15.2020
Featured Events
Dementia-Friendly Transportation – Driver Training
UCLA Memory Training Master Trainer Course
Virtual Memory Café
Small and Rural Conference
MA SMP Conference
Membership Meeting
What is a COA Today?
COAs serve as a conduits for accessing a range of municipal services that may seem out-of-reach to older residents. They are the focal point where older adults and their families can access the local and state network of elder services, while providing an integrated array of social, health, recreational and education programs for older men and women. COAs offer programs, services and activities that benefit more than 540,000 older people, and their families and caregivers annually.
COAs conduct more than 100 programs from information and referral to benefits, outreach, transportation, and meals and other food programs to health screenings, health insurance information benefits counseling, fitness, recreation, computer access, education and life-long learning, among others. In most communities, the COA serves as the only public social service agency and assists all town residents with access to public benefits.
Each COA determines its own priorities based on unique local circumstances, resources and interests. Regardless of design, a local senior center is often a home away from home for socializing, learning, wellness, “giving back,” or just a reason to get out of the house. For the rapidly growing older population, COAs and senior centers provide a safe place for Massachusetts older adults to remain independent productive and in the community for as long as possible.