Ever Growing - Never Old

COA Profile

About the Marshfield Senior Center 

The current Marshfield Senior Center location opened October 13, 2003 with a recent expansion that doubled the size of the original building. Its’ central function is to provide a home for the Council on Aging (COA), the town’s primary human services department. As a human service agency, the COA provides and coordinates services to the senior community assisting individuals to live with dignity and to enhance quality of life. It identifies the needs of seniors and implements services and programs that encourage self-reliance, good health, education and community involvement. It advocates for seniors and increases awareness of these efforts.

The Senior Center is a community focal point for adults aged 60 and over to come together. The Center provides various spaces such as a library, computer lab, café, and gym for convening. There are groups that gather to play games such as bridge, chess, mahjong, whist and pool to name just a few. Or maybe you are just looking to socialize then the 60+ Club is for you. 

There are stimulating activities to exercise the body and the mind. The Center offers a fitness room with equipment along with physical exercise classes daily ranging from tai chi, Pilates, balance and strength, dance, Zumba, yoga to Essentrics along with a weekly walking group. The new outdoor recreation area offers pickle ball and bocce courts, ping pong tables, walking trails and a track along with exercise equipment. If it is a little pampering you are looking for, the Center offers manicures/pedicures, Reiki, hair care and meditation.  Health screenings, an annual health fair and education also support staying healthy.   

Educational opportunities include Lifelong Learning offered three times a year featuring history, music, cultural offerings as well as regular presentations by Mass Audubon, antiques writer Bob Jackman, technology educator Katy Mayo, musician Jack Craig and members of local law enforcement to name just a few. Arts and crafts are a regular offering and always popular at the Center. There are weekly groups that paint together, some with and some without instruction. Craft classes include knitting & crocheting, rug hooking, woodcarving and seasonal offerings such as beading and bow and wreath making. In depth discussion groups such as great decisions are periodically offered along with other learning such as Spanish classes and poetry readings. 

The Center also provides important volunteer opportunities that allow people to share their talents and help others. In fiscal year 2021, 179 volunteers provided 11,750 hours of service which was significantly lower than prior years due to the pandemic.  The Center could not operate without the dedication of these volunteers.

But there is more than just fun and games at the Senior Center. The staff work to help seniors navigate all stages of aging from retirement planning to living independently as one ages. Offerings include professional counseling for health insurance - (SHINE), life insurance and long term care options, financial planning, real estate, income tax preparation and legal advice. Our Social Service Coordinators work with individuals and their families to provide information, in-home support and referrals for housing, property tax exemptions, abatements and deferrals, energy and food assistance and caregiver support.            

The Center also addresses the nutrition and transportation needs of seniors by providing a congregate hot lunch program, box lunches, Meals on Wheels, volunteer food shoppers, and the new Seaflower Café. The COA shuttle provides transportation around town for food shopping, the food pantry, medical appointments, pharmacy visits, hair dressers and the Senior Center. Volunteers are also available to transport seniors to out of town medical appointments.  

The COA is also very proud to be an accredited Senior Center that demonstrates standards of excellence in its delivery of services and programs. In addition, the Marshfield Senior Center was deemed an emerging “Age Friendly Community” through AARP in 2018. Both Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly initiatives continue to evolve. One such example is our Social Day Care Program currently offered two days per week that provides specialized programming for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. 

There is something for everyone at the Marshfield Senior Center!