About Us



MCOA Mission Statement


The Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging and Senior Center Directors, is a non-profit membership organization comprised of municipal Councils on Aging.   Our mission is to support the independence of adults 60 and older by advocating for programs and services to meet their needs, promote the growth and quality of Councils on Aging and senior centers and strengthen the professional skills of Council on Aging staff.


Statement of Purpose


Established in 1979, the Massachusetts Association of Councils On Aging & Senior Center Directors was formed to:

  • Improve the quality of services provided to older adults of the Commonwealth by the Councils on Aging, Senior Centers, and other social services providers within the Commonwealth.

  • Educate and otherwise improve the skills of the staff of Councils on Aging and Senior Centers of cities and towns of the Commonwealth.

  • Encourage and promote the development of new Senior Centers in the Commonwealth and the expansion of existing ones.

  • To do and perform any and all acts and services that may be incidental or necessary to carry out the above purposes.


Your local Council on Aging has the information you need.
Among the services and referrals we provide are the following:

  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Assistance in Your Home
  • Care Planning
  • Housing Options
  • Nursing Homes
  • Respite Care
  • Medical Services
  • Transportation
  • Public Benefits Counseling
  • Employment Assistance
  • Supportive Day and Adult Day Health
  • Wellness Activities through Evidence-based Programming
  • Fitness Programs
  • Recreational Activities
  • Support Groups, Tax Assistance and Driver Education Programs
  • Volunteer Opportunities/ Civic Engagement
  • SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders)
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Creative and Performing Arts
  • Computer Classes and ESL
  • Nutrition
  • Application Assistance

Councils on Aging serve older adults every day:

Over 525,000 older adults received services from a local COA in fiscal year 2007

  • We help provide 7,500,000 meals annually throughout the state of Massachusetts.
  • We help provide 26,800 older adults with volunteer opportunities.
  • These volunteers perform 2,300,000 hours of service per year.
  • We provide transportation - hundreds of thousands of rides - to medical appointments, for personal business and to centers for older adults throughout the state.
  • Older adults receive opportunities to be with their peers, socialize, learn new skills, exercise, and receive support that helps them to remain as independent as possible in their homes.


Link to Cities and Towns:

Not all communities operate web sites that feature services and programs offered at the local Council on Aging, but this site will link you to your town where you can check the availability of a local COA web page.




MCOA Logo   Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging

    116 Pleasant Street, Suite 306, Easthampton MA 01027-2781
    Phone:   413-527-6425       Fax:   413-527-7138

    webmaster — peter@mcoaonline.com