Council on Aging

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Council on Aging to serve as a gateway connecting older adults, their families, and caregivers to resources to assist with health, safety and independence.

Duties & Responsibilities

The purpose of the Council on Aging is to identify the problems and needs of the elder population and to implement programs designed to meet these problems and needs.

Council on Aging programs and activities are available to all residents of the Town of Kingston who are 60 years of age and over. Transportation services are available to handicapped individuals of any age. Other programs may be available to non-elders.

Establishment

The Kingston Council on Aging was established under GBL 4.10., Article 42 as voted at Town Meeting March 20, 1972 (3 members) and under MGL Chapter 40 Section 8b, Article 25 as voted at Town Meeting March 16, 1972 (3 to 7 members).

Programs

Councils on Aging (COAs) are the community focal point for social and support services to elders, families and caregivers in 349 cities and towns in Massachusetts. These municipal agencies develop priorities, serve as advocates and offer opportunities to access programs, services and activities that directly benefit more than 540,000 elders, families and caregivers annually.

COAs conduct more than 100 programs from information and referral, outreach, transportation, meals (congregate and/or home delivered) to health screening, health insurance information benefits counseling (SHINE), fitness, recreation, computer access, education/lifelong learning, among others. In most communities, COAs serve as the only public social service agency and assist numerous non-elders in accessing public benefits. They may also serve as a link to and support for elders and others in case of local emergencies.