The Council on Aging is the body in town whose mission it is help meet the needs of the older population. Policies related to any aspect of the Beech Street Center, the center that acts primarily as a senior center, and which is operated by the staff of the COA, are available through the COA. Policies related to anti-discrimination of any vulnerable population, including older adults, are made by the Town’s Human Rights Commission. The Town’s Housing Trust has made it a priority to consider the needs of older people in its Housing Production Plan. Services include:
•Transportation for shopping & medical needs by reservation
•Nutrition services (meals on wheels and daily luncheon)
•Social services (confidential referrals and help with concerns)
•Programs and newsletter (cultural, educational, recreational, holiday observance, entitlement, athletic, and social).

An appointed advisory council will be implemented as the age-friendly designation will provide the needed impetus to get various officials and stakeholders together to begin implementing plans and programs. The Advisory Council will be composed of representatives and advocates for the older population. Regular updates of the Council’s work will be presented at the senior center for feedback and input. For home-bound seniors there will be opportunities to communicate back and forth and gain input through the monthly Senior Notes newsletter. The conceptual and informational basis for any such projects would come from the recently published report “Planning for an Age-Friendly Belmont” produced by the U.Mass. Gerontology Institute, which was financed generously by the Tufts Foundation. This report was enthusiastically received by Town Meeting this past June and has garnered support of the community for the Age Friendly Community project.