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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa2000_20251124142802.pdf ou5 MOR^,' 0o� X775 ti�o Town of Lexington 1 847V ' Social Services ►•r_Y' APRIL 17'" FX1Naso Nancy Freed, Director of Social Services Tel: (781) 861-0194 Fax: (781) 863-2271 Date: March 27, 2000 To: Town Meeting Members Re: PROPOSED NEW SENIOR CENTER The Lexington Council on Aging submits the enclosed report in support of Article 8a for$50,000 funding for site analysis and schematic designs for a new Senior Center. • Throughout our twenty-month study,we have been ably assisted by many citizens of Lexington,town officials and members of Town Committees. We have visited Senior Centers in eight neighboring towns and reviewed published surveys by other towns. Our study remains a"work in progress" subject to reevaluation of sites, revisions in our space estimates, changes in services and programs, and most importantly by suggestions from future "study and work committees" of COA volunteer and citizen groups. • This report describes a senior center of about 30,000 square feet we visited in Peabody, which the Committee feels shows how the space we have estimated we shall need could be laid out. Based on present parking use, we believe there will be a need for 150-200 parking spaces. • Increased space for programs and activities is needed to relieve overcrowded conditions and provide for the future. In addition we need more and appropriate office space for the Social Services Department, and the Adult Social Day Care Program, now located in Lincoln, should be returned to the Senior Center. • One of the factors in considering sites for the Center was an adequate size for outdoor recreation programs as well as room for expansion. A list of sites the Committee has considered is a separate addition to this report. It describes all the suggested sites and divides them into three categories. The Committee plans to recommend two of these sites for analysis under Article 8a. • I recommend that you read the narratives in the COA Section (#6100) of your copy of the FY 2001 Recommended Budget(pages 6-2 to 6-10). They outline our current services and activities at the Senior Center in the Muzzey Condominium and at our leased Adult Day Care facility at 20 Mill St., Lincoln. I also suggest that you read a recent edition of our COA Newsletter to appreciate the variety and scope of our programs. We invite you to visit the Senior Center on a busy weekday morning; we solicit your questions and suggestions. Respectfully, Council on Aging Board Clark Cowen Donald Graham Leo McSweeney Peg Jemison Jacqueline Davison Marilyn Campbell Carol Murphy Anne Kriebel Phyllis Rand Dan Fenn Jane Trudeau 1475 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE•LEXINGTON,MASSACHUSETTS 02420 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Executive Summary 3 History 5 The Long Range Planning Committee: Process and Progress 6 The Senior Center Today 7 The Senior Center of Tomorrow 9 Senior Center Facility Requirements 10 Lexington Population Trends 12 Appendices 13 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Board of Directors of the Council on Aging respectfully asks the Board of Selectmen to include in their FY2001 Capital Budget an amount for preliminary plans and specifications for a new Senior Center. This request is based on an eighteen-month preliminary study conducted by the Council on Aging Long Range Planning Committee. Lexington needs a new Senior Center because: • According to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council our senior population has increased approximately 26% from roughly 5,700 in 1985 when Muzzey opened to about 7,200 in April 1999. • Projections by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and U.S. Bureau of the Census estimate that the number of Lexington citizens 60 and older will increase to 8,133 by year 2010. • We have long since outgrown the Muzzey facility, which was envisioned to be adequate until 1990. This forced us in 1996 to rent outside space in Lincoln for the Adult Day Care program in order to release a much needed space on the basement level. It also has required us to limit attendance at some of our very popular programs, to turn down requests for new activities and to cram existing ones into inadequate spaces. • We are unable to serve the needs of the young elderly (age 60 to 70)partly because we can not add the kind of programs which interest them and partly because, under the terms of our agreement with the Muzzey Condominiums, we can not offer evening and weekend events which fit their schedules and needs. • The Town's Social Service Department operates in inadequate areas within the Senior Center facility. The Department serves the Senior Center and Veterans as well as Lexington families and individuals under 60. • Elders 75 and older clearly require the greatest level of support services and are the most rapidly increasing segment of our senior population. We cannot meet the needs of this group in the current facility. • Lexington is blessed to be a town with an extraordinary number of lively, active, and engaged men and women, of which a growing proportion are elderly. Their full needs cannot be met in our current facility and their ideas and energy can not be given full scope inside our cramped four walls. • Lexingtonians generously want to volunteer at the Senior Center and are one of the Town's most valuable resources. We don't have adequate space to accommodate and attract them. Thus, seniors and the Town are deprived of this valuable resource. 3 Seniors want and need a facility specifically designed for and dedicated to their particular needs, comfort and condition. • Young seniors want late afternoon, evening and weekend programs, at the same time that young people also need program space. • While a Senior Center,with adequate transportation, can be located anywhere in Town, a facility for youth should be located in the center of town. The existing 8,000 usable square feet(10,000 gross) of the Senior Center are awkwardly configured: • We operate on two floors, a ground floor and basement, without a central reception area. • Our only elevator is located behind a locked door in the lobby area of the Condominiums. • Frail or poorly mobile seniors must walk a substantial distance from the parking lot to the building and then go down a long walkway in order to enter the Center. They must then open two doors before entering the Center itself. More and more of our seniors, as they grow older and more frail, will find this walk a serious impediment to using the Center. • There is no outside facility lighting and visibility is poor. • Despite improvements,ventilation and temperature controls in the Center are inadequate. Based on an initial study of our needs, visits to eight other senior centers in the area, and an extensive review of twenty-four senior center facilities conducted by the town of Needham, we have determined that Lexington requires a senior center with some 30,000 square feet of usable space. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs uses the ratio of 5-6 square foot per senior for building a new facility, which for Lexington would be 36,000 square feet. Also needed is parking for 150 - 200 vehicles, with a drop-off area for cars and buses. We have undertaken an effort to locate one or two sites that would accommodate such a facility. The Planning Board has provided us with a list of all town-owned lands. Joseph Marino, Economic Development Officer, will review the list and single out one or two appropriate sites. We will then, at Acting Town Planner, Glen Garber's suggestion, hire a professional consultant to conduct a detailed examination of the selected sites. This information will then be provided to the Board of Selectmen. Consequently on behalf of 7,200 of our senior citizens, close to 25% of Lexingtonians, we earnestly ask you, the Board of Selectmen, to respond favorably to our request. 4 HISTORY The Lexington Council on Aging was established in 1976 and housed on the second floor of the Visitors' Center. Because its program was growing so rapidly, the Selectmen appointed a Senior Center Site Committee in February 1978. That group negotiated an arrangement with the Church of Our Redeemer for two rooms as a temporary facility, starting in the fall of 1978. Some relevant and interesting comments from the 1978 report: "The committee did not evaluate the need for a community-wide center serving a variety of age groups. The experience of other communities suggests that this kind of facility be designed so that different groups have different entrances and private spaces. Senior citizens generally are more comfortable with their own space. Research showed that seniors, while they enjoy pre- school children, do not want continual contact with them." "The Senior Center must also be available seven days a week." Town Meeting asked for a thorough needs assessment, and an evaluation of both the Munroe School and Muzzey Junior High School as possible sites. That study, completed in 1980, demonstrated a"significant need and desire" for such a Center and recommended that it be housed at Muzzey. A provision for a Senior Center was a requirement to the developer as part of the Towns' transfer of Muzzey for apartments to be built at affordable rates. The Town did not incur any expense in providing a Senior Center. Furnishings were provided by the Friends of the Council on Aging, private donations and fundraisers. Consequently, when the Muzzey School Conversion Committee was formed in 1981, the COA created a subcommittee that delineated its specific needs and identified an appropriate part of Muzzey for the facility. That report submitted to the Town Manager and Selectmen in August 1982, declared that this facility would accommodate senior programs through the year 1990. In 1985, the Lexington Senior Center in the Muzzey Condominiums opened its doors to serve, according to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, approximately 5,700 seniors. By 1995 the senior center space problems in the Muzzey Condominiums, had become critical once more. Our limitations and visions for the future by staff, volunteers and our Board members were outlined in a 1995-96 Summary of Board Planning Activities Report. 5 THE LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE LEXINGTON COUNCIL ON AGING BOARD OF DIRECTORS: PROCESS AND PROGRESS Faced with a population of seniors that is growing rapidly and more appealing programs at the Senior Center, the Board of the Council on Aging, acting eighteen months ago, established a special Long Range Planning Committee to examine current and future facility needs. It should be noted that this decision came after many formal and informal discussions going back at least to 1995. The committee is chaired by Clark Cowen, COA Board Chairman and by Jacqueline Davison, COA Vice Chairman. The committee also includes Board members Phyllis Rand, Donald Graham, Dan Fenn, and Marilyn Campbell. In order to gather information on how the Senior Center currently operates,the Long Range Planning Committee reviewed existing programs with COA staff. The committee also observed each program in action and interviewed seniors who use the center. The Long Range Planning Committee has made eight site visits to Senior and Intergenerational Centers in neighboring communities, talked with their staff, often had lunch and observed their centers in action. A site visit checklist was used in order to compare each site with the others. The committee found that these senior centers were located in renovated schools or libraries, were additions to school buildings now shared with youth programs or were stand alone buildings on town/city owned land. (See appendixes III and IV) The Peabody Life Center was particularly impressive. It was designed as a building that would meet the specific requirements of senior programming and includes an Adult Day Care Program. The building is on one floor, accessible from a variety of entrances and is very inviting to the city's seniors. (See appendix V) In a recent preliminary search for a site for a stand alone building, the Committee met with Selectman Jeanne Krieger and Acting Town Planner Glen Garber. Ms. Krieger explained the situation at the former Metropolitan State Hospital. It was agreed that any building plans concerning the hospital were likely to be in the distant future. Mr. Garber advised the Committee to hire a professional planning consultant to conduct a two-phase site feasibility study. The two-phase study would consist of the following: 1. A screening of all possible sites to narrow down the options to one or two preferred locations. 2. A detailed site feasibility study of the resulting preferred sites. Subsequently, in discussion with Peter Kelley, Chair of the Friends of the Council on Aging, the Board decided to conduct the Phase I study internally by obtaining a list of possible sites from the Planning Board and submitting it to Joseph Marino, Economic Development Officer, for review. The committee then plans to hire a consultant to make a through examination of the selected sites. It should be noted that the Town has an asset as the owner of the Senior Center at Muzzey. Its value should be determined and the site considered for other Town purposes. 6 THE SENIOR CENTER TODAY Since 1985, the Lexington Senior Center has been located at 1475 Massachusetts Avenue in the Muzzey condominium complex. Fourteen years ago this location was a great improvement over the center's previous site at the Church of Our Redeemer. Today the expanded services and programs needed by Lexington's growing senior population can no longer be accommodated at the Center. A brief look at the range of activities going on underscores this point(See appendix VI). World War II veterans gather to hear and tell the stories of that conflict; current events are the topic of another regularly scheduled group. Fitness and muscle building classes attracted about 230 seniors in FY99; other popular programs include computer classes, band, chorus and diversity activities such as the Chinese New Year and Mah Jong. The Senior Center's programs serve up to 100 participants daily. The Center's dining room is the only room in the facility able to accommodate a large group. For this reason the Center's largest and most popular programs, such as Grad for A Day and the annual Women's Day Conference are held there. However, the dining room can only accommodate about 100 seniors. Because of inadequate space, seniors are routinely turned away from these and other programs. (See appendix VII) The small 12' x 15' library on the basement level,needing additional bookcases and tables on which to store its collection, spills out into the adjacent lounge. The Center's rapidly increasing fitness programs often take place in the same lounge area, spread around a pool table in a heavily trafficked area adjacent to the elevator. Because of inadequate space for exercise equipment, one lone treadmill is tucked under a stairway. Student Social Work interns, an important part of the Senior Center, must be housed in the Fix-It Shop, which itself can barely accommodate four workers, along with their workbenches and inventory. The acoustics in the facility are poor and storage is almost non-existent. Most importantly, there is almost no available space to accommodate the new programs now being requested. In addition, there is no space for the increased Social Service support that will be required by Lexington's rapidly growing population of frail seniors. The existing facility poses additional problems: • Seniors entering the Center facility often do so with difficulty. They must walk a substantial distance from the parking lot to the building and then walk through 2 sets of double doors into the building itself. They then walk down another corridor to the reception desk. • Because it is located in a condominium complex, with lease restrictions, the Senior Center can only operate Monday through Friday, from 8:30-4:30 p.m., despite many requests for evening and weekend programming. • Parking, particularly when large programs are scheduled, is a serious problem, which causes continuing controversy with the condominium association. The Condominium Trustees do 7 not permit parking on weekends or evenings. These parking restrictions are also incorporated into the lease. • There are only 4 parking spaces for handicapped seniors,which is inadequate for center participants. • Additionally, because the Senior Center design had to adapt to the limitations of a renovated building, the Center is now located on two levels, ground and basement. (See appendix VIII) To travel from one floor to the other, seniors must walk down the stairs or use a small elevator which can only be reached by leaving the Senior Center and walking through the condominium area of the complex. • The present site design on two floors ultimately made the Center inadequate and potentially unsafe for the Center's Adult Social Day Care Program. As the program grew, it had to be moved to an alternate site in Lincoln. This site now constitutes an annual rental expense for the Town of$12,000. • In 1996, the Social Service Department was created to include the Council on Aging, Senior Center and the provision of Social Services to families and non-seniors in Lexington. All staff and services are now located in the Senior Center on the basement floor of the Muzzey Condominium building. Each of the departments two Social Workers operate from offices on the lower level of the Senior Center. One of these Social Workers has an office next to a radon pump and must conduct all his business, including interviewing, with a loud noise continually in the background. • The professional Social Services staff has no additional private or confidential meeting rooms for counseling services. Clients coming to meet the social workers must travel a very public route, often walking through the middle of classes in session to reach their destination. • The office of the Director of the Social Service Department is actually located outside the Center facility, in the former gift shop. This office sits in the entryway and common area of the condominium complex. 8 THE SENIOR CENTER OF TOMORROW This initial description is based on discussion with staff, our observation of each of the current ongoing programs, our site visits—especially the one to the Peabody Life Care Center and our considered estimate of our future needs. In addition, we have paid special attention to those seniors who are either unserved or underserved: the "young elderly," aged 60 to 70. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs recommends five to six square feet for each elder or, in our case a minimum of about 36,000 square feet today and a minimum of 40,665 in 2010. (See appendix IX) Our estimates are considerably more modest. We believe that a building of at lease 30,000 square feet of usable space will satisfy Lexington's requirements in the near future. (Muzzey is 10,000 total square feet with 8,000 square feet of usable space). However, we must remember that Lexington is a special place, characterized by an unusually active and engaged population. The Lexington senior population, age 60+ is a dynamic group, rich in interests, skills and experience. These citizens, like their younger counterparts, are interested in a multitude of areas including international and local politics, fiscal affairs, wellness, science, the arts and technology. Our Grad for a Day programs, in demand to the point that they are dramatically oversubscribed, attests to that fact. The Adult Social Day Care Program, now located in Lincoln, has limited space that will not allow for necessary for expansion. This program should be included in the new senior center facility. In addition, we would note that this proposed facility should be on one floor, as opposed to our current configuration of two floors, ground and basement. Finally, it would require 150—200 parking spaces and an auto and bus drop-off area located contiguous to the building. 9 SENIOR CENTER FACILITY REQUIREMENTS Current Facility Proposed Facility Parking Parking 117 spaces/4 handicapped 150—200 spaces with mandated daytime/weekday parking number of handicapped spaces Day, evening and weekend parking Entrance Entrance Not directly accessible from Direct and accessible parking lot, through two sets Waiting/Reception Area of double doors Coat Storage Limited Coat storage Levels Levels Two floors One Floor Office / Work Rooms for Staff, Office/ Work Rooms for Staff, Volunteers and Student Interns Volunteers and Student Interns 5 Offices: Director, 2 Social Workers, 10 Staff offices to meet future needs Program Coordinator and Administrative Assistant No Volunteer Work Rooms Volunteer Work Room No Student Intern Office/Work Room Student Intern Office/Work Room Dining Room Dining Room Seats 100 Seats 200 Small kitchen with area for Nutrition Commercial Kitchen with office for Coordinator Nutrition Coordinator Exercise Area Exercise Area 1 Treadmill under stairway Rooms for expanded classes and 1 Ancient Exercise Bike equipment Adult Social Day Care Adult Social Day Care Relocated to rented house in Lincoln Adult Day Care area of approximately 2,000 square feet on site 10 Program and Meeting Rooms Program and Meeting Rooms All on Basement level Classrooms 4 Multi purpose spaces Library housing all material Small Library Fix-It Shop . Gift Shop Lounge Area Quiet Area Expanded Fix-It Shop Meeting Rooms Conference Rooms Large Function Room folding walls and platform Social Service Area Social Service Area No rooms for confidential counseling Rooms for confidential counseling to to individuals and families individuals and families Health Clinic Health Clinic None Office with waiting room Based on the Senior Center facility requirements the proposed 30,000 square feet facility is roughly divided as follows: Main Entrance Area 2,250 sq. ft Multi-Purpose Room 8,200 sq. ft. Dining Room Activity Room Multi Purpose space total Gift Shop 600 sq. ft. Game & Card Rooms 1,600 sq. ft. Class Room Area 3,400 sq. ft. Office Areas 2,930 sq. ft. Health Clinic with waiting room 600 sq. ft Small Conference Room 300 sq. ft. Kitchen 1,990 sq. ft. Staff Lounge 200 sq. ft. Social Day Care 2,000 sq. ft. Volunteer Workspace 325 sq. ft. General(i.e. public toilets, general storage, Maintenance Office & storage,janitors closet) 1,550 sq. ft. Circulation, Wall thickness, Mechanical and Misc. (at 20%Net) 5,189 sq. ft. 11 LEXINGTON POPULATION TRENDS As a critical part of its study, the Long Range Planning Committee examined Lexington's demographics. According to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the U.S. Bureau of the Census, there were approximately 4,300 senior citizens in town in 1976 when the Council on Aging was first opened in the Visitor's Center. By 1985, when Muzzey opened, that figure had grown to approximately 5,700. The senior population in Lexington increases annually. In 1999, Lexington's 7,200 seniors constitute almost 25% of the total population. The total population of Lexington will likely decrease through year 2020, while the number of seniors will continue to increase. Seniors aged 75 years and older are the most rapidly increasing group of seniors in Lexington. (See appendix X, XI and XII) These statistics mean that within the next five years, the Senior Center will be required to provide more programs and services to a broader age range of seniors. This group will include an increasing number of recently retired seniors as well as older seniors and their families who will require support services. Council on Aging services, such as the Adult Social Day Care Program, support groups, and the library will require expansion. New programs to address needs and interests such as the arts, fitness, ethnicity and educational events will need to be added. The Social Service Department, located in the Senior Center, will also be expected to see more families and individuals who are seeking assistance for their aging parents as well as individuals and families under 60 who require counseling and support services. 12 APPENDIX TABLE OF CONTENTS • Page Appendix I—Mission Statement 14 Appendix II—The Definition of a Senior Center 15 Appendix III—Long Range Planning Committee Site Report 16 Appendix IV—Trends and Suggestions for Senior Centers 19 Appendix V—Peabody Life Center Report 20 Appendix VI—The Range of Activities at the Senior Center 27 Appendix VII—A List of Programs the Senior Center is Now Unable to Schedule 28 Appendix VIII—Current Senior Center Floor Plan 29 Appendix IX-Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs Space 31 Recommendations for Senior Centers Appendix X— Seniors Age 60+ in Lexington 33 Appendix XI—Seniors Age 75+in Lexington 34 Appendix XII— 1999 Town Profile 35 13 Appendix I COUNCIL ON AGING MISSION STATEMENT The Council on Aging, the policy making board of the Senior Center, the professional staff and the volunteers are dedicated to being of service to older adults as they encounter the challenges of aging. In cooperation with private and public agencies, we provide information, education, recreation and human services. We support the independence, and promote the intellectual and social well being of our elder population. We believe that an accessible and welcoming Senior Center is necessary to attract participants, volunteers and supporters from the Lexington community. 14 Appendix II Definition of a Senior Center + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + . Asenior center is a community focal within the center and link participants with point where older adults come together for resources offered by other agencies. Center services and activities that reflect their programs consist of a variety of individual experience and skills,respond to their and group services and activities. diverse needs and interests, enhance their The center also serves as a resource for dignity, support their independence, and the entire community for information on encourage their involvement in and with aging, support for family caregivers, training the center and the community. professional and lay leaders and students, As part of a comprehensive community and for development of innovative strategy to meet the needs of older adults, approaches to addressing aging issues. senior centers offer services and activities 15 Appendix III Long Range Planning Committee Site Report May 10, 1999 The Long Range Planning Committee of the Board of the Lexington Council on Aging visited the following sites: 1. Arlington Council on Aging Two different groups: one a private organization and the other the Town of Arlington administer this senior site, within a building housing other senior services. The former provides activities and the latter as the COA provides transportation, medical and social services to Arlington's 10,000 seniors. The center is located in a converted school building which cost approximately $250,000 to renovate. It serves 100 seniors per day. 2. Peabody Life Center This site is a new, free standing Senior center of 30,000+ square feet. The land was owned by the city, and the building, which cost 3.2 million, was completely funded by the city of Peabody. Peabody has a total senior population of 10,000 and the center serves 4, 000 seniors annually. 3. Winchester Senior Center This site is a fairly new, free standing Senior Center, half utilized by the COA and half by a private senior group. The center, built on city owned land, was built with an endowment from a Winchester citizen. Winchester has a total senior population of 4,000 and the center serves 250 seniors per day. 4. Sudbury Senior Center This site is one half of the Sudbury Community Center. A shared kitchen and a moderately sized gymnasium link the Senior Center with a section devoted to youth and the city Recreation Department. The Senior Center is housed in a new wing was added to the original structure, a converted school building, The building is also adjacent to the attractive city swimming pool. The city funded the Senior Center addition and the Sudbury Foundation renovated the cafeteria for $40,000. Sudbury has a total senior population of 2,100 seniors and the center serves 1,200+ seniors annually 5. Marblehead Community Center This site is one half of the Marblehead Community Center. A spacious common lobby leads to two separate entrances and receptionist windows, one for the Recreation Department and one for the Senior Center. The Senior Center is housed in it's own wing and shares an enormous gym with the Recreation Department. The Community Center was built entirely with city funds. 16 6. Newton Senior Center This stand alone Senior Center is housed in a centrally located, renovated library. The building is • in the historic district and so cannot be expanded. The center hopes to find additional space for programming near the Senior Center. The library itself was renovated with a HUD grant and furnished by funds raised by a Senior Center steering committee appointed by the mayor. Newton has a total senior population of 16,000 and the Senior Center serves 3,000 annually. 7. Chelmsford Senior Center This stand alone Senior Center is housed in a building that was designed specifically for the Senior Center and constructed in 1987. The center is built on city owned land, on the site of a former school that had burned down. The city paid the construction cost of 2 million. Chelmsford has a total senior population of approximately 5,000. 8. Bedford Senior Center This Senior Center is housed in several rooms in a Town owned community services building. The building also houses other town organizations and a preschool. Bedford is now advocating for a new facility. It is likely that the current building will be expanded and the occupants restructured to allow more accessible space for senior activities. Bedford has a total senior population of about 2,500. 17 COMPARISON OF SENIOR CENTER SQUARE FOOTAGE PER SENIOR SENIOR YEAR SQUARE SQUARE TOWN POPULATION POPULATION BUILT FEET FEET PER FUTURE SENIOR Newton 83,000 16,000 1993 15,000 .9 Expanding Arlington 43,000 10,000 1986 13,615 1.4 Peabody 49,000 10,000 1991 35,000 3.5 Expanding Lexington: Current 32,000 7,200 1985 10,000 1.4 Proposed 7,600 2002 30,000 4.0 Proposed Expansion Danvers 25,000 6,000 1999 11,500 1.9 Expanding Chelmsford 30,000 5,000 1989 20,000 4.0 Winchester 23,000 4,000 1978 16,000 4.0 Situate: Current 20,000 3,900 1900 5,400 1.4 Current Proposed 4,300 2003 15,000 3.5 Proposed Expansion Marblehead: 20,344 3,900 1997 Own space 2,500 .64 Shared space 13,600 3.5 Shared building with Recreation Dept. Massachusetts Office of Elder Affairs recommends 5-6 18 Appendix IV NOTED TRENDS & SUGGESTIONS FROM TOURS OF SENIOR CENTERS 1. Plan ten years ahead so you don't outgrow your space too quickly!!! 2. Put a lot of thought into the desired ambiance you want to convey in the finished product. It makes the difference!!! 3. Allow ample space for parking! 4. You need to design flexible/versatile program space which can be converted to other uses, now and in the future as interests change. 5. It's a good idea to provide soundproof room dividers in any room possible to maximize on your program space. 6. It's very important to consider the acoustics in all rooms for effective programming. 7. By having a large function hall in your center, it affords you many other potential uses, some of which may be revenue producing! 8. If planning to rent or lend out space for other purposes, it's a good idea to have restroom facilities close by, as well as a separate entrance and exit to that space. 9. Stay away from flat roofs whenever possible! They seem to cause more problems that they're worthl 10. Consider including revenue generators to offset operating expenses. 11. Consider inclusion of other senior-related agencies or businesses to compliment your operation and to attract a wider range of seniors. Some of these may be contracted out. 12. Create a facility that reflects the personality of the community. 13. Build on a parcel large enough to allow for expansion. 19 Appendix V PEABODY BUILDING A NEW SENIOR CENTER MCOA 1991 ANNUAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 24, 1991 Denis Coleman Executive Director Peabody Council on Aging Martin A. Kretsch Principal/Architect DiNisco Kretsch and Associates, Inc. Boston, Massachusetts 20 i jd n > i I ' A, . , „ ,_ , .. . _ . _, . . , •:, : • 0 �y S -7 / r . ��j Ecco go. r� T' , di,• .we .. -.] Pk • •:'. . -I/ „4 ati7 i t , ::::,;14 ril.a7:‘ eil Ma '''''" , i /I : .......•..i.::....::::::::E::: ,0 /, i,-,.';1 ; :[ler I 0 iiiiEiE;Ii:::.4ii::Ef•niiE;p / 0Ei.---., .s 4i. ii, ycp ::iii:.:.::s.:...:::::::;.minii ,:-.i}r._-•,..-........-:-.1t.." •% iiiiiii:iiii:i:::::.:.:.:.:......... ..... 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'.,%.,._ ,-,_, -.d • a fi - ''' :',(f . ----J4 1 ((.'j .;'.. -c;, ' :‹jail:r; f •r7-. r • •. „ . •. .1:, . .7 ..., ...,,........_...,0 . • ......a.,, — • -...: ii,,6;.• ............____1 _ , .. i. rl ::•:7.: Peabody Senior Center Floor Plan 22 CONFERENCE) SOCIAL • KITCHEN DAYCARE �. JUBILEE HALL STAGE CLASS- 'C ROOM B �`S'+ GAME ROOM SITTING COUR ROOK �-- A ROOM YARD WWNTEER__ L WOOD CERAMICS, WORK RETAIL SHOP Arm STORE • Program layout and graphic design by Jim Wynn (617)773-7373 PROGRAM OUTLINE Main Entrance Area 2250 Entrance/Lobby 300 Sitting Room 500 Consignment Services 1450 Thrift Shop/Gift Shop 600 General Store 400 Barber/Beauty Shop 200 ATM Machine 50 Future Growth Space 200 Multi-Purpose Room 8Q00 Greenhouse 200 Game Room 900 Card Room 700 Classroom Area 3400 Classroom(quantity of 2) 1600 Ceramics Room 1000 Classroom 900 Kiln Room 100 Wood/Fix It Shop 800 Peabody Senior Center Program Summary 24 Office Areas 2930 Administrative Offices 1455 Waiting Area 120 Receptionist/Secretary 240 Director 175 Accounting 175 Future Growth Office 125 Conference Room 200 Copy/Supply Room 120 Computer Room 175 File Storage 125 Activity Coordinator's Office 175 Volunteers Office 325 Volunteer Coordinator 125 Volunteer Work Area 200 Social Services 500 Social Services Coordinator 125 Social Worker Office 375 Transportation Services 300 Meals On Wheels 175 Health Clinic 600 Meeting/Meditation Room 300 Kitchen 1990 Staff Lounge 200 Peabody Senior Center Program Summary 25 Social Day Care 2000 Entrance 100 Activity Room 1500 Office 200 Toilet Room 200 General 1550 Public Toilets 600 Medical Equipment Storage 200 General Storage 500 Maintenance Office and Storage 200 Janitors Closet 50 NET TOTAL : 25,020 Circulation, Wall thickness, Mechanical and Misc. (at 30% Net) 7,506 GROSS TOTAL : 32,526 OPTIONAL PROGRAM AREAS (Additional) Additional Multi-Purpose Room for Special Functions (allowing dining for 700 persons)* 4000 Kitchen Alternative (preparation and serving capacity for 1500- 2000 meals) Total area needed equals 4$90 square feet 2900 Adult Day Care Program 4000 *Note: Assuming the initial Multi-Purpose program area allows for dining of 450 persons Peabody Senior Center Program Summary 26 Appendix VI THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES AT LEXINGON'S SENIOR CENTER Exercise groups: 180 seniors each week(duplicated) Yoga, Fitness Workout for Active Seniors, T'ai Chi, Stretch and Bend, Muscle Class, Line Dancing, Falon Gong Discussion groups: World War II, The News Hour, Spirituality Group, Jay Kaufman Roundtable, Travel talk Computer Computer Club, Public Access Computer Finance and Estate Education Women and Money,Trusts and Probate,Finance Lectures,AARP Tax Assistance Health services: Podiatry Clinic, Blood Pressure Clinic, Treadmill, Meditation, Health Lectures, SHINE(medical insurance counseling), 55 Drive Alive Fine and Popular Arts Poets Live Again, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Quilting, Movies in More Film Series Music groups Pryme Tyme Band, Young at Heart Chorus Games Scrabble, Bridge, Cribbage, Bingo, Chess Entertainment and Socialization 3 Thursdays Café, holiday and birthday lunches, After Hours,Annual Summer Picnic, Congregate Lunch Program Diversity Programming Chinese New Year,martin Luther King celebration, Mah Jong, Chinese movies Support Groups Parkinson's, Widowed, Caregivers, Older and Growing,Diabetes, Prostate Elmer Bull Fix-It Shop Library Community Education Classes Literature, Watercolor, Pastels, Spanish, Italian, German, Genealogy, Knitting, ESL, Writing, Estate Planning Yearly Conferences Post Grad for a Day, Women's Conference 27 Appendix VII LIST OF PROGRAMS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE Dining Room fully booked at all the time. Precludes booking: • Any event that needs access to the kitchen, such as receptions, ethnic festivals, cooking demonstrations • Any arts event that needs a piano, a stage or staging area, large audience • Any"large movement" event, such as aerobics,ballroom dancing, square dancing. Fitness workout for active seniors (current held in Muzzey Room) • Educational programming, such as Pilgrimages to Lexington teas, Lexington History Millenium Lectures (currently held in Muzzey room) Inadequacy of Rooms We have five rooms available: Dining Room, Muzzey Room, Conference Room, Classroom and Lounge. These 5 rooms are available morning and afternoon, which results in 50 potential bookings per week. All rooms are completely booked, except the Lounge,which is an inadequate meeting place because it is not enclosed by walls. Access to other offices through the Lounge creates foot traffic and noise infiltration from dining room above (especially from chorus and band) interferes with hearing. Next to the Muzzey room is the most inadequate. All mid to large groups (25-40 seniors) must go into Muzzey room. Problems are as follows: • Site lines are terrible due to poles • Ventilation is awful • It is too small and oddly shaped for 30—40 peoples • Must turn away individuals because of space limits • Coffee and refreshments are difficult to manage on lower level (stairs,no sink) • Incompatible activities (exercise and discussion groups) share space, which causes furniture to be constantly set up and broken down. Important programming, such as SHINE counseling and Tax Assistance,must share space with or bump existing services. No adequate private space is available for these programs. 28 Appendix VIII CURRENT SENIOR CENTER FLOOR PLANS 25 21 (225) 9 9 189 KITCHEN LADIES 396 16 8 7 112 7 56 (vu 9 6 ENTRY STORAGE MAUREEN 19 7 8 COKE 13 18 1. FIRST DOORS TO STAIRWAY 524 - (84+340+100) 53 MENS 2. STAIRCASE TO OFFICES 121 3. DIAN145 4, CHRIS 121 205 5. KITCHEN (225+171) 396 6. MALREEN 56 7. DINING ROOM (1643+24) 1667 1657 12 8. NANCY 33 3383 31 DINING ROOM 11613) a D. 1; STORAGE 112 CHRIS 10. HENS 205 _- 11. LADIES 189 2- 12 1211 1---- 12 4A 20 CLOSETS' 12'6' 12. HALL CLOSETS 40 13. EXEC. LAV. 28 14. ENTRY 144 524 121 11 121 ET 15. EXEC CLOS60 12 1841 648 910' ENTRY (348) 9'8' 7 16 4 4 3 DIANNE 3383 8 9 98' 648 R 15 TOTAL THIS LEVEL 4031 (1001 11,0 19-5 18'6' 25 1 4031 NANCY (184) ` /j 5342 TOTAL FCR BOTH LEVELS 9373 ,3$3 29 •--r,11------1- 5 1SE0 5g, LAV ild CLOT 6 28 60 14 11 -. 15-99 LFXINGTON SENIOR CENT ----- . LEVEL AREAS 29 6 187 7L12 17 11 LIB, CFO. CLOSET STEVE 11 17 6 187 ENTRY 11 5 205 BACK HALL41 58 L SMALL COMPUTER ROOM 2. F. I. SHOP 368 16'6' 3. CLASS 335 15 l2 4, COIF, 268 5 LOUNGE 836 223' 223' 223' 6 LIBRARY CFC. 7. STEVE 187 8, UNCARPETED BILLIARDS/EXERCISE 935 SHOP CLASS CONF. (112+157+348+157+16 D - 935 INCLUDING STAIRWAY LOUNGE 10.9. AMYARY 184 368 335 268 936 11 MUZZEY (392+120+180) - 935 692 48 4452 CCMP. 33 10 80 26i FRONT HALL 8 8 12, LIB. CFC, CLOSET 42 8 3'6' 15'6' 13. LIBAFC✓STEVE ENTRY 58 96 a 11'6' p 19'6' 18 4 14. REAR HALL 205 CLOSET 12 12 11961 15. FRONT HALL 264 10, MUZZEY HALL 98 1212 AMY LIBRARY 17,8. LAVI CLOSET 77 _i 16 280 4 4 19. LAV2 .. 20. LAV ENTRY 44 � � 14 14 =MINIMUM= 890 191 n+sroel 1392) (1121 •W� auTsroFJ ,'' 1 X481 �� • _ — INCL. STAIRWAY)�� 21'6' 28 905 Illir 11571 48 11201 BILLIARDS/E(ERCISE 30 MUZZEY 113•6' TOTAL THIS LEVEL, 5342 692 4'6' 14 1157) 12 7'8' t9 1180, 11130 14'6' 11 - 15 -G9 6'6' ° .LFXINGTOk Sr \ I0R CFNT- 77 ENTRY ° IOWNSTAIRS LEVEL A =TLAS 11 LAVI 8 1 5'0' I V2 30 A pendix IX �� F eadI dac%adettd til_ .1 C �'�! LtGL'e v ??&IA G��1 6M Shill/A/Ate& egia Ce, ` oita, Y Sdf 02.108 ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI Phone(617) 727-7750 GOVERNOR Fax(617) 727-9363 JANE SWIFT TTY/TTD 1-800-872-0166 LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR LILLIAN GLICKMAN 28 July 1999 SECRETARY Marilyn Campbell, Director Weston Council on Aging 44 School St. Weston, MA 02493 Dear Ms. pbell: d" oma. This is in response In pig request for information regarding senior centers in Massachusetts. There are more than 290 senior and drop-in centers in Massachusetts. The vast majority of -these are free standing,-locallyfunded-(indding "Fiends--of„."groups)-iacilities ranging from new construction to reused schools and other public buildings (induding housing authority sites), regional/ multitown structures and offices in town/city halls, storefronts and community centers. The only other resources for senior centers beyond the municipality include the Mass. Department of Housing and Community Development's'Small Gties"program and a few public/private partnerships. - With respect to senior center size, Elder Affairs recommends between five and six square feet per elder (more for communities with fewer than 1000 seniors). Given the changing (read: aging) nature of the elder population,and its expected doubling in the next thirty years, it is imperative to provide for flexible, expandable space. Few senior centers in this state, even those of recent vintage, are adequate to meet long term needs; in fact, the recent comprehensive Duxbury COA study of 30 facilities in Massachusetts found none whose space met current programming requirements! Very few Councils on Aging share common space (even in part) with other municipal entities such as a library-or a recreation,veterans or health department. Two facilites (Bourn:, judburY) report no concerns with respect to allotting recreation space—given few time overiap3 with other outside agency programs. However,most senior/community center directors indicate difficulties in control of space, "personality'issues,and unique design considerations for seniors. Please contact me regarding specific facilities in Massachusetts (1-800-698-9723), or to discuss any other questions relative to this topic. Sincerely, Emmett H. Schmarsow Program Manager for Councils on Aging and Senior CentfTh r--1 31 _I 'UL 3 0 19°2 r.. 0 1�: Design COnsideS for Parking Disabled and emergency vehicle access. Van access for patrons. Consider: overhanging entryway. (Separate)meal delivery loading/unloading. Entry& (Enclosed) Enhance visit ty/iidenbfication of center. Energy conservation. Lighting transitions Vestibule (exterior-interior). Consider assisted/automatic doors(motion detectors). Display Area / Consider enclosed announcement/bulletin board for public notices, volunteer Shop(pe) recognition,program highlights,etc. Display racks. 1"edged cork strips in hails. Waiting / Use,for bus getups awaiting departure. Guest registration/sign-in. Reception Coat storage. Recreation & Multi-use(active!)space: meals,presentations,assembly, exercise, line Assembly dancing, raj chi and other Consider:intercom,R4 assistive loop, PA system. ., Adtc u ! ri r Noiseless dorm. Consider d:a!rs with 250 �_ capacity; stadcability; storage racks. Stage Ensure ardal access. Consider storage,toilets, dressing. Classes Multi-use spacer adult education,training, rte, music, sinks, lockers. Arts &Crafts Seasonal and other storage. Dedicated space for computers, pottery/kiln. ° Dining a Avoid inStaatiOnal feel(rocmd_tabiescolorful decor,"cafe"-style, and adequate — Spa service). Consider: access to outdoor areas. Kitchen Refrigerated,dry and temporary(vs.long term)storage. For serving/food return, consider a'pass through." Consider restaurant style appliances, sinks, dishwashers. Separation of dean/soiled dishes,utensils! 7_Use a-F vrtall!onager(natamengineertfor sign nsoitation: Lounge r, Quiet comers, conversation, cards,reading. Use a Physical or Occupabona/ Therapistto design/suggest furnishings. Consider washability. Lavatories Statewide, iwieeas many women participate in senior center programs as do men. (There are 43%more older women than older men). Plan accordingly. Social Day Care Consider 50 sq.feet per participant Site movement Encourage walks(to lavatories)that pass by activiiies. Use dear/translucent class • (in doors—reduce cdfisions); consider interior friurds for support arcus. Administration Staff, board meetings/special functions, individual(confidential) services. Computer&copier accessibility. Lavatory near director, nurse and/or outreach space. Use of giass/curtains/blinds. Supply storage. E'uildinq Services Corridors"short.,wide.eventful." Consider recess benches. EgLiiil_mi;2;Ic;n esser tial. Consider: coverea iaraoEnsuretnEttcture, are :peroc,e'x;:t • dosed fist. Suggested: assisted main doors; interior ter loop; overheaa speaker partitioning for divisible rooms;wiring for modems. Lockers for volunteers. Outdoor Rec. Consider: fitness paths, exercise,picnic or quiet areas. Maximize multipurpose/shared space possbilities—through floor-hung(movable) partitions. Design for ultimate use of five to six sq. feet per eider(allow more square feet/eider in towns with fewer than 1000 seniors) or"stub"construction for cost-effective expansion. =krExecoirceofElderAffairs.;une99frev.i.E:S 32 A 60 inLexingtonSeniors 4OOOO- © z 0 30000, 0 20000 W W 10000�- o ,, , . ,=. :=. e 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Decade Total Population 31866 29479 28974 28404 27767 27000 Seniors (60+) 3718 4905 6599 7070 8133 8640 % Seniors 60+ 12% 17% 23% 25% 29% 32% El Total Population ❑ Seniors (60+) a.r- X >C Seniors Age 75 + In Lexington 4000 a .1 3000 4 a 2000 1000 , 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Seniors (75+) 1058 1468 2167 3071 3388 3896 Decade .54H A• •endi.x XII TOWN OF LEXINGTON TOWN PROFILE 1999 TOTAL POPULATION 31,984 MALES 15,117 FEMALES 16,867 RESIDENTS (17 AND OVER) 25,564 AGE GROUPS: UNDER 20 7,762 20—29 2,835 30—39 4,135 40—49 5,635 50—59 4,383 60—69 2,968 70—79 2,565 80+ 1,701 REGISTERED VOTERS 21,077 DEMOCRAT 8,613 REPUBLICAN 3,309 UNENROLLED 9,113 OTHERS 42 PERCENT REGISTERED 83 % APPENDIX TO 1999 RESIDENT BOOK 35