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1. Can I rent out the Senior Center for an event?

It is the policy of the Town Manager that the building not be rented to outside groups. If an organization is planning an event that can be co-sponsored by the Senior Center or is related to senior citizens, collaboration is a possibility. You may contact the Council on Aging at 508-841-8640 or the Town Manager's Office at 508-841-8508 with any questions you or your organization your may have about the policy.

2. How do I donate to the Senior Center?

The Council on Aging (COA) usually does not need any magazines, books, puzzles or games. Sometimes we take some if we know there is a demand or our own supply at the Senior Center is low. To check on the current status, call the COA at 508-841-8640.

For more details, visit the Senior Center Donations page.

3. How do I get the monthly "Senior Edition" newsletter?

If you live in Shrewsbury, simply call the Senior Center at 508-841-8640 any time and give us your name and address with your request. Our voicemail is on 24 hours a day.

If you want to request the newsletter not for yourself but for a senior in town, simply call and give us their name and address and your request. We will check to make sure that they are not already in our database.

If you live outside of Shrewsbury, we ask for a $20 yearly fee. Simply send a note with your name, address, phone number and date of birth with an enclosed check made out to the Shrewsbury Council on Aging. Please write "for newsletter" in the Memo portion of the check. Send to:

Shrewsbury Senior Center

98 Maple Avenue

Shrewsbury, MA 01545

4. How do I join the Senior Center?

The Shrewsbury Senior Center is open to all seniors. Actually, there is no such thing as "joining" the Senior Center.

For more details, visit the Who Can Use the Senior Center? page.

5. How old do you have to be a senior?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers anyone to be a senior who is 60 years of age or older. Some states have varied ages (55, 62 or 65 for example), but 60 is the age for Massachusetts. However, you do not necessarily need to be 60 or over to participate at the Senior Center. Seniors have priority at the Senior Center. However, if you are younger and are interested in a particular program or activity, you are welcome to attend as long as attendance for it isn't already limited to a certain number of people.

6. I'm concerned about a Shrewsbury senior. How can I request help?

Call the Council on Aging (COA) at 508-841-8640 24 hours a day (voicemail is available when the office is closed) or fill out our "Request Help for a Shrewsbury Senior" form online.

Elder abuse and neglect is a serious and growing problem. If you suspect that an elder is being abused or is neglecting themselves. a special state agency can help. You may call the COA or fill out our "Request Help for a Senior" form online, or you may call the Shrewsbury Police at 508-845-1212. You may also call the Commonwealth's Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-AGE-INFO.

Access the Request Help for a Shrewsbury Senior form.

7. Why do I need a power of attorney in Massachusetts since my spouse and I own all our assets jointly?

A power of attorney is a written instrument by which 1 person (the principal) designates someone as his or her agent or attorney in fact to perform certain acts. If it is "durable," it continues in effect if the principal becomes incompetent.

This can be very important if you or your spouse becomes incompetent. It can avoid the appointment of a guardian or conservator for the management of assets. Even if property is jointly owned, signatures of both parties are often required, such as the transfer of real estate. A power of attorney would allow you to sign for your spouse. Also, it allows you to be the payee of certain items, such as Social Security payments, and it allows you to sign income tax return on behalf of your spouse.