STANDARDS OF INDEPENDENCE AND PARTICIPATION AT THE CENTER

The Westwood Senior Center programs are primarily designed to accommodate people aged 60 and older. Others may participate when the staff has been consulted.
Safety is a priority. Any participant must be able to participate independently in Senior Center programs and services, or be accompanied by an aide or caregiver. Accordingly, staff does not provide individual supervision. Participants may come and go as they please.
The Center and its staff reserve the right to cancel, deny or restrict the attendance or participation of any individual that does not comply with the following standards of independence and behavior. All such service modifications will be provided in writing. Return of service will be reevaluated every 3 months. All questions or concerns should be addressed with the Center Director.
Participants at the Senior Center must:
1. Sign a release form which includes the name and telephone number of an emergency contact.
2. Use a COA/Senior Center swipe card.
3. Follow the recommendations of the COA/Senior Center staff to seek appropriate medical attention should an accident occur.
4. Refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol or using illegal substances on the premises. Participants who do not adhere to these rules will be asked to leave immediately.
5. Refrain from bringing outside food or beverages into the Center. Only catered food, HESSCO meals and staff lunches are allowed to be brought into the Center during regular business hours. All catered food must be approved by the Director.
6. Be responsible for their own care, including but not limited to hygiene, toileting, feeding and following any direction in any class or program.
7. Be reasonably well oriented, capable of independent decision-making and planning their own activities, transportation, lunch, financial transactions etc. Participants with cognitive impairment should be accompanied by an aide to assist in scheduling, activities and transportation, if needed. Staff reserves the right to restrict participation if necessary.
8. Avoid causing disturbances or disruptions and show respect for fellow participants and staff, the building facilities and personal property of others.
9. Be responsible for their own personal health and medical care, including the taking of medications, monitoring special diets, etc. The COA/Senior Center staff is not responsible for providing assistance with personal health and medical care, or the taking of medication or special diets.
10. Refrain from all forms of violence or threats of violence. Violation will immediately result in the participant being asked to leave and possibly subjected to permanent suspension of some or all Senior Center privileges. This includes verbal abuse either in person or on the phone.
11. Be independently mobile without assistance of the Center staff.
12. Refrain from campaigning in the Center.

The Council on Aging / Senior Center is a municipal building. As such, any group using the facility during regular business hours must make programs open to any eligible senior who would like to participate. Such use must be pre-approved by the Director and include provisions making programming open to the public. Please contact the Director for questions or additional information.
Updated 2/26 LAD