The mission of the Elderly Commission is to enhance the quality of life for Boston's senior citizens through developing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring the delivery of programs and services to the elderly in an efficient and effective manner. These activities are provided in collaboration with various federal, state, and City agencies, along with neighborhood service providers and senior citizen groups.

• FY09 Quarter 4 Performance Report 
• FY09 Quarter 3 Performance Report 
• FY09 Quarter 2 Performance Report 
• FY09 Quarter 1 Performance Report 
• Detailed FY09 Budget Information 

• In response to the economic downturn and the resulting rise in demand for services, the Elderly Commission prioritized additional outreach to seniors in FY09. As a result of this effort, the Commission provided Information & Referral Services to nearly 50,000 seniors - more than eight times as many people as it had projected. Rather than rely on Seniority News and community presentations, the Commission focused on doing more outreach through existing events and direct phone calls.
• The Elderly Commission continues to focus on getting seniors transportation to the critical services that they need. For example, in FY09, the Senior Shuttle continued to satisfy over 98 percent of requests for medical rides. (The Senior Shuttle gives higher priority to requests for medical trips and clients are booked based on their medical needs.) The Elderly Commission also made great progress in reaching more constituents for its Taxi Coupon Program. These efforts are reflected in higher-than-targeted performance in Taxi Coupon Clients serviced.
• The Elderly Commission continues to engage more seniors in volunteering by providing them with more opportunities and sites. The Commission's efforts are reflected in the increased volunteer sites (up 12 percent over FY08) and the increasing numbers of seniors participating in volunteer programs (up 8 percent over FY08).
• While the number of congregate and home-delivered meals was below target in FY09, the Elderly Commission applied for and won grants for over $400,000 for additional meals in FY10. These grants were through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

Those services which are developed, planned, coordinated, and delivered by the Elderly Commission include assistance in applying for government benefits and community-based services, discount programs, health screening programs, housing programs, transportation, advocacy, employment and volunteer programs, counseling services and information and referrals. The Commission also coordinates and monitors neighborhood-based nutrition, legal, health, transportation and other elderly services, and senior centers.

• To develop resources to support the elder community.
• To improve access to and awareness of government benefits and services.
• To increase availability and accessibility of transportation services.
• To increase availability and accessibility of transportation services.