By Shea Schatell
Step inside Wayland’s new Council on Aging building on a weekday morning, and you’ll immediately feel the warmth that defines the center. Beyond the cozy fireplace, what truly brings the space to life, is the team that runs it. Led by COA Director Julie Secord and Communications and Community Relations Coordinator Meghan Parpos, the staff works with genuine enthusiasm and a shared belief in the importance of community.
With support from a project coordinator, program assistant, outreach coordinator, and a group of trained S.H.I.N.E. counselors, the COA serves residents 60 and older with programs that promote independence, dignity, and connection.
A hallmark of the COA is its collaborative spirit. Secord often describes the work as “all hands on deck,” and that philosophy shapes everything from greeting newcomers to setting up rooms for classes. Staff members step in wherever they are needed — helping with paperwork, troubleshooting technology, or handing out slices at the ever-popular Pizza Café. Their teamwork ensures that residents feel welcomed from the moment they walk through the door.
Communication is a vital part of the COA’s mission. Serving adults across a nearly 40-year age span means using many different approaches. Under Parpos’ guidance, the COA blends printed newsletters, flyers, social media, phone calls, and face-to-face outreach. The monthly print newsletter — referred to by many as “their Bible” — remains essential for residents who prefer paper, while others rely on digital updates. The goal is to make sure every resident can stay informed, regardless of comfort with technology.
Hybrid programming, originally created during the pandemic, continues to expand access. Many older adults are homebound, caregiving, recovering from illness, or simply prefer online participation. Thanks to updated technology and flexible rooms, the COA now offers hybrid fitness classes, discussion groups, and educational workshops that allow residents to stay connected however they choose.
The center’s programming reflects the wide interests of Wayland’s older population. Fitness offerings such as yoga, Healthy Back, and boxing for people with Parkinson’s draw regular crowds. The Fit Club membership encourages consistent participation by offering unlimited monthly classes. Educational programs — including lunch-and-learn presentations, video lecture series, and workshops on climate, mental health, and lifelong learning — attract residents eager to stay intellectually engaged. Creative programs such as painting workshops, climate conversations, and the weekly knitting group provide outlets for expression and friendship.
The new building also supports vibrant social gatherings. The Veterans Luncheon and Thanksgiving Luncheon recently hosted more than 60 guests each. This year’s Veterans Luncheon included a moving photo exhibit honoring Wayland’s veterans, which residents explored with pride. The monthly Pizza Café, featuring 10 varieties of pizza, has become one of the COA’s most popular and welcoming events.
Behind the scenes, the COA provides important outreach services. The outreach coordinator helps residents and their families navigate aging-in-place questions, home-safety concerns, and caregiving challenges. S.H.I.N.E. counselors offer free, objective Medicare guidance, saving Wayland residents more than $175,000 last year. Staff also monitor participation and check in when a regular unexpectedly misses a favorite class.
The COA is expanding efforts to serve a more diverse population. A new partnership with the Wayland Chinese American Association brings programs to the center twice a month, and the COA plans to increase translation support as Wayland’s older population becomes more multicultural.
The COA’s 12-passenger van brings residents to museums, markets, Salem, Newport, and even the Brimfield Fair. Monthly Market Basket trips and improved access to regional transit help older adults stay active and engaged.
Through every program and service, one theme is clear: the COA team loves what they do — and genuinely loves the people they serve. Parpos describes the work as joyful and energizing. Secord emphasizes the team’s constant reflection on how to improve communication, programming, and inclusion.
Upcoming events include a concert by The Lincoln Bell Ringers, a presentation of John Clark’s “Music of the Civil Rights Movement,” and a physical-therapy workshop on joint-replacement recovery. More details are available at: https://www.wayland.ma.us/council-aging
