September is National Senior Center Month, and this year’s theme is Powering Connections.
The observance emphasizes the tremendous value senior centers deliver in their communities,
including programming that empowers older adults to holistically age well and strengthen mind,
body, spirit, and community connections. As a new generation is redefining retirement, senior
centers are evolving to reflect their more realistic vision of aging.
This year Care Connection for Aging Services would like to invite you to connect with your
local center. Stop by to enjoy a delicious meal, spend some time delivering meals to our
homebound clients, volunteering around the center, or checking out the programs each center has
to offer. You can find your local center at https://goaging.org/services/local-centers/
Today’s senior centers are places of strong connections, linking older adults with not only each
other but also ways to improve their health and financial security and give back to their own
communities. The Senior Center is a community hub where older adults find friendship,
meaning, and purpose.
While most people know that the center offers a nutritious and delicious meal for those who
come into the center and homebound individuals, centers also offer:
Medicare information and enrollment assistance: The agency has trained care managers who
can provide beneficiaries unbiased, personalized information about Medicare health and
prescription drug plan insurance.
Health & Wellness programming: Classes are offered both in the center and on the Zoom
online platform that include education about healthy living as well as fitness classes that are
proven to improve mind, body and spiritual health for older adults. Some of these courses could
be offered on large TV screens at the center, and all of them are free. Offerings include, Tai Chi
for Arthritis, Enhance ® Fitness, Chair Yoga, and Living a Healthy Life.
Care Management: Through a comprehensive care management and family caregiver program,
the agency offers information and enrollment assistance with benefits. The Benefits Enrollment
Center enrolls older adults in money-saving programs they probably didn’t know exist. Care
Managers can personally and confidentially assess the needs of older adults and match them with
needed services such as in-home services, transportation, financial assistance and more.
Volunteer Opportunities: Many of the services are provided by trained volunteers, and the
agency continually recruits older adults and other community members to provide important
services to older adults and their caregivers. The opportunities range from packaging and
delivery of home-delivered meals to providing Medicare counseling, from income tax
preparation to teaching a fitness class.
The centers also host many fun fundraising events and encourage the community to attend.
Money donated to each senior center stays in the local community to help fund programs and
services. To donate, ask at the center, or donate online at www.goaging.org/donate.
To learn more, please call Care Connection at 1-800-748-7826 and ask about these services or go
to www.goaging.org.
