What is a Senior Center?

Ways Senior Centers Benefit Our Community

Recognized by the Older Americans Act (OAA) as a community focal point, senior centers have become one of the most widely used services among America's older adults. Today, almost 10,000 senior centers serve more than 1 million older adults every day.

Senior centers are one of the most important resources for our aging community. Today's senior centers have more to offer than you may think. They are more than just space for seniors to meet and play bingo or shuffleboard; many local senior centers offer thoughtful programming and services to promote positive aging.

Senior centers promote healthy aging by giving seniors access to multiple resources available to help them stay active and independent. They serve as a meeting center for older adults to connect with peers, families and their community. They feature exciting activities to keep seniors active as well as provide fulfilling volunteer opportunities.

Participants

Approximately 70% of senior center participants are women; half of them live alone.
The majority are Caucasian, followed by African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians respectively.
Compared with their peers, senior center participants have higher levels of health, social interaction, and life satisfaction and lower levels of income.
The average age of participants is 75.
75% of participants visit their center 1 to 3 times per week. They spend an average of 3.3 hours per visit.

Senior centers serve as a gateway to the nation's aging network - connecting older adults to vital community services that can help them stay healthy and independent. More than 60% of senior centers are designated focal points for delivery of OAA services allowing older adults to access multiple services in one place.

Programs and Services

Meal and nutrition programs
Information and assistance
Health, fitness, and wellness programs
Transportation services
Public benefits counseling
Employment assistance
Volunteer and civic engagement opportunities
Social and recreational activities
Educational and arts programs
Inter-generational programs
Texas senior activity centers

The National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) is the largest national membership organization for senior center professionals. NISC supports senior centers with best practices and programming, networking and training opportunities, and discount programs for your center..

Senior Events Taking Place

There are plenty of events taking place at Dallas area senior centers! Find the one in your neighborhood on the Celebration Magazine website.

The Austin Parks and Recreations Department offers a huge variety of programs and services for people fifty years of age and older; instructed classes, health and wellness programs, educational seminars workshops, trips, dances, volunteer opportunities, support groups, special events, meeting space and private rental space.

Other senior centers, such as the Grapevine Senior Activities Center, offer a variety of computer classes for beginners as well as advanced users.

The McKinney Senior Recreation Center has an expansive list of programs and activities for people of all ages for adults 50 and older including AARP Safe Driving course that enables you to build better and safer driving skills.

The Treasure of the Hills Senior Center in Cedar Park, TX has been a place to gather for games, fellowship and even romance for almost 20 years now!

These are just a few of the MANY senior activity centers throughout the state of Texas and the enriched opportunities available. Click here to find a Texas senior center in your area, compliments of the Care Planning Council of Texas.

Related Articles About Healthy Aging:

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Talking With Your Parents About Aging Issues

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DISCLAIMER: Links to other websites or references to products, services or publications do not imply the endorsement or approval of such websites, products, services or publications by Elder Options of Texas. The determination of the need for senior care services and the choice of a facility is an extremely important decision. Please make your own independent investigation.