Senior centers provide older adults with a wide variety of social, recreational, and educational opportunities at little or no cost. Their purpose is to enhance well-being and independence and encourage involvement in the community.

What are senior centers?
Senior centers provide a safe and supportive setting for older adults to socialize with one another. Typically, they offer planned activities such as lectures, day trips, and a variety of hobby and exercise programs. Many serve hot meals, and some provide home-delivered meals. Senior centers often provide information and referrals to individuals seeking help with taxes, health, housing, and other concerns. Some senior centers provide transportation to and from the site. Participants usually attend the center when they choose, rather than making a commitment to visit every day.

What should I look for in a senior center?
Since the primary purpose of attending a senior center is to socialize, the main question is whether a center's activities are of interest to you. You should also check whether the center is located nearby.

How do I pay a senior center?
The activities and/or meals provided at senior centers are usually free or inexpensive. These centers are often funded in part by federal, state, and/or local government. Many centers offer sliding scale pricing to make their programs affordable to anyone.