Contact:
Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

September 3, 2024, Arlington, VA—September marks National Senior Center Month, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA). This year’s theme of Powering Connections highlights how senior centers enrich lives by connecting older adults to friendships, health and benefits programs, nutrition, and more.

"If you’ve never been to a senior center, you might be surprised at what you find,” said Dianne Stone, Associate Director of Network Development and Engagement at NCOA. "Step inside, and you’ll see opportunities to exercise and get screened for benefits programs, take an art class and get a hot meal, or learn a new language and find purpose through volunteering."

Senior centers are the place to age well—all while having fun with friends.”

Since their inception in the 1940s and their formal inclusion in the Older Americans Act in 1973, the nation’s 11,000+ senior centers have empowered older adults to age with health, economic well-being, and social engagement. This year, the Older Americans Act is up for reauthorization, and NCOA is advocating that Congress use the opportunity to ensure that a modern senior center is available to every American.

NCOA manages the National Institute of Senior Centers, the only organization focused exclusively on supporting the senior center network. Examples of innovative senior centers include:

• The Center on Addison, which offers a safe space for LGBTQ older adults in Chicago to connect and get support.
• The Silver Sage Senior Center in Texas, which is planning a sustainable development featuring senior housing, a food pantry, and centers for education, veterans, and dementia care.
• Portage Zhang Senior Center in western Michigan, which offers everything from pickleball and self-defense to classes on sexual health and healthy relationships.

Throughout September, local centers across the country will celebrating Senior Center Month with:

• Workshops and classes on wellness, creativity, and new skills
• Outings and social events that encourage social engagement and cultural exploration
• Health and wellness programs focused on physical activity, nutrition, and chronic disease management
• Economic security tools for financial well-being and benefits enrollment
• Intergenerational programs that celebrate and recognize the role of grandparents
• Diverse and inclusive programs to serve LGBTQ+ older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities

As the older adult population changes, so too are senior centers. Today’s centers often serve up to three generations and respond to a growing variety of needs. NCOA’s report The State of Today's Senior Centers: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities calls for specific ways to support senior centers into the future, including national standards, upgraded facilities and programming, a deeper understanding of target consumers, technology integration, research and evaluation, and a professional workforce.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.