How senior centers help low-income older adults.
Senior centers are more than activity rooms. They are part of the national safety-net created by the Older Americans Act (OAA) and partner with Area Agencies on Aging and other local groups. Senior centers offer transportation programs, food assistance, legal help and so much more. Learn about senior centers, find a location near including their contact information on find details on how they help.
Senior centers help older people get healthy food or meals.
Food is often the most urgent need of older Americans. Senior centers commonly host OAA Title III-C congregate meals. These are low-cost or free hot lunches with nutrition screening and educational services also coordinated. The staff at a center connect homebound clients (medically ill, seniors that can't drive, etc.) to home-delivered meals. These OAA nutrition services are explicitly designed for older adults and operate differently from other general food programs. Many centers provide home delivered hot meals or food assistance . There is often a seasonal service too, in which a volunteer from a senior center in your area will deliver Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas meals. Applications will also be given to Meals on Wheels programs near you . Centers also help seniors find, and apply to, USDA nutrition programs that target low to moderate income older adults. Two examples are the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provides a monthly USDA food package for people 60+ with low incomes and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), which gives coupons for locally grown produce to seniors up to 185% of poverty levels. There are also of course applications to SNAP food stamps and lists of local food banks by area . Senior centers frequently handle screening, applications, and distribution days or refer clients to the nearest CSFP or SFMNP site.
Financial help from senior centers
Legal and consumer help is available too. Under OAA Title III-B, free legal assistance is targeted to older adults with economic or social need. The legal consultations for senior citizens often focuses on issues like health insurance appeals, debt collection, housing/eviction, advance directives, and public benefit denials. Many senior centers schedule recurring hours with legal aid partners in the community or make referrals. Transportation to medical appointments, grocery stores, and the senior center itself is often subsidized or even free. Many centers operate or coordinate rides funded through the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 “Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities” program, as the government helps pay for operating costs for a senior ride program - thus making the transportation free to a senior . The senior centers are located throughout the country, in all states. In addition to above, most senior centers provide help and guidance for signing up for federal, local, and state entitlement programs . Some programs include renters rebates, Meals-on-Wheels and Medicare Part D to name but a few. Applications are also given out to resources such as energy bill assistance, low income housing, local and state property tax exemptions or abatements . Staff at a local senior center routinely do benefits screening , arrange emergency financial help and offer case management. This includes checking eligibility for SNAP, LIHEAP, property-tax relief, and local utility discounts or energy assistance. The staff partner with the older adult who is applying, including for money for seniors age 65 , and then staying with the client until the application is finished. The OAA framework prioritizes those “with the greatest economic or social need,” which is why low-income senior clients are priority in the intake process. Look here for other The government aid for the elderly will help to pay for bills such as rent, utility bills, prescriptions, protein drinks and health care. Other costs can be paid as well. Read more on state and federal government assistance programs . Senior centers often partner with local community action agencies . Together they offer a wide range of assistance programs to the elderly, including people over the age to 50 or 60. There are free workshops on retirement or Medicare, referrals, recreational activities, information on applying for social security or free government money to pay bills. If you are interested in learning more or finding a Senior Center in your county, contact your local community action agency .
Senior center savings and budgeting services
In addition, senior centers provide income tax savings in other somewhat unexpected ways. For example, every year volunteers are trained to offer free tax preparation for the elderly as part of the IRS Tax Counseling from the Elderly Program, or TCE. The services are offered by appointment or on certain scheduled days leading up to April 15. learn more on how to get Tax Counseling from the Elderly Program . Senior centers near you will also hold classes and educational workshops on avoiding scams . There are unfortunately too many people (or companies) who target the elderly or retirees. They push certain scams, financial fraud, tax scams, and more. A senior center will help educate people on how to avoid them. Also find more information on how to stop cams that target senior citizens .
Medical care for senior citizens at the centers
Senior centers often include free health screenings and related preventative services as part of their health promotion programs. Volunteer doctors and nurses may stop by to offer this service including free blood pressure checks, hearing tests, skin cancer checks, depression and memory screenings. Another benefit of the check up is to set a baseline for preventative care that will lower your long term health care costs. Seniors centers help with dental needs too. People on Medicare (senior citizens and/or the disabled) can get emergency or regular care, such as cleaning, dentures, implants, regular treatment and ongoing care. A senior center will also help the elderly navigate the various dental benefit programs. There are often mobile dental vans for checkups or cleanings and related services. Find other details on seniors dental program . Medical costs, and health insurance premiums , are also a struggle for many senior citizens (and really everyone!). Many senior centers host or coordinate the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free, one-on-one Medicare counseling. SHIP counselors help older adults compare Part D plans, evaluate Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap, and apply for the “Extra Help” low-income subsidy and Medicare Savings Programs. This is real money that reduce premiums and copays. Senior citizens and those on a fixed income often struggle to pay for the medications they need. Prescription drugs are costly, especially when living on a fixed income. A senior center can go over the options available. As there are even prescription drug plans for seniors . Some centers even offer something as simple as a medical equipment loan program. This may not only give out items such as crutches, wheelchairs, or steppers, but it can also help you finance and pay low interest rates. For those that are given equipment, the centers also provide additional cost savings by offering both wellness and exercise programs at little cost, or sometimes for free, on a weekly or monthly basis. Physical therapists will often help organize this for the community for those that are loaned equipment. Read more on free used medical equipment near you .
Locations of senior centers by state and area
There are senior centers in all states.
Benefits CheckUp
(website:
https://benefitscheckup.org/map ) can be used to find locations. Or look below for details on various programs that people over the age of 50 can get assistance from them. Find information on senior centers and Agency on Aging locations in your state below Or call 1-800-677-1116 for the ElderCare locator.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
New Mexico
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Rhode Island
South Carolina
West Virginia
Conclusion - Oder adults will get help from senior center programs
Senior centers are not just social spaces for older adults or retirees. They are in effect practical resources for anyone that needs help stretching a tight budget. A senior center, and the staff there, will help you plug you into federally supported meals, transportation, Medicare savings, legal help, and targeted food programs designed for older adults with limited income.