What is a Council on Aging?
Councils on Aging are municipal entities that oversee local senior centers that provide programming, services, and support for older adults in their community. Each Council on Aging determines its own priorities based on local needs and resources, making adult community centers, sometimes called senior centers, a welcoming place for older adults who wish to remain independent in their community.
Altogether there are 350 Councils on Aging; all municipal agencies that provide support, local outreach, social and health services, advocacy, and resources to older adults, their families, and caregivers. Working together and often supported by a volunteer network, Councils on Aging and adult community centers serve as a link to older adults by providing important support services in the community.
Councils on Aging may offer the following support at their local senior center:
- Outreach - Providing services that older adults may not otherwise have access to.
- Transportation - Providing safe and dependable transportation for errands, appointments, and more.
- Meals (home-delivered or community) - Providing healthy home-delivered and community group meals for older adults.
- Health screenings - Sharing resources for routine or specific health screenings and preventative care.
- Health insurance counseling - Helping older adults understand their existing health insurance or find new coverage.
- Socialization - Creating opportunities for social connections that may give older adults a better sense of self, security, and safety. For example, book clubs.
- Fitness, wellness, and recreation activities - Helping older adults be independent and social while improving strength and flexibility.
- Life-long learning - Providing unique educational experiences and opportunities that extend beyond the traditional. For example, art classes.