You may also want to use the same search instructions above to find “senior activities near me” to include senior activities outside of senior centers.
Senior Center Accreditation
The NCOA has the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) which supports a network of more than 3,000 senior center professionals. They help to set the standards for centers and promote new research, practices, advocacy, and professional development. They also offer an accreditation program for senior centers, which provides official recognition that a center meets nine national standards set by the NISC. You might want to check to see if a senior resource center has this accreditation, but it’s not essential for a center to have it.
Some senior community centers might also be accredited by the Better Business Bureau or similar organizations. If you see any accreditations that senior centers have, you can check to see what the accreditation really means. It’s usually easy to find the accreditor online and find out how they award their accreditations so that you understand what the center has done to achieve the accreditation. Not having an accreditation doesn’t mean it’s not a good center. You can find other ways to determine if a center might be the right choice.
Senior Citizen Center Recommendations
Asking for recommendations from friends and family is often the first choice. It’s also useful to see reviews and testimonials for other people. If you look online, you can often find ratings, reviews, and testimonials from people who use the center or their relatives. You can check the center’s website or find reviews in other places, including on Google or in online directories. If the majority of reviews are positive, you are likely to have a positive experience too. However, reaching out to the center to ask about the services that you are interested in is the only real way to find out if their services are right for you.
You can also call your local Area Agency on Aging. They have all the information when it comes to the needs of senior citizens in the area. They’ll know all about the nearby senior resource centers. It’s important to understand that the services and the quality of the facilities on offer can vary from location to location. There are no guarantees about what can be offered at your location.
The Costs of Senior Centers
The cost of using a senior activity center is something that can vary from place to place. It’s another thing that you’ll have to explore for yourself in your local area. Some cities and counties offer the services provided by senior centers for free because they’re considered a vital public service. But that’s not always the case.
Some senior centers charge individual fees for each of the services offered. And some places will have a mix of free senior center activities and fees that cost a little more. The costs are generally pretty low though, so even if you have to pay for something, it usually won’t be very much. The services represent good value for money. Some centers will require you to pay an annual fee as a member. This covers the cost of the facilities and activities provided.
As you now know, senior centers have a lot to offer senior citizens across America. If you like what you’ve read here, you should find your local senior center and head there to learn more. Each senior resource center is different, so it’s worth taking the time to research them. You can then find out what’s offered in the center closest to you.
Conclusion
We hope this guideline has helped you find the best senior citizen center for you. The right senior activity center will enrich your life by introducing you to different activities, connecting you with new people, and helping you lead a better life. We strongly recommend that you contact the senior activity centers in your area and schedule a visit (if possible) to look at the facilities, explore their programs and talk to other members before making your decision.
Suddenly Senior Readers’ Favorite Senior Centers
Our readers have contacted us with comments on their favorite senior citizen centers. Please contact us with any updates.
Alabama
Wetumpka Senior Center – Wetumpka, AL
“Wetumpka senior center is the best group of people I have met since moving to Wetumpka.”
California
Fontana Community Senior Center – Fontana, CA
“…we have a fairly new building…excellent food, exercise room, and computer room”
Connecticut
Griswold Senior Center – Jewett City, CT
“Best senior center around; We have so many people that we have outgrown the building that we are in.”
Newington Senior Center – Newington, CT
“Newington Senior Center has been recognized nationally as a very highly rated center for many years.”
Massachusetts
Franklin Senior Center – Franklin, MA
“Offer a variety of activities, affordable, and a spirit of friendliness, support, and involvement. Franklin offers a free movie…DVD’s played through a laptop to a large TV screen in a large meeting room. The movies range from almost new (6-8 weeks from the box office) to classics. Free popcorn and a chance to mingle after the movie to talk about it and/or other social activities coming up. A great, non-threatening way to make new friends who share the same interests.”
