Celebrating
Senior Centers: Strengthening Community Connections
By: Edwin
Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, ACL
Each September we take
time to celebrate our nation’s senior centers. The 2022
National Senior Center Month theme, Strengthening
Community Connections, highlights the valuable role
senior centers play in serving as vital hubs in the
community that link older adults with critical programs and
services. At ACL, we recognize senior centers as partners
in supporting the health and independence of older adults –
and harnessing the power and potential of their
contributions to the community.
Senior centers offer nutrition and health promotion
programs, including many that have been proven by research
to be effective. They provide information about – and
referral to – services, activities, and programs in the
community. Many are even focal points for benefits
enrollment. Finally, senior centers provide social
engagement opportunities for older adults, which we know is
critically important in supporting overall health and
wellness. All of this is provided in a convenient and
friendly environment.
Senior centers are forward thinkers and innovators. That
was clearly demonstrated as they quickly developed creative
solutions to continue to provide services during the
pandemic. For example, many senior centers continued to
provide meals by distributing them through carry out and
drive-through pickup. They offered virtual socialization
and health promotion programs through smart device technology
and friendly reassurance calls. As restrictions allowed,
they found ways to use outdoor seating to begin to bring
people together in person.
As a nation, we are witnessing an incredible demographic
transformation. The number of older adults is growing
rapidly, and rapidly becoming more diverse. In addition, we
are continuing to grapple with the long-term effects of the
pandemic. Senior centers have been stretched thin as they
have adapted and innovated to meet the needs in their
communities that are growing and evolving as a result. ACL
recognizes the importance of supporting senior centers as
they provide crucial services to an increasingly diverse
older adult population, while also providing opportunities
for older adults to contribute to their communities in new
and innovative ways. Last year, we were pleased to
establish a Modernizing
Senior Centers Resource Center that is working
to ensure senior centers have the tools necessary to
continue their important work in an ever-changing
landscape.
Senior centers truly make
a difference. At ACL, we look forward to continuing to work
with the Aging Network, including senior centers, as we
explore opportunities for older adults to live and thrive
in their communities.
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