Editor’s note: Gov. Ted Strickland has proclaimed March 29 through April 4 as Ohio Senior Center Week to recognize the work that senior centers, their staff and volunteers do to enrich lives and strengthen communities and the state.

The observance also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the state association that supports and enhances the ability of Ohio’s senior center network to effectively serve older adults.

“Senior centers offer services that help their members maintain independence, while also providing opportunities for them to interact with each other and contribute to their communities,” Strickland said. “From meals and socialization, to trips, volunteer efforts and educational opportunities, our senior centers provide older Ohioans, Baby Boomers and others with meaningful and valuable activities.”

Ohio's Senior Centers:
Helping members remain independent and contributing to their communities
By Barbara E. Riley 
Director, Ohio Department of Aging

As a new generation redefines retirement, senior centers are evolving to reflect a more empowered vision of aging. They are adapting to help older adults use their considerable skills and knowledge to improve their lives and maintain their independence, while also providing opportunities for them to contribute to their communities. From meals and socialization to trips, volunteer efforts and educational opportunities, centers provide older Ohioans, baby boomers and others with many meaningful and valuable activities.

Senior centers are recognized as one of the most widely used services developed by the Older Americans Act of 1965. Each of Ohio's more than 450 full- and part-time senior centers are organized locally and have staff and programs that uniquely reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Centers vary in size, membership and programs available, but all senior centers have one thing in common - a mission to promote the dignity, self-determination and well-being of older Ohioans.

Some senior centers offer older adults help to connect with meaningful career and volunteer opportunities through classes and workshops. As a community focal point, they increase seniors' access to valuable benefits and resources. Through evidence-based programs, centers can offer seniors tools to manage their health and finances, so they can continue living in their homes as long as possible.  

Many multipurpose senior centers work with local partners to provide home- and community-based services that allow local residents to age in place instead of moving to more expensive and restrictive institutional care. These services, which include home delivered meals and transportation services, promote the dignity, self-determination and well-being of older Ohioans.

According to the National Council on Aging, participation in senior center programming is leading to the effective management and delayed onset of chronic disease, as well as measurable outcomes for physical, social, spiritual, emotional, mental and economic well-being.

For all the support and services they provide, centers are, in large part, reliant on the support of contributors, volunteers, voters, community leaders and others for their continued success. Funding for individual senior centers is as diverse as the centers themselves and may include federal funding, state funds, local government funds, senior services levies, funds from local philanthropic organizations and individual donations.

Gov. Ted Strickland has proclaimed March 29 through April 4 as Ohio Senior Center Week to recognize the work that senior centers do, and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Ohio Association of Senior Centers (OASC), which supports and enhances the ability of Ohio's senior center network to effectively serve older adults. OASC was established in 1959 to provide education, training and certification for senior center staff, guidelines for best practice sharing, development of new funding sources and information on legislation and advocacy efforts on behalf of older Ohioans.

Take time to learn more about your local senior center and find out what is available there. Senior centers, their staffs and volunteers work to enrich lives and strengthen their  communities. Ask how you can become involved or help.

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