Senior Center FAQ

I've always thought of senior centers as places where lots of old people sit around playing bingo. I’m still active and involved. Why would I want to visit one?
At Selfhelp’s six senior centers we provide a broad range of engaging activities, thought-provoking classes and health-related services. There are educational programs including college courses and ESL, current events seminars, concerts, group trips to cultural events, exercise classes and health screenings. Arts and crafts, bridge, ballroom and folk dancing are other popular activities. We even offer computer classes at several centers. Each of our senior centers welcomes all and reflects the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

Now that I'm retired, I have lots of questions about my Social Security benefits, Medicare, long-term care options and other entitlements. Do I have to go from one government office to another to get help?
No! At Selfhelp's six senior centers professional social workers are available to help you with health insurance problems, applications to government programs, landlord, utility, legal and home care issues. They can refer you to community service providers and our Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program where you’ll find information on legal problems, help with applications and other issues.

I’m not as healthy as I used to be and I don’t get around as well. I'm not so sure I’ll fit in or be accepted at a senior center.
At Selfhelp, we welcome seniors of all functional abilities and interests. Our centers offer support groups for the newly bereaved, people who are recovering from strokes, are physically challenged, or those who have Alzheimer’s disease. The Selfhelp staff is professionally qualified to offer short-term, individual and group counseling.

Your senior centers offer so much. Are your programs affordable for someone on a fixed income?
Yes! The New York City Department for the Aging primarily funds our senior centers. There is no membership fee. Members are invited to make a voluntary contribution when they attend. Your voluntary donations help enhance our services including our hot lunch program, recreational activities, classes and lectures. Although there are modest fees for trips and special events, scholarships are always available and no one ever is denied service because of their inability to contribute.

I am not a senior, but I am responsible for the care of one. I am overwhelmed. Can you help?
Selfhelp senior centers ease the burdens of caregivers with support groups, individual counseling, and referrals to valuable community resources. Navigating the elder care maze on your own can be time consuming, complicated and sometimes overwhelming. Senior Source Geriatric Care Managers can be your partner in planning, accessing, coordinating and monitoring all the support services you and your parents need to live safely and independently at home.

My parents are new immigrants. They are reluctant to join a senior center but are very isolated at home. Where can they go to become more integrated into their community?
Everyone is welcome at our senior centers and we work hard to integrate new members. We offer English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship classes and assistance with the naturalization process at many of our centers. Many of our staff are bi-lingual and the meals and programming are ethnically diverse.

I still have a lot to offer to my community. Can I share my skills and talents with others at your senior centers?
Absolutely! All our senior centers rely on volunteers to make them the special places they are. Volunteers teach classes, help the staff in the office or the kitchen, serve on the Policy Advisory Council, participate in intergenerational programs or assist frailer members at the center and those who are homebound.