SARCOA currently administers 38 senior centers in the seven county region. More than 5,000 senior citizens in our area received services through senior centers in 2008.

Senior centers or multi-purpose centers provide a focal point in the community for senior services. Besides providing a hot meal to participants, a senior center offers many education and recreation activities. It is especially important for providing socialization to many who might otherwise be isolated. In an effort to help seniors adapt to new technology and have access to valuable information, each senior center has been provided with a computer with internet availability.

Most centers offer transportation programs for participants, primarily for access to the center, delivery of meals, shopping trips and recreation.

Congregate meals, those meals served in the center, provide a hot nutritious lunch for at least 20 seniors per day in each center. Individuals are rotated for meals in order for a greater number of seniors to receive the benefits of the center. A minimum of five home-delivered meals are packaged in the center and delivered to homebound seniors, providing a hot meal and a brief visit.

Senior centers offer a variety of other services including educational programs, exercise, arts and crafts, quilting, woodworking, bingo, dominoes and many recreational activities. Each senior center is unique to its community and to its participants' needs and interests. Senior center staff and volunteers also provide telephone reassurance, friendly visiting and some homemaker services to community seniors.