National Senior Center Month spotlights how centers enhance lives

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Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

Aug. 27, 2026, Arlington, VA—The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the national voice for every person’s right to age well, will be celebrating National Senior Center Month in September. This year’s theme of Happier Birthdays Happen Here invites Americans to explore how their local senior center can enhance their lives through opportunities to learn, connect, and stay healthy. 

“Visit your local senior center, and you will instantly find community and joy,” said Dianne Stone, Associate Director of Community Partnerships and Network Activation at NCOA. “By providing opportunities to exercise, be creative, find friends, and volunteer, senior centers help older adults celebrate each new birthday with optimism.” 

There are more than 11,000 senior centers nationwide and each is unique to its community. Many of the programs and services they offer are supported by the Older Americans Act (OAA), which is up for reauthorization in Congress. OAA funds group and home-delivered meals, health promotion and falls prevention programs, and job training, among many other services. NCOA is advocating that Congress fully fund and reauthorize the OAA to help ensure that every American has access to modern senior center programs and services.  

Every day, 11,000 Americans turn 65. Senior centers often serve up to three generations, and they offer a wide variety of programs to support health, social engagement, and purpose in their communities. NCOA’s National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) is the only organization focused exclusively on supporting the senior center network, and it recognizes and promotes innovative programming for older adults. 

Throughout September, senior centers across the country will celebrate National Senior Center Month with: 

• Workshops and classes on wellness, arts, and new skills
• Social events that encourage engagement and cultural exploration
• Health and wellness programs focused on physical activity, nutrition, falls prevention, and chronic disease self-management
• Tools for financial well-being, enrollment in benefits, and avoiding scams
• Intergenerational programs that create meaningful connections and strengthen communities

“We encourage everyone to use September as a chance to explore everything your local senior center has to offer,” Stone said. NCOA-affiliated senior centers are listed on NCOA’s map of partners.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, best practices, and advocacy to create the conditions for all to age well today and into the future. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more by following us at @NCOAging. 

Photo by Steve Boyle for NCOA use only