Senior Centers in Philadelphia: What They Offer and How to Find One
Senior Centers in Philadelphia: What They Offer and How to Find One
Short answer: Philadelphia has 28 senior community centers and satellite meal sites funded by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Any city resident age 60 or older can enjoy lunchtime meals, fitness classes, recreation, and education.
- Philadelphia residents age 60 and older can attend PCA-funded senior centers.
- Lunchtime meals are served Monday through Friday; a donation is requested but not required.
- Centers offer group fitness, art classes, book clubs, and trips.
- Seniors who need constant supervision or hands-on personal care should look into adult day care or home care instead.
Philadelphia’s senior center network
PCA helps fund 28 senior community centers and satellite meal sites across the city. These locations give older adults a place to socialize, eat, and stay active during the day.
Any Philadelphia resident age 60 and older can eat a lunchtime meal at a PCA-funded center, Monday through Friday. A donation is requested for the meal, but it is not required. You will not be turned away if you cannot pay.
Centers also offer medical meal plans. Some specific centers serve kosher meals. If you cannot leave your home for lunch, you might qualify for home-delivered meals instead.
What you can do there
Senior centers offer much more than a daily meal. You can join groups, learn new skills, or get help connecting with local benefits.
| Activity Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Recreation | Billiards, cards, trips to shopping, casinos, and shows |
| Health promotion | Exercise equipment, group fitness, balance and strength workshops, chronic disease self-management classes |
| Education | Art and language classes, book and discussion clubs |
| Connections | Help finding transportation, legal assistance, and volunteering opportunities |
How to find a center near you
You can find the closest location using PCA’s “Find a Senior Center” tool on their website. You can also call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040.
For more city resources, check our Philadelphia guide.
Need help at home before or after visiting a center? Call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or submit our “I am a client” form to learn about your options.
Getting there
Getting to a senior center is easier with local transit programs. Residents age 65 and older can ride for free on SEPTA buses, subways, and trolleys with a SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card.
If you cannot take the regular bus, you might use the CCT Connect Shared Ride Program. This offers door-to-door shared trips for Philadelphia residents 65 and older. Registered riders pay a reduced fare (reported as $4.25 one way in 2025; confirm with SEPTA).
Senior center, adult day or home care?
Senior centers are designed for independent older adults. If your loved one needs hands-on help or supervision, you will need to look at other options.
| Care Option | Setting | Supervision | Personal Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Center | Group setting outside the home | Not designed for people who need supervision | None |
| Adult Day Care | Group setting outside the home | Staff on site during program hours | Personal care, nursing services, therapeutic activities and meals |
| Home Care | One-to-one in your home | During scheduled hours, up to around the clock | Help with bathing, dressing, and meals |
Adult day centers are licensed non-residential facilities that provide personal care, meals, and therapeutic activities. They allow family caregivers to work or take a break during the day.
If you prefer one-to-one help, home care services in Philadelphia bring an aide to your house. Aides assist with activities of daily living and offer companion care.
If you already care for a relative at home, you might be able to get paid for your time. The Medicaid Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver pays for Personal Assistance Services. Relatives can be hired as paid caregivers through a licensed agency, though the waiver will not pay services furnished by the participant’s spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney.
Let New Century Home Care help you build a safe daily routine. Call us at 215-974-0000 or fill out our “I am a client” form online.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to go to a senior citizen center in Philadelphia?
Any Philadelphia resident age 60 or older can attend a PCA-funded senior center and receive a lunchtime meal.
Do you have to pay for the senior center lunch?
No. A donation is requested for the lunchtime meal, but it is not required. You can eat lunch even if you cannot make a donation.
Where do seniors go to meet other seniors in Philadelphia?
Older adults can meet peers at any of the 28 senior community centers and satellite meal sites funded by PCA. These centers offer book clubs, exercise classes, games, and group trips.
Non-medical home care in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties. Medicaid CHC (Keystone First) and private pay. We speak English, Russian and Ukrainian.
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