At Sowega Council on Aging we have revolutionized the concept of senior centers by advancing from the traditional brick and mortar buildings and contracting with restaurants and activity providers in the community. This has helped our organization to use funds more efficiently, serve more active seniors, and allow seniors to be more involved in their communities.

Participants in the Senior Center Without Walls (SCWW) program enjoy a nutritious meal and the option of engaging in an activity of their choice – whether in-person or virtual. The SCWW is a Congregate Nutrition Program that provides nutritionally balanced meals in a community setting. The goal is to encourage seniors to remain social, promoting independent living and helping with depression, dementia, or Alzheimer’s.

The Senior Center Without Walls program expanded from 500 participants to a peak of 1,500, with 700 more on the waiting list, by using restaurants in the community to provide meals, which encourages community involvement. This new approach allowed seniors to be actively involved in their communities, thereby enabling them to lead more independent lives.

If you are interested in learning how to enroll in the Senior Center Without Walls Program, please call our ADRC at 1-800-282-6612. For more information about our Home Delivered Meals program for homebound seniors and people with disabilities, click here.