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About the Senior Centers

In 2003, the City and County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs recommended centers be built where seniors could meet to share meals, participate in activities and access services.

Types of Centers

The Senior Services Division currently manages three types of senior centers. These are targeted at empowering San Antonio’s senior community to lead healthy, active, independent and engaged lives.

Comprehensive Senior Centers

Open 12 hours per day; Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. and 8 hours on Friday 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Mid-day meal served daily.
Comprehensive wellness activity programming.
Operated by City of San Antonio employees.

City Part-Time Senior Centers

Open 4 hours per day; Monday through Friday (varies by location).
Mid-day meal served daily.
Wellness activity program offered.
Operated by City of San Antonio employees.

Senior Nutrition Program Centers

Open 4-8 hours per day; Monday through Friday, (varies by location).
Mid-day meal served daily.
Wellness activity program may be offered (varies by location).
Operated by various community partnership organizations.

Services Offered

Healthy Eating Aging Living (HEAL) Nutrition Program

All centers offer a daily nutritious meal. The program was established in 1973 as an integral part of the City’s continuum of services for San Antonio seniors. Providing a nutritional, nourishing meal remains the core service offered across all senior centers.

The goal is to support a holistic approach to wellness by offering a healthy meal which meets nutrition requirements in a supportive, engaging social setting.

Programs / Activities

The services are highly individualized at each center to meet the unique requests of each center's participants. Some examples include:

Arts and crafts
Basic health screenings
Exercise classes
Field trips
Library
Recreation and dance
Social services
Technology classes
Therapeutic pool (only at Bob Ross Senior Center)

Senior Center managers work closely with each center’s participants to discuss and evaluate the distinctive programming selections. This ensures wellness programming requests are considered to best accommodate senior participants.

Locations

Interested participants may view more information about our comprehensive senior centers online. You may also visit your preferred senior center location during hours of operation. Senior center managers and other department staff will be available to provide site tours, wellness program calendars and resource information.

To find a center near you, view a list of all senior centers or call 210-207-7172.

Once registered, eligible individuals may participate and attend any preferred senior center location. Each center is diverse and unique with varied program options, so individuals may participate, as preferred, including attending multiple locations.

Consideration should be given however to program class size-capacity and meal reservation systems. Meals may only be reserved and consumed at one location per day. Center managers are available to guide participants through program and meal registration processes.

Transportation

The City’s comprehensive and part-time senior centers each offer transportation options for individuals who live within the designated 5 mile-radius of senior center. Reservation requests should be scheduled at least 1 week in advance and coordinated with the appropriate center manager.

Volunteer

Volunteers play an essential role in the enhancement of programs and services provided by the Senior Services Division. Interested individuals are highly encouraged to participate.

The Senior Services Volunteer Program is part of the City of San Antonio’s volunteer program, SAVolunteers. In accordance with program guidelines and City Administrative Directives, application packets will include:

application form
volunteer agreement
criminal background check application
guidelines handbook

Interested individuals may contact any Senior Center manager.

Become a Participant

Eligibility

To become eligible to attend a senior center and participate in services such as exercise and the meal program, individuals must be a resident of Bexar County and meet one of the following criteria:

60 years and older
Under 60 years married to a 60-plus participant who attends the center and accompanies participant to the center
Disabled persons under 60 who reside with a 60-plus participant and accompanies participant to the center (only applicable to the HEAL Meal Program)

Cost

There is no cost for eligible seniors to participate in activities, services, resources and daily meal program.

Senior Services Division operates utilizing the City of San Antonio General Fund and federal grant funding awarded by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) through the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG).

Register

To become registered, interested individuals can register online or visit their preferred location to complete an application packet. Information gathered will include items such as

participant name
address
date of birth
demographic information
nutritional assessment

Items will be verified by drivers’ license or other approved form of identification. Demographic and nutritional information is collected as part of grant requirements and are needed for meal program registration purposes.

Guidelines

The senior centers are accessible facilities with programs designed for the independently functioning older adults. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all center members, participating individuals must adhere to all:

center policies
dress code
rules of conduct

Report an Issue

Onsite Senior Center managers are available to assist in addressing any issues or concerns. We hope for a quick resolution. However, for further assistance, you may also call 210-207-7172.

Contact

Phone

210-207-7172