The National Center to Reframe Aging — the leading organization for proven communication strategies and tools to effectively frame aging issues — is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) to explore new approaches for positioning senior community centers as recognizable, in-person community hubs that connect older people to vital resources, services, and their broader communities.

Through this partnership, the National Center will collaborate with PDA and key stakeholders across the state to reframe communications about senior community centers, with the goal of increasing public awareness, engagement, and investment. Effective framing strategies will be developed to provide actionable community insights. By applying proven reframing strategies, the initiative will help advocates, families, and community leaders better communicate about the value of senior community centers and promote policies that support their continued growth and relevance.

“Senior Centers are a cornerstone of our social and public health infrastructure — offering opportunities for engagement, learning, and sharing experiences across generations,” said Patricia D’Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP, executive director of the National Center to Reframe Aging and vice president for policy and professional affairs at the Gerontological Society of America. “Yet outdated ideas about aging continue to shape our perception and limit the investment these centers deserve. By reframing the conversation, we can build stronger community support for senior community centers as vital spaces where older people remain active, connected, and valued.”

Senior community centers provide a wide range of services, from social programs to health resources, yet often face misconceptions that hinder public investment. This partnership aims to bridge that gap by creating communication strategies, tools, and insights that empower advocates to tell a more accurate and compelling story about the role of senior centers in Pennsylvania communities.

“Pennsylvania’s senior community centers are a focal point in our communities and an essential part of daily life for the older adults they serve. A center may provide the only interaction that an older adult has some days. Despite playing a vital role in the health and well-being of older adults, perceptions of these centers are often shaped by stereotypes,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. “When we developed Aging Our Way, PA, we listened to people in all 67 counties in the commonwealth about the desire to reimagine our centers. We look forward to working with our 52 area agencies on aging, senior community centers, and our partners at the National Center to Reframe Aging to respond to the needs of older Pennsylvanians.”