Florida Senior Centers and Community Resources: What Is Available Near You
Florida has an extensive network of senior centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and community programs designed to support older adults. Here is how to find and access resources in your area.
Florida Senior Centers and Community Resources: What Is Available Near You
Florida is home to one of the largest senior populations in the country -- and the state has built an extensive network of programs and services to support older adults. Many of these resources are free or low-cost. Here is how to find and access what is available in your community.
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)
Florida's 11 Area Agencies on Aging are the primary local organizations coordinating services for older adults. Each AAA serves a specific region of the state and connects seniors with:
- Home and community-based services
- Caregiver support programs
- Nutrition programs (Meals on Wheels, congregate meals)
- Transportation assistance
- Legal assistance
- Health and wellness programs
- Information and referral services
How to find your AAA: Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or visit eldercare.acl.gov. Enter your ZIP code to find your local AAA.
Florida AAA regions include:
- Area Agency on Aging of Northeast Florida (Jacksonville area)
- ElderSource (Duval, Clay, Nassau, Baker, St. Johns counties)
- Senior Resource Alliance (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard counties)
- Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County
- Alliance for Aging (Miami-Dade and Monroe counties)
- Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
- Suncoast Area Agency on Aging (Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee counties)
SHINE: Free Medicare Counseling
SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is Florida's State Health Insurance Assistance Program -- providing free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers.
What SHINE counselors can help with:
- Understanding Medicare benefits
- Comparing Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans
- Reviewing Part D drug plans
- Applying for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy)
- Filing Medicare appeals
- Identifying and reporting Medicare fraud
How to reach SHINE: Call 1-800-963-5337 or contact your local AAA. SHINE counselors are available by phone and in person at senior centers and other community locations throughout Florida.
Senior Centers
Florida has hundreds of senior centers offering programs and services including:
- Fitness classes and exercise programs
- Arts and crafts
- Educational programs and lectures
- Computer and technology classes
- Social activities and trips
- Congregate meals
- Health screenings
- Transportation assistance
- Information and referral
How to find your local senior center: Contact your city or county parks and recreation department, or call your local AAA.
Nutrition Programs
Meals on Wheels: Home-delivered meals for homebound seniors. Contact your local AAA to apply.
Congregate meal programs: Group meals at senior centers and community sites -- providing nutrition and social connection. Funded through the Older Americans Act; suggested donation but no required fee.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): Food assistance for low-income seniors. Apply through the Florida Department of Children and Families (myflorida.com/accessflorida).
Transportation Programs
Many Florida counties offer transportation assistance for seniors:
- Community Transportation Coordinators: Each Florida county has a CTC providing transportation for seniors and people with disabilities
- Volunteer driver programs: Many AAAs coordinate volunteer drivers for medical appointments
- Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation: For Medicaid-eligible seniors needing rides to medical appointments
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (elderaffairs.org) oversees senior services statewide and provides information on all available programs. Their website includes a searchable database of services by county.
Phone: 1-800-963-5337 (Elder Helpline)
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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About the Author
William Gray
Independent Medicare BrokerUS Air Force Veteran · Florida Medicare Specialist
William Gray is an independent Medicare insurance broker based in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL. A US Air Force veteran (A-10 crew chief, Germany), he spent years in corporate insurance before going independent to serve Florida seniors directly. He has helped more than 1,000 clients across Northeast Florida compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans — always at no cost to the client.