Maintaining independence is a priority for many older adults, so aging in-place at home has become a more common living arrangement. But living at home means you may need more support and senior citizen services available to you. If you’re considering independent living, this blog lists the most useful types of services for aging population to help you create a fulfilling, healthy, and safe lifestyle while living at home. From staying active to accessing reliable transportation, these senior citizen services will empower you to thrive in your next stage of life.
1. Physical activity senior citizen services
Maintaining an active lifestyle is critical for physical and mental wellbeing.
There are many ways to get more physical activity into your daily routine, from at-home daily exercises to GoGoGrandparent’s online chair yoga classes.
You can also find a lot of local types of services for aging population that facilitate physical activities based on your experience and interests.
- Silver Sneakers is a fitness program designed specifically for senior citizen services. You can take online classes or participate in person at over 15,000 nationwide gyms and community centers. If you’re looking for low-cost and free services for senior citizens, Medicare helps cover the cost of Silver Sneakers classes.
- Research senior swim clubs in your area. Swimming is a low-impact exercise that’s great for overall health, and you may be able to find social groups through your local pool.
- Local gyms may offer specialized senior programs and classes such as Tai Chi, swimming, and mobility-focused workouts. Many yoga studios also offer senior citizen services and classes that promote flexibility and stress reduction.
- Check your local senior centers, recreational centers, community colleges, and libraries for more free or low-cost classes for seniors. These programs may offer free services for senior citizens over a certain age.
Check out these 9 tips for staying active as you age to learn more.
2. Mental engagement and enrichment services
Mental stimulation is as crucial to overall health and wellness as physical activity. Several types of services for aging population will keep your mind sharp and engaged:
- Memory training workshops are focused on improving cognitive abilities and memory retention. Local libraries, senior centers, or healthcare facilities may offer these programs as low-cost or free services for senior citizens.
- Lifelong learning institutes are educational groups for people over 50 who wish to take college-level courses, not for credit. These are tailored to seniors and cover a range of subjects from arts to sciences and beyond. Check your local community and state colleges for senior citizen services offerings.
- Public libraries host free services for senior citizens, like book clubs, puzzles, and workshops. Libraries are also an excellent way to access educational resources, audiobooks, and movies.
- Museums allow you to explore art, history, and culture. You can visit local museums or even find virtual museum tours online from facilities around the globe. Many museums have low-cost or free services for senior citizens, making it a perfect go-to weekend activity.
- The Internet offers lots of online brain training games like Lumosity and BrainBashers, TED talks, online lectures, YouTube videos, blogs, and more. You can learn a new language through Duolingo or Memrise, engage in virtual crosswords or Sudoku, or take online classes through Coursera or Khan Academy.
- Volunteer work provides a sense of purpose and keeps the mind active. Find a local charity, organization, or school that speaks to you.
- Meditation and mindfulness are important to improving mental acuity and reducing stress. Join a yoga studio or try online meditation courses like Calm or Insight Timer, which are senior citizen services that reduce anxiety, enhance sleep, and much more.
- Engage in a new hobby to boost confidence and meet new friends. Some popular hobby clubs for seniors include art, gardening, books, photography, dance, birdwatching, travel, knitting, board game, technology, car, and cooking clubs. You can find these senior citizen services through local community organizations, Facebook groups, and community bulletin boards.
3. Community and social circles opportunities
Social connection is one of the most fulfilling areas of life. Along with many of the senior citizen services listed above, there are several additional types of services for aging population who’re looking to combat loneliness, improve mental health, and enjoy their golden years.
- AARP Community Connections is an online tool that helps individuals connect by offering opportunities to find and give help in their communities. This is a great way to start and join like-minded groups in your local community.
- Senior centers and community hubs often organize social events, classes, and group activities specifically for seniors. These are often low-cost or free services for senior citizens with the primary goal of building social connections.
- Meetup.com is an online platform that helps people engage with local friends over shared interests. You can search for groups based on interest, hobby, or age. This is also a fabulous place to find events and free services for senior citizens in your area.
- Senior pen pal programs like PenPalsForLife connect seniors with pen pals worldwide. This is a fun way to foster friendships, learn more about the world, and engage with a broader community.
4. Senior citizen services for transportation
Accessible and reliable transportation is fundamental for seniors who want to maintain their independence. You’ll likely need a car to access the different types of services for aging population we’ve mentioned in this blog. Many seniors choose not to drive due to changes in health conditions or medications, but staying home can lead to feelings of isolation. Thankfully, there are several alternatives to driving, like GoGoGrandparent and senior transportation programs.
- GoGoGrandparent gives seniors a simple, easy way to request rides with just a phone call – no smartphone app required. Behind the scenes, GoGoGuardians are vetting drivers, ensuring accessibility, scheduling and tracking your rides, and monitoring your location from pick-up to drop-off. Many clients request rides to medical appointments, social gatherings, shopping centers, and more. Learn more about GoGo Rides here.
- Many cities and communities offer low-cost or free services for senior citizens to travel to popular destinations like medical facilities, grocery stores, and malls.
- Public transportation systems may offer senior discounts, priority seating, and other senior citizen services to make public transport easier and more accessible.
- Some nonprofit organizations offer different types of services for aging population, including shuttle programs or volunteer drivers who provide free transportation to seniors in need.
- If you use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft, we recommend reading these rideshare safety tips before getting in the car.
Learn more about the pros and cons of the different alternatives to driving here.
5. Cleaning and home maintenance senior citizen services
Mobility and health requirements change with age, so living in a comfortable and accessible home is crucial. Click here to check out these 12 easy home modifications – like grab bars and increased lighting – that will make your living space more accessible and comfortable.
However, handling household chores can be challenging if you have certain medical conditions. If you’re living at home, you may need to consider different types of services for aging population to get assistance with home repairs, maintenance, updates, and regular cleaning. For example, some handymen, cleaning services, and landscapers will offer low-cost senior citizen services regularly, and some government agencies offer home repair grants or loans to seniors who need assistance updating their homes.
Many seniors turn to GoGoGrandparent’s Home Services as an option. GoGo partners with reputable home service providers nationwide to offer safe, affordable senior citizen services. Whether you’re looking for general weekly cleaning or more complex tasks like window washing and home repairs, we’ll help you find professionals to keep your home comfortable, clean, and healthy. Behind the scenes, our GoGoGuardians are vetting these professionals and monitoring your requests to ensure the safety and professionalism of those who come into your home. Some examples of senior citizen services that our home professionals provide include:
- Landscaping
- Housekeeping
- Handymen services
- Furniture assembly
- Snow shoveling
- Dog walking
- Pet sitting
- Caregiving
- Hairstyling
By relieving you of these tasks, GoGo lets you focus on senior citizen services and activities you enjoy, like spending time with loved ones and trying new exercise classes or hobbies. Learn more about GoGo’s Home Services here.
6. Nutrition and diet support
Nutrition is the cornerstone for good health. Following a nutrition plan from a dietician or physician is common for many older adults. But many seniors face challenges with cooking, grocery shopping, and preparing balanced meals, whether due to food accessibility, medical disabilities, or transportation.
The first step is learning about nutrition and diet. Check out some of these senior citizen services for diet planning:
- Learn more about nutrition with workshops, seminars, and classes. See if any local cooking centers teach healthy eating habits, cooking techniques, and more. Take a course on senior nutrition or dip your toes in international cuisines, desserts, or any foods you enjoy.
- Senior meal planners help create customized meal plans based on your dietary needs and preferences. These senior citizen services, like Silver Cuisine, may offer meal plans as well as food delivery.
- Check your state government’s Departments for Aging or Senior Citizens website to find registered dieticians, local classes, community meals, and other nutrition-related senior citizen services. Here’s New York State’s department website as an example.
In addition to nutrition classes, consider these transportation and food delivery types of services for aging population:
- Some grocery stores offer delivery options for seniors with mobility challenges. This option works well if you feel comfortable ordering groceries through a website or app. Someone from the store will then shop and deliver the food for you. However, these services aren’t foolproof; the shopper may make substitutions and replacements that aren’t in alignment with your dietary plan.
- GoGo Groceries addresses these concerns. You can get deliveries from most grocery stores right to your door. You don’t have to navigate confusing apps or websites; you just call our friendly operators to get reliable, trustworthy delivery people to shop for you. We also communicate directly with the shopper to find appropriate substitutions and replacements so you always have the right food in your house. Check out GoGo Groceries here.
- Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers nutritious meals to eligible seniors who have difficulty preparing their own food. These are lo- cost or free services for senior citizens looking for a healthy meal and a friendly visit.
- Hit the local farmers market to grab some fresh produce and support local vendors. Some local governments offer free services for senior citizens to get to local fairs, and if they don’t have a shuttle, catch a ride with GoGoRides.
If you’d rather not cook some nights (or every night), you have two main options:
- Get takeout from your favorite places. However, takeout can be tricky because the restaurant may not consider your dietary needs, and they might send delivery people you aren’t comfortable with.
- GoGo Meal Delivery solves these problems by giving you access to your favorite local restaurants and chains – but our GoGoGuardians are also tracking your order. Behind the scenes, we communicate your dietary restrictions and needs to the restaurant, and we vet delivery drivers to ensure safe, trustworthy people show up at your doorstep. Learn more about GoGo Meal Delivery here.
Don’t know where to start with food and nutrition? Check out GoGo’s resources for some meal ideas:
- 6 Easy Breakfast Ideas for Seniors
- 5 Easy Lunch Ideas for Seniors
- 5 Easy Dinner Ideas for Seniors
- Healthy Snacks for Seniors
7. Healthcare and medication services
Access to quality healthcare is vital in maintaining overall health and wellbeing. There are many types of services for aging population, from home healthcare agencies to medication management services.
- Telemedicine platforms allow seniors to consult with doctors and specialists remotely, offering faster appointment times without the hassle of transportation.
- Home healthcare senior citizen services provide medical care and lifestyle assistance in the comfort of your own home. This can include nursing, therapy, medication management, or any day-to-day tasks you’d like help with.
- Chronic disease management programs are specialized senior citizen services that help manage chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. You can find these programs through your primary care provider, insurance plan, AAA, senior centers, or government health department websites.
- Medicare is a healthcare insurance plan for eligible seniors to help pay for ongoing healthcare costs.
- GoGo’s Prescription Delivery promotes medication adherence by delivering your medication right to your door. You can receive your prescriptions on a consistent schedule without the hassle of visiting a pharmacy in person. Check out these 13 tips for medication adherence for seniors.
Learn how to find more local senior citizen services here.
8. Financial assistance types of services for aging population
Managing finances is challenging in general, but it becomes even more complicated for seniors living on a fixed income. Financial planning and subsidies are among the most popular types of services for aging population. These senior citizen services provide peace of mind, so you know their financial matters are in capable hands.
- Senior financial planners are financial advisors who specialize in working with seniors to create comprehensive financial plans for retirement and long-term care. Find an accredited advisor by asking for referrals or checking industry databases like Certified Financial Planners (CFP), Financial Planning Association (FPA), and National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). Some planners offer low-cost or free services for senior citizens. Make sure you’re working with a fiduciary since fiduciaries are legally required to work in the best interests of their clients.
- Tax accountants are another important aspect of financial planning for seniors – especially to help you take advantage of senior-specific deductions and credits. Elder care accountants specialize in senior citizen services, but you can work with any CPA you trust.
- Most state and local governments have resources regarding legal assistance for seniors. These are low-fee or free services for senior citizens that offer legal advice, documentation, protection, and preparation for the future.
- Research financial senior citizen services on government agencies like the Department of Aging or U.S. Administration on Aging, nonprofit organizations, social services offices, AAA, Medicare, community organizations, and more. You should never feel stressed about taking care of yourself financially, so investigate different senior citizen services that will work for your situation.
- GoGoGrandparent offers financing options and plans, so you can use our senior citizen services without breaking the bank. Find a membership that will make sense for you.
What services do senior citizens need most?
Enhance your independent living by staying active, connecting to your community, and using GoGoGrandparent’s services. These types of services for aging population can enrich your life, improve your health, and streamline your golden years.
From helping clean your home to prescription delivery to ensuring reliable rides, GoGoGrandparent’s senior citizen services cater to your unique needs. With GoGoGrandparent, you can feel confident knowing you have a caring partner to assist in your daily living. Register with GoGoGrandparent now to start leveraging all our senior citizen services right away.
