Press Releases

Department for the Aging Asks New Yorkers to “Join Us” in Older Adult Center PSA Campaign

Campaign encourages older New Yorkers to join or rejoin their local older adult center.

Hundreds of centers across the five boroughs offer a variety of services, including meals, exercise and art classes, and connection to City programs and resources. 

The New York City Department for the Aging has launched a new public service announcement campaign called “Join Us,” encouraging 60+ New Yorkers to become a member of their local older adult center. The Department for the Aging funds more than 300 centers across the City that provide free membership. The goal of the campaign is to engage or reengage the number of participants and connect them to the healthy meals, educational and recreational activities, and resources that these local community organizations provide. The PSA campaign’s advertisements will be featured in community newspapers, subway trains, digital sites, and on local radio and television outlets during the fall season.

 “Older New Yorkers have long been the heart and soul of our city, but the past few years have been hard on them. That’s why it’s so important to shine a light on the hundreds of older adult centers located in different neighborhoods across New York City that provide them with access to a variety of services and activities,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “These centers provide a place to discover new interests, make friends, enjoy delicious meals, access services, have fun together, and so much more. They allow New Yorkers to age with dignity, while staying connected to their communities. I encourage everyone over the age of 60 to check out your local center today.”

“These are not your parents’ older adult centers. They are community hubs where New Yorkers create new friendships, while also being able to enjoy of all the opportunities they provide. The “Join Us” PSA campaign will help reach residents who may not know about the great activities and services that these local organizations offer,” said Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, these centers continue to play a key role in helping make New York City become an even more age-inclusive place to live.”

The campaign includes video PSAs, radio PSAs, and static visual PSAs. All are available in English, Russian, Spanish, Mandarin and Cantonese, the most popular languages used within New York City’s older population.

Department for the Aging-funded older adult centers are managed by local community organizations that provide culturally relevant meals, activities, and socialization, and connect members to programs and resources, like accessing benefits and entitlements including Medicare and SNAP. Some of the activities include art, music and exercise classes, trips to cultural institutions and parks, and year-round celebrations such as holidays and birthdays.

Centers also provide mental health counseling, and bring in experts to discuss heart disease, diabetes and other issues older New Yorkers may be facing. During the pandemic, centers pivoted their programs and services to online and over the phone, conducting millions of wellness calls and helping older adults get vaccinated by scheduling vaccine appointments and hosting mobile vaccine units.

In order for New Yorkers to have a better understanding of what takes place at these organizations, the “Join Us” campaign features members currently participating in the fun and engaging activities at older adult centers.

To learn more about older adult centers or to find one near you, visit nyc.gov/aging or call 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469).

About the Department for the Aging

The New York City Department for the Aging works to eliminate ageism and ensure the dignity and quality of life of New York City’s diverse older adults. The Department for the Aging also works to support caregivers through service, advocacy, and education, and is the largest area agency on aging in the United States.

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