Older Americans Month focuses on “Aging Unbound”

Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). Its 2023 theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes.

Join in the fun and help promote flexible thinking about aging, and how everyone benefits when older adults remain engaged, independent and included.

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month”, the prelude to “Older Americans Month.” It is a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the nation through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other activities.

Open House Schedule

Seniors can visit any of the centers, regardless of where they live. Contact your local senior center for more information on the following events.

Monday May 8

LifeSpan – Chartiers Area Resource Center
300 Lincoln Ave., Carnegie 15106
Contact: Claudette Biers | (412) 276-5056

10 a.m. – noon | Line Dancing, Euchre, Cornhole

Tuesday May 9

LifeSpan – Bethel Park Resource Center
5151 Park Ave., Bethel Park 15102
Contact: Sami Burnworth | (412) 831-7111

10 – 11 a.m. | Older Americans Month Picnic Activities/games

11 a.m. – noon | Lunch

Wednesday May 10

CitiParks – South Side Market House
12th and Bingham St., Pittsburgh 15203
Contact: Kristin Coyne | (412) 488-8404

10 – 10:30 a.m | Tour the center with staff

10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Meet various city and county government officials, Access, Pittsburgh Rapid Transit, Pitt, Angels Are Us, and Pittsburgh Food Bank. Join the center members in an exercise class.

Thursday May 11

Allentown Senior Citizens Center/Hilltop Center
631 E. Warrington Ave., Pittsburgh 15210
Contact: Michelle Silliman | (412) 481-5484

10 a.m. – noon | Senior Resource Services: Property Tax and Rent Rebates, Birth and Death Certificate Replacement, PRT Connect Cards, Notary Services, AC Senior Services, Wills

Lutheran Service Society – PrimeTime Activity Center
440 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh 15202
Contact: Elisa Eyer | (412) 307-1782

Noon – 2 p.m. | Prime Time Palooza: Meet and greet at the center along with other local organizations

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Dance and Be Fit 

Friday May 12

Elizabeth Seton Center – Brookline
1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh 15226
Contact: Blake Nieri | (412) 344-4777

10 a.m. – noon | Bingo with Prize Raffles and
Catered Lunch

Monday May 15

LifeSpan – Mon Valley Resource Center
4313 Walnut St., Ste. 370, McKeesport 15132
Contact: Marcy Wasilko | (412) 644-5434

10 a.m. – noon | S.A.I.L. Exercise Program, Bingo, Refreshments, Meet and Greet

CitiParks – Sheraden Senior Center
720 Sherwood Ave., Sheraden 15204
Contact: Crystal Witt | (412) 777-5012

11:30 a.m. | Lunch, Invited Health Fair Presenters: Pitt, All of Us, Sto-Rox Family Medical Center, Family Chiropractic

Noon | Welcome Reception – Cookies and Coffee, Distribution of Raffle Tickets

12:30 p.m. | Balance Workout with Wendy, First Door Prize Announcement

1 p.m. | Patriotic Bead Craft

2 p.m. | Entertainment: Hey Joe

2:30 p.m. | Second Door Prize Announcement

3 p.m. | Final Door Prize Announcement

Tuesday May 16

LifeSpan – Imperial Resource Center
540 Penn Lincoln Dr., Imperial 15126
Contact: Carole Weldon | (724) 218-1669

10 a.m. – noon | Refreshments and tours will be provided

Wednesday May 17

AgeWell at the JCC (Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh)

5738 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh 15217

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Tables staffed by AgeWell Pittsburgh partners providing services including blood pressure screenings, medication reviews, SilverSneakers information, gym tours, tech tutoring, transportation and more | Palm Court

10:30 a.m. | Circuit Exercise class | Levinson Hall B

11 a.m. | Work & Identity As We Age discussion| Room 202

11:15 a.m. | Arthritis/Balance exercise class | Levinson Hall B

11:30 a.m. Beginner’s Tai Chi demo class | Kaufmann Dance Studio

12:30 p.m. | Beginner Pickleball Lesson and Open Play | Kaufmann  Gym

12:30 p.m. | Line Dancing with Roland Ford | Levinson Hall B

1 p.m. | Food Samples with our JCafe Chefs | Palm Court

1 p.m. | Movie Showing | Room 202

Questions about activities happening?
Contact Maddie Barnes at (412) 697-1186 or mbarnes@jccpgh.org.

Questions about transportation to the JCC?
Contact Darlene Cridlin at (412) 697-3517 ordcridlin@jccpgh.org.

Thursday May 18

Northern Area Multi-Service Center –
Sharpsburg Body and Soul Wellness Center

209 13th St., Pittsburgh 15215
Contact: Pegi Prycl | (412) 781-1175

10 – 11:30 a.m. | Bingo

10 a.m. – noon | Drop in Exercise/Yoga Classes

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Summer-Themed Quick Craft, Meet and Greet with Community Leaders

1 – 2 p.m. | Ice Cream Social

Friday May 19

Penn Hills Senior Center
147 Jefferson Rd., Penn Hills 15235
Contact: Phyllis Paciulli | (412) 244-3400

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

CitiParks – Greenfield Senior Center
745 Greenfield Ave., Pittsburgh 15217
Contact: Tom Horan | (412) 422-6551

1 – 1:30 p.m. | Meet the Staff and Senior Members, Tour the Center, Learn about Senior Center

1:30 –3 p.m. | Patriotic Craft Project, Tai Chi with Yao, Silver Sneakers Exercise Class, Pickleball Demonstration

Monday May 22

CitiParks – Homewood Senior Center
7321 Frankstown Rd., Pittsburgh 15208
Contact: Melinda McCormick | (412) 244-4190

1 – 3 p.m. | Featuring Pianist Howie Alexander from the African American Music Institute; Visit with Several Health and Wellness Organizations from Across Pittsburgh

Tuesday May 23

Eastern Area Adult Services – Turtle Creek
519 Penn Ave., Turtle Creek 15145
Contact: Jodi Trovato | (412) 824-6880

10 a.m. – noon | Exercise and Painting Class Demonstrations

Wednesday May 24

Vintage, Inc.
421 N. Highland Ave., Pittsburgh 15206
Contact: Tom Sturgill | (412) 361-5003

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Open House: Tours, Enhance Fitness Exercise, Lunch, Chair Exercise, Line Dancing

Thursday May 25

Plum Senior Community Center
499 Center New Texas Rd., Pittsburgh 15239
Contact: Diana Kelly | (412) 795-2330

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Tours of Community Center, Free Lunch & Learn (Fun Topic on Pittsburgh History), Sample Fitness Classes

*Register for Lunch at (412) 795-2330 by Monday, May 22

Friday May 26

Macedonia Family and Community Enrichment Center (FACE)
2114 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh 15219
Contact: Justin LeWinter | (412) 281-2573

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Food Tasting, Storytelling and African Drumming and Dance

Tuesday May 30

Northern Area Multi-Service Center – Highland Senior Center
704 E. Second Ave., Room 100B, Tarentum 15084
Contact: Shevawn Timko | (724) 244-1552

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Enjoy a Free Lunch, Free Bingo for Prizes, Blood Pressure Screening, Make a Greeting Card, SS Yoga Stretch, Create a Bracelet, Drawing/Painting, Make a Craft

Wednesday May 31

Catholic Youth Association – West Deer Senior Center
4834 Route 910, Pittsburgh 15101
Contact: Erin Schmidtt | (724) 443-8220

11 a.m. | Tour of Center, Lunch, Bingo

11:30 a.m. | Lunch

12:15 p.m. | Bingo