Senior Services

Photo by G. Widman for GPTMC

A popular destination for recent retirees, Greater Philadelphia provides new and exciting ways to enjoy life to the fullest. There’s never been a better time to start living the next chapter of your life — right here in Greater Philadelphia.

Residence Options for Seniors

There are many options for seniors in Greater Philadelphia, including:

• Brightview Woodbury Lake in Gloucester County, N.J., offers assisted-living apartments and award-winning Alzheimer’s care.
• Simpson Senior Services was founded in 1865 and now has senior communities throughout the region, including locations in Philadelphia, Downingtown and West Grove, Pa.
• Presby’s Inspired Life provides continuing care and affordable housing to more than 2,600 residents in 25 communities throughout the region. With residential campuses, apartments, spacious cottages, and assisted-living and nursing care environments, they have something for the needs of all seniors.

Each state’s department of aging provides information on assisted living:

Pennsylvania
717-783-1550

New Jersey
609-292-7837

Delaware
302-255-9390 | 800-223-9074 (toll free)

Community Centers & Programs

• Philadelphia’s Center in the Park, a nonprofit community center in northwest Philadelphia, believes in fostering independence, respect and personal growth for the seniors it serves. It boasts a strong arts program for seniors, including poetry workshops, guitar lessons, and painting and pottery classes.
• New Courtland, a regional nonprofit network of community services, housing and nursing homes for seniors, has won awards for its interactive arts and entertainment program, which links seniors with children and local artists.

Select Services and Benefits

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

The aim of the AAA is to act as advocates for the aging and to keep older citizens active and independent in their own communities. AAA offices are staffed with caseworkers skilled in such areas as geriatrics, social work and community services, facilitating nursing facility placement and offering a wide range of other community services tailored to your specific needs.

State Health Centers

Many free services are available at a state health center in your community. Doctors, nutritionists, physical therapists, social workers and other public health professionals periodically visit the centers to provide consultation.

Personal Income Tax (State)

Pennsylvania

Seniors do not pay state income tax on retirement income (Social Security, Railroad Retirement or any pension benefits), veterans benefits or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

New Jersey

Every resident is required to file a New Jersey Gross Income Tax Return. Three exclusions are available to seniors to reduce taxable income by up to $20,000 (if filing jointly), $10,000 (if filing separately), or $15,000 (if filing as a single). Total income must be under $100,000.

Delaware

Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits are not taxable in Delaware and should not be included in taxable income.

Property Tax

Pennsylvania

More seniors than ever are eligible for tax relief under the newly expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Through this program, a retired person living in Pennsylvania on a limited income may be eligible for a rebate on some portion of what he or she paid for property taxes or rent during a calendar year. Now, homeowners with incomes up to $35,000 and renters with incomes up to $15,000 will receive rebates.

New Jersey

The Property Tax Reimbursement Program will provide direct property tax relief in the form of rebate checks to eligible homeowners who are disabled or over 65. The rebate is calculated as the difference between the level of real property taxes payable in the first year a homeowner was eligible for the program and the real property taxes owed during the current year.

Delaware

Homeowners over 65 are eligible for Senior Property Tax Relief. This is credit of 50 percent of regular school property taxes may be used against property taxes on a primary residence.

Free Transit Programs

Pennsylvania

Seniors 65 years and older always ride free on SEPTA buses, trolleys and subways with a valid Senior Citizen ID Card. They also may be eligible for discounted tickets on regional rail lines. For more information, call 215-580-7800. SEPTA also provides Customized Community Transportation services for seniors, including ADA Paratransit and a shared-ride program.

New Jersey

Special rates are available to seniors 62 and older on New Jersey public transit through the Reduced Fare Program. This reduced rate is available for NJ TRANSIT buses, trains and light rail vehicles and can be used at any time. Senior citizens may be asked to present a valid ID to receive the reduced fare. For additional information, call 973-378-6401.

Delaware

Delaware provides a reduced fare on DART public transit for persons who are age 65 and over who have a certified disability. Riders must present a Medicare Card or DART First State Reduced Fare ID card in order to take advantage of this offer. For more information, call 800-553-DART. DART also provides 50 percent of taxi fares for eligible senior citizens over 65 through the Senior Citizens Affordable Taxi program.

Senior Employment Programs

New Jersey and Delaware both have programs that help senior workers find employment.

New Jersey

In New Jersey, WorkForce 55+ offers seniors 55 and older who meet income requirements jobs and training. Contact a One-Stop Career Center for more information at 609-984-4248.

Delaware

In Delaware, the Senior Community Service Employment Program provides paid, part-time work experience and subsidized training for eligible seniors over 55. Call 302-651-3440 for more information.

Offices of Aging/Adult Services

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Department of Aging
717-783-1550

Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
215-348-0510

Chester County Department of Aging
610-344-6350

Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging
800-416-4504

Montgomery County Office of Aging & Adult Services
610-278-3601

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
215-765-9000

New Jersey

NJ Division of Aging & Community Services
800-367-6543 (toll free within NJ)
609-292-7837 (out-of-state)

NJ EASE
(New Jersey Easy Access, Single Entry)
877-222-3737 (toll free)

Burlington County Office on Aging
609-265-5069

Camden County Division of Senior Services
877-222-3737

Gloucester County Division of Senior Services
856-232-4646

Mercer County Office on Aging
877-222-3737

Salem County Office on Aging
856-339-8622

Delaware

Delaware Department of Health & Social Services
(Division of Services for Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities)
800-223-9074

New Castle County Senior Services
302-453-3820

Resources for Seniors – Recreation & Volunteerism

Senior Centers

Pennsylvania Senior Centers
866-266-1550 |

New Jersey Senior Centers
877-222-3737

Delaware Senior Centers
302-255-9390

Senior Games

National Senior Games
225-766-6800

Pennsylvania Senior Games
888-445-4559

New Jersey Senior Games
973-618-1111

Delaware Senior Olympics
302-736-5698

Volunteer Programs

Bucks County PA: 215-340-1210
Chester County PA: 610-344-6350
Delaware County PA: 610-490-1300
Montgomery County PA: 610-278-3601
Philadelphia County PA: 215-765-9000
Burlington County NJ: 609-265-5069
Camden County NJ: 856-858-3220
Gloucester County NJ: 856-232-4646
Mercer County NJ: 609-989-6661
Salem County NJ: 856-935-7510
New Castle County DE: 302-255-9390

Resources for Seniors – Employment

Contact your local Department of Aging. Listed below are additional sources for employment services.

Jewish Employment & Vocational Service
(Career solutions for 55+)
215-854-1800

National Asian Pacific Center for Aged
(Jaisohn Center – Helen Jang)
215-224-0358

National Association for Hispanic Elderly
215-426-1212

National Caucus & Center on Black Aged
202-637-8400

Wilmington Senior Center – Delaware
302-651-3400

Resources for Seniors – Finance

Department of Revenue Taxpayer Services & Information Centers

Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax
717-787-8201

New Jersey Personal Income Tax
609-292-6400

Delaware Personal Income Tax
302-577-8200

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
(Federal income tax preparation assistance)
800-829-1040

Property Tax & Rent Rebate Programs

Pennsylvania
888-728-2937

New Jersey
609-292-6400

Delaware
302-577-8200

Resources for Seniors – Assistance & Advocacy

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
Philadelphia Office 866-389-5654
New Jersey Office 866-542-8165
Delaware Office 866-227-7441

Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly
215-545-5728

Mature Living Choices
(Get a full-color book of homes or apartments in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware)

Meals on Wheels
Bucks County PA: 215-348-0510
Chester County PA: 610-430-8500
Delaware County PA: 610-490-1300
Montgomery County PA: 610-326-1610
Philadelphia County PA: 215-765-9000
Burlington County NJ: 609-702-7053
Camden County NJ: 856-963-8226
Gloucester County NJ: 856-232-4646
Mercer County NJ: 609-989-6661
Salem County NJ: 856-935-3663
New Castle County DE: 302-255-9390

Social Security
800-772-1213

Transportation Programs for Senior Citizens
PA Free Transit Program: 717-783-8025
NJ Transit Reduced Fare Program: 800-772-2287
DE DART First State Reduced Fare: 800-652-3278

Veteran’s Services
PA, NJ & DE Regional Offices: 800-827-1000
Eligibility Department: 877-222-8387

Resources for Seniors – Health

Alzheimer’s Association
24-hour helpline: PA, NJ & DE: 800-272-3900
Philadelphia Office: 215-561-2919
Chester County Office: 610-518-1590
South Jersey Office: 856-797-1212
Wilmington, DE Office: 302-633-4420

Health Insurance Counseling for Seniors
Pennsylvania: APPRISE: 800-783-7067
New Jersey: SHIP: 800-792-8820
Delaware: ELDERinfo: 800-336-9500

Long Term Care (Helpline)
Pennsylvania: 866-286-3636
New Jersey: 877-222-3737
Delaware: 800-223-9074

Prescription Programs
Pennsylvania: PACE/PACENET: 800-225-7223
New Jersey: Senior Gold: 800-792-9745
Delaware: Prescription Assistance Program: 800-996-9969

Protective Services for Older Adults
Pennsylvania: 800-490-8505
New Jersey: 877-222-3737
Delaware: 800-223-9074

State Health Centers
Pennsylvania: 877-724-3258
New Jersey: 877-222-3737
Delaware: 800-223-9074

Veterans Administration Medical Centers
Philadelphia VA Medical Center: 215-823-5800
Wilmington VA Medical Center: 302-994-2511