West Chester’s walkable streets, historic architecture, award-winning restaurants, and easy access to great cities on the East Coast make it a best-of-all-worlds kind of place to live. And because the borough was inducted into the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, it’s officially a great place to retire as well. The people of West Chester have worked hard to ensure that every resident can make the most of their golden years, and the borough offers a variety of resources to help seniors get around town, learn new skills, and participate in a vibrant community. Here are just a few of the resources seniors can take advantage of in the West Chester area:
Educational and Mentoring Opportunities
- The West Chester University Senior Citizen Program allows retired Pennsylvania residents to attend classes tuition-free on a space-available basis. Students must be retired, at least 60 years of age, and a Pennsylvania resident of at least one year. Students may choose to audit or take courses for credit.
- ILEARN is a West Chester University intergenerational learning and mentoring program that pursues its stated goals of “social and civic participation, sharing information and resources, promoting and [appreciating] diversity, and combating ageism.”
- Grand Friends is a twice-weekly program run by West Chester Area Senior Center and Chester County Family Academy throughout the school year that allows seniors and young students to enjoy one another’s company while participating in educational activities.
Community Activities
- The West Chester Area Senior Center offers more than 50 weekly programs, from exercise programs and bingo to language classes and knitting club.
- The West Chester Area School District offers a Gold Card to area residents aged 60 and over that allows free admission to WCASD events, including high school musicals, sporting events, drama productions, and concerts.
- Local gyms, including the area YMCA, offer a variety of exercise classes tailored to seniors — from dance to pool aerobics — that can benefit the body and mind. All branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine accept SilverSneakers, a fitness program available through certain health insurance programs that offers seniors a free YMCA membership.
Legal and Financial Support
- The Pennsylvania SeniorLAW Helpline (1-877-727-7529) is a free and confidential statewide hotline for legal information, advice, and referral services for senior citizens in Pennsylvania. The hotline is staffed by attorneys on weekdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (1-877-429-5994) operates a toll-free telephone service, offering advice and referrals out of its Norristown office on weekdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Legal Aid also provides free civil legal services for low-income residents in Chester County.
- The Pennsylvania Bar Association offers A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania Senior Citizens.
- The Medicare Savings Program can help those who qualify with the cost of health insurance deductibles, copayments, and premiums. Applicants for any of these programs must meet the criteria established by the Department of Public Welfare.
- The Chester County Discount Prescription Drug Card can save cardholders an average of 22 percent on the retail price of common prescription drugs.
Senior Support Services
- The APPRISE Program offers free counseling to seniors regarding their options for Medicare, Medicare supplemental insurance, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and related topics.
- The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can help resolve complaints involving long-term care services.
- Rover Community Transportation provides Chester County residents with transportation. Their Senior Shared Ride Program offers door-to-door service to seniors 65 and up who no longer drive, and allows registered seniors to visit local senior centers and the doctor’s office at subsidized rates.
- The SEPTA Key Senior Photo ID Card allows seniors 65 and up to ride for free. West Chester seniors can apply for a card at Sen. Andy Dinniman’s West Chester District Office.
- Meals on Wheels of Chester County delivers meals five days a week to homebound residents regardless of age or economic status.
- The Eldercare Locator is a useful tool for anyone searching for home care, adult day care, senior living, and more.
All of these resources for senior citizens are available to residents of West Chester and can help make a senior’s retirement years some of their best yet. For more tips on everything from finding the best personal care option near you to discovering new spots to enjoy the outdoors around the borough, subscribe to our Arbor Terrace Willistown blog.