Department of Senior Programs and Services

Twenty percent of Westchester residents are ages 60 and older. The rich value of this population subset does not go unnoticed in Westchester County. Recognizing the different and varying needs of its senior community, the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services offers a wide range of programs and services throughout the year, some are ongoing and some are annual events.

Westchester County is a frontrunner in providing services and programs that meet the needs of today’s aging community. Westchester County’s award-winning “Livable Communities Initiative: A Vision for All Ages – Bringing People and Places Together” is to help seniors remain in their homes as they grow older with independence, dignity and civic engagement. Livable Communities are also friendly to people of all ages.

Healthy aging is a priority and crucial to helping seniors remain independent and continue living in their homes and communities as they age. Programs such as Health for Life and nutrition programs assist seniors in choosing healthy options to fit their needs. Getting together with other your own age is important also; clubs and senior centers offer such camaraderie.

Just as important are the caregivers who step in to care and help us as we are confronted with life's new challenges. We provide information and programs to assist them too.

Of the many programs sponsored by the Department of Senior Programs and Services, some of the most popular ones are the Salute to Seniors, Senior Law Day, Senior Dance Party and the Senior Hall of Fame.  The programs are announced annually so we encourage you to sign up for our newsletter to get details on these and our many other programs and activities.

During periods of extreme heat, residents are encouraged to use the New York State Department of Health Cooling Center Finder to locate nearby air-conditioned public spaces. Libraries, grocery stores, shopping malls, and other public facilities may also provide relief from the heat. We recommend checking the map and calling the location before visiting to confirm that it is open.

For locations within Westchester County, visit our Westchester Cooling Centers page for additional information.