EASTON, Pa. – Northampton County’s Executive says two county senior centers are set to close due to a lack of money from the state.
Many local officials are now calling closures of senior centers a statewide problem that must be addressed, or risk more seniors missing out on important services.
“Our Aging Team continues to grow caregiver support despite the fiscal blow we’ve received,” said Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski.
Zrinski says two locations in the county’s senior center network are set to close.
The locations are Northampton Senior Center on 900 Lincoln Avenue and Lower Nazareth Community Center on 300 Butztown Road.
Additionally, Zrinski says two other locations that are not county-owned and have previously been receiving support from the county, will no longer receive financial support. However, those locations will remain open.
Zrinski says Northampton County is facing a nearly $400,000 reduction from the state government in the Area Agency on Aging budget, forcing the county to consolidate its 11 senior center locations.
“I’m referring specifically to the termination of the reimbursement for desk reviews that the state took away,” said Zrinski.
Addressing county council on Thursday night, Zrinski says the reviews, based on medical records and documentation, help determine eligibility for long-term care services.
In a blog, Zrinski says “across Northampton County, these centers are a lifeline for older adults, providing not only meals, but connection, wellness support, and a place to engage with their community and live vibrant, healthy lives. These centers are not luxuries. They are part of the safety net.”
There is no word on when the locations will close.
The closings come amid several statewide senior center shutdowns.
According to the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, inadequate state budgets have forced senior centers across at least eight counties to close in 2024-2025 and at least a dozen at risk to close in 2025-2026.
Next month, the agency will hold an advocacy rally in Harrisburg, in an effort to stand up for older Pennsylvanians and prevent more senior centers from closing.