To ensure that members of the community have access to this care, local government and nonprofit organizations work together to provide meals, transportation and advocacy for federal funding within the Greater San Antonio area.
Through the Bexar Area Agency on Aging, a three-year area plan was created to help funnel federal dollars into programs, offering residents age 60 and older lifestyle resources.
The big picture
The Bexar Area Agency on Aging is a branch of the Alamo Area Council of Governments. It connects to a nationwide network with local nonprofit organizations and city officials to address the needs of those age 60 and older.
The area plan states that the BAAA strives to enhance the quality of life and well-being of older adults in Bexar County by developing a plan that promotes healthy aging, social connectivity and economic security through innovative programs.
Yolanda Perez, the San Antonio human services administrator for the Senior Services Division and a Bexar Senior Advisory Council member, said BAAA acts as an umbrella organization that provides a variety of resources to the community.
Perez said the city of San Antonio is the largest meal provider in the state of Texas for congregate—or community-based—meal programs.
Put into perspective
An estimated 197,000 individuals age 65 and older will live in Bexar County by 2025. By 2035, the number is expected to increase to 316,000—or 16.4%—which is a 60% increase over a 10-year period, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Between 2017 and 2022, Census data shows that the population of people aged 60 and older within San Antonio increased by 1.3 percentage points, 5.1 percentage points in Hill Country Village and 3.7 percentage points in Shavano Park, while Hollywood Park’s total senior population decreased by 14.8 percentage points.
The BAAA plan states that senior population growth will lead to greater program investments.
How it works
Alamo Area Agency on Aging Manager Mike Juarez said San Antonio has more people age 60 and older than all 12 of the surrounding counties combined.
To assist with allocating resources, the Bexar Senior Advisory Council provides information and data to AACOG. When a new need is identified, the committee votes on whether or not it should be added to the plan. If approved, it becomes a requirement under the plan, which allows AACOG to go to the Department of Health & Human Services for funding.
Additionally, AACOG utilizes a help line known as the Alamo Service Connection, which directs individuals to a repository of partners.
“A person that calls into our Alamo Service Connection never goes away with a ‘no,’” Juarez said.
Perez said that the Alamo Service Connection allows senior services access to a wider range of organizations.
“They serve as a call line for us whenever we need specific services that the city of San Antonio doesn’t provide,” Perez said.
Breaking it down
Providing congregate meals is the most utilized service that BAAA provides, with an average of 73 meals served at Bob Ross Senior Center, 237 meals served at Walker Ranch Senior Center and 267 meals served at the Northeast Senior Center per day.
Perez said AACOG has funded the congregate meal program for 30 years, with the city funding the difference as enrolled residents increased.
“We have 44 sites where we provide meals, but the $2 million [in grant funds] isn’t enough, so the city supplements that with the general fund,” Perez said.
What’s being done
Alongside support from AACOG, Perez said the city offers a variety of services at its 12 comprehensive senior centers, such as daily meals, access to commodities, medical checkups, transportation to and from the center, social activities and educational classes. Each of these senior centers serve approximately 100-600 seniors every day.
Additionally, the city provides neighborhood-based access to food, transportation services, workforce training, employment and volunteer opportunities. The city also provides caregivers connections to resources and training. Around 43,500 seniors were actively enrolled at the city’s senior centers in fiscal year 2023-24.
Something to know
From local assistance to federal programs, seniors throughout Greater San Antonio have access to resources and assistance to fit a variety of needs.
For those who want to get involved with supporting seniors, each of the senior programs and organizations have donation and volunteer opportunities that help these services operate.
Perez said that though the senior centers have roughly eight or nine employees per center, there is also a large volunteer program that helps with day-to-day needs.
“We’ve got almost 500 volunteers at all of our senior centers that help throughout the day, either by covering the front desk, helping to distribute the meals, doing food commodities or whatever [is needed],” Perez said.
List of resources
- The San Antonio Food Bank: 210-431-8326
- Alamo Service Connection: 866-231-4922
- Bob Ross Senior Center: 210-207-5300
- Northeast Senior Center: 210-207-4590
- Walker Ranch Senior Center: 210-207-5280
- Meals on Wheels: 210-735-5115
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 210-362-5209
