Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Sources checked through May 29, 2026.
Bottom line
Indiana Area Agencies on Aging help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers find local aging services. They can help with meals, rides, home care screening, caregiver support, Medicare counseling, long-term care choices, and senior-center referrals. The fastest first step is to call 800-713-9023 with your ZIP code. You can also check the official state AAA list before you share private details.
This page now also helps readers who were looking for senior centers in Indiana. Senior centers are local, so the best center for you may be run by a city, county, nonprofit, church partner, parks department, or Area Agency on Aging. Use the senior-center section below as examples, then call your AAA for centers near your ZIP code.
Urgent help in Indiana
Call 911 if someone is in danger, has a medical emergency, or may be abused right now. If you suspect abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an older adult, call Adult Protective Services at 800-992-6978. The same state contact page also lists 800-622-4484 for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman if the problem involves a nursing home or licensed assisted living setting; see the FSSA contact page.
If you need food, shelter, utility help, transportation, or a safe place this week, call Indiana 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or 866-211-9966. You may also text your ZIP code to 898-211. 211 is often the better first call for same-week basic needs. Your AAA is often better for ongoing aging services.
For a broader crisis checklist, use the GrantsForSeniors.org guide to emergency aid after you make the urgent call.
Quick help: who to call first
| Need | Best first step | What to ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals, rides, caregiver help, or home services | Call 800-713-9023 | Your local AAA or INconnect Alliance office | Some services have waitlists or limited weekly slots. |
| Senior center, activities, or local lunches | Call your AAA | Senior centers or meal sites near your ZIP code | Hours, fees, meal days, and age rules vary by town. |
| Food, shelter, or utility crisis | Dial 2-1-1 | Same-week local help | 211 gives referrals; it may not pay a bill directly. |
| Medicare plan, bill, or enrollment help | Call SHIP at 800-452-4800 | Free Medicare counseling | Book early during Medicare open enrollment. |
| Home care paid by Medicaid | Call your AAA | PathWays waiver screening | The waiver has a waiting list, so start early. |
Contents
- Urgent help
- Key Indiana facts
- What AAAs do
- Indiana AAA directory
- Find senior centers
- Common services
- How to start
- Documents to gather
- Phone scripts
- Delays and mistakes
- FAQ
Key Indiana facts from official sources
| Fact | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The U.S. Census listed Indiana at 6,973,333 people in 2025, and 17.5% of residents were age 65 or older on Census QuickFacts. | More than one in six Hoosiers is in the age group most likely to need aging services. |
| Indiana says the INconnect Alliance has 15 Aging and Disability Resource Centers serving 16 areas. | Your county decides which office serves you. One agency may cover several counties. |
| Indiana says the number of Hoosiers age 70 and older is expected to rise 41% by 2035 through Age Forward Together. | Demand for meals, rides, home care, and senior programs is growing. Call early when possible. |
| The state caregiver program says there are no income or asset limits for the Family Caregiver Program on the caregiver support page. | Caregivers should ask for help even if the older adult is not low-income. |
What an Area Agency on Aging does in Indiana
An Area Agency on Aging, often called an AAA, is a local aging and disability help point. Indiana also uses the INconnect Alliance name for this network. These offices help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers sort options when they do not know which program to call.
Most people call an AAA when life at home is getting harder. A parent stopped driving. A spouse needs help bathing. A caregiver needs a break. A hospital discharge is coming. A Medicare notice is confusing. The AAA may not run every service itself, but it can connect you to meal programs, senior centers, transportation, benefits counseling, caregiver help, home care screening, legal help, and long-term care options.
If you need a wider list of Indiana benefit programs, use the GrantsForSeniors.org Indiana benefits guide after you call your AAA. That page can help you check food, housing, utilities, health care, tax relief, and other help.
Indiana AAA directory by service area
Use this table to find the right office by county. The official state directory is the main source for phone numbers, county groupings, and agency names. If you are not sure which county applies, call 800-713-9023 and give your ZIP code.
| Area | Agency | Phone | Counties served |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CoAction | 219-794-1829 or 800-826-7871 | Lake, Porter, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, Starke |
| 2 | REAL Services | 574-284-2644 or 800-552-7928 | Elkhart, LaPorte, Kosciusko, Marshall, St. Joseph |
| 3 | Aging and In-Home Services | 260-745-1200 or 800-552-3662 | Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, Whitley |
| 4 | Area IV Agency | 765-447-7683 | Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Tippecanoe, Montgomery, Warren, White |
| 5 | Area Five Agency | 574-722-4451 or 800-654-9421 | Fulton, Cass, Miami, Wabash, Howard, Tipton |
| 6 | LifeStream Services | 765-759-1121 or 800-589-1121 | Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison, Randolph |
| 7 | Thrive West Central | 812-238-1561 or 800-489-1561 | Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo |
| 8 | CICOA | 317-254-5465 or 800-432-2422 | Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks |
| 9 | LifeStream Services | 765-966-1795 or 800-589-1121 | Fayette, Rush, Franklin, Union, Wayne |
| 10 | Area 10 Agency | 812-876-3383 or 800-844-1010 | Monroe, Owen |
| 11 | Thrive Alliance | 812-372-6918 or 866-644-6407 | Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Jennings |
| 12 | LifeTime Resources | 812-432-6200 or 800-742-5001 | Dearborn, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley, Switzerland |
| 13 | Generations | 812-888-5880 or 800-742-9002 | Daviess, Dubois, Knox, Greene, Martin, Pike |
| 14 | Lifespan Resources | 812-948-8330 or 888-948-8330 | Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott |
| 15 | Hoosier Uplands | 812-849-4457 or 800-333-2451 | Crawford, Lawrence, Orange, Washington |
| 16 | SWIRCA & More | 812-464-7800 or 800-253-2188 | Gibson, Perry, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick |
How to find senior centers in Indiana
Senior centers in Indiana are not one statewide program. Some are run by city parks departments. Some are connected to an AAA. Some are local nonprofits. Some places call them senior centers, senior activity centers, community centers, congregate meal sites, or multipurpose centers.
To find a senior center near you, start with your local AAA. Ask for “senior centers, meal sites, and activity programs near my ZIP code.” Also ask if the center has transportation, lunch, exercise classes, benefits counseling, caregiver programs, or accessibility help. If you live near a city, check the city parks or community services page too.
The table below is not a full Indiana directory. It includes verified examples from official city, AAA, county, or nonprofit pages. Services can change, so call before you go.
| Center | City or county | Phone | What it may help with |
|---|---|---|---|
| PrimeLife Enrichment | Carmel / Hamilton County | 317-815-7000 | Activities, transportation, fitness, aquatics, CICOA lunch menu, social programs. |
| Fort Wayne Community Center | Fort Wayne / Allen County | 260-427-6000 | Programs for adults 50+, luncheons, movies, classes, crafts, fitness, computer classes, health information. |
| Endwright Center | Ellettsville / Monroe and Owen counties | 812-935-2515 | 50+ community center with exercise equipment, group exercise, and social programs. |
| SWIRCA Activity Center | Evansville / Southwest Indiana | 812-464-7800 | 50+ activity and wellness center with exercise, health education, social clubs, cards, bingo, and trips. |
| Maria Reiner Center | Hobart / Lake County | 219-947-1864 | 55+ social setting, activities, breakfast and lunch days, membership or guest pass rules. |
| Battell Community Center | Mishawaka / St. Joseph County | 574-258-1664 | Community programs, line dancing, yoga, classes, recreation, arts, and events. |
| Richmond Senior Recreation | Richmond / Wayne County | 765-983-7300 | 50+ membership, fitness, games, classes, field trips, SHIP counselor visits, and LifeStream Senior Café meals. |
| The Woodlands | Columbia City / Whitley County | 260-248-8944 | Meals, senior activities, education, accessible transit, trips, food pantry, tax help, and equipment loans. |
| Tippecanoe Senior Center | Lafayette / Tippecanoe County | 765-447-2311 | 55+ activities, fitness, Tai Chi, support group, games, music, and Title III lunch for age 60+. |
Reality check: Senior-center lunch programs, rides, membership fees, age rules, class costs, and schedules can change. A center may also close for holidays, weather, renovations, or staff limits. Call before your first visit, and ask if you must reserve a meal ahead of time.
What Indiana AAAs can help with
Meals, nutrition, and senior centers
What it helps with: Congregate meals, home-delivered meals, nutrition checks, senior-center lunches, pantry referrals, and food benefit referrals.
Who may qualify: Many Older Americans Act meal services focus on adults age 60 and older. Home-delivered meals usually need more screening because the person may need to be homebound, at risk, or unable to shop or cook safely.
Where to apply: Call your AAA or 800-713-9023. If you also need food benefits, Indiana uses the Benefits Portal for SNAP and other benefits. The GrantsForSeniors.org guide to food programs can help you compare meals, SNAP, and pantry options.
Reality check: A meal route may not start the same day. Ask about senior-center meals, pantry delivery, shelf-stable food, or a nearby meal site while you wait.
Transportation
What it helps with: Rides to medical visits, grocery stores, meal sites, senior centers, adult day programs, and other needed stops.
Who may qualify: Rules vary by county, funding source, and trip type. Medical trips may get priority. Some ride options serve older adults. Others serve people with disabilities or the general public.
Where to apply: Call your AAA and ask for transportation intake. If you live in a city, also ask whether public transit, paratransit, or county senior rides are separate from the AAA. For a broader overview, see GrantsForSeniors.org transportation help.
Reality check: Book early. Many programs need advance notice. Same-day rides are rarely available unless a local program has open space.
Home care and PathWays waiver help
What it helps with: Personal care, homemaker help, adult day services, respite, home modifications, and other home and community-based services when a person needs a higher level of care.
Who may qualify: Indiana PathWays for Aging is for eligible Medicaid members age 60 and older. The home and community-based waiver side is separate from basic PathWays coverage. Indiana’s waiver waitlist page says the PathWays waiver has 39,842 slots for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, and 12,188 people on the waiting list as of May 2026. The state also says there is no waiting list for the overall PathWays for Aging program, only for waiver services.
Where to apply: Start with your AAA for screening. If you need plan choice or member support, the state PathWays contacts page lists 877-284-9294 for the enrollment broker and 877-738-3511 for Member Support Services.
Reality check: A waiting list does not mean you should wait to call. Get screened, keep your address updated, open every letter, and ask if short-term supports are available while you wait.
Caregiver support
What it helps with: Caregiver coaching, support groups, respite, short breaks, dementia support, and help for relatives caring for older adults.
Who may qualify: The state family caregiver program can help adults caring for a person age 60 or older, older relatives age 55 or older caring for children, and adult caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.
Where to apply: Ask your AAA for family caregiver support. If the family is trying to understand paid-care paths, the GrantsForSeniors.org paid caregiver guide can help you ask better questions.
Reality check: Respite money may be limited. Ask what is open now, what has a waitlist, and what paperwork must be finished before help starts.
Medicare, Medicaid, and benefits questions
What it helps with: Medicare plan questions, drug costs, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, Medicaid questions, notices, and benefit forms.
Who may qualify: Anyone with Medicare can ask for SHIP help. Low-income programs have their own rules. Indiana says Indiana SHIP gives free and impartial Medicare counseling.
Where to apply: Call your AAA for a local handoff or call SHIP directly at 800-452-4800. If Part B premiums are hard to afford, read the Indiana Medicare Savings guide and then ask SHIP or your AAA about next steps.
Reality check: Medicare plan help gets busy in the fall. Do not wait until the last week of open enrollment if you can avoid it.
Housing, assisted living, and nursing home concerns
What it helps with: Home safety, housing referrals, caregiver planning, assisted living questions, nursing home concerns, and long-term care choices.
Who may qualify: Anyone can ask for information. Housing programs may have income limits, local waitlists, or age rules. Medicaid-funded long-term care has medical and financial rules.
Where to apply: Call your AAA for options counseling. For a housing search, the GrantsForSeniors.org guide to housing help can help you build a call list.
Reality check: Senior housing waits can be long. If the problem is care quality or rights in a nursing home or licensed assisted living setting, call the ombudsman at 800-622-4484.
Utility help and home costs
What it helps with: Utility aid, weatherization referrals, home repair referrals, tax relief, and local charity funds. Your AAA may not run these programs, but it can help you find the right door.
Who may qualify: Utility and housing programs often use income rules. Indiana says the 2025-2026 Energy Assistance Program closed on April 20, 2026 and will reopen in fall 2026 on the Energy Assistance page.
Where to apply: Call 211 for urgent shutoff help, ask your AAA for local programs, and check your utility provider for payment plans.
Reality check: Energy Assistance is a one-time annual benefit and may not cover the whole bill. If property taxes are part of the problem, the Indiana property tax help guide may help homeowners find separate relief.
How to start without wasting time
- Write down your county and ZIP code. Indiana AAA service areas are county-based.
- Call 800-713-9023 first. Ask to be connected to your local AAA or INconnect Alliance office.
- Say the main problem first. Use simple words such as “I need meals,” “I need a ride,” “I need a senior center,” or “I cannot safely bathe alone.”
- Ask what is open now. Do not assume every service is taking new people.
- Ask about nearby senior centers. Ask which centers have lunch, exercise, benefits help, caregiver groups, or transportation.
- Ask for the next action. This may be a phone screening, home visit, form, proof of income, or call to another office.
- Keep a call log. Write the date, person’s name, phone number, and what they told you.
Documents and details to have ready
| Information | Why they may ask |
|---|---|
| Name, birth date, phone, county, and ZIP code | To confirm age-based programs and the correct service area. |
| Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance cards | To sort SHIP, PathWays, health plan, and care questions. |
| Monthly income and major bills | To screen for Medicaid, SNAP, energy help, or local aid. |
| Doctor, hospital, or discharge papers | To explain medical need or a safe discharge problem. |
| Caregiver name and contact | To include the person helping with calls, meals, rides, or forms. |
| Notices, denial letters, or deadlines | To help staff know if action is urgent. |
| Senior-center questions | To ask about meals, rides, class costs, age rules, accessibility, and sign-up steps. |
Phone scripts you can use
Calling the AAA for meals or rides
“Hello, my name is ____. I live in ____ County, ZIP code ____. I need help with meals or rides. Can you tell me what programs are open now, what the rules are, and what I need to do next?”
Calling about a senior center
“Hello, I am looking for a senior center or meal site near ZIP code ____. I need information about meals, activities, transportation, fees, and whether I need to sign up before I visit.”
Calling about home care
“Hello, I am calling about help at home. I am age ____ and I have trouble with ____. I want to ask about a PathWays waiver screening or other home services while I wait. What is the first step?”
Calling SHIP about Medicare
“Hello, I need free Medicare counseling. I have a question about my plan, bill, or drug costs. I do not want to talk to a salesperson. Can I make a SHIP appointment?”
Local resources that often work with AAAs
Your AAA is a strong starting point, but it is not the only door. Many counties also use senior centers, community action agencies, faith groups, township trustees, transit providers, food pantries, libraries, parks departments, and legal aid groups. Ask your AAA which partners are active in your county this month.
Older adults caring for grandchildren may need a different support path. The Indiana grandparents guide can help those families prepare questions before calling the AAA or FSSA.
Senior veterans and surviving spouses should also contact a county veteran service officer or the state veteran agency. The Indiana veteran benefits guide can help you sort veteran-specific housing, tax, burial, and support options.
Reality checks and common mistakes
- Not every service is instant. Meals, rides, respite, and home care may have waitlists.
- Free does not mean unlimited. Older Americans Act programs may use limited funding or voluntary donations.
- County lines matter. Moving to another county can change the AAA that serves you.
- Senior centers set local rules. One center may use age 50, another may use age 55 or 60, and some require reservations for lunch.
- Medicaid waiver help takes steps. Screening, Medicaid eligibility, waitlist status, and final service approval are different steps.
- Do not wait until discharge day. Call as soon as a hospital or rehab stay starts talking about discharge.
- Do not ask for only one program. Say what you need help doing, not just the program name you found online.
- Do not ignore letters. Missed forms can stop benefits or delay waiver steps.
What to do if help is denied, delayed, or confusing
Ask the office to explain the reason in plain language. Write down the rule, document, or deadline they mention. If the problem is missing proof, ask exactly what proof will work. If the issue is a waitlist, ask if there are short-term services while you wait.
If a benefit case is stuck, call the program that issued the notice. If a long-term care facility problem is involved, contact the ombudsman. If you cannot reach the first person you called, call the main AAA line again and ask for a supervisor or options counselor.
Backup options while you wait
- Ask 211 for food pantries, utility funds, shelters, or transportation in your ZIP code.
- Ask your doctor or hospital social worker for a discharge planning or home health referral.
- Call your Medicare Advantage or Medicaid plan, if you have one, and ask about care coordination.
- Ask your township trustee about emergency help if rent, utilities, or basic needs are the issue.
- Call local senior centers, libraries, and faith groups for meal days, rides, classes, or wellness calls.
- Ask your AAA if another county program can help while a main program is full.
Resumen en español
Las Agencias del Área sobre el Envejecimiento en Indiana ayudan a adultos mayores, personas con discapacidades y cuidadores. Pueden ayudar con comidas, transporte, apoyo para cuidadores, preguntas de Medicare, ayuda en el hogar, centros para adultos mayores y opciones de cuidado a largo plazo.
Para empezar, llame al 800-713-9023 y diga su código postal. Si necesita comida, refugio, ayuda con servicios públicos o seguridad esta semana, marque 2-1-1 o llame al 866-211-9966. Si sospecha abuso, negligencia o explotación financiera de una persona mayor, llame a Adult Protective Services al 800-992-6978.
Tenga a mano su condado, seguro médico, ingresos, cartas oficiales y una lista clara de lo que necesita. Pregunte qué ayuda está abierta ahora, qué tiene lista de espera y cuál es el próximo paso. No comparta su número de Seguro Social ni datos bancarios hasta confirmar que está hablando con una oficina oficial o una agencia local confiable.
FAQ
How many Area Agencies on Aging are in Indiana?
Indiana has 15 Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers serving 16 planning and service areas. Some agencies cover more than one area.
What is the main Indiana AAA phone number?
Call 800-713-9023 and give your ZIP code. You can also call the local office in your county from the table above.
Can an Indiana AAA help me find a senior center?
Yes. Ask your AAA for senior centers, meal sites, activity programs, and transportation options near your ZIP code. Local rules and schedules vary.
Do I have to be low income to call an AAA?
No. You can ask for information, referrals, options counseling, caregiver support, and Medicare help even if you do not meet Medicaid or SNAP income rules. Some specific services do have income, need, age, or funding limits.
Can an Indiana AAA help with Medicaid home care?
Yes. Your AAA can help with screening for the PathWays home and community-based services waiver. The waiver has a waiting list, so start early and keep your contact information current.
Who should I call about a nursing home problem?
Call the Indiana Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 800-622-4484 for resident rights, care problems, discharge issues, or concerns in nursing homes and licensed assisted living settings.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified May 29, 2026, next review August 29, 2026.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Next review: August 29, 2026
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