“You can go to museums, the theater, eat out — all for just a few dollars. And you can ride free, too.”
Mary Groce, a lesbian elder who lives in the Gayborhood at the John C. Anderson apartments for LGBT seniors, touted the fact that Philadelphia is among the best cities in the country for seniors to stay active in their communities affordably. Groce said that the first step at affordable life for many seniors is to get an Access card, which will provide discounts for many local venues. These cards are income-based, and the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (215-765-9040) can provide information on how to obtain one.
Many seniors live on limited incomes from sources that may include Social Security, a small pension or some other form of government assistance. With few resources at their disposal, finding services for free or discounted prices is vital.
In Philadelphia, a key senior bargain is transportation. Seniors age 65 and older, with a valid ID (driver’s license or non-driver’s card), can ride free at all times on all transit routes (bus, trolley, trackless trolley, Broad Street/Broad Ridge Spur Line, Market Frankford Line/Norristown High-Speed Line). SEPTA provides seniors with an ID card which can be issued at SEPTA Headquarters at 1234 Market St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, or at the SEPTA Accessible Travel Center, room 109, at Suburban Station. Seniors can call 855-567-3782 to find out more about the discounted card.
There are many services available through the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, 642 N. Broad St. The center is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A comprehensive website (pcacares.org) details services and events and activities for seniors. Many people go to PCA to meet and spend time with other seniors. John James, a gay elder living in Center City and doing research on aging, said that it is critically important for seniors to stay active and engaged in their community. “Isolation, loneliness and depression are interconnected,” James explained.
Each year in honor of Older Americans Month in May, PCA’s “Celebrate Arts & Aging” showcases the achievements and creativity of older artists. Artists are now invited to submit works for the 2020 celebration. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, March 25. Work must have been created in the past three years by an individual aged 55 or older. Each person may submit one work for consideration.
The Philadelphia museum circuit is expansive. The Philadelphia Museum of Art is pay-as-you-wish from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the first Sunday of every month and from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. every Wednesday. While it is not technically free, you only need to pay a penny to meet the requirement. The Rodin Museum, also on the Parkway, is pay-as-you-wish every day. PMA is closed on Mondays; the Rodin is closed Tuesdays.
The Barnes Foundation offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Institute of Contemporary Art on the University of Pennsylvania campus is free at all times. The Franklin Institute has scheduled free nights and senior discounts: 215-448-1200.
All Center City movie theaters have senior discounts: AMC theaters and the Ritz theaters. The Wilma, Merriam, Forrest and Walnut Street theaters have senior discounts. The Kimmel Center has some discounted performances.
Many chain stores and local shops offer percentage discounts or days when seniors can get a discount. These can range from 5 to 20 percent, which can be a significant savings on clothing or other essentials. Kohls, Target, Ross and Belk all offer senior discounts.
Many local fooderies have senior discounts, including fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Wendy’s and eat-in chains like Sizzler, Denny’s, IHOP and others. Check with your local/nearby foodery to see what they offer and when, as some discounts are dependant on day or times.
In Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs, there are also Meals-on-Wheels programs for those who may be food insecure. PCA has a listing for the various programs throughout the city, their hours and what they offer. MANNA also provides meals for seniors who are HIV+ or who have other illnesses: 215-496-2662
If you are a senior with a home in Philadelphia, you may qualify for a 25 percent discount on your water and sewer bill. To receive the discount, you must be at least 65 years old and live at the address listed on the application. You can also get senior discounts for your cell phone service by calling your provider. Discounts can be significant. Also, most local banks offer discounts on all banking fees.
Finally, ElderCare.gov is a great resource for a wide range of free and discounted services, and most know that joining AARP will provide numerous discounts as well.