Senior Services

The Senior Services Program is designed to help seniors in the community to maintain the highest quality of life possible. There are approximately 150,000 residents aged 60 years and over in the city of Dallas.

Senior Services Program functions:

• Serve as the City representative for input on various issues that affect seniors (housing, social benefits, transportation, City services, gaps in services, etc).
• Provide information, referral and case management services to older adults that involve complex issues of senior living and their well being.
• Resolve non-traditional concerns through the Senior Ombudsman staff person that may involve hoarding, issues for individuals living alone, consumer complaints, etc., that are not necessarily an emergency in nature.
• Provide staff support to the 15-member City Council appointed Senior Affairs Commission and its four (4) committees (Budget, Health, Victimization, and Older Americans Month).
• Educate and inform the public on senior resources and information through speaking to groups at conferences and seminars, and through exhibits at special events.
• Provide wheel chair ramp applications intake for seniors aged 60 and over, or the disabled. Applications are referred to Dallas Ramp Project, a 100 per cent volunteer staffed organization that rely on individual donations and corporate partners to provide funding, building materials, and facilities for their work. There is no cost for the ramp or installation. There is an approximate six (6) month ramp installation waiting period.
• Collaborate with social/human service organizations to assess aging needs and seek options to address gaps in services. Organizations include, but are not limited to, Dallas Area Agency on Aging, The Senior Source, and Adult Protective Services (elder abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect cases).

Senior Highlights Newsletter
(In production) (Adobe PDF)

Senior Affairs Commission

The Senior Affairs Commission is a 15-member advisory body appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The functions of the Commission are:

• Recommend the role of the City and the Commission in ensuring the provision of services to the elderly;
• Advise the City Council as requested on elderly issues;
• Provide access for citizens’ comments on elderly issues;
• Assist the City in the identification of programs for the elderly that are needed in the community; and
• Perform other duties assigned by the City Council

The Commission holds regular meetings each month (with the exception of July), and committee meetings and public hearings as needed.

The Commission’s work is accomplished through standing and ad hoc committees. The Commission and members operate under the Robert Rules of Order. The committees are Budget, Health, Housing, Transportation, Victimization, and Communications.

Senior Affairs Commission
Mission Statement

To enhance the quality of life of the 150,000 senior citizens in the City of Dallas by promoting independence, dignity and purpose through education, volunteerism, and services.

To contact Senior Affairs Commission members, call 214-670-5709, or
write to:
City of Dallas Senior Services
1500 Marilla, Room 6BN
Dallas, TX 75201
Attn: Constance Smith