Neighborhood Sites & Resources

Helplines and Hotlines

Abuse Hotline: 800-962-2873
Area Agency on Aging, Elder Helpline: 800-963-5337
Consumer Hotline: 800-435-7352
Medicare Hotline: 800-633-4227
2-1-1 Big Bend: 617-6333 or 211

Grandparents as Parents (GaP)

Raising your grandchildren can be challenging and socially isolating. Getting support and camaraderie from others in the same situation is key to making the situation manageable and can make a positive difference.

The Grandparents as Parents (GaP) program assists grand-families by providing support groups, educational seminars, legal services, health screenings, family picnics and field trips as well as access to community agencies. Lunch meetings are generally held on the last Wednesday of the month at the Leroy Collins public library from 12-1:30pm.

GaP is a program of the Tallahassee Senior Foundation funded by the Leon County Commission, grants and donations. For more information, call Karen Boebinger at 891-4027 or email Karen.Boebinger@talgov.com.

UPSLIDE (Utilizing and Promoting Social Engagement for Loneliness, Isolation and Depression in the Elderly)

UPSLIDE is a program that addresses isolation, loneliness and depression. Do you have a friend who is lonely? Do you have a neighbor that rarely leaves the house? Would you, yourself, like to become more socially connected? Loneliness, isolation and depression have reached epidemic proportions, and now, help is available to break the cycle. Funded by a grant from the Florida Blue Foundation, UPSLIDE serves people age 50 and older by offering individual counseling, chat groups and support to become socially engaged. Please email Melanie.Lachman@talgov.com or call 850-891-4066 for more information/assistance.

UPSLIDE Friends Connection: A Friendly Chat Group Just for You
Thursdays, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Conf. Rm. 3A, OR Mondays, 3:00-4:30 p.m., 2nd Floor Auditorium, Tallahassee Senior Center, 1400 N. Monroe St. Feeling alone can impact health and impair successful aging. This weekly program aims to help you meet new people, share ideas, practice communication skills, engage in meaningful conversation, and have fun! For more information, email Melanie.Lachman@talgov.com or call 891-4066. We encourage you to take that first step and join UPSLIDE at the TSC or at one of our outreach sites:

• Ft. Braden Community Center, 16387 Blountstown Hwy., (4th Wednesday of the month), 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Chaires-Capitola Dorothy C. Spence Community Center, 4768 Chaires Cross Rd., (1st Tuesday of the month), 11 a.m. - noon
• Miccosukee Community Center, 13887 Moccasin Gap Rd., (2nd Tuesday of the month), 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Light lunch provided.

UPSLIDE is sponsored by the Florida Blue Foundation and the Tallahassee Senior Center Foundation. The mission of Tallahassee Senior Services is to offer programs, activities, and opportunities designed to encourage active living, optimal aging, and social fitness for independent adults age 50+.

Lunchtime at TSC

Lunch Bunch, Provided by Elder Care Services
Mondays – Fridays, 12:00n
A nutritious hot lunch. Individuals age 60 and over are eligible to eat. Donations are accepted. Reservations must be made by calling the Senior Center by Noon the previous day or Elder Care Services at 921-5554 by 1:00pm. Some transportation to the meal site is also provided by Elder Care Services.

Counseling and Referral Services

Senior Resource Information & Referral Assistance
Mondays - Fridays, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Senior resource information and materials are available for seniors, caregivers, professionals, and students working with seniors. Customized resource packages and contact information are compiled to meet individual needs. For more information call 850-891-4043.

Senior Counseling (by appointment)
Shirley J. Zahn, LMFT, BCBA
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00am - 4:30pm
A mental health counselor is available two days per week by appointment. Medicare and private insurance for both individual and family counseling will be accepted. To schedule an appointment, call 891-4032 and leave a message.

Seniors vs. Crime
Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Sponsored by the office of the Florida Attorney General, Seniors vs. Crime is a program in which senior volunteers, known as "Senior Sleuths," assist other seniors who feel they may have been victimized by a fraud, scam or unfair business deal. Senior Sleuths investigate cases and serve as mediators in civil cases in an attempt to recover all or part of money lost. Call the Seniors vs. Crime office at 891-4044 to have a case reviewed.

Legal Services of North Florida (by appointment)
Wednesdays, 11:00am - 1:30pm
Volunteer attorneys provide legal services to qualifying seniors, age 60 and older. Appointments are required through the Center receptionist. Participants may also request services by calling NFLS at 385-9007 or through the NFLS website at www.lsnf.org.

SHINE Insurance Counseling
Mondays, 10:00 - 11:00am
The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program, sponsored by the Department of Elder Affairs, provides volunteer counselors to help seniors with insurance-related questions and problems. Specially trained volunteers can assist with Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance questions and problems by providing information, comparing policies, and helping with claims and appeals. Call 891-4000 for appointment.

Senior Financial Counseling
Available to Senior Center participants on an as-needed, pro-bono basis.

Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc.
FTRI is a statewide non profit 501(c)3 organization that administers the Specialized Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program for citizens of Florida who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind and Speech Disabled. FTRI is also responsible for the education and promotion of the Florida Relay Service. The FTRI equipment distribution program and the Florida Relay Service are funded by a monthly surcharge billed to all telephone customers (landlines) in the State of Florida. The specialized telephone equipment and ring signaling devices provided through this program are loaned to all qualified permanent Florida residents for as long as they need it, at no charge.

AARP Tax Aide (by appointment)
Mondays - Fridays, 1:30 - 4:45pm, and Wednesdays, 1:30 - 7:30pm | February 3 - April 15
Trained volunteers provide free tax preparation services and e-filing of Federal Income Taxes. The service is especially targeted for seniors and moderate to low-income taxpayers. AARP offers this service at no cost; donations accepted to the Tallahassee Senior Foundation. For an appointment, call 891-4030.

ACCESS Florida
As an ACCESS partner with the Florida Department of Children and Families, Tallahassee Senior Center staff can help seniors apply, update or inquire about eligibility status for Medicaid, food stamps, and other Medicaid related services. Call 891-4000 for appointment.

Active Living
The Senior Center's bi-monthly newsletter, included as a special pull-out section in the Tallahassee Democrat's Active Living magazine. Look for it the 2nd Sunday of January, March, May, July, September and November. Or pick one up at the Senior Center.

Senior Resources

Do you have questions about a senior issue or senior services available in the community? The Tallahassee Senior Resource Center has a variety of senior resources available and assists seniors, caregivers, and professionals with senior information and referral assistance when possible. Tallahassee Senior Services is a program of the City of Tallahassee Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department and supported by the Tallahassee Senior Citizens Foundation. We are located at 1400 N. Monroe Street. Call Sandra Stoutamire at 891-4043 or email for more information.

• Download the Senior Resources Guide (PDF)