Senior Connection Center

Senior Connection Center (SCC) (formerly the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging)  was established as a private nonprofit organization in 1981. We serve  as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for the Florida counties of Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk, Highlands and Hardee. Our mission is to help older adults and persons with disabilities live with independence and dignity. We do that by connecting seniors, disabled adults and their caregivers to the most appropriate and affordable services and programs available to meet their needs. Most people make their initial contact with SCC through our Elder Helpline, 1-800-96-ELDER, where we utilize an extensive, state-wide database (REFER and eCIRTS) to identify the best local resources for our callers. In addition to that we offer a federal program, that is supported mainly by volunteers, that program is known as SHINE. The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program is part of the nation‐wide State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP). There are SHIP programs in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. Each SHIP program serves the same function: providing free, unbiased counseling on Medicare and related health insurance topics.