What We Do
Age Well Across Connecticut
Age Well Across Connecticut recognizes places and programs that demonstrate age, dementia, and disability inclusivity — all across our state.
Each year, the Connecticut Age Well Collaborative asks Connecticut residents to tell us about the hidden gems in their communities — from the best accessible attractions, to the most welcoming local businesses, to the most inspiring programs and initiatives.
From those community nominations, we create our annual list of local picks of places and experiences, in-person and virtual. Find locations on our statewide list, or plan your route with our interactive Google map, organized by year.
Want to see your pick on next year’s list? Anyone can nominate and submissions are unlimited. Click here to submit yours! The nomination process takes less than 5 minutes. Nominations for the next list are due by June 30 will be released later that summer. Curious about previous lists? Click here to find 2024!
Our Selection Criteria
Local
Connecticut-based.
Established
Existing physical location or ongoing program (in-person or virtual).
Inclusive
Designed with an aging, dementia, and/or disability lens.
Visitable
Open to the public or a subset of the public.
Affordable
Free or low cost.
Community-Building
Strengthens community and part of community fabric; goes beyond individual opportunity.
Community-Nominated
No self-nominations.
Ideal nominations are by users who share personal examples or stories about what makes the nominee special. Nominees must go beyond compliance (e.g., it’s not enough to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act). Nominees whose work is inherently aging, dementia or disability-inclusive (e.g., senior centers) must be uniquely inclusive, compared to the industry standard.
Here’s a sample nomination:
Farmington Canal Heritage Trail & Farmington River Trail
With the mission to build, maintain, beautify, and connect off-road multi-use trails throughout central Connecticut communities, this incredible network of paved trails gives nature access to folks with walkers, wheelchairs, or limited mobility. The trail is a linear park or greenway that begins in New Haven and wends its way 54 miles north to the Massachusetts border and beyond. The trails that I have used are well maintained and have easy parking and access to get onto the paved, car-free trail. This trail has been such a miracle for me and my children. One of my kids is a wheelchair user and having so many access points for walking along the Farmington River or in the beautiful woods of Connecticut has been such a gift!
2025 Local Picks
2 Renshaw Road
Darien, CT 06820
Sycamore Hills Park
635 West Avon Road
Avon, CT 06001
Avon Senior Center/Community Room is a gathering place and hub of activities and services for older residents. The Senior Center has programs designed specifically with the older adult in mind and runs programs throughout the year in a variety of areas. The Center acts as a focal point for information, referrals and services which provides educational programming, health screenings, counseling, social and recreational activities, and volunteer opportunities. The Center strives to offer each individual rich and varied opportunities to continue growth and development. Families, spouses, caregivers, and the “sandwich generation” are encouraged to visit the Senior Center as a support resource. The Senior Center supports the social, educational, recreational, cognitive, physical and psychological needs of all seniors. We are committed to offering a safe and welcoming space to everyone. We strive to enhance the quality of life for all older adults.
Newtown Community Center
3 Primrose Street
Newtown, CT 06470
132 Hut Hill Road
Bridgewater, CT 06752
150 New Britain Avenue
Newington, CT 06111
The Newington Parks and Recreation Department, with funding from AARP, recently constructed an accessible outdoor exercise facility at the Clem Lemire Recreation Complex. There are several pieces of equipment that provide total body health, both aerobically and anaerobically. Adjacent to this exercise equipment is a newly constructed accessible playground. Both facilities are open to the public and are available for use at no cost. These improvements reflect the Parks and Recreation Department’s commitment to investing in the community and enhancing the quality of life for all.
41 West Street
Cromwell, CT 06416
The Cromwell Senior Center has a monthly calendar with over 40 activities that always include outreach to people with disabilities with accommodations and inclusivity components. This center is a lifeline to ongoing friendships, individual and group socialization, wellness, and cultural and recreational activities. The center is a constantly evolving platform for senior longevity, inclusivity, and rejuvenation. The center staff includes a director, outreach/program coordinator, senior center assistant, four bus drivers, and senior volunteers who serve the needs of all seniors with sensitivity while still focusing on inclusivity and accessibility.
28 Cutler Street
Stonington, CT 06378
Mystic Area Cycling Without Age (CWA Mystic) is a newly formed chapter and part of the global movement striving to improve mental health and promote connection. The goals include creating social interaction and intergenerational connections by providing active outdoor experiences for people of all ages and abilities on bikes. Operated entirely with volunteers, the program offers bike riding outings to older adults and people with disabilties in specialized tricycles with electric assist in a relaxing, comfortable front seat. Local volunteers called ‘pilots’ or drivers, are trained and organized to ride up to two passengers per scheduled outing. They schedule rides with care homes and senior centers around the community and offer residents an opportunity to be riding partners on the trishaw – the opportunity to get out on their own and experience freedom and independence they ordinarily would not be able to have. CWA Mystic was founded in 2020 under Bike Stonington’s umbrella as a nonprofit organization fully operated by volunteers – there is no fee for service required. They currently own one trishaw, the Chat, that is human powered with pedal assist. They currently have 11 volunteers who are trained as pilots.
154 Eagle Drive
Newington, CT 06111
56 miles through Connecticut
New Haven to the Massachusetts border
With the mission to build, maintain, beautify, and connect off-road multi-use trails throughout central Connecticut communities, this incredible network of paved trails gives nature access to folks with walkers, wheelchairs, or limited mobility. The trail is a linear park or greenway that begins in New Haven and wends its way 56 miles north to the Massachusetts border and beyond. The trails that I have used are well maintained and have easy parking and access to get onto the paved, car-free trail. This trail has been such a miracle for me and my children. One of my kids is a wheelchair user and having so many access points for walking along the Farmington River or in the beautiful woods of Connecticut has been such a gift!
Virtual program
57 Queen Street
Newtown, CT 06470
1783 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike
Plantsville, CT 06479
1261 South Main Street
Plantsville, CT 06479
For over 30 years, LiveWell has innovated with people experiencing cognitive change. This nomination is specifically for the Gathering Place Café at LiveWell. Inspired by The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders, a pop-up café in Japan where all servers have dementia, the café is a space where individuals experiencing cognitive change share their strengths, maintain purpose, have fun, and show how resilience is practiced. The café (and everything at LiveWell) has been shaped by people living with dementia self-advocating and requesting different levels of resources. Educating the public and other professionals to foster a well informed perception of dementia and working to diminish the fear and stigma associated with dementia are also necessary in ensuring that opportunities to live well with dementia are realized and promoted. The Gathering Place is airy, comfortable, and is filled with plant life and other fun touches, like a deck of question cards to start interesting conversations.
549 Middle Turnpike East
Manchester, CT 06040
The mission of the Manchester Senior Center is to promote socialization, community involvement, independence, and enrichment of the lives of older adults in Manchester. The center offers a comprehensive array of activities and services to meet the needs and interests of Manchester’s seniors, encourages healthy lifestyles and supports lifelong learning. Diverse activities and programs are offered including card games, bingo, woodworking, and various exercise classes like Zumba Gold, Chair Yoga, and Tai Chi. The center fosters a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, promoting socialization and community involvement among older adults. The staff and teachers are friendly, helpful, and create a supportive environment. The center is wheelchair accessible and offers adaptive activities to cater to seniors with varying abilities.
144 West Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06702
The Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut strives for inclusivity and has made efforts to be welcoming and accessible to a diverse audience as a community-focused cultural hub. The museum has a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom and the entire museum is fully accessible with elevator access to all floors. They actively engage with the community to provide learning opportunities about art and cultural history to diverse audiences. The museum uses its history collections to tell the stories of the community and partners with neighborhood associations, ethnic organizations, and manufacturing groups. They offer various educational programs for different age groups. The Museum recently featured “Collide: Art and Memory” in its Monteiro Family Community Gallery. The exhibit showcased artwork created by participants from the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut chapter. The display, which was on view through August 24, culminates the “Memories @ The MATT program,” a yearlong program that welcomed individuals with early stage dementia and their loved ones for monthly art-making experiences.
9 Jepson Drive
Milford, CT 06460
The Milford Senior Center is a place where laughter echoes and friendships blossom. For years, the team has been dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults through engaging activities, social services and food-based programs in a warm and inviting atmosphere which foster relationships and combat social isolation. Leonora Rodriguez, as the Excutive Director of this hub for older adults in Milford has made so many improvements to the center including adding staff and programming. Recent grants have provided evidence-based therapies for their dementia program. The senior center offers lunch daily, trips, creative classes and exercise daily.
167 Tolland Stage Road
Tolland, CT 06084
When you first enter the wheelchair-accessible Monet’s Table restaurant, you are cheerfully greeted and welcomed by the hostess as if you are a personal friend whom she is glad to see. This sense of personal connection is particularly meaningful. The servers are attentive, friendly and knowledgeable about food allergies and are able to make appropriate recommendations as well as diligent in communicating this important information to the kitchen staff, and follow up often to ensure your safety and satisfaction. The ambiance is very homey and comfortable. It gives one the feel of having been invited to dinner at an a friend’s beautiful home. The restaurant is quiet enough to be able to easily carry on a conversation with your dining partner. Even if you are dining alone, you are treated like a welcomed dinner guest at a dear friend’s home because the friendly servers will to chat with you which provides a welcomed sense of companionship. So you leave your dining experience feel nourished in spirit, mind, and body. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday.
120 Cedar Street, #2665
Newington, CT 06111
189 Pool Road
North Haven, CT 06473
1283 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Semilla Cafe + Studio is a neighborhood hangout featuring coffee, prepared foods, and small plates, plus live music and a community focus. Celebrated as a “neighborhood living room” it aims to carve an accessible community space for BIPOC and LGBTQIA people in Hartford. This cafe is accessible to wheelchairs and has two gender neutral ADA bathrooms. It is known for its welcoming energy, warm and inviting atmosphere and amazing coffee. It’s a place someone can land for a few minutes or a few hours.
50 South Main Street, Suite 216
West Hartford, CT 06107
The Seniors Job Bank connects people aged 50+ with paid and volunteer opportunities in Greater Hartford, matching their skills with the needs of businesses, homeowners, municipalities, and nonprofits. SJB contributes to the financial and social well-being of its job seekers as well as to the general economic health of the greater Hartford region. Established in 1975, the Seniors Job Bank enables talented mature workers to contribute their experience and wisdom to employers that value their skills.
126 Ratlum Road
New Hartford, CT 06057
Bishops Corner Senior Center
15 Starkel Road
West Hartford, CT 06107
Elmwood Senior Center
1106 New Britain Avenue, 2nd Floor
West Hartford, CT 06107
West Hartford’s two senior centers offer a variety of recreational activities, social services and preventative health services to the town’s senior citizens. There are hundreds of activities for older adults to choose from including classes in the arts, wellness and personal development and sports and fitness. Throughout the year, there are lectures and presentations as well as numerous special events and trips. Both senior centers also coordinate with social services and various community organizations to offer assistance programs to older adults with special needs or concerns. The senior centers publish bi-monthly bulletins that contain information of interest to older adults as well as a complete schedule of programs and activities. Non-residents are welcome to participate in West Hartford senior center activities and become a member. To become a member you must be age 55 or older. Membership is free for West Hartford residents and $40 per calendar year for non-West Hartford residents, which entitles you to participation at both the Elmwood and Bishops Corner Senior Center. We welcome all adults to participate in our programs without membership.
Explore the Map
Plan Your Trip
Get out and explore Age Well Across Connecticut — right in your neighborhood or farther afield!
Use our interactive Google Map to explore locations and plan your route. (Pro tip: check the box next to the 2024 layer to see last year’s picks!)
Get Involved
Share Your Visits
Share your visits to our local picks with the hashtag #AgeWellAcrossCT!
We also invite you to join the movement and build upon our list by using the hashtag to share other inclusive gems that you discover around Connecticut.
