Our History
Our story began with a simple idea: help older adults remain independent, healthy, and connected to their communities.
When the Older Americans Act was passed in 1965, it created a nationwide network to support older adults. Missouri established a State Unit on Aging to oversee these new services, helping communities develop programs that would make aging at home possible for more people.
In 1972, Missouri was divided into 21 regional planning and service areas. The University of Missouri was selected to organize services for southwest Missouri and hired Winston Bledsoe to lead the effort, with Dorothy (Rambo) Knowles serving alongside him. On October 1, 1972, the Lakes Country Regional Council on Aging opened its first office in a leased building on South Stewart Avenue in Springfield.
The new organization served ten counties—Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster. After listening to local communities, two needs quickly rose to the top: nutritious meals and reliable transportation for older adults.
To meet those needs, volunteers helped establish County Councils on Aging throughout the region. These local groups partnered with us to launch services that made a real difference in their communities. Today, the County Councils in Barry, Lawrence, and Polk counties remain active partners in serving older adults.
In 1973, those early efforts expanded rapidly. With a small federal grant and a dedicated team, the organization helped open nine senior centers in just six weeks—laying the foundation for a network of services that continues to grow today. (Congress.gov)
As the needs of older adults evolved, so did we. What began as the Lakes Country Regional Council on Aging became the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging, and in 2016 we adopted the name SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging—a name that better reflects who we are and the people we proudly serve.
Today, SeniorAge serves 17 counties across southwest Missouri through senior centers, home-delivered meals, transportation, caregiver support, Medicare assistance, wellness programs, advocacy, and many other services. While we've grown tremendously since 1972, our purpose remains the same:
Working together. Finding options. Bettering lives.
- 1965 – Older Americans Act becomes law
- 1972 – Lakes Country Regional Council on Aging is established
- 1973 – First senior centers open across southwest Missouri
- 1999 – Founder Winston Bledsoe retires after helping build one of Missouri's leading aging organizations
- 2016 – Southwest Missouri Office on Aging becomes SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging
- Today – Serving older adults in 17 counties through dozens of programs and senior centers
