The Stephen Palmer Senior Center promotes health and wellness by providing a place to socialize and offering a variety of on-going recreational, health, educational and informational programs and activities. The Center also houses the Council on Aging offices and staff to include the Executive Director the Associate Director the Transportation and Volunteer Coordinator, the Social Work Department and the S.H.I.N.E. program (Serving the Health and Information Needs of Elders) program.

In 1999, the Stephen Palmer Senior Center was the first Center in Massachusetts, and the 19th in the country, to be accredited by the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC).  The Center was reaccredited in 2004 and again in 2011. The rigorous accreditation process involved many community volunteers, in addition to the board and staff, working together on nine committees. The committees evaluated all aspects of the Center’s operations and developed a set of recommendations for further strengthening the programs and services. NISC peer reviewers visited in 1999, 2004 and 2011 and enthusiastically endorsed our application for accreditation.   The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization dedicated to providing a national voice for older Americans and the organizations that serve them.

The Needham Council on Aging is a member of the Town's Human Service Department along with the Youth Commission and Veterans Services.