If you’re helping an aging parent in Arlington Heights, here’s where to start — the senior center, township services, library, transit and Medicare help, each with the official phone number and a link to the source. Call ahead to confirm hours; programs change.
Getting help for a parent in Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights has more senior help packed into a few blocks than most suburbs, and most families don’t find out until a parent has already been through a crisis. Here is where to start.
The Arlington Heights Senior Center is at 1801 W. Central Road, at the corner of Central and New Wilke, about half a mile west of Northwest Community Hospital. The Village owns and runs it with seven partner agencies, and it’s open to people 55 and over. Those partners cover meals, health programs, library services, a lending closet for medical equipment, transportation, and classes. If your parent needs a walker for a few weeks after a hospital stay, the lending closet is a good first call. The main number is 847-253-5532.
For benefits and in-home help, the office you want is Wheeling Township’s senior and disability services, at 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road. The township runs home-delivered meals for homebound seniors on weekdays, a medical van and dial-a-bus service, free Medicare and supplemental insurance counseling through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), RTA reduced-fare applications, help with the senior homestead exemption on property taxes, and caregiver support groups. The main line is 847-259-7730, and the bus line is 847-259-7743.
The Arlington Heights Park District also runs programs for adults 50 and over, which helps if your parent is mobile but isolated.
A simple order of operations.
- Call the township first and confirm your parent’s address falls in its service area. The answer decides which office handles their benefits.
- If your parent has just come home from the hospital, ask the Senior Center about the lending closet and transportation.
- If it’s between mid-October and early December, book a SHIP appointment before the Medicare enrollment window closes on December 7. Our Medicare Open Enrollment guide explains what to change and what to leave alone.
Call ahead before you drive anywhere. Hours and programs change.
Editorial Review — Last verified: September 27, 2026 · Next review: March 26, 2027
Senior Center
Village of Arlington Heights Senior Center
Offers: daily lunch (Mon–Fri 12:00–1:15pm) and home-delivered meals; fitness, arts, dance and woodshop classes; day trips via the Arlington Classic Tour Club.
Address: 1801 W. Central Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: 847-253-5532
Hours: Mon & Wed 8:30am–8:00pm; Tue/Thu/Fri 8:30am–4:30pm; Sat 8:30am–12:30pm
Official page: vah.com/residents/senior_center
Call ahead to confirm hours and current programs.
Community Center / Park District
Arlington Heights Park District — Senior Programs
Offers: chair yoga, Zumba Gold, Tai Chi, strength training and Athletic Club access; art, dance, and day trips for ages 55+.
Register: call the Senior Center at 847-797-5341, online at ahpd.org, or in person.
Official page: ahpd.org/programs/seniors
Call ahead to confirm hours and current programs.
Township Senior Services
Wheeling Township Senior & Disability Services
Arlington Heights is mostly Wheeling Township; parts are in Elk Grove and Palatine Townships — your township depends on your address.
Offers: Medical Van and weekday Dial-A-Bus; free SHIP Medicare counseling; Senior Homestead Exemption help. Serves ages 60+ and disabled adults 18+.
Address: 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-259-7730 · Dial-A-Bus 847-259-7743
Official page: wheelingtownship.com/Senior-Disability-Services
Call ahead to confirm hours and current programs.
Public Library
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Offers: monthly delivery to homebound residents (illness, age, disability, or caregiver status); Talking Books and Bookmobile; Senior & Accessible Services staff.
Address: 500 N. Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-392-0100
Official page: ahml.info/services/senior
Call ahead to confirm hours and current programs.
Getting Around
Wheeling Township Dial-A-Bus & Medical Van
Service: door-to-door weekday rides for seniors and disabled residents.
Phone: 847-259-7743
Official page: wheelingtownship.com/Senior-Disability-Services
Call ahead to confirm hours and current programs.
Pace Suburban Bus serves Arlington Heights; see our Pace transit options for seniors guide for details.
Medicare & Benefits Help
Wheeling Township SHIP Counseling
Free, unbiased Medicare and supplement counseling by appointment.
Address: 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-259-7730
Official page: wheelingtownship.com/Senior-Disability-Services
Timely: Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct 15 – Dec 7. See our Medicare Open Enrollment guide.
Call ahead to confirm hours and current programs.
Meals, Caregiver Support & Emergency
Meals, Support & Emergency Contacts
Home-delivered meals: via Wheeling Township / AgeOptions network. Phone: 847-259-7730.
Arlington Heights Police — Non-Emergency: 847-368-5300 (200 E. Sigwalt St). Call 911 for emergencies. Official page
Caregiver support group: (call ahead to confirm current details)
AgeOptions (Area Agency on Aging, suburban Cook County): 708-383-0258 — ageoptions.org
Call ahead to confirm hours and current programs.
Rules for benefits and legal documents vary by situation and change over time. This is general information — consider talking with an elder law attorney or your local Area Agency on Aging for guidance specific to your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the senior center in Arlington Heights?
The Village of Arlington Heights Senior Center is at 1801 W. Central Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. You can reach it at 847-253-5532.
Does Arlington Heights have senior transportation?
Yes. Wheeling Township runs a weekday Dial-A-Bus and a Medical Van for seniors and disabled residents; call 847-259-7743. Pace Suburban Bus also serves the area.
Who runs senior services for Arlington Heights residents?
Most Arlington Heights residents are in Wheeling Township, whose Senior & Disability Services (847-259-7730) handles transportation, SHIP Medicare counseling and benefits help. Parts of the village fall in Elk Grove and Palatine Townships, so confirm your township by address.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Arlington Heights?
Wheeling Township offers free SHIP Medicare counseling by appointment at 1616 N. Arlington Heights Rd; call 847-259-7730. Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7.