Across the country, there are only about 200 nationally accredited senior centers and Rochester recently joined their ranks.

“This is a huge accomplishment,” Rochester Council on Aging Director Sharon Lally said. “It’s been wonderful for the community, and the people of Rochester should be very proud of their senior center.”

Lally said the Rochester Council on Aging, with the assistance of 73 people, spent a year preparing an application. In August, the report was sent to the National Council on Aging for evaluation.

Lally described the designation as the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.” The process is voluntary and helps senior center volunteers and staff better develop programs to benefit the wellbeing and safety of Rochester’s older adults.

“It was a lot of work to go through the process, but it helps us evaluate, update, and find areas that need improvement,” Lally said. “We were so fortunate to have so many people participating.”

Nine committees addressed governance, administration, program planning, fiscal responsibility, and many other issues at the senior center.

Those committees then submitted their findings in a portfolio to the National Council on Aging and the National Senior Center Accreditation Board.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the council members hosted Dianne Stone, of Newington, Conn., who toured the senior center. She consulted with Jill Kranz, of Wisconsin, who checked in remotely with Stone during the visit. Both are trained and certified to conduct the accreditation process.

During the review, Stone met community members, witnessed center programs, checked records, and evaluated the site’s cleanliness, and accessibility.

Lally said the reviewers wrote a 10-page report that was sent to the national office. On Sept. 27, via conference call, the council learned about the successful accreditation. The vote was unanimous.

Lally said the accreditation status lasts five years. After that, she said the Council on Aging would begin the process again.

The designation might help the center secure future grants, she said, and added a celebration will be in order.

For more information on the accreditation process, call Lally at 508-763-8723.