We’ve found several wish-granting organizations that work like Make a Wish for elderly adults! These charities specifically help seniors make their dreams come true. Whether you want to travel, return to an old hobby, or check something off of your bucket list, these agencies may be able to help.
This list is dedicated to seniors who are at least 65 years old. We have separate lists of wish-granting organizations for adults, veterans and children elsewhere on our site.
About Senior Wish Granting Programs
Senior wish programs are charitable initiatives that grant meaningful experiences to older adults, much like the well-known programs do for children.
Each organization sets its own eligibility rules. Most require applicants to:
- Be at least 65 years old (some accept younger applicants in special cases).
- Live in a certain location or meet income guidelines.
- Be physically and mentally able to enjoy the wish.
- Get doctor’s permission before participating in the wish
The application process is usually simple:
- Submit a request: Seniors, family members, or care facility staff can often apply.
- Provide documentation: Proof of age, residency, and in some cases, income or health status.
- Share your story: Many programs focus on compelling personal stories that explain why the wish matters.
- Experience the wish: The charity works with you to make the dream a reality, often covering all costs.
Because most programs can only grant one wish per person, it’s important to choose something truly meaningful. Whether it’s reuniting with loved ones, returning to a cherished hobby, or traveling to a dream destination, senior wish programs are about creating joy and lasting memories.
Programs Like Make a Wish for Elderly Adults
The following list starts with organizations that serve people nationwide, followed by programs available only in specific states or counties. Please note that each agency sets their own eligibility criteria, so it’s important to choose the right organization for you.
AARP Wish of a Lifetime
AARP runs a program called Wish of a Lifetime that works much like Make-A-Wish for seniors. It focuses on fulfilling meaningful, lifelong dreams for people age 65 and older in the U.S. and its territories.
Every wish must be tied to a compelling personal story and should fulfill a lifelong goal. Past wishes have included helping a veteran return to Pearl Harbor, sending a lifelong hockey fan to a big game, and arranging for a movie enthusiast to attend an awards ceremony.
The program does not provide pay for your household expenses, assist with publishing, or provide vacations unless the travel has a meaningful purpose. Remember, their goal is to create memorable experiences that have deep personal significance.
In order to be eligible:
- You must be at least 65 years old.
- You must live in the United States or a US territory.
- You must be physically and mentally capable of communicating and experiencing the wish.
You can apply online at the Wish of a Lifetime website. Remember to write detailed answers about why the wish is meaningful to you, what prompted it, and when you first knew that you wanted this wish.
AARP focuses on compelling story experiences, so you’re more likely to be selected if you can emphasize why you deserve this wish and why it is meaningful to you. Presenting your story in a powerful way will improve your chances of being selected.
Twilight Wish
Low income seniors may be able to get a wish granted from Twilight Wish! This organization strives to help low income seniors make their dreams come true.
The types of wishes granted from this organization typically fall into one of three categories:
- Simple Need wishes may include getting a wheelchair, adjustable armchair, or tablet.
- Living Life to the Fullest wishes involve experiences and bucket-list adventures. This could involve going to a ballgame or another event. This is their program that is most like Make a Wish for elderly adults.
- Celebrating a Life wishes involve reliving memories and celebrating your life. This could include going back to your hometown for a visit.
They do not provide vacations, home repairs, cash, medical items, or funeral expenses. However, they may help with purposeful travel that has a personal meaning.
In order to be eligible:
- You must a US citizen.
- You must be at least 65 years old OR a permanent resident of an eldercare facility.
- You must have an annual income that is less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- You must have a history of giving back to others in some way, whether through military service, community volunteering, or serving your family.
- You must be cognitively and physically capable of communicating and experiencing the wish.
You can apply for a Twilight Wish by downloading the application from their website. You will need to fill it out and include supporting documentation that proves your age, income, residence and more. Remember, decisions can take up to 60 days.
Trip of Honor
The Trip of Honor program helps veterans visit their former battlegrounds to view the monuments that stand in their honor.
In order to be eligible, you must be at least 65 years old and a veteran with an honorable discharge.
This organization takes senior veterans to monuments in Belgium, England, Germany, Italy, France, Hawaii, South Korea, Vietam, and Washington DC. You can see a list of upcoming trips on the Forever Young Veterans website.
Trips that are not yet fully booked can be requested by clicking “Apply for this Trip” on the Forever Young Vets website.
Elderly Wish Foundation (CA)
This organization serves a very specific group of people in Contra Costa County, California. They have granted specific wishes for eligible seniors, such as new wheel chairs, special birthday dinners, or trips to local destinations.
In order to be eligible, you much match these guidelines:
- You must be at least 50 years old.
- You must be diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness.
- You must live in Contra Costa County, California.
If you meet the requirements, you can contact the organization for application instructions.
Senior Wishes (NY)
Senior Wishes provides wishes for seniors. They focus on granting wishes that will make a big impact on your quality of life or happiness. You don’t even need a medical diagnosis to apply for a wish!
The wishes granted by this organization include travel to a hometown, reconnecting with a loved one, celebrating a passion, or engaging in an old hobby. Lifelong dreams like riding in a hot air balloon, going to a ballgame or learning a new skill may also be granted.
In order to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a US citizen.
- You must be at least 65 years old.
- You must live in Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans or Wyoming County in New York.
- You must have an annual household income that is less than $38,000 for a single person or $44,000 for a couple. If you are a permanent resident of a care facility, that counts too.
- You must be cognitively, emotionally, and physically capable of communicating and experiencing the wish.
- You must be unable to fulfill the wish on your own or with help from your family.
To get started, complete the wish application on the Senior Wishes website.
FAQs about Senior Wishes
If you’re thinking about applying for a senior wish program, you might have questions about how they work, who qualifies, and what to expect. While each organization is different, many share similar rules and processes. These answers will help you understand your options — and avoid applying to programs that are no longer active.
Senior wish programs are charities that grant meaningful experiences to seniors, basically like a Make-A-Wish for elderly people. They often help seniors reconnect with loved ones, revisit special places, or try something they’ve always wanted to do.
Eligibility rules vary, but most require applicants to be at least 65 years old, physically and mentally able to participate, and sometimes meet income or residency requirements. Some programs also consider applicants under 65 if they live in a care facility or have special circumstances.
Applications are usually available on each organization’s website. You may need to submit proof of age, residency, income, and the reason for your wish. Many programs also look for a compelling personal story when deciding which wishes to grant.
Yes. Legitimate senior wish programs are funded by donations and sponsorships, so the experience is provided at no cost to the applicant. Some programs may ask for help with travel or incidental expenses if you are able to contribute, because that helps free up more of the agency’s funding to help other seniors.
These programs rely on donations and volunteers, so some eventually close. For example, Seniors Have Dreams Too (last updated in 2016), Bucket List Foundation (website now past-tense), and Never Too Late (ended in 2011) are no longer operating. If you come across these names in older articles, know they are no longer accepting applications. That’s why we didn’t include them in our list of of programs like Make a Wish for elderly adults.
Relief Recap
There are many different wish-granting organizations that operate like Make a Wish for seniors! These range from well-known nationwide organizations like AARP to little-known local organizations like Senior Wishes. This list includes many different options for seniors who would like to have a wish granted.
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Hi. Have you reached out to your local Area Agency on Aging? They may be able to offer some advice and resources.
https://lowincomerelief.com/area-agency-on-aging/
Everyone is saying 65 and ove for seniors.
Is there a foundation in Oregon that helps elderly people with comfortable travel to see a loved one for the last time, even if it is overseas?