Rhondda Cynon Taf council is set to close three of its four remaining day centres due to low usage and the rising costs of keeping them open.
The day centres in Maerdy, Williamstown and Gelli are set to go - but the one in Gilfach Goch is set to stay open.
Locals are unhappy over the controversial plans.
But local authority chiefs say pressures on their budget coupled with the costs of keeping the centres running have forced their hand.
A report to the council's cabinet said: "The majority of the remaining open access community day centres are under-utilised and the current service model does not meet the needs of the majority of older people in our communities and is no longer sustainable"
The council estimates that over the next five years the four buildings would cost £500,000 to repair - with the biggest cost being for Nazareth House, Williamstown around £165,000.
Time for change has come for RCT's day centres, councillor says
The cost per meal to the council at the centres is said to be "significant" at all four - and in one case is nearly £21 per meal.
Any money saved by the change would go in to supporting essential adult social care services, the report added.
A petition signed by 488 people was submitted to the council in support of keeping the Gilfach Goch centre open along with a letter from the local councillor Aurfron Roberts.
People said there would be a loss of opportunities to meet and socialise in these premises and the loss of access to a subsidised meal.
Others were concerned over the buildings being potentially left empty and falling into disrepair and supported exploring wider community
uses that would keep the buildings open and may be more sustainable
Following the closure of St George’s Day Centre in Tonyrefail , the council said it expects the numbers of people using Gilfach Goch to increase in 2019/2020 - and it will stay open as it has the highest usage and lowest net cost of the remaining centres.
Cabinet members are expected to make a final decision on the recommendations on Wednesday, May 8.
