Senior Centers are needed 1

As President of our local senior center, I understand that social participation is a central component of the activities and programs we run. Over the last few months, one of the programs I have participated in is an outreach to our older members. In my conversations with these members, they tell me what they miss most is the social component. My counterparts in adjacent communities have different programs and services, we all strive to provide opportunities for social participation and interaction.

Our senior centre like many is designed to promote health and provide a community focal point on ageing by enabling older adults to come together for services and activities that enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement in and with the community. We provide services to support older adults including health and social support services, subsidized meals, and information and referrals. In addition, we offer a wide range of programs including fitness, recreation, nutrition, education, and volunteer activities, designed to enhance social participation and promote health and well-being. Our center is different than others in the Tri-Cities area and we all vary in terms of the services and programs that offered, and they range in size, facilities, and program focus. This diversity reflects, in part, a response to the different needs of their members, as well as the size and source of their funding from each community.

There is research (Aday, 2003; Pardasani and Thompson, 2010; Strain, 2001), that suggests older adults who attend senior centres differ from those who do not in that they tend to be: 

•      more likely to be single, widowed or living alone

•      female

•      between the ages of 75-84; participation tends to decline into very old age as the likelihood of frailty and physical limitations increases

•      relatively healthier

The benefits of senior centre participation

Evidence suggests that senior centres promote the health and well-being of older adults through the provision of health and support services, by encouraging active and healthy aging, and by providing a social environment that is conducive to social participation and well-being (Aday, Kehoe & Farney, 2006; Fitzpatrick, McCabe, Gitelson, & Andereck, 2005).

Social benefits

Senior centres protect older adults against the negative health consequences associated with social isolation by providing: 

•       friendships (Aday, Kehoe, & Farney, 2006)

•       social support (Fitzpatrick, Gitelson, Andereck, & Mesbur, 2005)

•       social networks (Ashida and Heaney, 2008)

•       social inclusion (Moody and Phinney, 2012)

Physical health benefits

There is a growing body of research investigating the relationship between senior centre participation and health.

Fitzpatrick, Gitelson, Andereck, and Mesbur (2005) study of participants at 2 senior centres in Ontario, indicated that social support received from friends or staff at the senior centre had a significant positive impact on participants’ perceptions of their physical health.

Mental health benefits

Research on senior centres suggests that participation is also associated with   a variety of mental health benefits.

Choi and McDougall (2007) compared depressive symptoms between homebound older adults and those attending senior centres. The authors found significantly higher rates of depression among homebound older adults compared to older adults who participated in senior centres.

Overall, the research on senior centres and mental health suggests that mental health benefits are related to the social environment and the social support that older adults access through senior centres. By fostering the exchange of social support, senior centres protect older adults against the negative health impacts associated with social isolation.

Senior centres and health promotion

Studies have also evaluated the effectiveness and the impact of health promotion interventions conducted within senior centres.

A senior centre-based nutrition intervention showed the reported consumption of at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables daily increased by 21% (Hendrix et al., 2008).

Krieger et al. (2000) conducted a randomized control trial of a senior centre-based program designed to increase pneumococcal and influenza immunization rates in older adults. The program used an educational mailing and tracking and outreach by volunteers from the senior centre. The intervention significantly increased immunization rates.

In sum, research on health interventions suggests that senior centres can be effective venues for health promotion and prevention programs designed for older adults. Senior centres commonly have members who attend on a regular basis, a volunteer base, and a social environment that is conducive to information sharing and peer support (Krieger et al., 2000). On the other hand, challenges to implementing health promotion and prevention programs include low staffing, lack of facilities or resources, as well as cultural and communication barriers (Baker, Gottschalk, & Bianco, 2007).