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).