The Need for More Senior Centers
The origin of the senior center that many people know of can be traced back to 1943 in New York.
Since then, senior centers have provided a wide range of activities for the elder members of the community, in order to make them continue to be productive and independent.
Senior centers include recreational and educational activities, plus other management services.
After sixty years, they are recognized as among the most utilized services built by the 1965 Older Americans Act.
These multipurpose centers are known as focal points for coordinated and comprehensive services delivered to elders.
More than 10 million seniors are given yearly services by about 14,000 centers.
Considering the quantity and value of senior centers with regards to service delivery network, their numbers need to increase and to continue evolving to meet the special needs of the generation of "Baby Boomers".
A recent survey that took place in about 20 senior centers located in seven states revealed that older adults that visit senior centers are in their mid-seventies and around one third of them are above 80.
The majority of them are Caucasian females that are single and are well-educated, in comparison to the seniors of the past decade.
While these findings may vary from one center to another, about 50% of senior citizens live all by themselves.
About 75% frequent the center 3 times weekly.
Usually, they stay here for about 3.
3 hours each day.
Most participants come to attend educational or health programs, instead of spending the whole time at the center.
Most of them report the benefits they receive, like learning more useful information, new skills, increased knowledge, and all these contribute to their independence.
At present, senior centers face problems such as providing services to a larger quantity of weak elders and at the same time, a large addition of "Baby boomers" are being integrated into the system.
There are centers that provide adult day care services for those who are experiencing the first stages of dementia.
On the other hand, there are centers that are concentrated on preventive programs for elderly that are healthy.
While there is not much consensus regarding the required elements of successful senior centers, most people agree on the goal of making senior centers play a role in helping a varied group of elders' age successfully and productively.
According to Rowe and Kahn, successful aging has three major components.
These are:
It is vital for the aging population of America to have the greatest levels of independence, health and vitality.
To make this a reality, health in relation to the aging population should include the capacity to become productive citizens of society and self-reliant to accomplish a higher life quality.
Social policies associated with health care delivery should no longer be the same as the traditional medical care or management of illnesses.
Preventive programs can effectively empower elderly citizens and this is important in managing the rise of "Baby Boomers" in the system.
Since then, senior centers have provided a wide range of activities for the elder members of the community, in order to make them continue to be productive and independent.
Senior centers include recreational and educational activities, plus other management services.
After sixty years, they are recognized as among the most utilized services built by the 1965 Older Americans Act.
These multipurpose centers are known as focal points for coordinated and comprehensive services delivered to elders.
More than 10 million seniors are given yearly services by about 14,000 centers.
Considering the quantity and value of senior centers with regards to service delivery network, their numbers need to increase and to continue evolving to meet the special needs of the generation of "Baby Boomers".
A recent survey that took place in about 20 senior centers located in seven states revealed that older adults that visit senior centers are in their mid-seventies and around one third of them are above 80.
The majority of them are Caucasian females that are single and are well-educated, in comparison to the seniors of the past decade.
While these findings may vary from one center to another, about 50% of senior citizens live all by themselves.
About 75% frequent the center 3 times weekly.
Usually, they stay here for about 3.
3 hours each day.
Most participants come to attend educational or health programs, instead of spending the whole time at the center.
Most of them report the benefits they receive, like learning more useful information, new skills, increased knowledge, and all these contribute to their independence.
At present, senior centers face problems such as providing services to a larger quantity of weak elders and at the same time, a large addition of "Baby boomers" are being integrated into the system.
There are centers that provide adult day care services for those who are experiencing the first stages of dementia.
On the other hand, there are centers that are concentrated on preventive programs for elderly that are healthy.
While there is not much consensus regarding the required elements of successful senior centers, most people agree on the goal of making senior centers play a role in helping a varied group of elders' age successfully and productively.
According to Rowe and Kahn, successful aging has three major components.
These are:
- less risks of disease and disability caused by disease;
- maintain a high physical and mental functioning level;
- active life engagement.
It is vital for the aging population of America to have the greatest levels of independence, health and vitality.
To make this a reality, health in relation to the aging population should include the capacity to become productive citizens of society and self-reliant to accomplish a higher life quality.
Social policies associated with health care delivery should no longer be the same as the traditional medical care or management of illnesses.
Preventive programs can effectively empower elderly citizens and this is important in managing the rise of "Baby Boomers" in the system.
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