Reinventing the Traditional Senior Center in Rural Areas to Attract a New Generation of Individuals

Let us progress! Implementing professionally led arts-based programming in senior centers

The arts offer a cost effective and appealing approach to healthy aging. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the development and implementation of three creative aging pilot programs led by professional teaching artists in multipurpose senior centers. The process of recruitment focused on professional teaching artists, senior center directors, and program participants. Data collection documented attendance, field note observations, participant demographics, self-reported health, and satisfaction. Open-ended interviews detailed individual experience, learning opportunities, dislikes, and both program and instructor feedback. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and apriori pattern coding. Outcomes are reported specific to each program developed, including: 1) readers theatre, 2) choir, and an 3) Improvisation/Movement class. A total of 35 older adults participated in all three programs. The choir had the highest average of regular attendance, while the improvisation/movement class struggled with recruitment. Overall satisfaction was high across all programs, with participants expressing enjoyment with courses that offer a challenge and desired that courses continue. This study emphasizes the importance in collaborating with centers to develop high quality programming and recommends strategies to facilitate program sustainability. Future program development and instruction may be improved through application of lessons learned.

Senior Center Service Utilization: Do Social Ties Affect Participation Patterns?

PURPOSE

A better understanding of service utilization patterns at senior service centers can improve program development and constituent usage.

THEORY

This research examines whether participation in senior center activities is a function of senior socialization that reinforces and supports existing social ties by selecting specific activities in senior centers.

METHODS

A total of 924 participants of senior centers in a municipality in the Southwest were surveyed.

RESULTS

We find that having closer friends influences participation in certain senior center services. We also find that gender, race, ethnicity, and income also explain different usage rates beyond age.

CONCLUSION

Opportunities to foster social interaction to grow and reduce barriers to participation and market to a broader range of current and potential participants are discussed.