Center Attendees Research Articles

Prevalence of major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder among first-time sleep center attendees

BackgroundSleep disorders and psychiatric disorders stand in a bidirectional relationship. Sleep complaints are prominent in populations with psychiatric disorders, especially amongst people with major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consultations at sleep clinics offer opportunities to screen psychiatric disorders and to propose primary psychiatric care. MethodsThis descriptive study was conducted on 755 patients making their first visit to sleep clinic, with 574 seeking consultation for suspected obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS), 139 for complaints of insomnia, and 42 for complaints of hypersomnia. The results of 387 screening scales for MDD (BDI-II) and 403 for TSPT (PCL-5) were compared according to the reason given for the consultation. ResultsIn the whole group, 12.1 % of patients presented a positive MDD screening and 4.9 % for PTSD. Among patients presenting with insomnia, 19.8 % had a positive screening for MDD, as compared to 9.3 % in patients presenting with suspected OSAHS (p = 0.02). Regarding PTSD, 9.7 % of patients seeking consultation because of insomnia had a positive screening, compared to 2.9 % among patients with suspected OSAHS (p = 0.03). Among patients with a positive screening for MDD, 40.5 % were not receiving antidepressant or mood stabilizer treatment. ConclusionPositive screening for MDD and PTSD are frequent in patients who attend sleep centers, especially amongst those presenting with insomnia. Nearly half of the patients with positive screening for MDD or PTSD were not receiving a dedicated pharmacological treatment. These figures emphasize systematic screening for psychiatric disorders in sleep clinics.

Trends and types of dietary supplement usage amongst people visiting fitness centers in the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To determine the trends in dietary supplement (DS) usage and its socio-demographic determinants amongst fitness centre users in Arar, Saudi Arabia. 
 Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among people visiting different fitness centers in Arar, Saudi Arabia, between December 2022 and March 2023. The sample comprised 150 people (male and female) aged ≥ 18 years, who completed a self-administered questionnaire. 
 Results: More than half (63.3 %) of the gym users regularly used DS, while the rest used DS occasionally. Young age (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.04), higher educational level (p = 0.006), single status (p = 0.001) and schooling (p < 0.001) had significant positive correlations with regular DS use, relative to occasional use. The most important reason for using DS was recommendation by physician (30.7 %), while the most common supplements used were multivitamins (alone or in combination with other drugs; 39.3 %). The participants were well-versed in the supportive role of DS, as well as the risks and adverse effects related to DS overuse. 
 Conclusion: The prevalence of DS usage is high among Saudi fitness center attendees, and it was significantly associated with socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. Furthermore, there are high levels of awareness among participants regarding the benefits and negative effects of DS.

EXAMINING THE ASSOCIATION AMONG ADLS, DEMOGRAPHICS, WITH FOOD SECURITY ADULTS AT SENIOR CENTERS IN FULTON COUNTY, GA

Abstract Food security amongst community-dwelling older adults attending senior centers is not often examined. It is an integral determinant of health because of the impact on multiple health conditions, which are further impacted by functional impairments and co-morbidities that can come with increasing age. Additionally, meal and nutrition education providers do not typically collect this information, which can be used to better provide services to their clients. This study examined the relationship between food security and demographic variables of older adults attending senior centers in Georgia served by nutrition provider Open Hand Atlanta (OHA). One hundred sixty-five senior center attendees were recruited from nine senior centers throughout Fulton County. The age of the participants ranged between 52 to 97, with most identifying as female (86.7%) and African American (79%). Food security (outcome of interest) was measured by the USDA 6-item module. Bivariate associations were tested between food security and ADLs and iADLs (instrumental ADLs) measured by a 15-item list, health conditions, shopping habits, transportation, caregiving, and demographics. Results showed that food security differed based on race/ethnicity X2 (n=165) = 8.94 (df=2), p = .011 and type of insurance X2 (n=100) = 5.95, (df=1) p = 0.015). In addition, those who are under public/Govt. insurance experience a higher proportion of food insecurity compared to those under private insurance (p=.015). Results have implications for nutrition providers when offering additional services to senior centers and the older adults they serve.

Australian Sexual Health Service Users’ Perspectives on Reducing the Oral Transmission of Bacterial STIs: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Growing rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) demand new approaches to STI prevention. Sexual practices involving saliva or direct contact with the mouth increase the risk of STI transmission, but community awareness remains largely unexplored in the literature. The Community Awareness and Surveillance of STI Transmission study sought to explore sexual health clinic attendees’ awareness of oral STIs; experiences when seeking testing and treatment; and acceptable educational and clinical interventions. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse group of Melbourne Sexual Health Center attendees’. Reflective thematic analysis was undertaken, revealing key themes across people of different genders, sexual identities, ages, and nationalities. All participants emphasized the importance of understanding how their sexual practices might put them at risk of an oral STI. They also sought care from specialist sexual health services with the expectation that health-care providers (HCPs) in these settings had more understanding of diverse sexual practices. Participants’ decisions to protect themselves against oral STIs were primarily driven by the effect the decision had on pleasure and intimacy. Comfort during the health-care encounter and trust in HCPs facilitated better understanding of individual STI risk. Differences in awareness and risk reduction strategies were noted based on past experience with oral testing and STIs. These findings highlight the importance of HCPs and public health interventions providing solutions that recognize the central role of pleasure and intimacy in our sexual lives.

Prevalence of Obesity and Lifestyle Risk Factors Following Two Years' COVID-19 Related Service Closure at Wellness Center, Primary Health Care.

COVID-19 lockdown has affected health behaviors and daily life in unprecedented ways. This study aimed to assess (i) the prevalence of lifestyle behaviors including physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and stress levels during the COVID confinement, and (ii) evaluate anthropometric measures, body composition, cardiopulmonary and muscular endurance among regular Wellness Center attendees, following two years' service closure. A cross-sectional study was undertaken between 1st June 2022 and 30th January 2023. A structured validated questionnaire was utilized to retrospectively collect data related to the closure period, and quantitative objective measurements were obtained at the time of data collection. A total of 100 adults with a mean age of 49.6 ± 10.5 years, mostly female (80%) and Qatari (76%) participated in the study. The results revealed high rates of low physical activity (47%), sedentary behavior (62%), poor sleep (58%), and stress levels (61% moderate and 5% high). Results also confirmed high prevalence of obesity (57%) marked by BMI and body circumferences, fat mass (34 ± 10.5 kg)/fat percentage (42.7 ± 7.2%) and muscle mass (20.6 ± 5.4 kg)/muscle percentage (25.4 ± 3.9%) above and below normal levels, respectively. The average cardiopulmonary (mean VO2 MAX was 15.5 ± 11 mL O2kg-1min-1) and muscular endurance (pushups per min 19 ± 8.9, L-sit 46 ± 35 secs, plank 42.7 ± 27.8 secs) were distinctly below normal levels for age and sex. The findings indicate that physically active adults have experienced adverse lifestyle behaviors during the COVID-19 lockdown. Obesity, unfavorable body composition, low cardiopulmonary and muscular endurance were evident. More emphasis should be put on the development of targeted intervention strategies to promote positive lifestyle behaviors during any potential future crises.

Avoidance of fitness or sports facilities during a lockdown: Gender and training environment could be protective factors

The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the world, claiming nearly seven million lives by now. Despite a decline in the mortality rate, in November 2022, the virus-linked death cases still exceeded 500 every day. There is a belief that it is over now, but similar health-crisis situations may re-occur, and therefore it is essential to learn from such human disasters. It is an accepted fact that the pandemic has changed people’s lives worldwide. One specifically and significantly affected life domain, especially during the lockdown, is the practice of sports and planned physical activities. Hence, this study examined the exercise practices and attitudes towards attending fitness facilities in 3053 working adults during the pandemic, along with the differences associated with the preferred training environment, including fitness/sports facilities, home, outdoor, or their combinations. The results revealed that women (representing 55.3% of the sample) are more precautious than men. Further, exercise behavior and COVID-19 attitudes broadly vary among people choosing different training venues. In addition, age, exercise frequency, place of exercise, fear of infection, flexibility in training form, and desire to exercise freely are predictors of non-attendance (avoidance) of fitness/sports facilities during the lockdown. These results expand earlier findings to exercise settings, suggesting that women are more precautious than men in the exercise context too. They are also the first to indicate that the preferred exercise environment entails attitudes that shape exercise patterns and beliefs associated with the pandemic differently. Therefore, men and regular fitness center attendees need more attention and special guidance in enforcing legislative prevention measures during a health crisis.

Prevalence of performance-enhancing drug use among gym members in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: A cross-sectional survey

Context: Illicit and performance-enhancing drug (PED) use is prevalent among athletes. Aims: We examine the prevalence of PED use among amateur athletes, identify the common characteristics and associated risk factors for illicit PED use and measure the perception and awareness among gym members regarding the safety and effects of illicit drug use. Settings and design: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adult male and female gym center attendees in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods and materials: Self-administered Arabic and English questionnaires were used for data collection. Statistical analysis used: SPSS version 26 was used to perform t- and chi-square tests. Results: This study included 379 participants, of whom 59.6% were male, 52.8% were between 26 and 35 years of age, and a majority of the participants had normal (47.5%) or overweight (40.9%) body mass index. Our study revealed a high prevalence (48.5%) of PED use among gym athletes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the true prevalence might have been higher due to the possibility of underreporting by some participants because of the sensitivity of the subject. Protein powder was the most commonly used type of PED. Of all the participants, 22.3% reported anabolic androgenic steroid use. Side effects of PEDs were observed in 19% of the study participants. Conclusion: The results of this study should encourage public health researchers and health advocates to design and implement behavioral interventions to educate the public on the benefits, risks, and contraindications of dietary supplements used by athletes to enhance their body performance. Key messages • Performance-enhancing drug (PED) use is prevalent among both professional and amateur athletes. • Gym athletes in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, report increasing PED use. • Side effects and negative health impacts are associated with illicit PED use. • Misinformation on the risks and benefits of PEDs is a major public health concern. • More efforts should be implemented in public awareness about the risk of using PED targeting younger populations.

Intergenerational Programming Increases Solid Food Consumption for Adult Day Center Attendees.

We examined whether participation in intergenerational programming would impact daily food and liquid intake for adult day service center (ADSC) participants, many of whom are at risk for malnutrition and dehydration. Data came from 75 ADSC participants who, on average, attended the center for 472.32days between 2007 and 2018. We analyzed daily data using multilevel modeling, nesting attending days within ADSC participants. On days when participants joined intergenerational programming, they consumed significantly more solid food (β = 1.54, SD = .37, p < .001), but no different liquid (β = -.16, SD = .09, p = .06), than their own average across all days they attended the ADSC. Intergenerational programming may be an effective way to support ADSCs participants' nutrition. Future research is needed to determine the longer-term health benefits of daily increases in food consumption and to explore why intergenerational programming may differentially impact eating and drinking.

Pneumococcal carriage in unvaccinated children at the time of vaccine implementation into the national immunization program in Poland

We investigated pneumococcal carriage among unvaccinated children under five years of age at a time when the conjugate polysaccharide vaccine (PCV) was introduced in Poland into the national immunization program (NIP). Paired nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and saliva samples collected between 2016 and 2020 from n = 394 children were tested with conventional culture and using qPCR. The carriage rate detected by culture was 25.4% (97 of 394), by qPCR 39.1% (155 of 394), and 40.1% (158 of 394) overall. The risk of carriage was significantly elevated among day care center attendees, and during autumn/winter months. Among isolates cultured, the most common serotypes were: 23A, 6B, 15BC, 10A, 11A. The coverage of PCV10 and PCV13 was 23.2% (23 of 99) and 26.3% (26 of 99), respectively. Application of qPCR lead to detection of 168 serotype carriage events, with serogroups 15, 6, 9 and serotype 23A most commonly detected. Although the highest number of carriers was identified by testing NPS with qPCR, saliva significantly contributed to the overall number of detected carriers. Co-carriage of multiple serotypes was detected in 25.3% (40 of 158) of carriers. The results of this study represent a baseline for the future surveillance of effects of pneumococcal vaccines in NIP in Poland.

Molecular Characterization and Detection of Macrolide and Fluoroquinolone Resistance Determinants in Mycoplasma genitalium in South Africa, 2015 to 2018.

Antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium is a global concern, as therapeutic options are limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence of macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance-associated genetic determinants and strain diversity in M. genitalium-positive surveillance specimens from symptomatic primary health care center attendees in South Africa (2015-2018). A secondary objective was to investigate for an association between M. genitalium strain type, HIV serostatus, and antimicrobial resistance. A total of 196 M. genitalium-positive specimens from adult males and females presenting with genital discharge to primary health care centers were tested for resistance-associated mutations in 23S rRNA, parC and gyrA. A dual-locus sequence type (DLST) was assigned to M. genitalium strains based on the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the semiconserved 5' region of the mgpB gene (MG191-sequence typing) as well as the enumeration of short tandem repeats within the lipoprotein gene (MG309 short tandem repeat typing). The A2059G mutation in 23S rRNA, associated with macrolide resistance, was detected in 3 of 182 specimens (1.7%; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-4.7). We did not detect gyrA or parC mutations associated with fluoroquinolone resistance in specimens that could be sequenced. Molecular typing with DLST revealed genetic heterogeneity, with DLST 4-11 being the most common M. genitalium strain type detected. There were no associations between DLST and macrolide resistance or HIV infection. We found a low prevalence of M. genitalium strains with macrolide resistance-associated mutations over a 4-year surveillance period. Ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance is essential for informing genital discharge syndromic treatment guidelines.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the Palestinian population: A primary health center-based cross-sectional study

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) total antibodies in the north, middle, and south regions of West Bank and the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies (IgA, IgM, and IgG) in the Palestinian population. This was a cross-sectional study. The serological and epidemiological data of 1269 persons were assessed. Participants were selected randomly among primary health care center attendees in Palestine between November 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. All serum samples were tested for total antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. IgM, IgG, and IgA-specific antibody titers were measured using ELISA. The overall prevalence (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies and specific antibodies were estimated. A multivariate regression model was used to assess the predictive factors for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 24·0% (95% CI, 21·7%–26·5%). Seroprevalence was significantly higher among people living in south West Bank (adjusted Odds ratio [aOR], 2·22; 95% CI: 1·58–3·11), people who had COVID-19 symptoms (aOR, 3·92; 95% CI, 2·83–5·43), people with a COVID-19 contact history (aOR, 1·44; 95% CI, 1·03–2·03), patients with hypertension (aOR, 1·57; 95% CI, 1·06–2·33), and non-smokers (aOR, 0·47; 95% CI, 0·31–0·72). A total of 171 blood samples from SARS-CoV-2-positive patients were chosen at random for additional serological testing. Specific IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies were positive in 14·0% (95% CI, 9·2%–20·2%), 88·3% (82·5%–92·7%), and 42·1% (34·6%–59·9%) of the samples, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were common among PHC center attendees and were significantly associated to sex, smoking, and COVID-19 contact history. However, considering that almost three-quarters of this population remains susceptible, maintaining public health measures and encouraging access to immunization is critical in protecting this population.

Research Attitudes and Interest Among Elderly Latinxs: The Impact of a Collaborative Video and Community Peers.

Latinx elders are underrepresented in dementia research. In a previous study we assessed research attitudes in urban minority elders and found a significant minority expressed neutral to negative attitudes relating to trust, safety, and personal responsibility to help research. To assess the impact of a composite intervention on attitudes toward research and research participation among elderly Latinx. The intervention was a collaboratively produced research participation video shown during presentations with our elderly community advisory board (CAB) as co-presenters. The video was created by the ADRC and CAB. All senior center attendees were eligible to participate. Afterwards, the Research Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) and a brief questionnaire on the impact of the video were administered. Using Wilcoxon Rank Sum Tests, Chi Square, and OLS regressions, RAQ responses were compared to those from a historical cohort from similar centers. 74 in the "Historical Cohort 1" and 104 in "Intervention Cohort 2" were included. RAQ total score was higher in Cohort 2 than Cohort 1 (28.5 versus 26.1, p < 0.05) after controlling for age, education, and country of origin. In response to the question "Has the video influenced your willingness and interest to participate in research", 88.7%of the participants in Cohort 2 reported being "more" or "much more" interested in research. Tailoring community research recruitment programs to include relatable peers using novel recruitment techniques may have positive implications for improving enrollment of diverse elderly individuals in research.

Making My Day. Volunteering or Working at a Day Centre for Older People: Findings of Exploratory Research in English Day Centres

<strong>Context:</strong> Day centres have long traditions in social care in the United Kingdom and internationally. In England, they are provided by a mix of organisations, they are not regulated, and there is no national representative body. Research mainly focuses on centre attenders and carers. Frontline staff and volunteer perspectives are rarely reported. <strong>Objective:</strong> To highlight the role of day centre work and volunteering for individuals and inform recruitment and workforce development. <strong>Methods:</strong> Qualitative interview data gathered from seven volunteers and ten staff at four English day centres for older people were thematically analysed. Data are drawn from three-year case study research investigating the role, outcomes, and commissioning of day centres. <strong>Findings:</strong> Paid or volunteer work in day centres has the potential to make unique contributions to people’s lives. Older volunteers and staff particularly value centres’ group environment and the continuity involved which contribute to person-centred relationships and role satisfaction. These experiences and satisfaction help explain why day centre staff retention is above average in social care. <strong>Limitations:</strong> Although in diverse settings, this research was small-scale. Only high-quality centres may have participated. Methods may have unintentionally excluded volunteers with learning disabilities. <strong>Implications:</strong> Within a context of problematic recruitment and retention and policy aspirations for community engagement and building on local assets, findings are relevant to workforce development and local recruitment strategies. Further research might explore what creates the working and volunteering culture within a centre and links between culture and outcomes, with a view to developing a model of day centre culture.

Factors Associated With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Morbidity in a Cohort of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Factors Associated With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Morbidity in a Cohort of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Attitudes toward opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy among recovery community center attendees

BackgroundDespite their proven efficacy, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are underutilized. Negative beliefs and attitudes toward MOUD are quite common, yet rapidly expanding recovery community centers (RCCs) may offer a promising venue for fostering MOUD support as they operate under the maxim, “many pathways [to recovery], all should be celebrated” and are utilized mainly by those with opioid use disorder. The current study provides a first look at MOUD attitudes and their correlates in RCC attendees. MethodsThe study conducted a cross-sectional survey (N = 320) of recovering adults attending 31 RCCs across New England, assessing demographic, treatment, and recovery-relevant factors, as well attitudes (positive vs. negative) toward the use of agonist and antagonist MOUD. The study used frequencies and confidence intervals to obtain prevalence estimates for positive and negative attitudes toward agonist and antagonist MOUD, and to examine differences between them. Spearman correlations identified correlates of MOUD attitudes (at p < 0.10), and significant correlates were assessed for unique contributions via multivariable logistic regression. ResultsPositive attitudes were common and more prevalent than negative attitudes for both agonist (positive: 71.4 [66.1, 76.3]%; negative: 28.6 [23.7, 33.9]%) and antagonist (positive: 76.5 [71.4, 81.1]%; negative: 23.5 [18.9, 28.6]%) MOUD, which did not differ. The study identified several correlates of MOUD attitudes at the p < 0.10 level, but only four variables emerged as unique predictors controlling for other correlates. Lifetime history of agonist MOUD treatment was uniquely associated with positive agonist attitudes (p = 0.008), whereas greater social support for recovery was associated with positive antagonist attitudes (p = 0.007). Lower educational attainment was uniquely associated with negative antagonist attitudes (p = 0.005), and a greater degree of spirituality was related to negative attitudes toward both agonists (p = 0.005) and antagonists (p = 0.01). ConclusionsFindings reveal very high rates of positive MOUD attitudes among RCC participants, highlighting the potential for this growing tier of recovery support to foster acceptance and peer support for medication-facilitated recovery pathways. Correlates of attitudes further reveal opportunities for facilitating MOUD acceptance within and beyond the RCC network.

Prevalence of alopecia and its contributing factors among primary healthcare attendees in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia.

Background:Alopecia is a common health condition that can be associated with social and psychological consequences.Aims:This study aims to estimate the prevalence of hair loss and its associated risk factors among primary healthcare center (PHC) attendees in the Jazan region.Methods:This investigation was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Jazan region of southwest Saudi Arabia. A total of 23 PHCs were randomly selected from five governorates in the region. Data were collected via interviewing PHCs attendees and were asked about their demographic characteristics, presence of hair loss, and among attendees who confirmed having hair loss, they were further asked about associated clinical features, healthcare-seeking behavior, and factors that might contribute to the development of their condition.Results:A total of 729 participants consented to be involved in this study. The number of respondents who reported having hair loss was 483, representing 66.3% of the whole sample. Gender appears to have the highest level of variability, with the majority of participants reporting hair loss being female (P < 0.001). The most frequently reported type of hair loss was telogen effluvium, followed by androgenic alopecia. A total of 185 respondents reported taking medications to treat their hair loss, of whom 108 (58.3%) did not seek any medical advice to identify the cause of their condition.Limitations:The main weakness of this investigation is related to relying on a reported presence of hair loss without having it confirmed with a clinical diagnosis.Conclusion:A minority of participants who reported suffering from hair loss were further evaluated by healthcare professionals to learn the cause of their hair loss. This may indicate the presence of poor hair care and the probability of a higher risk of hair loss requiring the development of suitable preventive strategies.

Prevalence and genetic characterization of Dientamoeba fragilis in asymptomatic children attending daycare centers.

ABSTRACTIn order to provide additional data on the prevalence and genetic diversity of Dientamoeba fragilis in human populations, we conducted a study in children from low-income communities in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Fecal samples from daycare center attendees up to 6 years old (n=156) and staff members (n=18) were submitted to PCR and sequencing of D. fragilis as well as to microscopic examination for the presence of other intestinal parasites. All children assessed were asymptomatic and 10.3% (16/156) were positive for D. fragilis. No worker was found to be positive. An association between Dientamoeba and coinfection with other intestinal parasites was observed. Concerning the genetic diversity, 14 and only two isolates were genotype 1 and genotype 2, respectively. Our findings outline interesting aspects: (1) asymptomatic children as carriers of Dientamoeba in communities in which environmental conditions ensure parasite transmission and, (2) association between Dientamoeba infection in young children and coinfection with other enteric parasites, reinforcing its transmission via the fecal–oral route.

How do Senior Center Attendees Rate the Importance of Programs and Services Compared to Non-Attendees?

Senior centers provide a wide range of programs and services to meet the needs of the growing aging population. As senior centers aim to serve all older community-members, it is important to assess the value of these services through the lens of both attendees and non-attendees of senior centers. Using a sample of 4,750 community-dwelling adults age 60 or older from Massachusetts, this project aims to analyze perceptions of program importance by center attendees versus non-attendees. Almost 60% of the sample never attend a senior center. Nearly a third of center attendees ranked exercise classes and education opportunities as important, compared to about 20% of non-attendees. Almost half of attendees rated application assistance and nutrition programs as not important, compared to 38% and 40% of non-attendees, respectively. Conversely, for all programs listed, non-users more frequently checked “unsure” of program/service importance. This was especially true for exercise classes, professional services, social or recreational activities, educational opportunities, and trips, for which 18% of non-attendees selected unsure. Center attendees more frequently view the programs/services offered at the senior center as important or very important, likely because they have greater awareness. Results highlight that that non-attendees are unsure of the value of programs or have no interest the programs and services provided. Not only do these results provide an opportunity to senior centers to assess how valuable certain programs and services are, they also emphasize the need for continued information streams regarding programs and services offered at senior centers to those who are unfamiliar.

Advocacy Through Partnerships: Data, Demographics, and Decisions

The Summit County Aging Alliance (SCAA) in Park City, Utah is representative of state government, county and city government(s), private citizens, land developers, Senior Center attendees, national and local associations, non-profit support organizations, home health agencies, colleges and universities, recreation centers, hospital administrators and area associations on aging. The focus of the Alliance has been to provide a forum for critical listening and discussion. Data from a survey to determine the ‘real’ needs and vision of the older adult community provided perspective from more than 100 older adults representing diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. This work is now providing a benchmark from which both the city and county governments in Summit County are creating their strategic plans, and the Alliance has become the official voice of the community’s older adults.

Day centres for older people\xa0-\xa0attender characteristics, access routes and outcomes of regular attendance: findings of exploratory mixed methods case study research

BackgroundSocial prescribing is encouraged to promote well-being, reduce isolation and loneliness. Traditional, generalist day centres for older people could be suggested by social prescribing, but little is known about their clientele or their outcomes. As part of a larger study of the role, outcomes and commissioning of generalist English day centres for older people, the characteristics of attenders at 4 day centres, their reasons for attendance and outcomes were explored.MethodsThis mixed-methods study used qualitative interviews and standardised tools within an embedded multiple-case study design. Semi-structured interviews with older day centre attenders (n = 23, 62% of eligible attenders) of 4 day centres in south-east England, recruited purposively to reflect organisational differences, were analysed.ResultsParticipants reported non-elective withdrawal from socialisation following health or mobility decline, or losses. Apart from living arrangements and marital status, attenders’ profiles differed between centres. Access had been mostly facilitated by others. Day centre attendance enhanced quality of life for this group of socially isolated people with mobility restrictions and at risk of declining independence and wellbeing. The positive impact on attenders’ social participation and involvement and on meaningful occupation was significant (p-value < 0.001, 99% CI), with an average ASCOT gain score of 0.18. Ten outcome themes were identified.ConclusionOutcomes of day centre attendance are those targeted by social care and health policy. Centres were communities that ‘enabled’ and offset loss or isolation, thus supporting ageing in place through wellbeing and contributed something unique to their attenders’ lives. By monitoring attenders’ health and wellbeing and providing practical support, information and facilitating access to other services, centres offered added value. Attendance needs to be set in the context of other social engagement and care provision which may not overlap or duplicate centre support. Professionals may wish to explore the benefits of social prescriptions to day centres but should map local centres’ provision, engage with their organisers, and seek information on attenders, who may differ from those in this study.