Multipurpose Senior Centers Research Articles

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

ABSTRACT 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 theater, 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.

Evaluation of Recruitment of Older Adults of Color into a Community-Based Chronic Disease Self-Management Wellness Pathway Program in Los Angeles County.

Established relationships between researchers, stakeholders and potential participants are integral for recruitment of potential older adult participants and Evidence-Based Programs (EBPs) for chronic disease management have empirically been shown to help improve health and maintain healthy and active lives. To accelerate recruitment in EBPs and potential future research, we propose a Wellness Pathway allowing for delivery within multipurpose senior centers (MPCs) linked with medical facilities among lower-income urban older adults. The study aims were to: 1) assess the effectiveness of three MPC-delivered EBPs on disease management skills, health outcomes, and self-efficacy; and 2) assess the feasibility of the proposed Wellness Pathway for lower-income urban-dwelling older adults of color. We administered surveys and conducted a pre-post analysis among participants enrolled in any 1 of 3 MPC-based EBPs (n=53). To assess feasibility of the pathway, we analyzed survey data and interviews (EBP participants, MPC staff, physicians, n=10). EBP participation was associated with greater disease management skills (increased time spent stretching and aerobic activity) but not improvements in self-efficacy or other health outcomes. Interviews revealed: 1) older adults valued EBPs and felt the Wellness Pathway feasible; 2) staff felt it feasible given adequate growth management; 3) physicians felt it feasible provided adequate medical facility integration. MPC-based EBPs were associated with improvements in disease management skills among older adults; a proposed Wellness Pathway shows early evidence of feasibility and warrants further investigation. Future efforts to implement this model of recruiting older adults of color into EBPs should address barriers for implementation and sustainability.

Developing Guidelines for Thermal Comfort and Energy Saving during Hot Season of Multipurpose Senior Centers in Thailand

In Thailand, many government buildings and facilities are adapted to serve as Multipurpose Senior Centers (MSCs). However, most of them have been used without taking into account of thermal comfort of occupants. The present research aimed to develop guidelines for improving suitable indoor environment for the Thai elderly in hot season and analyze energy use of the 3 case-study MSCs. Both field study and climate-controlled chamber study were conducted. The obtained data were analyzed to develop the equation for predicting the thermal sensation, which would be inputted in the scSTREAM program for analysis purposes. The energy use was evaluated using the DOE-2 program. The results suggested that during 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., natural ventilation should be used together with orbit fans to produce an actual air velocity of 0.64–0.73 m/s. From 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., air conditioners should set at 26.00–26.50 °C with an actual air velocity of 0.06–0.22 m/s. The results also showed that the developed guidelines could improve the level of thermal comfort from “slightly cool” to “neutral” and reduce energy use in hot season by 16.56% due to the reduction of cooling load and fan operation of air conditioning systems. Moreover, energy consumption in MSCs are also affected by the building parameters. These findings can be applied as guidelines for improving a large number of MSCs in Thailand.

Linkages Between the Senior Center as a Public Place and Successful Aging

ABSTRACTUsing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 385 participants attending two separate comprehensive multipurpose senior centers in Tennessee. Based on self-reports, the findings suggest senior centers provide a prominent role in improving the physical and mental health of older clients. In addition to documenting the health and wellness benefits, respondents provided detailed personal accounts of the value and meaning they place on senior center friendships. Participants acknowledged that these social networks provide much-needed emotional support as well as instrumental assistance beyond the confines of the senior center. Using a conceptual framework stressing successful aging, these findings suggest the senior center as serves critical element of the long-term care continuum providing a therapeutic place to thrive in later life.

서울시 노인종합복지관의 스포츠시설 및 체육프로그램 현황에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study is to find out the status of sports facilities and sport program at 31 multipurpose senior centers located at 25 autonomous districts located in Seoul, and to analyze the problems accordingly. To achieve this, this study was to investigate the present status of sports facilities in each welfare center and sport program, and use the literature review method through the search of related research materials and news articles. From the result of this research above, it may be summed up as follows. First, the elderly population rate at each autonomous district in Seoul was not proportional to the welfare center. Gangbuk-gu with the highest elderly population rate had one welfare center, but Gangnam-gu with the third lowest elderly population rate had three ones. This study has found out that it affected the installation and management of welfare centers according to the level of financial self-reliance ratio at the autonomous districts. Second, at the sports facilities in each welfare center, all auditoriums which could run sport program were installed, but this study has shown the table tennis room, billiard(pool) room, and fitness room differently in each welfare center. Accordingly, most of programs could be composed as ones to be exercised indoors, but this could result in low facility satisfaction for the elderly, so it could lead to exercise dropout, movement of welfare center, and exercise non-participation. Third, the welfare center where to run sport programs most was located in Nowon-gu, which had 21 programs, and most of events with the sport programs were mainly composed of dance, gymnastics, and yoga. Lastly, the same events among total 428 programs were established, overlapped with the same name, but it is considered what happens because it was operated indoors. Therefore, this researcher considers the welfare center needs to do further investigation about the establishment of sport programs overlapped. If the sport facilities and space affect the program management, it requires the development of program to be utilized.

Senior Centers and Nutritional Outcomes: A Texas Example

Healthy diet and weight control are important for elders and senior centers (SCs). The authors consider effects of SCs on attendee nutrition and health and efforts to improve diets and weight. Data derive from surveys in 2006 (N = 798) and 2007 (N = 742) at 21 multipurpose SCs in Tarrant County, Texas, supplemented with data from 2012 (N = 1,402). Measures included attendee agreement that SC meals improved nutrition, improved health, attempts to improve diets, and success in controlling weight. Cumulative and binary logistic regression methods were employed. SC attendance and social engagement explained agreement that SC meals improved nutrition and health but were not shown to predict changes in diet or weight control. Findings suggest success of SC programs, as well as physician recommendations, in influencing attendee nutritional behavior and perceptions of nutrition and health effects. Practice recommendations include SC collaborations with local health providers to promote attendee nutritional health.

Development and Validation of the Healthy Aging Incentives Scale

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a new instrument to measure the multidimensional nature of motivations to engage in healthy behavior practices among older adults. The Healthy Aging Incentives Scale (HAIS) was developed empirically from data collected from 158 older adults participating in a health and wellness clinic located within a multipurpose senior center in the United States. A factor analysis of the HAIS revealed five themes prompting older adults to participate in health aging practices: health and fitness, psychological well-being, locus of control, social functions, and socialization attributes. Additional data are provided that support reliability and validity of the HAIS including convergent validity of the 20-item scale by its correlation with healthy behavior habits. Conclusions are drawn showing literature support for the multidimensional scale and the important determinants for promoting healthy outcomes for this population.

Rural Older Adult Readiness to Adopt Mobile Health Technology: A Descriptive Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the readiness of rural older adults to accept mobile health technology. Results will be useful in the design and delivery of mobile health technology to assist with health management, wellness interventions, and aging in place. Sample: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 30 participants from two rural Northern California multipurpose senior centers. Methods: Participants attended a demonstration and participated in a blood pressure screening using a mobile health device followed by a survey. Mixed methods of data collection were used to capture categorical data as well as contextual, socio-cultural, and experiential factors for understanding the potential for future use of mobile health technology by older adults in rural communities. Results: Participants indicated they wanted control over their health data by choosing when and where to share the information, with the exception of alerts sent in a crisis situation. Results were evenly split on the importance of using technology to connect with patient education and support groups on-line. Important facilitators that would promote adoption of mobile health technology include ease of use, convenience, and affordability. Barriers to adoption include moderate concern with risk to the privacy and security of their health information, and high cost. Conclusion: Mobile health technologies that are easy and convenient to use, affordable, and a good fit for each individual have the potential to facilitate patient engagement, patient empowerment, and individual responsibility for health and wellness. Additional nursing research on innovative models of care is needed to validate and promote mobile health technology for the health and aging in place needs of rural older adults. Rural nurse leaders can take the lead to innovatively leverage mHealth technology solutions that impact rural health and wellness. Keywords : mHealth, Rural, Older Adults, Age in Place DOI : http://dx.doi.org/ 10.14574/ojrnhc.v15i1.346

Increased physical activity, physician recommendation, and senior center participation

Physical activity is a recognized preventive health measure for seniors and an important focus for senior centers. This paper employs the Andersen Behavioral Model to explore increased physical activity and participation in three types of senior center activities: physical fitness, dance/aerobic classes, and chair exercises. Data were collected in 2006 on 798 and in 2007 on 742 participants at 21 multipurpose senior centers in a large urban county. Logistic regression analysis (PROC RLOGIST in SAS-callable SUDAAN) was employed to predict increased physical activity, with modes of center participation in physical activity as mediating factors. Predisposing and enabling factors predicted both engaging in center-based exercise programs and increases in physical activity; but the strongest predictors of increases in physical activity were needed factors: physician recommendations to increase exercise and to lose weight. Implications are that both SCs and healthcare providers are important to promote physical activity in the older population.

The Third-Age African American Seniors: Benefits of Participating in Senior Multipurpose Facilities

This article examines the contexts and benefits of African American seniors' participation in multipurpose facilities. Using qualitative data from 15 in-depth participant interviews and 6-month on-site participant observations as well as a survey result, research revealed the physical, emotional, and social benefits that African American seniors reported as a result of their participation in various activities offered in a multipurpose senior center in Atlanta Georgia. The study presents a social context in which African American seniors constructed their new third age identities that is different from the wide-spread negative images depicted by the mainstream about this minority group. Findings from this study increase the knowledge about African American seniors' participation in multipurpose facilities and provide a better understanding for the diverse socio-economic backgrounds of African American seniors. Study results will have policy implications for a better development of senior centers for minority population in the United States for the promotion of productive and successful aging.

Predicting Which Older Adults Will or Will Not Fall Using the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale

Hernandez D, Rose DJ. Predicting which older adults will or will not fall using the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine if the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale can predict faller status in a group of independently functioning older adults. Design A cross-sectional design was used to establish the sensitivity and specificity of the FAB scale to predict faller status based on a retrospective self-reported fall history. For the purpose of this study, a faller was classified as an older adult with a history of 2 or more falls in the previous 12 months. Setting Multipurpose senior centers in an urban community. Participants A sample of independently functioning older adults (N=192; mean age ± SD, 77±6.5y). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures FAB scale, a retrospective history of falls. Results Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the total FAB scale score could be used to predict faller status (as determined by a retrospective self-reported fall history). In the present sample, the probability of falling increased by 8% with each 1-point decrease in total FAB scale score. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined that a cut-off score of 25 out of 40 on the FAB scale produced the highest sensitivity (74.6%) and specificity (52.6%) in predicting faller status. Five individual test items on the FAB scale were particularly predictive of faller status and could be combined to form a short version of the scale that may be even more predictive of faller status and require less time to administer. Conclusions The FAB scale is a predictive measure of faller status when used with independently functioning older adults. A practitioner can be confident in more than 7 out of 10 cases that an older adult who scores 25 or lower on the FAB scale is at high risk for falls and in need of immediate intervention.

Conflicts, friendship cliques and territorial displays in senior center environments

Humans are territorial, laying claim to places and objects as a way of regulating social interaction and fulfilling a variety of social motives. We observed territoriality to facilitate both inclusionary and exclusionary group behaviors within senior center spaces. We observed approximately 300 participants over 120 h and interviewed 30 participants in three multipurpose senior centers. Territories supported group identity and interaction for friends who shared dining tables in two centers. However, those two centers also had frequent dining area territorial conflicts and few other spaces or opportunities for meaningful center participation. The conflicts entailed the reinforcement of social cliques at the cost of exclusion of others. A third center exhibited fewer territorial conflicts and a wider variety of shared and attractive settings, such as a living room and hobby rooms. In addition, strong self-governance of this center allowed participants to lay claim to the entire center, rather than relying on ownership of specific dining seats.

Environments for Lifelong Learning in Senior Centers

ABSTRACT Senior-center learning opportunities must adapt, as new retirees are better educated than their predecessors. We examined 3 multipurpose senior centers using 120 hours of observations and 30 participant interviews. Variation existed in the ability to maximize synomorphic relationships, where the physical environment supported educational activities. The center with the greatest success had the most active participation. Low participation was noted when multipurpose rooms were utilized, as learning was compromised by distractions. Computer learning thrived in a computer lab, but machines were neglected when located in an employee break room. Successful learning programs fit the environment, in addition to providing volunteerism and empowerment.

Multipurpose Senior Centers: Opportunities for Community Health Nursing

Multipurpose Senior Centers: Opportunities for Community Health Nursing

Multipurpose Senior Centers: Opportunities for Community Health Nursing

Nationally, almost 10 million older Americans are served by approximately 12,000 multipurpose senior centers (MSCs). Among those over age 65, 15% attended an MSC in the previous year. We can expect that the number of older Americans attending MSCs will increase as our population ages. We conducted face-to-face interviews with 59 older adults at an MSC that provides programming to approximately 350 individuals aged 60 and older during the course of 1 year. We identified several areas in which senior center participants could benefit from the presence of community health nursing: loneliness and social support; diet and nutrition, oral health, and self-rated health and exercise. Community health nurses should play an integral role in MSCs by providing direct healthcare in the form of interventions and referrals and by providing preventative care and advice so that senior center participants may maintain and improve the prospects for their independence and quality of life.

Benefits of a nurse-managed wellness program. A senior center model. Using community-based sites for older adult intervention and self-care activities may promote an ability to maintain an independent lifestyle.

Recent health initiatives have encouraged the promotion of wellness and self-care among the elderly population. This research describes the effectiveness of a nurse-managed wellness program located at a multi-purpose senior center. The wellness clinic was created to provide a broad range of screening services, individual counseling services, health educational programs, and management services for chronic diseases common among older adults. Outcome measures focusing for utilization of health services, healthy behaviors, emotional well-being, and mental and physical health variables gathered from 111 older adults demonstrated significant program success. Respondents who used the wellness clinic more frequently, and in particular, those who consulted regularly with the clinical nurse, were more likely to increase their healthy behavior and subsequent health knowledge. As a result of participation in the wellness programs, respondents reported a greater psychological comfort and a more confident feeling concerning the ability to maintain an independent lifestyle.

Attracting New Participants to Senior Center Activities

Multipurpose senior centers typically offer a wide variety of activities for their clients; however, few community-dwelling older adults attend these activities. This study evaluated the effects of publicly posted announcements on first-time attendance of participants at two senior-center activities: creative writing and painting. Results suggest that new members were more likely to join groups during, or immediately following, the public posting of information about that group.

USING PUBLIC FEEDBACK TO INCREASE CONTRIBUTIONS TO A MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR CENTER

Multipurpose senior centers are expanding their services to meet the demands of a growing population. Unfortunately, federal agencies have not matched this expansion with monetary support. Many senior centers hold fund-raisers to supplement their budgets, but the impact of these projects is rarely evaluated. This study assessed the effectiveness of a public posting strategy designed to increase donations to an ongoing fund-raiser for a multipurpose senior center. The fund-raiser, "Coupons for Caring," consisted of senior volunteers clipping grocery coupons from newspapers, sorting them, and attaching them to their respective products in local grocery stores. Grocery store customers were given the option of donating the coupons to the senior center or redeeming them when they purchased the products to which the coupons were attached. In the experimental condition, signs were posted that included visual and written instructions, feedback on the value of coupons donated by customers the previous week, and feedback on the overall amount of money donated to the senior center. The signs were posted near each cashier stand and at the front entrances of the grocery stores in a multiple baseline across grocery stores. The percentage of coupons donated to the senior center increased at each store after the signs were posted.

Maximizing Personal Efficacy In Older Adults:

The ehpowerment model represents a welcome paradigm shift in gerontological service delivery. A volunteer program within a multipurpose senior center that employs the empowerment model is described. Motivations for joining such a program, variations in levels and patterns of empowerment, attitudes toward empowerment, and its impact on older participants' self-esteem are discussed. Strategies for overcoming possible barriers to empowerment are suggested.

A programmatic framework for designing gerontological field practical in community senior centers.

This paper presents a programmatic framework for lodging the interdisciplinary professional gerontology practicum in the multi-purpose senior center. Experiential data drawn from the staging of an experimental training pilot program confirm that students in a range of disciplines can assume effective internship roles in the senior center. Educational innovations built into the student training model include: (1) access to a wide variety of functional assignments in management, group work, and clinical intervention; (2) exposure to working with the active or well elderly as well as the frail older adult; and (3) opportunities to engage in team-linked tasks while maintaining exposure to discipline specific learning assignments. Programming strategies need to correct for the complexities of coordinating divergent student schedules and academic requirements as well as communication barriers arising from different practice technologies and terminology.