Senior Centers In America

An exhaustive review of local and national studies, this book provides a complete analysis of senior centres. Major topics include: historical development and changes over time, centre resources and organizational characteristics, activities and services, factors associated with participation, participant versus non-participant profiles, linkages and focal point functions, policy issues such as effectiveness and serving the frail, and future senior centre scenarios.

The book is research-based and identifies areas in need of additional investigation. However, it is also targeted to practitioners and policy makers and is intended to assist them in formulating policy and examining issues central to senior centre planning and operation, now and in the future. Krout makes a strong case for the importance and necessity of senior centres, and presents an analysis of the issues and challenges they must respond to in an era of resource shortfalls, shifting social and health policies and a changing elderly population.