| INTRODUCTION |
Since multipurpose Senior Centers are playing an increasing role in assisting older Americans
to achieve greater independence, by providing a gateway to the Aging Network and other services,
information gleaned from these centers on their effectiveness is extremely important.
Senior centers are excellent sites for community-based health promotion activities,
as well as a relaxed place to make new friends, and strengthen social networks. The estimates on the
number of senior centers in the United States range between 10,000 and 16,000 seniors.
Of these, more than 6,000 centers receive some funding support from the Older Americans
Act through service contracts for program activities awarded by Sate and Area Agencies on Aging.
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| TEST INSTRUMENT |
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The Senior Center Workgroup developed two surveys: one for participants and the other for senior center directors. The participant survey has a set of core questions that address attendance and participation as well as barriers to participation; self-reported outcomes in the areas of physical and mental health, social functioning, and volunteer activities; and demographic variables, including gender, age, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, number of persons in the household, income and marital status. Optional questions tap into participation in senior center activities, services received at the senior center, and volunteer activities, as well as typical hours of attendance, distance and travel time to the senior center.
The information from the descriptor survey will enable us to compare the results of the participant survey by senior center characteristics, such as the size of the budget and its location. More specifically, the descriptor survey yields information about number of staff, budget, OAA-funded programs, and urbanicity, as well as available activities, services, and volunteer opportunities.
View the current Senior Center Participant
Survey: Core Questions (Version: June 30, 2004)
View the current Senior Center Participant
Survey: Optional Questions (Version: June 30, 2004)
View the current Senior Center Descriptors
Survey (Version: June 30, 2004)
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