Perceptions of a senior citizens' Wellness Center. The community's voice

Health promotion encompasses an important role in the nursing care of all individuals across the life span. The literature indicates senior citizens tend to be the age group most actively involved in health promotion activities. Not only do senior citizens, as an age group, participate more frequently in health promotion activities, but also they tend to seek out health promotion opportunities. A center for community residing senior citizens, funded by the provincial health department for 4 years, was initiated to promote health and wellness among the senior citizens and to delay the onset of disability. To evaluate the outcomes of the Wellness Center, the qualitative methodology of this study used the focus group approach. The participants in the focus groups comprised health professionals and community groups with some involvement with the Wellness Center. In their discussions, participants identified the Center as providing health promotion services different from those currently existing in the health care system. The participants agreed the Center was essential to promote healthy lifestyles for senior citizens.