Senior center utilization by black elderly adults: social, attitudinal and knowledge correlates

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Sociology of Aging
• Community Health

Background:

• Senior centers are vital community hubs for older adults.
• Understanding factors influencing senior center utilization is crucial for targeted outreach.
• Limited research exists on the specific barriers and facilitators for Black elderly adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors affecting senior center utilization among Black elderly adults.
• To compare attenders and non-attenders within the same community.
• To compare non-attenders in a community with a senior center to those in a community without one.

Main Methods:

• Comparative study design involving three groups of Black elderly adults.
• Data collection on social contact, attitudes, and knowledge of senior centers.
• Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to analyze group differences.

Main Results:

• Sex, age, marital status, health, and transportation did not significantly impact utilization.
• Significant differences were found in commitment to involvement, perception of senior centers, and social contact (family and friends).
• Non-attenders in a community with a senior center showed similarities to attenders, suggesting potential for engagement.

Conclusions:

• Social factors and attitudes, rather than demographic or logistical ones, are key predictors of senior center use.
• Targeted interventions focusing on increasing commitment and positive perceptions can enhance senior center participation.
• The findings highlight the potential of non-attenders in communities with senior centers as a receptive audience for engagement efforts.