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Publisher: Ohio Department of Aging, Older Americans Act Programs Division
Published Date: April 2002

Executive Summary

Senior centers play a vital role in Ohio's aging network. To continue having an impact, centers need to be aware of and plan for future trends.

In 1995, the National Council on the Aging (NCOA) published Senior Centers in America: A Blueprint for the Future. Its purpose was to highlight changes in the aging population and offer suggestions about how senior centers could address these changes. This report provides insight into Ohio's progress towards that Blueprint, and offers direction for the future. Recommendations from the Blueprint are summarized into five critical areas for Ohio:

1. Attracting Baby Boomers - To attract a new generation, the baby boomers, senior centers need to make a paradigm shift. Most senior center directors are aware of the challenge: of appealing to a group who while not particularly "joiners", want to tone and stretch-mind and body-and surf the 'net.'
2. Fostering Diversity - While senior centers draw participants from different socio-economic populations, in general, program offerings are fairly homogeneous across the state.
3. Linking the Generations - While their life experience predisposes older persons for intergenerational activities, when asked directly about this seniors are generally for mixing generations, yet in community centers express a desire to preserve a space "of their own."
4. Redefining the Image of Senior Centers - Many senior center directors and Ohioans agree the image of senior centers keeps many away. The common perception is that centers are for dependent "old people" doing unappealing activities.
5. Partnering for Resource and Community Development - Senior centers are diversifying funding and seeking new community partnerships. More than half receive Older Americans Act funding. Local sources, however, are the major source of funds for senior centers.

This report will help senior centers and Ohio's aging network effectively prepare for the future. Findings are based on Ohio-specific data from senior center directors and Ohioans aged 50 - 55 and 65 - 70. PASSPORT, Older Americans Act, Senior Facilities, and Senior Services Levy program data were also considered.

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• Cover, Credits and Executive Summary (125kb)
• Part 1: Introduction and Methodology (69kb)
• Part 2: Ohio Senior Centers (503kb)
• Part 3: Older Adults of Tomorrow (513kb)
• Part 4: Attracting Baby Boomers (408kb)
• Part 5: Fostering Diversity (380kb)
• Part 6: Linking the Generations (385kb)
• Part 7: Redefining the Image of Senior Centers (305kb)
• Part 8: Partnering for Resource and Community Development (467kb)
• Appendix A: Methodology (34kb)
• Appendix B: Surveys (197kb)
• Appendix C: Senior Services Levies (29kb)