Opportunities for a Senior Center and University to Serve as Third Places and Advance Age-Friendliness in Their Community

Item

Title
Opportunities for a Senior Center and University to Serve as Third Places and Advance Age-Friendliness in Their Community
Author
Renata Kerwood
Mandie Ramon
Samuel J Rowley
Hannah Rubio
Raelynn Johnston
Melissa Cannon
Faculty Sponsor
Melissa L. Cannon
Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to understand the potential use of a community senior center and university campus as third places, where people can gather informally for psychological support through a shared sense of grounding, ease, comfort, friendliness, and mutual concern (Oldenburg, 1999). Third places can help individuals age in place by contributing to the age-friendliness of communities (Banning, Clemons, McKelfresh, & Gibbs, 2010). Through a case study design, researchers used mixed methods to collect data from senior center members, senior center directors, and university administrators. Data were analyzed utilizing focused coding of open-ended responses and descriptive statistics from the quantitative data. Findings revealed implications related to lack of awareness, communication, and perceived barriers, contributing to overall goals of supporting older adults aging in place through creating opportunities for them to feel engaged and empowered in their communities.
Rights
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Type
Text
volume
8
Date Published
12/17/2019
Note
Melissa L. Cannon
Alternative Title
Senior Center University Third Places Advancing Age-Friendliness
Identifier
pure/vol8/iss1/9
Language
eng