Enhancing Quality of Life Through Senior Centers

Senior Centers ,which provide drop-in opportunities and structured events, can provide great openings for older adults to have social interactions that may lead to friendships. Friendships can really increase their emotional quality of life- at any age- but particularly old age. Many schools and day care centers also have inter-generational programs with senior centers , where older adults can spend time with children, each enjoying the special gifts the other brings to the exchange. Any time you combine children and older adults –magic happens. That magic is the enhanced emotional quality of life of both the older person and the child. Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren bring luster to an elder’s life.They also, pretty much at any age bring technology.

At 68, I would put myself in this category . Just being with my twin grandsons for their birthday last week infused happiness into my entire being.My two year old grandson turned on I tunes on my I phone. Only he- the two year old –knew how to turn the music off.

If you are a geriatric care manager or an aging professional , think of adding senior centers and inter-generational programs to your plan of care.Find this need through a quality of life assessment You will create a win win care plan- for both  the elder and  the children’s  emotional quality of life— Really – for everyone.