I recently had the opportunity to attend a presentation by
Manoj Pardasani, PhD, LCSW, ACSW on his research on
senior centers. Manoj conducted a three year longitudinal
study on senior centers at Fordham University. His results
reaffirm what many of us who work at senior centers
already knew including the following:
• The average person who visits a senior center is a 75 year old woman who
lives alone.
• Participants attend for socialization, classes and education, meals,
recreation programs and exercise programs.
• Senior Center’s impact on participants was that those who attend exercise
5 to 6 hours per week, have better mental health, and they manage their weight
better.
• Seniors who come to a center have more opportunities to be with their
peers and 10% of their friends were met through the senior center.
• Seniors who attend centers also are more likely go find information on
services and be enrolled in services that benefit them.
This information is important because it is estimated by 2025, 20% of the population,
or one in five people in Connecticut, will be over age 65. Connecticut has the third
highest life expectancy in the country at age 80.8 years. The population of 65
and older is estimated to increase in Connecticut by 57% over the next decade.
We want to have those years as healthy and happy as possible. This research
supports the theory those who attend are getting benefits from the Senior Center.
Thank you for being part of our healthy community!