OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN A SENIOR CENTER AND UNIVERSITY TO CREATE A MORE AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cannon, M; Johnston, R; Kerwood, R; Wehr, H
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 692
• Page End: 692
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.2573
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Third places have been explored as places outside home and work environments where individuals gather informally with ease, comfort, friendliness, and mutual concern. In Monmouth, Oregon, a small American college town, both the local senior center and the public university serve as third places for community members. The co-location of the two organizations provides a unique opportunity for intergenerational collaboration and for advancing age-friendliness of the Monmouth community. Researchers investigated how the organizations might build a stronger partnership and foster more intergenerational exchanges both on campus and at the senior center. This study occurred in two phases; in the first phase, researchers collected survey data from 46 members of the senior center, and from that sample, they conducted 12 follow-up interviews with survey respondents. In the second phase, researchers conducted 10 interviews with university faculty/staff and key contacts from other organizations that partner with the senior center. Data analysis using revealed key findings from the first phase regarding challenges or barriers perceived by senior center members for visiting the university campus and what they saw as opportunities to strengthen the university-senior center partnership and generate new intergenerational exchanges. From the second phase, interviews with university faculty/staff provided context for how the university engages and maintains partners, and interviews with other senior center partners provided ideas for additional partnership strategies. This presentation demonstrates how a senior center and university can partner to share resources, enhance diversity in their communities, and contribute to enhancing livability and age-friendliness throughout Monmouth.