Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Senior Centers: Comparing Participant Characteristics in More and Less Multicultural Settings |
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| Authors: | Nancy Giunta Carmen Morano Nina S Parikh Dana Friedman Marianne C Fahs William T Gallo |
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| Institution: | 1. Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College , City University of New York , New York , New York , USA ngiunta@hunter.cuny.edu;3. Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College , City University of New York , New York , New York , USA;4. Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging &5. Longevity of Hunter College , City University of New York , New York , New York , USA;6. Hospital for Special Surgery , New York , New York , USA;7. School of Public Health , City University of New York , New York , New York , USA |
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| Abstract: | The 2008 Health Indicators Project surveyed a probability sample (N = 1,870) of New York City senior center participants. Attendees of racially and ethnically diverse and nondiverse senior centers were compared across 5 domains: demographics; health and quality of life; social support networks; neighborhood perceptions and engagement; health service access/utilization. Although homogeneous and diverse center participants demonstrate similar health and quality-of-life outcomes, those from diverse centers demonstrate greater risk of social isolation, receive less family support, and more likely seek medical care from hospitals or community clinics. Implications and future directions for research, practice and policy are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | ethnicity and multicultural issues racial and ethnic diversity senior centers home- and community-based services |
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