Senior Center Best Practices

Managers, Directors and Center Personnel

Senior Center Best Practices

Category
Community Event

Senior Center/Nutrition Program/Organization Name
Kingston Senior Citizen Center - Area Agency on Aging, Luzerne/Wyoming Counties

Address
680 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston PA 18704

Phone Number
(570) 287-1102

E-Mail
sacornley@aging.luzerne-wyoming.org

Contact Person
Sandy Acornley, Director

Event Name
Depression: Hope and Healing…this was a special public service program sponsored by a local TV station.

Description/Overview
A local TV station, WNEP-TV was involved in a special presentation called "Depression: Hope and Healing." It was a program dedicated to bringing depression and suicide "out of the darkness." Part of the program was specifically geared toward depression and suicide in the elderly population. The Kingston Senior Center was selected to participate in this program. The center's involvement was to portray the fact that there are places where seniors can go to help combat this problem. The TV station wanted to observe and interview seniors that are still engaged socially and actively in the community. They filmed an overview of the center and it's activities. They were amazed with the spirit and enthusiasm of the seniors.

Also participating in this program was Jackie Boyle, Regional Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition.

She interviewed several of the members at a round-table discussion on the part that the senior center plays in helping them deal with these issues as they age. They were able to express to her how important the senior center is to their mental and physical health.

This was a wonderful opportunity to incorporate our Prime Time Health activities into a very practical format. It was also a wonderful opportunity to portray, not just a facility that provides a nutritious meal, but a senior center with an atmosphere of spirit and activity. The motto of the center, "Let The Fun Begin," was strongly emphasized in the discussion group.

Time and Manpower
Initially the center was contacted by Annette Grella, the Prime Time Health Coordinator of the Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne/Wyoming Counties. She asked if I would be interested in talking with Don Jacobs of WNEP-TV regarding working on this project. After several phone conversations, all of the details were in place for the filming to be held at the center.

The time factor involved was basically just one day of observing and filming at the center. The crew came in early in the day and began filming the various activities in which the seniors were participating. This involved many members doing various activities. We had pre-selected the senior aide and 3 members to participate in a round-table discussion.

Marketing
We began announcing the event a week ahead of time so individuals would be excited about the opportunity to promote their center. Commercials began airing on the local station prior to the evening of the program.

Audience Served
The target audience of this event was the general population. It was designed to encourage individuals of all ages to realize a need or problem they may have, and not be afraid or ashamed to seek help. Part of the program was designed to make seniors aware of this problem among their age group.

Partnerships Utilized
The Kingston Senior Center was able to partner with Don Jacobs, the producer of the program for WNEP-TV, Channel 16 and also Jackie Boyle , Regional Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health and Aging Coalition.

Budget/Costs
There was no cost to the center or it's members to be a part of this program.

Impact On Center
The participation in this event sparked a great deal of interest and enthusiasm from our members. They were so proud and thrilled to be a part of this program because they were asked to portray an "antidote" to depression. It gave them an opportunity to show the public that a senior center is a vital, active place that can be beneficial in all areas of a seniors life.

Many, many comments were received after the airing of the program as to the wonderful impression made by the seniors during their segment. It was exciting and rewarding for the members to be a part of this program.

Good Tips/Other
It was a pleasure to be asked to participate in this very important public service program. Obviously this is something that cannot be done by a center alone, but when an opportunity like this presents itself, it is exciting and rewarding for the members to know that they can be considered inspirational role models for all generations.