Senior Center Best Practices

Managers, Directors and Center Personnel

Senior Center Best Practices

Category
Other

Senior Center/Nutrition Program/Organization Name
Charles T. Adams Senior Center

Address
5 East Market Street Wilkes-Barre Pa 18701

Phone Number
570-825-3484

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

Contact Person
Nettie Buchola

Event Name
Laugh Out Loud

Description/Overview
Nettie Buchola the food service manager at the Charles T. Adams Senior Center has a unique way to get every member of the center to come together , share their stories and shed their worries in a humorous way. She has implemented the "Laugh Out Loud Program" at the center. The idea of this program is to have members share their thoughts and concerns with other members through humor. This has allowed members to know that they are not alone. In a non threatening way, it helps members open up where they otherwise might not have spoken up. It has led to members being referred to the proper agencies for help and members have left the center feeling better ,after all, laughter can be the best medicine.

Time and Manpower
A half hour (or more )each day to share jokes and stories, Manpower involves all members bringing in jokes from the newspaper,internet ect…

Marketing
Word of mouth is the best marketing for this program, when members tell others how much fun they have and how better they feel afterwards it draws more people to attend the program.

Audience Served
All the seniors and staff, laughing together is the best way to connect.

Partnerships Utilized
Members partner with staff to go online for jokes and stories to share, it is a great way for seniors who would not otherwise use a computer to learn how to navigate through the internet, which can be a great resource for seniors.

Budget/Costs
The cost is very minimal. The only supplies needed are a binder and protector sheets to display all the jokes brought in from Nettie and her "Laugh Out Loud" group.

Impact On Center
Members open up and find humor in their concerns which leads them to seek help in resolving issues for a better quality of life, which is after all why there are Senior Centers.

Good Tips/Other
Laughter helps members open up to other members and staff so we can better serve our seniors and that is one of our main missions.