Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Senior Centers: Comparing Participant Characteristics in More and Less Multicultural Settings

Nancy Giunta, Carmen Morano, Nina S. Parikh, Dana Friedman, Marianne C. Fahs, William T. Gallo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)467-483
Number of pages17
JournalJournal of Gerontological Social Work
Volume55
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • ethnicity and multicultural issues
  • home- and community-based services
  • racial and ethnic diversity
  • senior centers

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Nursing (miscellaneous)

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