Photo Credit: © Can Stock Photo / budabar
There is a subtle but continuing challenge to describe what is generally referred to as a “senior center.” For that matter, what do we call people who go there: senior citizens, older adults, older Americans, or just adults? After all, we don’t say “junior citizens,” so why would we say “senior citizens?”
The facility can be called a senior center, enrichment center, older adult activity center, or nothing at all and simply be named “The Bridge” or “Recreation Center.” However, these facilities have become one of the most widely used parks and rec services among America’s burgeoning population of Baby Boomers—people born between 1946 and 1964.
“Activity” is the operative word in these centers as demand has expanded beyond the passive activities of previous generations, such as bingo or card playing, to more mobile activities such as dance and exercise. This expanded and multi-faceted use of these centers also carries an expanded need for more aggressive maintenance practices.