Foreword

HE OFFICE OF EDUCATION is requested frequently to supply information about education and community organization for aging. This publication adds to the literature in the growing field of professional and community concern. The publication may have its major use as a handbook for community and school leaders who wish specific information about programs that have been tried in real community situations.

The focus of this case history is on the "action" and experimentaldemonstration approach which the community of Hamilton, Ohio, made to the problems and challenges of their Senior Citizens. Hamilton's experience has been recorded with several audiences in mind: (1) Experienced community workers in the field of aging who can benefit from study of programs in action; (2) scholars who seek to keep their research and teaching in this field close to community realities; (3) older people whose impulses and social insights impel them to continue learning and whose talents may be enlisted in general community and social improvement; and (4) school and community leaders whose decisions on policy and administrative matters affect vitally the effectiveness of community programs for older persons.

This study of a center for older persons reveals three aspects of a coordinated and interrelated program; namely, education, recreation, and community service. For those who are seeking to emphasize the educational aspects of a program for older adults, there are many features described in this study that should be of interest to those who are planning learning activities in senior citizen groups. Others who may wish to stress the social and recreational needs of older people will find many ideas for programs that put emphasis on health and recreational activities. Still other community leaders and groups desiring to work out community service programs in which older persons can participate should find many worthwhile ideas for a wide variety of individual and group-initiated programs. The study reveals how the educational, recreational, and community service features of a total program are interrelated and developed through association of older persons in the pleasant environs of a "center."

This is a record of actual experiences assembled by a participant and and an observer with intimate knowledge of the center development and program features. The Office of Education is grateful to Karl Hess and Muriel M. Allen who submitted the basic record.

In this study, community leaders and older persons should find encouragement and help in focusing thinking on practical ways through which older citizens may conserve and use their creative energies and talents not only for the well-being of themselves but also for others through service to the community and the Nation.

J. DAN HULL, Director
Instruction, Organization
and Services Branch

E. GLENN FEATHERSTON,

Assistant Commissioner
Division of State and
Local School Systems

AMBROSE CALIVER, Assistant to
the Commissioner and Chief
of Adult Education

Introduction

COW CAN AMERICAN communities utilize the talents and,abilities of older people with satisfaction to themselves and with benefit to society? How can educational opportunities for continuing growth of older people be provided in a pleasant environment? Approximately 350 communities have developed senior citizen centers in response to the needs suggested in these questions.

The questions and the response reflect a growing concern in American life about the continuing usefulness of a rapidly expanding older age group in the U.S. population. The age group over 65 is the fastest growing segment in the American population. Over 3,000 become 65 every day in the United States. Over 16 million in this country have already passed the age of 65. By 1980 the number in this age group is expected to reach the 241⁄2 million mark. The number of years an American can expect to live has increased dramatically since the turn of this century. The average estimated life expectancy at birth for the entire population has increased from 49.2 years in 1900 to 69.3 years in 1957.

Many communities find challenge in the phenomenon of America's aging population. Growing even faster than the aging group is the interest of community groups, organizations, churches, schools, foundations, governments, and voluntary organizations in helping to make the period of older maturity more secure, happier, and richer.

Many American communities have responded to the challenge with creative innovations and social organization. Broadly, community responses to the challenge fall into two categories. Some communities have elected to launch experimental programs and to learn in and through the process of experimentation and demonstration how the talents and skills of older people may be best used for their own and the well-being of others. Other communities have elected to initiate studies of aging in advance of developing action programs.

Illustrative of the "action" and experimental-demonstration approach is the Hamilton Ohio program of the Senior Citizen Center, the subject of this publication. Illustrative of the community selfstudy approach is the detailed study of the county's aging group in