Background and Objectives Dementia-friendly communities (DFCs) are systematic and collaborative efforts to make local communities more supportive and inclusive of persons living with dementia and their care partners. This study explores how the organizational characteristics of senior centers influence their engagement in DFCs. Research Design and Methods We used a partially mixed, concurrent, equal status design, drawing on qualitative interviews with staff from 13 senior centers leading DFC initiatives as part of a statewide dementia-friendly network in Massachusetts, as well as quantitative data from 342 senior centers collected as part of a statewide survey. Results The qualitative results demonstrated ways in which human, social, tangible, and programmatic capital facilitate senior centers’ DFC engagement. In particular, the results illuminated the importance of social capital with organizations and groups outside of the senior center, spanning the municipal, regional, and state levels. Findings from multivariate analyses further indicated robust and strong associations between higher levels of social capital, as well as more dementia-focused programming and greater variety of funding sources, with greater likelihood of engagement in DFC work. Discussion and Implications Results indicate the importance of policy and practice to foster both organizational capacity and multi-level systems conditions to enable and motivate senior centers’ involvement in DFC initiatives.

As local hubs for aging services, senior centers are well-positioned to engage in dementia-friendly community (DFC) work. Yet centers vary in their engagement, especially as the DFC concept has been introduced only recently in the US. Using a mixed-methods approach, we drew on data from a survey of senior centers in Massachusetts, the US Census, and qualitative interviews with senior center staff to examine factors associated with DFC engagement. Centers that reported greater engagement were in municipalities with higher proportions of older residents from vulnerable groups (e.g., adults ages 80+, limited English proficiency, with a disability, living alone). They also reported greater programmatic, social service, funding, and staff capacity. Qualitative findings elucidated how senior center leaders drew on intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and community assets to support local DFC efforts. We discuss implications for policies and practices to cultivate senior centers and other community-based organizations as leaders and partners toward DFCs.

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LGBTQ seniors have some different needs for programs and services, are at a higher risk of social isolation, and are often underserved in the community. Senior centers serve as a hub of resources in a community and are purposefully situated to address the needs and interests of all seniors in a community; they are a natural outlet for targeted programming for LGBTQ seniors. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate what municipal senior centers across Massachusetts are doing to meet the needs of their LGBTQ seniors. A total of 24 senior centers were identified by the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging (MCOA) as providing LGBTQ programming. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 senior center directors or programming staff from different communities across Massachusetts to learn more about their specific programming. For almost all senior centers in this study, the main LGBTQ-specific programming was a congregate meal with an activity. Activities included both recreational activities like a film-screening and educational engagements such as guest speakers or specialists on housing, legal services, and health promotion. Distinguishing characteristics included whether or not programming had an intergenerational component, type of recruitment methods, and geographic clustering of programs. For example, two regions emerged as having shared activities for LGBTQ seniors. Results from this study will be used to illustrate models of best practice when it comes to LGBTQ programming for older people.

In early 2021, access to a COVID-19 vaccine was prioritized for older adults and people with multiple co-morbidities. Between high demand, emerging supply, and new systems for booking a vaccine appointment, many people had challenges getting an appointment. Senior centers became a crucial resource for access to the vaccine and additional information about its efficacy and safety. This poster presents survey data collected from 282 senior centers in Massachusetts regarding their involvement with the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in 2021. Nearly all senior centers reported making vaccine appointments on behalf of residents and were responsible for over 166,000 appointments made. Nearly 100,000 hours were spent by senior center staff or volunteers to make appointments. About a third of senior centers participated in hosting nearly 2,000 vaccine clinics, which vaccinated over 175,000 adults. Respondents reported challenges faced during the booking process, including the length of time and the developing technologies to book an appointment. Almost two-thirds of senior centers reported assisting community members under age 60, operating beyond the traditional scope of their services. Other assistance provided by senior centers included providing information about eligibility and guidelines (84%), information about vaccine efficacy and safety (62%), offering transportation to appointments (70%), and providing physical assistance for appointments (31%). Evidence from this poster emphasizes the important role that senior centers play in the community, not just for older adults but also for the community at large.