Senior center participation in northwest Arkansas: An examination of future marketing strategies, policy implications, and program needs to attract the Baby-Boomer Generation

The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of the Baby Boomer Generation on the future services provided by Senior Centers in Northwest Arkansas, specif ically in Benton, Madison, and Washington counties. The study was a mixed methods design utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Three research groups were used: Nine Senior C enter Directors, which were interviewed; one focus group composed of four Baby Boomers; a nd a print survey distributed to ninety-two Baby Boomers. The data revealed that changes are needed in the program and services in Senior Centers to attract the Baby Boomer Genera tion. Changes will need to include updating facilities and eliminating the institutional feel t o the buildings. Providing current and trendy programs, activities, and education was also recomm nded. The primary policy implication is funding, which affects all of the areas suggeste d for change. Senior Centers will need to find innovative ways to increase funding or reduce expenses, and st arting entrepreneurial activities and building community partnerships is one method to inc rease resources. If increased funding is not forthcoming, then a re-evaluation of the t arget group of seniors is warranted, along with a review of the best way to service seniors on a limited budget. This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. Dissertation Director: _________________________________ Dr. Barbara Shadden Dissertation Committee: _________________________________ Dr. Barbara Hinton _________________________________ Dr. Valerie Hunt DISSERTATION DUPLICATION RELEASE I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate t his dissertation when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed _______________________________ Wanda Faye Dobbs Turner Refused _______________________________ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I want to thank God and my family. The support and encouragement of my family was priceless. My late husband, David Alan Turner, was always s upportive and gave me the strength to embark upon this endeavor. To him, I will be forever grat eful, and I am just sorry he is not here to see this project finished, as he was always my number one cheerleader in this project and in life. My two beautiful daughters, Angela and Meredith, we re always there for me and gave up precious time with me on numerous occasions so that I could complete this project. Angela and Meredith thank you for being so understanding. I love both of you mor e than words can express. My brothers, Jerry, Larry, and Mickey, have loving expres sed their pride in my tackling this research project. To each of you, thank you for your love and support, a nd now you no longer have to call me “Master Sis”. Although, I kind of like being the “Mas ter,” but “Dr. Sis” has a nice ring too. As well, I want to thank my sister-in-laws , Carol and Debbie, my nieces, Bobbie and Jennifer, my mother-in-law, Dorothy, and each member of my very l arg family. A thank you seems so insignificant in relation to how much I appreciate e ach and every one of you for all of your support and encouragement, not only in this process but in life. Secondly, I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Barbara Shadden, my Dissertation Chairperson. She did not give up on me, and she continued to encourage me and support me during many trials and tribulations during this process, both mine and hers. Bar bara, I will be forever grateful. You are truly an angel in disguise. Two very important people in this project are my committee members, Dr. Barba ra Hinton and Dr. Valerie Hunt. Without each of you this process would not have been possible. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart. You are both role models in the academic fi eld that I can only hope to someday attain. Your encouragement and willingness to sta nd by me during this process is appreciated. Again, a simple thank you just does not seem like enough. I had a very supportive network of people guiding me, listening to me, and in general just being there for me. I want to especially thank Jami Forrester and Kenda Gr over for their support during this long process. Knowing that you were always there for me was very c omforting and made this process a little easier. There are so many other people in my life that gave me encouragement. To eac h of you, and you know who you are, thank you. DEDICATION I would like to dedicate this dissertation to my late husband, David, my daughters, Angela and Meredith, my brothers, Jerry, Larry, and Mickey, and my late beloved fathe r and mother, W.T. and Ruth.