Who are older adults?
- Young old (65-74 years of age)
- Old (75-84)
- Oldest old (85-99)
- Centennials (100+)
Active old
- Live on their own, or in retirement communities
- Manage their own transportation
- Involved in community activities
Frail elders
- Among oldest group, 85 and older
- Live in residential facilities
- Various debilitating conditions
Statistics (U.S. Census 2010)
Aging characteristics of elderly
How can libraries benefit older adults
- 55 and older (24.9% of population)
- 65 and older (12.4% of population)
- 5.1% male
- 7.3% female
- 9.7% growth since 2010 (fastest growing segment of population)
Aging characteristics of elderly
- Decreases in
- Eyesight
- Hearing
- Taste, touch and smell
- Mental decline
- Dementia
- Alzhimer's Disease (form of dementia)
- Sundowning (form of dementia that occurs primarily at dusk and night)
- Habits
- Physical decline can limit social activities
- Loss of comfort when leaving home
- Outlook
- Loss is inevitable
- Social and emotional losses can be overcome
How can libraries benefit older adults
- Recreation and leisure
- Library programs
- Entertainment materials
- Free Internet access
- Technology instruction
- 35% of adults over 65 use the Internet
- Computer classes/lectures
- One-on-one instruction with library staff
- Money and health information
- Library programs
- Books and Internet resources
- Librarian to assist research
How can older adults benefit the library
- Knowledgeable volunteers
- Draw from life experiences
- Familiarity with the library
- Monetary donations
- Most net worth
- Prime target for donations
- Willing to spend it if engaged
Numbers
- Increase library patronage (Most people in U.S. are 50 and older)
- New outreach and services
Voters
- Voting in favor of libraries
- More older adults vote
- Vote for things that benefit them
Effectively serving older adults: ALA Guidelines for Library Services and Information to Older Adults
- Acquire current data about the older population and incorporate it into planning and budgeting.
- Ensure that the special needs and interests of older adults in your community are reflected in the library's collections, programs, and services.
- Make the library's collections and physical facilities safe, comfortable and inviting for all older adults.
- mid-level shelving
- benches for browsing
- comfortable seating
- Make the library a focal point for information services to older adults.
- Target the older population in library programming.
- Reach out to older adults in the community who are unable to travel to the library.
- Train the library’s staff to serve older adults with courtesy and respect.
Service tips for older people
- Eye contact and speaking clearly
- Technical knowledge
- May not be tech-savvy but don't assume ignorance
- Resistance to change
- Be encouraging
- Treat older adults with respect
Summary
- Understand trends and characteristics of older adults
- Be aware of special wants and needs
- Know how to best accommodate
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