title: The third-age African American seniors: benefits of participating in senior multipurpose facilities.
abstract: This article examines the contexts and benefits of African American seniors' participation in multipurpose facilities. Using qualitative data from 15 in-depth participant interviews and 6-month on-site participant observations as well as a survey result, research revealed the physical, emotional, and social benefits that African American seniors reported as a result of their participation in various activities offered in a multipurpose senior center in Atlanta Georgia. The study presents a social context in which African American seniors constructed their new third age identities that is different from the wide-spread negative images depicted by the mainstream about this minority group. Findings from this study increase the knowledge about African American seniors' participation in multipurpose facilities and provide a better understanding for the diverse socio-economic backgrounds of African American seniors. Study results will have policy implications for a better development of senior centers for minority population in the United States for the promotion of productive and successful aging.
authors.affiliation: Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Davette
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor-Harris
authors.forename: Heying Jenny
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Zhan
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D020446:Fitness Centers; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects