Library Services for Older Adults Mind The Gap

Library Services for Older Adults Mind The Gap Nancy Fletcher Special Needs/PR Librarian Waukesha County Federated Library System September 21, 2010 Winnefox Library System

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Why library services for older adults? What are our attitudes towards older adults? Planning Services Computer Classes WII for Older Adults Library Space Adaptive Equipment George Carlin on Aging

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Why library services for older adults?

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap The United States population is rapidly aging. By 2030, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double to 71 million older Americans, comprising roughly 20 percent of the U. S. State of Aging and Health in America 2007 Report, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U. S. Department of Health and Human Services

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap “I will be old when…. ”

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap What are our attitudes towards older adults?

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap When we think of someone who is old, how do we think of them? Chronological age Emotional component Physical descriptors

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap PLANNING

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Demographics How many older adults are in your service area? What are their ages? Diversity? Where do they live? How can the library best serve them? How can the library fund service to them? Marketing Media Printed Word-of-mouth Community Partnerships

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Services Collection Development ▪ ▪ ▪ All formats Income and investments Retirement Health and insurance Housing and long term care options Starting small businesses Antiques and collectibles Fashion and skin care for older women Relationships for older couples Cooking for one or two and special diet cookbooks Prescription drug information Multicultural materials relevant to your community

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Services Book Clubs ▪ By genre, male/female/all, etc. Birding Club Movie Night Coffee Clubs ▪ Food attracts Bi-Folkal Kits ▪ Group experience Workshops ▪ Gardening, scrapbooking, life stories, antiques, travelling Programs Home Delivery

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap TGB GEEZER FLICKS About Schmidt (2002) Comedy/Drama After Life (2005) Comedy Antonia (1995) Comedy/Drama Assisted Living (2003) Comedy/Drama Atlantic City (1980) Crime Drama NEW Aurora Borealis (2005) Drama Autumn Spring (2003) Comedy Away From Her (2006) Drama The Boynton Beach Bereavement Club (2005) Comedy/Drama Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) Horror/Comedy NEW The Bucket List (2007) Comedy/Drama Calendar Girls (2003) Comedy/Drama Checking Out (1995) Comedy The Crew (2000) Comedy/Drama www. timegoesby. net

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap The biggest increase in internet use since 2005 can be seen in the 70 -75 year-old age group. While just over one-fourth of 70 -75 year olds were online in 2005, 45% of that age group is currently online. Pew Generations Online in 2009

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Older generations use the internet as a tool for research, emailing, shopping and banking In particular, older internet users are significantly more likely than younger generations to look online for health information. Researching health information is the third most popular online activity with the most senior age group, after email and online search. 56% of internet users ages 64 -72 and 47% of internet users age 73 and older buy products online Generation X (internet users ages 33 -44) are significantly more likely than any other generation to do their banking online (67%). Generations older than Generation X have remained relatively equally likely as they were three years ago to use the internet to do their banking. Pew Generations Online 2009

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Services Computer Classes ▪ Word, Excel, Access, etc. ▪ Internet ▪ How to build a simple website ▪ Digital cameras and photo enhancements ▪ Include those with hearing and vision loss ▪ Adaptive equipment ▪ Large print handouts

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Services Blogging Facebook Twitter Second Life ?

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Library Space Location Usability Seating Lighting Shelving Rolling walkers with baskets Adaptive Equipment Quick Tips for Serving Older Adults, ALA “Senior. Serv” Discussion List, 2/04

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Adaptive Equipment Hearing Loss ▪ Pocket Talkers ▪ Group Listening Device Vision Loss ▪ Magnifiers ▪ Electronic Magnifiers ▪ MP 3 players designed for those with vision loss

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Adaptive Equipment Mobility ▪ Rolling Walkers with basket ▪ Shopping Carts ▪ Wheelchair

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Libraries can be a Lifestyle for Older Adults.

Library Services for Older Adults Mind the Gap Caregivers