Snapshot of Delaware Senior Centers:COVID-19 Restrictions, Challenges and Successes

Abstract

Senior centers provide recreational and social opportunities to millions of older adults. As a result of COVID-19, many senior center directors were forced to adapt and provide new physical distancing opportunities for their members quickly. The study aimed to identify restrictions, challenges, and successes that Delaware senior center administrators faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews with 15 senior center administrators revealed that many sites relied upon state or federal guidelines for their policies while significantly reducing their specific class and activity offerings. These senior center administrators indicated a lack of guidance on openings, financial hardships, and lack of volunteers and employees as challenges they faced. Policies and frameworks should be developed to assist these organizations when adapting to future disasters.