The world is changing and, in some ways, not for the better.
Hillcrest Centre, the seniors’ centre in Battleford, will close at the end of March. Dwindling membership is cited as the reason for the closure.
The closure reflects a trend across the board for community organizations — dwindling memberships and aging members. It would seem the Baby Boomers aren’t a generation of “joiners.” But a quick Google search brings up dozens of hits about boomers jumping on the social network bandwidth and signing up for various blogs and discussion groups. So perhaps the times have changed faster than the seniors’ centres.
One story on newstimes.com suggests seniors’ centres have an image problem. It cites the fact that today’s 60 somethings aren’t necessarily looking for card games, conversation and coffee, but are more likely to be looking for lively fitness opportunities and stimulating educational opportunities.
Further research brings up the concept of the “sandwich generation.” These are people who are struggling to care for aging parents while supporting their children and holding down full-time jobs. Those in that situation don’t have much extra time for socializing or volunteering.
But I think the type of society that first spawned the concept of seniors’ centres no longer exists. Richard Hiebert wrote recently about country school dances in the late 1950s. They were an opportunity for people to gather and socialize, to mingle with their friends and neighbours and relieve the sometimes humdrum routine of their daily lives.
They lived in a social atmosphere. Today’s world is decidedly anti-social. That’s because social media has replaced the Saturday night dance and if you don’t subscribe to it, you are basically an outcast.
Of course people today still attend and enjoy social functions, but with the daily bombardment of a multi-media universe many are content to amuse themselves quietly at home away from the crush of humanity. Tucked away with their Internet device, they will do their socializing all by themselves.
It’s an alarming trend, because according to an article on health.com, socializing is an important factor in longevity. British researchers say elderly people who are socially isolated may be at greater risk of early death.
“Social contact is a fundamental aspect of human existence. The scientific evidence is that being socially isolated is probably bad for your health, and may lead to the development of serious illness and a reduced life span,” said lead researcher Andrew Steptoe, director of the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care at University College London.
It remains to be seen if socializing on the Internet can replace the good old face-to-face kind over a hand of Kaiser or around the pool table. In the meantime seniors’ centres will continue to struggle to attract new members as their current members age and the Baby Boomers stay away in droves.
