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With senior citizens making up about 15% of the United States’ population, public libraries now more than ever are important sources of useful information, materials, and services for them.
By considering the unique needs of this demographic, libraries can improve, enhance, and safeguard their lives.
Interacting with others is important to the mental and emotional health of older adults. Provide classes, programs, and other opportunities for socializing. Recruit them to volunteer at the library. Don’t forget physical health! Consider yoga, tai chi, and other age-appropriate fitness, movement, and aging-well classes.
Seniors are a popular target for scammers and the results can be devastating, wiping out their life savings. Host scam prevention classes to help them be aware of the many ways that criminals seek to defraud. Pass It On, a campaign of the Federal Trade Commission, offers downloadable materials (in English and Spanish) that can be used for bookmarks, PowerPoint presentations, and more.
Reading can be difficult for people with visual impairments and listening to audiobooks can be just as challenging for people with hearing loss. Collect both! Follow these ipage links for large print materials and audiobooks. If possible, offer assistive hearing devices and talking book services. A talking book program is available through the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, and many states have services that you can share with patrons.
On your library’s website, link to national, state, and local resources, such as AARP, Medicare, Social Security Administration, Meals on Wheels, retirement communities and transportation services in the region, and your local area agency on aging.
Some seniors may feel overwhelmed by the latest technology, yet want to stay in touch with friends and family. Host classes to teach the use of smartphones and tablets, social media, streaming entertainment services, Skype and Facetime, free email providers, and more.
Many older adults become interested in their family trees, wanting to connect the older generations with the younger ones. Offer genealogy classes, introduce them to online services such as Ancestry.com and Family Search, and provide links to genealogical societies and other libraries known for their digital archives.
Visit our Midlife Isis: Age like a Goddess and Elder Care ipage lists for titles on topics such as planning and paying for long-term care, understanding and treating age-related illnesses, caring for the caregiver, modifying a home for an elderly resident, and more. And check out the tipsheet “Keys to Engaging Older Adults @ Your Library” from the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services.”
Medicare and social security handbooks:
Social Security Handbook 2023: Overview of Social Security Programs<<9781636713823>>
Collection Development Librarian II
