Our latest research finds that the five Milwaukee County-owned senior centers face substantial repair and replacement needs, which poses a particular challenge given the county’s overall backlog of needed infrastructure projects. At the same time, these facility needs offer an opportunity for Milwaukee County officials and the broader community to re-assess the role of senior centers.
After examining older adult programming in five peer counties and national guidance established by the federal Older Americans Ac, we suggest that the current senior center model may not constitute the best use of the limited resources available to promote older adult independence. In contemplating a different model, policymakers and citizens should address the following questions: