Library Outreach Resources to Underserved Populations

Services to Older Adults

Grandparent’s Day Ideas

Grandparent's Day isn't for another year, but these ideas can help you make exciting plans for next year. If your program was a success, please send a description to olos@ala.org and share with the wider community.

Software and Memories connect older adults and children

Use the Generations on Line site (http://generationsonline.com/) to encourage responses to the questions children ask about the past. Memories: Generation to Generation is the software’s core application that facilitates threaded discussion between elders and children in participating U.S. classrooms. Elders are able to contribute to the education of youngsters, by fielding classroom questions about specific topics in which they have had related life experiences. Students are able to obtain unique first-person perspectives on historical events, social changes and culture; while affording elders a new outlet to share their memories.
Tobey Gordon Dichter, Founder, CEO Generations on Line, www.generationsonline.org
(215) 922 3244; fax (215) 922 3641.

Ready and Reliable

Any branch library can create a display of books for older adults, or even a display of classic children’s books. Children’s programs can include time for creating “Happy Grandparents Day” cards to give to their grandparents.
Pabby Arnold, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, parnold@ebr.lib.la.us

SSA Launches Grandparent's, Part D Outreach Effort

The Social Security Administration is launching an outreach campaign for Grandparent's Day to reach friends, family members, and caregivers of people who may be eligible for the extra help available through the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Information about the extra help is available at Social Security's website (www.socialsecurity.gov). Learn more from our “Show Someone You Love How Much You Care” (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10506.pdf) pamphlet.
Maria Artista-Cuchna, Social Insurance Specialist, Social Security Administration; (410) 966-0439; fax (410) 966-4871; maria.artista-cuchna@ssa.gov

Anyone for Tea?

Grandparents, grandchildren, and everyone in between are invited to join Northfield author Patrick Mader, writer of "Opa and Oma Together" and "Oma Finds a Miracle," for afternoon tea. Snacks and refreshments provided by Starbucks.
The two stories Mr. Mader wrote take place on a rural farm, and star his own grandparents. My hope was that this program would stimulate discussion between grandparents and their grandchildren about what life was like for them, growing up in a different era. We had 22 people attend our program.
Jen Verbrugge, Children's Librarian, Dakota County Library – Burnhaven; jennifer.verbrugge@co.dakota.mn.us

On Now: May is Older Americans Month

Share your stories and plans for celebrating.

May is Older Americans Month! - Get ideas on how to celebrate @ your library.

Resources for Serving Older Adults

Column

Serving Older Adults @ Your Library : By Kathy Mayo,
Manager of Community Access Services, Lee County (FL) Library System

Library Outreach Services Policy

Benefits of Intergenerational Programs

Guidelines for Library Services to Older Adults, 1999, RUSA (.pdf)

Quick Tips for Serving Older Adults

Older Adults and the World Wide Web: A Guide for Website Creators Product of conference on 'OLDER ADULTS, HEALTH CARE INFORMATION, AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB', March 25-26, 1999.

Resource Organizations

Presentations

Reaching Out to Serve Older Adults: The Why and How of Excellent Library Service

OLOS preconference @ ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA; June 22 and 23, 2006. | Event Flyer

White House Conference on Aging Forum

OLOS preconference @ ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, IL; Friday, June 24, 2005. MORE at the Libraries, Lifelong Learning, Information and Older Adults Forum" site.

Interest areas for Older Adults Topics for Older People

National Institute on Aging, US National Institutes of Health

NIH SeniorHealth.gov - "for older adults, featuring information from the National Institutes of Health

Open Your Eyes to the Facts! (306)'Vision Loss is Not a Normal Part of Aging' Awareness Campaign Information

HHS Quick Guide to Health Literacy

Combining evidence and best practice, the new HHS Quick Guide to Health Literacy is a reference for professionals interested in health literacy. The strategies discussed in the guide reflect the current body of research in health literacy and health communication. These strategies include:

• improving the usability of health information;

• improving the usability of health services;

• building knowledge to improve health decision-making; and

• advocating for health literacy improvement.

The action-oriented tools can be applied to health care delivery, policy, administration, and public communication and education activities.

Background

In 2000, HHS released the Healthy People 2010 objectives. Healthy People objectives are based on research that is used to shape policy and programmatic directions, as well as stimulate changes in organizational, professional, and public practices. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) at HHS is the lead agency for Healthy People 2010 and specifically for the Health Communication Objectives that include health literacy improvement. Since 2003, ODPHP has used these objectives to lead an HHS-wide effort to develop the research base, identify organizational and professional barriers, raise awareness, and develop tools for health literacy improvement.

The Quick Guide to Health Literacy (www.health.gov/communication/literacy/default.htm), contains a sample Power Point presentation on health literacy and other resources.

Press Release: Grants to Fund Long-term Care Services

August 18, 2005 US Dept. HHS. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Benefits of Intergenerational Programs

Examples of intergenerational programs: PRIME time

Intergenerational Subcommittee of the OLOS Advisory Committee

As of July 2001, the Intergenerational Subcommittee of the Office for Literacy & Outreach Services (OLOS) Advisory Committee is no longer active. Their charge was to recommend, support and develop projects which encourage mutually beneficial, mutually enjoyable library programs linking generations and provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas regarding intergenerational library programs.

The OLOS Advisory Committee appreciates the work done by the subcommittee to create the documents Benefits of Intergenerational Programs, Electronic Resources, Resource Organizations.