Formal Activities for Elderly Women:

Abstract

In this study, theoretical views previously used to explain health service utilization by the elderly are extended to explain how predisposing (age, race, education, and marital status), enabling (income, employment status, health status, and transportation), and need (loneliness and livin arrangement) factors influence elderly women's participation in vof :u ntary organizations and senior centers. Hypotheses are tested using a nationwide probability sample, of elderly women who are 65 and above. The major findings ind~catet hat age, race, and health status influence participation In voluntary organizations and senior centers. Elderly widows are also more likely to participate in voluntary organizat~onst han married women. Loneliness has a positive impact on senior center participation of these women.