scholarly journals Advancing State and Local Home Modification Practice and Policy: Findings From Aging Network Surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 490-491
Author(s):  
Julie Overton ◽  
Jon Pynoos ◽  
Emily Nabors ◽  
Damon Terzaghi ◽  
Elizabeth Blair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Native American ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Home Modification ◽  
Title Vi ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Aging Network

Abstract Home modification (HM) can promote older adults’ functioning as their needs change, reduce fall risks, and support caregivers. A supportive home environment is increasingly important as homes become healthcare delivery sites for home and community-based services (HCBS). HM is funded and administered by disparate agencies, often hindering access to HM services for at-risk older adults who need them the most. The Aging Network (State Units on Aging (SUAs), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and Title VI organizations serving Native American older adults) plays an important but not well understood role in HM. To address this lack of research, the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, ADvancing States, and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging in cooperation with Scripps Gerontology Center conducted three national surveys, with support from the Administration for Community Living: 1) directors of the 56 SUAs with an 89% response rate; 2) directors of the 618 AAAs with a 79% response rate; and 3) directors of 276 Title VI programs with an 84% response rate. Exemplary practices included HM advocacy through interagency coalitions; state and local plan priority setting; creative HM financing with housing, disability, and health care sectors, including partnerships with Medicaid agencies; and integration of HMs into state and local HCBS, including nursing home transition and caregiver support programs. Findings on the types of HM activities, service delivery barriers, funding sources, collaborations, and targeted populations will inform HM policy and practice for the Aging Network’s critical state and local agencies serving low-income older adults.

scholarly journals Case Study on the Community Resilience Within Title VI Programs During COVID-19: A Qualitative Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 466-466
Author(s):  
Abigail Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
Native Americans ◽  
Staff Burnout ◽  
Title Vi ◽  
Network Organizations ◽  
Delivery Options ◽  
Aging Network ◽  
Poor Infrastructure ◽  
American Aging

Abstract Health inequalities increased for Native Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic due to poor infrastructure, lack of electricity, health disparities, limited transportation, and rural location (Yellow Horse, 2021). Title VI programs-- aging network organizations that serve tribal elders--had to be resourceful to meet increased needs and restrictions on service delivery options. Qualitative data from the national 2020 Title VI Native American Aging Programs Survey illustrated the challenges faced and the resiliency of these organizations and their communities. Two rounds of thematic coding of 479 open-ended responses to the survey revealed that communication across organizations, a sense of shared mission, and sharing of resources allowed these agencies to provide more services in innovative ways. Challenges included limited funding, regulatory barriers, and staff burnout. A video presentation by a Title VI program director will provide context for the results of the survey.

scholarly journals INNOVATIONS IN HOME MODIFICATION RESEARCH: THE STATE OF THE ART

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S635-S635
Author(s):  
Emily Nabors ◽  
Mindy Renfro ◽  
Jon Pynoos ◽  
Sarah L Szanton ◽  
Jon Sanford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Home Modification ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Joint Center ◽  
Improve Service Delivery

Abstract The overwhelming preference of older adults is to stay in their homes for as long as possible (AARP). However, most housing lacks supportive features and presents barriers that jeopardize residents’ ability to successfully age in place. Only 1% of houses have five key features to ensure accessibility: no-step entry, single-floor living, lever door handles, accessible electrical controls, and extra-wide doors and hallways (Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies), making the vast majority unsuitable for persons who use wheelchairs and problematic for the growing number of people with activity limitations. Persons least likely to have such features in their homes need them the most: old-old, low income, frail, and residents in older housing stock. Although home modification can support people as their needs change and preclude the need to move, often to institutional settings, the majority of older adults lack these supports. Recent studies have demonstrated the role of home modification in health, safety, and cost effectiveness. This symposium will convene a panel of researchers to share evidence-base in home modification, recent cost-saving innovations including the CAPABLE Program, and policy change to improve service delivery.

scholarly journals East Meets West: Developing Support Systems to Meet the Diverse Needs of Older Adults in the United States and in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 583-583
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Jiehua Lu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intergenerational Support ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
The U.S

Abstract With the rapid growth of the aging population around the world, developing support systems for older adults has become increasingly important. It is crucial for researchers， educators, policy makers to share their experience and knowledge to initiate innovative and supportive programs and services that will meet the challenges of the aging population. The East meets West Forum is a platform that researchers from the Gerontological Society of America and the Chinese Association for Gerontology and Geriatrics established in 2017. Previously, the East meets West Forum focused on the issues of the long-term care (LTC) workforce, LTC services, and programs for older adults in the U.S and in China. In this session, we include four presentations (two from the U.S. and two from China) that focus on a broader area of support systems, beyond LTC, that would meet the diverse needs of older adults from housing, wellness visits, family caregiving system, to end of life care. More specially, it includes: 1) expand housing services for low-income older adults; 2) strengthen family support systems and promote intergenerational support; 3) develop a comprehensive program for early detection and treatment of dementia at primary care settings; and 4) examine diversity in the family care patterns for the oldest old. This session provides opportunities for aging researchers/educators from two countries to share their knowledge and experience on developing supportive systems for older adults and their families. It also provides policy discussions on improving health and family caregiver support services in these two countries.

Innovative Approaches to Managing Diabetes in Low-Income Older Adults

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Steers ◽  
Allison A. Jay ◽  
Sarah L. Anderson ◽  
Kaitlyn Eller ◽  
Leilani Feliciano
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Innovative Approaches

scholarly journals Delivery of Community Support Services for Older Adults in Social Housing

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 910-911
Author(s):  
Matthew Yau ◽  
Christine Sheppard ◽  
Jocelyn Charles ◽  
Andrea Austen ◽  
Sander Hitzig
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Community Agencies ◽  
Visible Minorities ◽  
Community Support Services

Abstract Community support services are an integral component of aging in place. In social housing, older adult tenants struggle to access these services due to the siloed nature of housing and health services. This study aims to describe the relationship between community support services and social housing for older adults and examine ways to optimize delivery. Data on government-funded community support services delivered to 74 seniors’ social housing buildings in Toronto, Ontario was analyzed. Neighbourhood profile data for each building was also collected, and correlational analyses were used to examine the link between neighbourhood characteristics and service delivery. Fifty-six community agencies provided 5,976 units of services across 17 service categories, most commonly mental health supports, case management and congregate dining. On average, each building was supported by nine agencies that provided 80 units of service across 10 service categories. Buildings in neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of low-income older adults had more agencies providing on-site services (r = .275, p < .05), while those in neighbourhoods with more immigrants (r = -.417, p < .01), non-English speakers (r = -.325, p < .01), and visible minorities (r = -.381, p < .01) received fewer services. Findings point to a lack of coordination between service providers, with multiple agencies offering duplicative services within the same building. Vulnerable seniors from equity-seeking groups, including those who do not speak English and recent immigrants, may be excluded from many services, and future service delivery for seniors should strive to address disparities in availability and access.

scholarly journals Designing Age-Friendly Communities: Exploring Qualitative Perspectives on Urban Green Spaces and Ageing in Two Indian Megacities

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1491
Author(s):  
Deepti Adlakha ◽  
Mina Chandra ◽  
Murali Krishna ◽  
Lee Smith ◽  
Mark A. Tully
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Activity Promotion

The World Health Organization and the United Nations have increasingly acknowledged the importance of urban green space (UGS) for healthy ageing. However, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India with exponential ageing populations have inadequate UGS. This qualitative study examined the relationships between UGS and healthy ageing in two megacities in India. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling in New Delhi and Chennai and semi-structured interviews were conducted with consenting participants (N = 60, female = 51%; age > 60 years; fluent in English, Hindi, or Tamil). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analysed using inductive and thematic analysis. Benefits of UGS included community building and social capital, improved health and social resilience, physical activity promotion, reduced exposure to noise, air pollution, and heat. Poorly maintained UGS and lack of safe, age-friendly pedestrian infrastructure were identified as barriers to health promotion in later life. Neighbourhood disorder and crime constrained older adults’ use of UGS in low-income neighbourhoods. This study underscores the role of UGS in the design of age-friendly communities in India. The findings highlight the benefits of UGS for older adults, particularly those living in socially disadvantaged or underserved communities, which often have least access to high-quality parks and green areas.

scholarly journals Voices of Experience: What Do Low-Income Older Adults Tell Us About Mobility, Technology, and Social Participation?

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110125
Author(s):  
Haley B. Gallo ◽  
Lia W. Marshall ◽  
Lené Levy-Storms ◽  
Kathleen H. Wilber ◽  
Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Diverse Group ◽  
Senior Center ◽  
Perceived Safety

Mobility and technology can facilitate in-person and virtual social participation to help reduce social isolation, but issues exist regarding older adults’ access, feasibility, and motivation to use various forms of mobility and technology. This qualitative study explores how a diverse group of low-income, urban-living older adults use mobility and technology for social participation. We conducted six focus groups ( N = 48), two each in English, Spanish, and Korean at a Los Angeles senior center. Three major themes emerged from thematic analysis: using technology for mobility; links between mobility and social participation; and technology-mediated social participation. Cost, perceived safety, (dis)ability, and support from family and friends were related to mobility and technology use. This study demonstrates the range of mobility and technology uses among older adults and associated barriers. The findings can help establish a pre-COVID-19 baseline on how to make mobility and technology more accessible for older adults at risk of isolation.

Community-dwelling older adults who are low-income and disabled weathering financial challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 901-907
Author(s):  
Laura J. Samuel ◽  
Rebecca Wright ◽  
Marianne Granbom ◽  
Janiece L. Taylor ◽  
Ciara Hupp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Financial Challenges ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Screening and Priority-Setting to Determine Home- and Community-Based Aging Services for Older Floridians

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110125
Author(s):  
Lawrence Schonfeld ◽  
Jesse Bell ◽  
Mary Goldsworthy ◽  
Kevin Kip ◽  
Amber M. Gum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
Aging Services ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Aging Network ◽  
Community Based Services

The National Aging Network serves millions of older Americans seeking home- and community-based services, but places others on waitlists due to limited resources. Little is known about how states determine service delivery and waitlists. We therefore conducted a process evaluation and analyzed data from one five-county Area Agency on Aging in Florida, where an algorithm calculates clients’ priority scores for service delivery. From 23,225 screenings over 5.5 years, clients with higher priority scores were older, married, living with caregivers, and had more health problems and needs for assistance. Approximately 51% received services (e.g., meals/nutrition, case management, caregiver support), 11% were eligible/being enrolled, and 38% remained on waitlists. Service status was complex due to multiple service enrollments and terminations, funding priorities, and transfers to third-party providers. More research is needed regarding how other states determine eligibility and deliver services, potentially informing national standards that promote optimal health in older Americans.

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