Stakeholders’ Perspectives on an Area Agency on Aging Serving Urban Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), authorized by the 1965 Older Americans Act, seek to promote “age-friendly” communities by offering services that help older adults live independently. This study used Qualtrics survey data (n = 94 respondents) to identify unmet needs for AAA services in the Detroit metropolitan area. Descriptive statistical analyses were used for closed-ended items and content analysis was used to identify themes from open-ended questions. This needs assessment aims to provide the opportunity for in-depth, meaningful input from stakeholders about areas relevant to strategic planning efforts that enhance and enrich older adult programming in an urban AAA service area. Key themes included the need to collaborate with transportation providers, partner with healthcare and hospitals, market the agency to enhance visibility, promote aging in place, address demographic changes, and improve access to older adult services and caregiver support. Findings suggest the importance of providing accessible, high-quality services that promote aging in place through community outreach and collaboration activities.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging in place
• gerontology
• stakeholders

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The term “premier designation place” was used in the wording for the stakeholder survey. We have since clarified with the AAA that their strategic plan includes the goal of becoming “a trusted resource on aging and caregiving” (Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 2021). We plan to include this latter wording in future stakeholder surveys to enhance the clarity of the survey questions.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Detroit Area Agency on Aging.