Students conduct a Preliminary Assessment of DC Senior Needs

Newswise, May 31, 2011) – Nine graduate students from George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services in conjunction with Iona Senior Services and the DC Senior Advisory Coalition conducted a preliminary assessment of the needs of District of Columbia senior citizens this spring.

These George Washington University students explored demand and best practice models for the first needs assessment for DC seniors in 40 years, on the heels of what census data indicates could be the largest increase in the elderly population that the District has ever seen.

Students conducted this study as part of a service-learning project in a course, Management Approaches to Public Health, part of the coursework toward a Master’s of Public Health degree. Nearly 300 students undertake projects every year through this class in GW’s School of Public Health and Health Services.

Through their research, the students found that there will be an increasingly larger demographic shift in the population of elderly residents in many of the wards of District of Columbia, and that the existing support measures are not adequate to handle the growing numbers.

Over the course of the 2010-2011 school year, students conducted focus group interviews with multiple organizations and senior service providers and sent surveys to many others in order to collect data on what will be the most pressing emerging needs for the senior community.

Almost all of the organizations contacted reported that they were currently seeing an increase in the number of seniors applying for help in the areas of caregiver support and education; educational classes and workshops; health and wellness programs; case management and assessment; consultation; support groups; and, technology training, in addition to meal delivery services, affordable housing assistance and legal consultation. Budget constraints and staffing shortages were also highlighted as some of the greatest problems these agencies face in providing quality care to seniors and many are worried that budget cuts and the economy will prevent them from providing their services.

All of the agencies that took part in the needs assessment agreed that increasing awareness of the difficulties of providing service would be highly beneficial and that they would like to see a full scale assessment of senior needs across the District.

Senior citizens surveyed agreed that increasing visibility would be helpful, but they emphasized that they are still productive members of the community. They want to continue to share what they have learned through a lifetime of experiences, but they need help connecting with the community.

Moving forward, the researchers recommend that a full scale needs assessment of the DC senior community take place in order to fully serve and meet the needs of the DC senior community.

About the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services:
Established in July 1997, the School of Public Health and Health Services brought together three longstanding university programs in the schools of medicine, business, and education that we have since expanded substantially. Today, more than 1,200 students from nearly every U.S. state and more than 38 nations pursue undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level degrees in public health. Our student body is one of the most ethnically diverse among the nation's private schools of public health. http://sphhs.gwumc.edu/

About Iona Senior Services:
Established in 1975, Iona's mission is to support people as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging. We educate, advocate, and provide community-based programs and services to help people age well and live well. We envision a community that celebrates, values, respects and protects the contributions and possibilities of every individual. www.iona.org