The Egyptian Area Agency on Aging received the results below by county, however, not all counties in the planning and service area were represented in the survey. Surveys were received from the following counties in Illinois:

• Franklin,
• Gallatin,
• Jackson,
• Johnson,
• Massac,
• Pulaski,
• Union, and
• Williamson.

Thirty percent (30%) of those responding to the survey who also attended senior adult centers are men. This compares to 35% of all respondents who are men, 49% of those who do not attend a senior adult center are men, and 27% of all those over the age of 75 are men.

Of the respondents who do not attend senior adult centers, almost half are men. It cannot be determined from this survey whether the non-attending men were single or married. It would also be interesting to discover why so many men do not attended centers.

Of those attending senior adult centers, 95% indicated that they liked or use the noon meal program. This compares to 75% of all respondents, 54% of those not attending senior adult centers, and 88% of all those over age 75.

Ninety-three percent (93%) of those who attend senior adult centers like or use the blood pressure screening program. This compares to 80% of all respondents, 69% of those not attending senior adult centers, and 90% of all those over age 75.

Of those attending senior adult centers, 70% are interested in short, one day trips sponsored by the center or related organization. This compares to 59% of all respondents, 54% of those not attending senior adult centers, and 56% of those over age 75.

Of those attending senior adult centers, a large majority attend the center for the noon meal program, blood pressure screening, and short, one day trip opportunities. Other senior adult center programs are important to seniors, but not to the extent of these three programs.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of those who attend senior adult centers own an automobile and 32% depend on a friend for their transportation needs (some respondents answered both ways.) This compares to 63% and 32% for all respondents, 60% and 29% for those not attending senior adult centers, and 58% and 46% for respondents over age 75.

Of the respondents who do not attend senior adult centers, fewer own their own automobile than those who attend centers. The non-attending group also relies less on others for their transportation needs. This leads to the conclusion that seniors who do not attend centers may become or are becoming more isolated by remaining in their own homes.

For comparison, fewer of all respondents over age 75 own their own automobile than those not attending senior adult centers, but a larger percentage of those over age 75 rely on others for their transportation needs. It would be interesting to determine why those not attending senior adult centers are seemingly becoming isolated.

Of those attending senior adult centers, 53% indicated there is a need for additional housing for seniors and 24% are interested in a retirement community. This compares to 57% and 28% for all respondents, 60% and 34% for those not attending senior centers, and 54% and 31% for those over age 75.

It is not clear from this survey why so many respondents indicated that there is a need for additional housing for seniors. The survey failed to ask if the respondent had a personal need for more housing or affordable housing. This should be clarified in a future survey.

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Note: Services available in Southern Illinois are listed in our Resource Guide on Aging.

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