1997 Survey of Older People in Southern Illinois

Discussion

The Egyptian Area Agency on Aging conducted a series of surveys in senior citizen centers in Franklin, Gallatin, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Saline, and Williamson counties in Southern Illinois. There were 548 people in attendance at these centers, 368 people (67%) completed and returned a survey form.

(see Survey Results below)

The respondents to this survey were older than expected, more were women, and more were living alone than the norm for this region. The larger percentage of respondents who were older women living alone may account for many of the findings in the survey or findings which are different than those from other surveys.

Age ... 36% of the older people in Southern Illinois are aged 75 or older, but nearly 66% of those responding to this survey were in this age group reflecting an older audience.

Gender ... 59% of the people aged 60 and older in Southern Illinois are women, but over two-thirds (67%) of those responding to this survey were women.

Living alone ... nearly 31% of the people aged 60 and older in Southern Illinois live alone, but over twice as many (nearly 64%) of those responding to this survey live alone.

Caring for others ... It is interesting that only 3.3% of the respondents indicated they provided care for another older person and only 2.2% provided cared for their grandchildren. Caring for relatives seems to be the latest hot topic but it does not seem to affect many respondents to this survey. This may be explained due to the advanced age of this group as two-thirds of them were age 75 and older and may not feel able to care for relatives.

Housing alternatives ... The respondents indicated that they may someday be more interested in assisted living (25%) and retirement communities (17%) than in public housing (10.1%), public housing with services (11.1%), or board and care facilities (10.6%). Also, the respondents indicated even less interest in living with another relative (6.5%), although five respondents indicated by comment that they have a daughter or someone else living with them.

Also of interest were the comments by 16 respondents who indicated a general concern that they wanted to live in their own home and alone.

Eight respondents made general comments about living in, or the need for, more affordable housing facilities and private housing.

Six respondents commented about the need for reliable workmen for home repairs, yard work, and in-home care which I assume means that these crafts would help keep people safer and in their own homes longer.

In related questions about housing and repairs, 19.5% of the respondents had concerns about home modifications, 14.2% had concerns about housing, and 35.6% had concerns about the cost of utilities.

In related questions about receiving care in their home, 25% had concerns about getting homemaker service, 14.7% had concerns about in-home companion/relief caregiver, and 12.2% had concerns about assistance with paying bills or writing checks.

Cost of utilities ... 55.7% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern. The respondents made no additional comments on this issue.

Getting adequate health care ... 48.1% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern. There were three comments from respondents concerning the high cost of, more control of, the cost of prescriptions and over charge by specialists and hospitals; and the need for free transportation to doctor appointments and to get medications. Four respondents commented that what they liked most about their senior center were the nurses (who do blood pressure checks.)

Finding legal advice ... 43.9% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern. One respondent commented that the lawyer who come to the site to assist was what the respondent liked most about the senior center.

Finding recreational or social activities ... 43.5% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern. However, there were 19 respondents who commented that the activities, entertainment, different services provided were what they liked most about their senior center and 26 respondents commented that what their senior center could do differently is more activities, entertainment, planned programs.

Getting information about services ... 43.5% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern.

Having enough money to live on ... 43.3% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern. This is the third issue related to concerns about money or high costs. Having enough money and being able to pay for needed services is clearly a concern of older people.

Getting help after a disaster (i.e., flood, storm, earthquake, etc.) ... 46.9% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern.

Transportation ... 36.6% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern. Three respondents commented that transportation was what they like most about their senior center and four commented that it was needed everyday. One respondent commented that there needed to be free transportation to doctor appointments and to get medications and one commented that transportation needed to pick up people sooner.

Getting homemaker service ... although 92 respondents (seventh highest number) indicated this was a concern, only 27.1% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern as 226 respondents indicated it was not an issue for them.

Crime ... 34.8% of those responding indicated that this issue was a concern. This is surprisingly low since it was the third highest concern on a survey conducted previously.

Comments from Respondents ... Clearly, the respondents enjoyed their senior center and its activities as many positive comments were made about the centers (362 comments). These included their enjoyment of its socialization, meals, caring staff, and activities.

There were several comments made about the need for improvements at their senior center (72 comments). Some respondents mentioned improvements were needed on the centers parking (3 comments), meals served everyday (2), better wheelchair accessibility (2), more variety of food or better meals (23), and loud music (2) among others.

The Actual Survey Results

Age ... six respondents (1.6%) did not report their age, no one reported being under the age of forty, four respondents (1.1%) reported being between ages 41-59, there were 122 respondents (33.1%) between ages 60-74, and 236 respondents (64.1%) aged 75 or older.

Gender ... 116 respondents were male (31.5%) and 237 were female (64.4%). 15 respondents (4.1%) did not report their gender.

Living alone ... 231 respondents (62.8%) reported they lived alone, 130 (25.3%) reported they did not, and seven did not indicate whether or not they lived alone.

Caring for others ... twelve respondents (3.3%) indicated they were currently caring for an elderly adult, 323 were not (87.8%) and 33 did not respond (9.0%). Eight respondents (2.2%) indicated they were currently caring for a grandchild, 342 were not (92.9%), and 18 did not respond (4.9%).

Housing alternatives ... we asked, Some day, will you be interested in any of these housing alternatives.

Issues of a concern ... we asked, Are these issues a concern to you or your spouse?

Comments from Respondents

Respondents were asked to give written comments about housing and services.

Other housing? (please explain):

What do you like most about your senior center?

What could your senior center do differently?

Please list gaps in services or other concerns.

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

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