Summary of Senior Center Surveys

Surveys taken at some of our smaller and more rural senior center sites showed a continued high level of support for meals served at the senior sites. Participants stressed that not only are good meals important, but so is the social interaction, and being in a "loving, caring community", as one person put it. There were also comments on the frustrations of "getting the word out" about the benefits of senior centers, and fighting a public perception that one must be "poor" to receive the benefits offered at centers. There is a similar high level of support for Home Delivered Meals, including, as might be expected, in the surveys taken among home delivered meal participants. The survey question regarding food pantries / having enough to eat were scored as important particularly by Home Delivered Meal clients, those at rural meal sites, and also by a group of low income respondents surveyed at a community action agency.

Results of the surveys show that most respondents consider that transportation, help with prescription drugs, including Medicare Part D, and a variety of health screening and preventive health measures are important. Programs to enhance mental vitality was marked as important by many of the senior site participants. Adult Day Services was also listed as important by center participants and Home Delivered Meal clients. Legal Services was mentioned as a needed service at all the speak outs and was marked as important on the survey by many, but not all participants. Similarly, "help / advocacy for nursing home residents" seemed important to many, although not all participants. Help fixing up my home" was marked as important particularly by the low income respondents at the community action agency.

We also surveyed a church group, of a variety of ages. They viewed many of the services listed by the other groups mentioned above as being either important or very important. This group also thought that elder abuse prevention important, as did the about 88% of the participants of rural senior sites. The church group also gave high ratings to most health related programs.

Summary of Professional Surveys

There were a total of 35 professionals surveyed. The survey asked the participants to rate the level of importance of various senior services and/or activities. The responses ranged from one to four, with four representing those services/activities that the participant found to be very important. The professionals or participants surveyed represented a number of different job titles and positions from various agencies. Some of the professionals surveyed were in health care, a couple worked in mental health, and many of the participants surveyed were case managers (primarily from SAS).

The results of the survey found that help paying for prescription drugs was the most important issue to the professionals surveyed. Thirty-five out of 35 (100%) found this issue to be either important or very important. Transportation services (97%) ranked as the second most important issue, followed by legal services (94%) and then elder abuse prevention (92%).Rounding out the top five of the most important issues was food pantry and having enough food to eat.

The results of the survey also show that adult day services is an important issue (31 out of 35 indicated it as important or very important). Help with Medicare Part D enrollment, grief counseling, advocacy for nursing home residents, and home repairs were all important issues with the respondents (88%).

The participants were also asked open-ended questions in order to gain their feedback about some important issues. In regards to what the professionals see as the biggest gap in services for seniors, transportation was the most common response. Also mentioned as a gap by many of the respondents was the lack of funding for home delivered meals. Several participants indicated help with utilities and mental health services. Other comments that identified gaps in services included having knowledge of the services available, services for seniors who are above income guidelines, having affordable private pay services, and the need for more adult day services.

The professionals surveyed indicated a lack of knowledge about what services are available as the biggest barrier in accessing services and programs. Transportation again was one of the most common responses that the professionals identified this time as a barrier to accessing services. A few of the professionals surveyed thought that it is difficult to reach some services in rural areas and to those who are physically isolated. Another barrier identified by a couple of respondents included automated technology. This is a major obstacle for many older adults and it makes accessing services very challenging. A couple of people indicated cost as a barrier.

The professionals surveyed were also asked to comment on what they think needs to be in place in our communities as the baby boomers age. A common response focused on having interesting and diverse activities for the baby boomer generation. Also mentioned was offering a wider range of services and programs to seniors. Several responded that there is a need for more assisted living facilities. Other comments included having alternatives to long term care (more housing options), providing services for people who exceed asset limit, and a need for more senior centers. Another interesting response included having more intergenerational programs and education services.

The final question asked the respondents to include any additional ideas about what services or programs would be helpful for older adults living in the community. The most common response concerned having programs to reduce loneliness such as the Senior Companion Program and other programs to increase socialization. Transportation again was indicated as a service that would be helpful to older adults living in the community. Medication reminders and having extra help around the house were also ideas that were brought up by the professionals surveyed.

A Comparison of Professional and Senior Adults Survey Results

A comparison of the professional surveys and the surveys filled out by older individuals from various sources show a few similarities and also some differences. Both the professional surveys and seniors who were surveyed indicated “help paying for prescription drugs” as a very important issue, with professionals ranking it as number one and the older adults ranking it as number three.

Both groups indicated that a “food pantry and having enough food to eat” as one of the top five areas of concern. Both groups also said that transportation, adult day services, and help with Medicare Part D enrollment were important services.

There were some noticeable differences as well. The seniors and other participants who were surveyed indicated “hot meals at senior centers” (94%) and “home delivered meals” (92%) as the most important. Whereas the professionals who were surveyed rated these services somewhere near the middle, as only somewhat important. The results of the surveys also show that those seniors surveyed who attend congregate meal sites and rural meal sites indicated that health related services such as “diabetes/cholesterol testing,” “blood pressure screenings,” and “prevention education for physical health” as a more important issue overall in comparison to the professional surveys.

Participants also provided additional comments. The professional surveys show a strong emphasis for transportation, which they indicated as being a gap and barrier to accessing services. In comparison to the comments provided by the other surveys, transportation was less often mentioned.

Both groups’ comments did point out the need for programs like the Senior Companion Program and the importance of having someone to call and check on older adults living in the community. Other comments revealed an interest in having alternatives to long-term care. Responses included the need for more housing options such as assisted living facilities, and providing more in-home support.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Survey

At our seminar held at John A. Logan we learned of important and valuable information regarding grandparents and other relatives raising children. There were a total of 18 participants who filled out a survey. The participants at the seminar who filled out a survey ranged in age from under 40 to 75 years old. There were seven participants who were between 50 and 59 and four participants were over the age of 60. Most of the caregivers were raising one child but five participants were raising three children. The ages of the children ranged from 6 months to 16 years old. However, most of the children were toddlers or young school aged children between 1 and 10.

Only one participant at the seminar who filled out a survey was able to find the resources needed to help them raise the children in their care. Most of the participants 14 out of the 18 indicated that they were only somewhat able to find the resources they needed, and three participants were not at all able to find the resources they needed to help them raise the children. The information or support that most caregivers were still in need of included legal and financial help. Eleven participants indicated needing information or support about legal issues, and nine participants were in need of financial support. Six of the 18 participants indicated needing information or support concerning medical care, child care, and child rearing/child behavior information. Also a few of the participants indicated counseling for the children was important and needed.

Another question asked concerned information and support that the caregivers needed for themselves, aside from the needs of the grandchildren. The majority of respondents (12 out of 18) said that they need information about programs and benefits. One very important finding expressed in the survey was that 50% of the participants would like a support group or chat group with other grandparents and relatives raising children. Also the caregivers identified financial support and information about employment as a concern.

The survey also asked for participants to share any additional comments. The comments that were brought up dealt with legal issues, such as adoption and one participant said they would like to network with other caregivers.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Focus Group

This focus group discussed some very important issues. There were six grandparents who participated in the focus group. They ranged in age from 42 to 73. The ages of the grandchildren ranged from one to 16, most of the children were between the ages of 4 and 10. During the focus group the participants discussed some of the challenges they have faced since raising their grandchildren. Some of the most common issues were helping the kids with their school work, finding day care, financial stress, and losing the traditional role of the grandparent. Several of the participants also indicated discipline as a challenge. Similar issues were brought up when the grandparents discussed the role changes that have occurred since raising their grandchildren. Again the loss of the traditional role of grandparent as well as taking on the role of disciplinarian were discussed.

Another issue discussed in the focus group was in regards to the grandparents time spent with their peer group and friends and how this has been affected since raising their grandchildren. Most of the participants said they simply don’t have the time to spend with friends. Another important issue brought up was the age gap they have with other parents, one participant said they do not share the same interests as the younger parents.

One important issue discussed was how the grandparents have been affected financially. A couple of the participants said they have had to return to work and another grandparent said they have to work a lot of overtime. One participant said that their retirement fund was being used up in order to help raise the children. Overall many of the grandparents indicated they were financially strained as a result of raising their grandchildren.

The support that the grandparents have found beneficial included CC&R (child care) and also meeting other grandparents in similar situations. A couple of participants said that they receive support from their friends. One participant said that counseling for the children had been beneficial. A majority, 5 out of 6, of the participants said a support group would be very helpful, and the opportunity to share information with others. The participants were also asked if they could offer any recommendations on ways to be sure that grandparents get information about services, many of the participants suggested churches and schools. Also using flyers, billboards, and information available at day cares were also recommended as strategies to ensure information is provided to grandparents about services.

Overall GRG Summary

From the surveys given to participants at the seminar and from the focus group a lot of valuable information was gathered. Some of the major themes that were identified by the grandparents and other caregivers were that financial strain does seem to be an issue. Many grandparents mentioned legal issues as a concern as well. Also they would like and need more information on programs and benefits that they can utilize. Another very important finding was that many of the caregivers expressed a desire to be involved in some kind of support group with other grandparents who are in similar situations.

Comments: "Do you have any additional ideas about what services or programs would be helpful for older adults living in their homes within the community?"

Nurse to check to see how they are feeling etc.
Local accessibility of advisory services and legal advice.
Dances and music parties.
Dances music party.
House wash and house repair, errands.
Visits and checking on them, helping with odd jobs.
It would important to me to have the support needed to stay in my own home as long as possible.
Knowing senior citizens have a agency to help them.
Continue the Senior Companion Program.
I think the Adult Day Care program is great. It needs to serve all counties so they don’t have so far to ride to a center.
Day time activities- Bingo with useful gifts (paper towels, t-paper, canned soup/vegetables, snack crackers, etc.). Travel-trips by bus for 4 to 7 days.
To have someone call and check on you, to help with small things that will help make you feel better.
Volunteer Friendship Service. Someone they could call upon if they were lonely, needed a friend just to talk to, go shopping with, out to eat or just any chore or outing that is no fun alone.
More social programs in the community to involve the mature adult. Also more advert. to reach out to them to let them become aware or services.
Elderly person having some one to check on them each morning and night if they live alone.
Housecleaning- vacuum, wash dishes. Drive to Doc or Dentist. Yard care-mow, gutter cleaned.
Mowing my lawn.
I feel the Golden Circle does an excellent job taking care of Sr. Citizens.
The menus some days there is enough and some days it is very small and not enough and also they are the same, a little more fish would help.
Programs to help seniors understand depression, anxiety and various forms of depressed mental states.
Need my housekeeper to be able to take me shopping, since my family can’t seem to get it done.
It is a blessing for us to get the food at noon as I’m unable to fix 3 meals a day. You do a good job.
A program to stop the telephone “scam” thieves who “prey” on elderly adults by calling them and wanting their personal financial information only to take money out of their bank accounts. This is a crime that needs to be STOPPED.
Write letters for people who can’t see well or shake too much to write.
Assist with house hold duties and maintenance and assist with writing.
Yes, I think there should be more help paying for home care for seniors they only pay for several hrs if they paid more on this there would be more seniors getting to stay in their homes than having to go live in nursing homes.
Drop-ins occasionally to reach high or low items or change of bed or clean fridge.
Please no salmon patties they make me very sick.
Yes- I am diabetic and additional green veggies are important to me. At this moment I need help with legal services.
Private services perhaps, homemaker services, transportation. Help in maintaining the yard, house, changing heating filters, odd jobs. So many seniors do not qualify for homemaker services, etc.- but don’t know how to find good and affordable help. There must be something available other than paying $15 hour.
Assistance with utilities, assistance above Medicare with medical bills, increase assistance with Rx’s, assistance with insurance, assistance with home improvements, assistance with housing.
Home improvement, further assistance with utilities, increase assistance with cost of Rx’s, increase assistance with hospital bills, decrease age for people drawing Medicare.
Home improvements, assistance with utilities, decrease Ins. Rates, increase assistance with medication, increase assistance with hospital bills, lower age for Medicare because men and women laid off at corporations don’t get rehired because of age and then are unable to get assistance with Medicare and are lost in the shuffle to lose everything they ever worked for waiting to become eligible for Medicare.
More help to stay in the home and not half to go into a nursing home.
More in home care, so that the elderly could stay at home longer.
Being able to be picked up for church and fed meals on weekends.
Get seniors more involved with church activities. Let them be mentors for our youth who are in great need of basic skills- cooking, cleaning, helping others.
Someone to come by or call at least once a week, the older adults that aren’t able to go to the centers and ect. These things are very, very important to family’s and there families.
I feel that there should be more advertisement on the things you have to offer.

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

Use this link to view the survey form for seniors.

Use this link to view the survey form for professionals.

Use this link to view charts of the responses.

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