A case study in assessing an ethnically diverse community-based aging population: a multimethod approach

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Cross-cultural Geriatric Care
• Community Needs Assessment

Background:

• Improving services for aging, multi-ethnic populations necessitates overcoming cultural barriers and research mistrust.
• Senior housing facilities often serve diverse residents with unique needs.
• Effective needs assessments are crucial for targeted service delivery in elder care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a multimethod needs assessment in a senior housing facility with a significant non-English-speaking population.
• To identify specific needs related to personal care, daily living activities, and mobility.
• To explore facility, safety, and communication needs within a culturally diverse elder community.

Main Methods:

• Employed a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative (focus groups, interviews) and quantitative (survey, N=874) data collection.
• Assessed needs concerning personal care assistance, instrumental activities of daily living, and mobility.
• Gathered insights on facility, safety, and culturally specific communication requirements.

Main Results:

• Qualitative data revealed critical needs in facility improvements, safety, and culturally specific communication strategies.
• Quantitative survey data provided insights into the levels of assistance required for daily living and mobility.
• The assessment successfully identified actionable areas for service enhancement.

Conclusions:

• The findings directly informed and led to on-site programmatic changes within the senior housing facility.
• A nontraditional, multimethod approach is effective in assessing needs in diverse older adult populations.
• Factors contributing to the success of the needs assessment and subsequent implementation are delineated.