Understanding targeting from the perspective of program providers in the elderly nutrition program

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health Nutrition
• Program Management

Background:

• Effective program targeting is essential for delivering services to intended beneficiaries.
• The perspectives of program providers are crucial for understanding the practicalities of targeting.
• The Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) aims to provide nutritional support to older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the meanings and challenges of program targeting from the viewpoint of ENP providers.
• To identify how different understandings of targeting impact service delivery.
• To inform policy development for improved ENP targeting and elder nutrition.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing in-depth interviews with 36 local ENP providers across six counties in upstate New York.
• Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to rigorous qualitative analysis.
• Data analysis focused on identifying themes related to the meanings and challenges of targeting.

Main Results:

• Four distinct meanings of targeting were identified: maximum outreach, reaching the most needy, serving only the most needy, and evaluating coverage.
• Providers universally reported challenges in outreach, needs assessment, and resource management, irrespective of their targeting approach.
• Despite varied interpretations of targeting, common operational hurdles persist across all ENP providers.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing the diverse provider perspectives on targeting is vital for enhancing ENP effectiveness.
• Addressing universal challenges in outreach, needs assessment, and resources can improve program implementation.
• Tailored policies and procedures based on provider insights can optimize nutrition service delivery to vulnerable elders.