Health Policy

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Browsing Health Policy by Subject "Aging"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Aging in Community Opportunities for Delaware’s Senior Population: The Significance of Accessible Community Transportation Options
    (2014-11) O'Hanlon, Julia
    Access to affordable and reliable transportation for the elderly is a concern for many communities, especially in rural areas where service is practically nonexistent. As defined by the National Aging in Place Council (NAPC), aging in place (i.e., aging in community), is “the ability to continue to live in one’s home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level. It means living in a familiar environment, and being able to participate in family and other community activities (2014).” The World Health Organization (2007) notes that aging in place/community aims to reverse or lesson the decrease in functional capacity that occurs with age. As a comprehensive approach to staying in one’s community/home, aging in place involves a variety of issues facing senior citizens, including housing, finance, health, education, recreation, and transportation.
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    The Impact of Senior Centers and Geriatric Healthcare Policy
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2004-12) Jacobson, Eric; O'Hanlon, Julia; Bennett, Carrie; McCloskey, Sarah
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    Quality of Life Indicators Related to Sussex County’s Growing Senior Population: Preliminary Needs Assessment and Environment Scan
    (2016-07) O'Hanlon, Julia; Kline, Angela
    Statewide senior population trends, particularly the projected growth in the percentage of older adults in more rural areas of Delaware, are becoming increasingly important for local officials, social service organizations, and community stakeholder groups to consider. As the area’s senior population increases over the next decade, demands for social services, affordable housing, and accessible transportation are also likely to increase. Based on previous transportation-related projects and work with senior centers in Sussex County, Delaware, the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) conducted a preliminary needs assessment and environmental scan that will help inform future statewide research and educational activities and provide considerations for local officials, nonprofits, and community groups regarding the need for greater senior-friendly environments within their communities— considerations that could shape longer-term, county-wide planning and support the needs of the area’s older adult population and their opportunity to age in community. To obtain additional information about the needs and interests of Sussex Countians and their opportunities for aging in community, IPA project manager Julia O’Hanlon, working with doctoral student Angela Kline, developed a literature review and research outline, conducted semi-structured interviews with community stakeholders, and coordinated with the Sussex County Advisory Committee on Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities on polling participants at the LIVE Conference in October. This project was conducted in cooperation with and support from the University of Delaware’s Sustainable Coastal Communities Initiative (SCCI). SCCI Program Coordinator Edward Lewandowski and IPA Policy Scientist Martin Wollaston served as senior advisors for this work. This project builds on IPA’s statewide work related to mobility, aging, transportation, land use, and complete communities. Additionally, it extends work conducted with SCCI in 2014 on the Sussex County Transportation Cooperative, now referred to as ITNSouthernDelaware, and helps inform other IPA project work with state agencies such as the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). In response to SCCI’s request for proposals, IPA developed a project proposal in the spring of 2015 to conduct a preliminary needs assessment and environmental scan to identify preliminary strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in resources for senior citizens in Sussex County. This assessment should be considered one small piece of a larger and increasingly complex policy issue related to the state’s overall influx of seniors to its coastal and rural areas. Additionally, this document serves as the baseline for future research and work in this area. IPA’s objective for this project was to identify preliminary strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in resources for senior citizens in Sussex County. This preliminary needs assessment and environmental scan is the first step in identifying future research activities and informing appropriate strategies to prepare for the changes that Sussex County is currently experiencing. Information obtained for this assessment summary derived from a literature review of key quality of life indicators, as well as through informal interviews with community stakeholders, informal polling, and LIVE Conference (October 2015) participation evaluations. This assessment summary document is categorized into five primary content areas including quality of life indicators: 1. Demographics 2. Community Models 3. Transportation and Mobility 4. Sussex County Community-Based Resources 5. Strategies for Future Opportunities
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    The Role of Senior Centers in Mitigating Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Dementia
    (Institute for Public Administration, 2019-01) O'Hanlon, Julia; Jacobson, Eric D.; Perillo, Kelly
    Dementia, a common term associated with memory loss, causes problems with an individual’s memory, thinking, and behavior to the point where it affects day-to-day life and social functioning. Alzheimer’s, the most common and familiar form of dementia, is becoming more prevalent among the older adult population. Of all individuals diagnosed with dementia in the United States, Alzheimer’s accounts for sixty to eighty percent of the cases. Understanding the severity and impact of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia on older adults and their family members is crucial for policy makers, stakeholders, supportive services, and medical professionals due to the implications on national, state, and local governments, health and social services, nonprofits, and communities. To address national demographic trends, it is important to understand the appropriate programs and services necessary to prevent, treat, and evaluate Alzheimer’s, as well as the large impact the disease has on U.S. healthcare costs. With definitive ways to address prevention and a cure, it is vital that this disease become better known.
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    The Role of Senior Centers in Promoting Intergenerational Play
    (2017-04) O'Hanlon, Julia; Thomas, Emily
    Intergenerational play occurs when senior citizens and youth connect with one another through fun, interactive activities. These mutually beneficial activities can be structured as games with rules or a planned play program. They also can occur through free play— putting two generations in a room together with crafts, books, and toys, and allowing them to choose activities. Both formal and informal play offers mutual benefits for both populations, including learning opportunities and fun. This brief discusses the benefits of intergenerational play for senior citizens and youth and highlights model programs being employed across the United States. It also presents opportunities for integrating intergenerational play into programs and activities offered in senior centers. In conclusion, this brief provides guidance to senior center staff and boards on best practices for implementing a successful intergenerational play program.
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    Sussex County’s Growing Senior Population: Community Voices
    (2017) O'Hanlon, Julia; Kline, Angela
    The University of Delaware’s (UD) Institute for Public Administration (IPA), working with UD’s Sustainable Coastal Communities Initiative (SCCI), sought to conduct research regarding seniors living in Sussex County, Delaware. Research conducted in 2015 included in-depth interviews with senior-service providers and Sussex County officials. To read the full report summarizing the 2015 work, please visit: http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/21595. This work was expanded in 2016 to include direct feedback from seniors. As the county’s 65+ population continues to grow over the next decade, it is critical to hear about quality of life issues directly from seniors.