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Elder Services announces results of elder needs survey
Elder Services announces the results of the elder needs survey conducted last January. As the Area Agency on Aging, Elder Services conducts a needs assessment every two years to identify needs of the county’s older residents. The results of the survey help Elder Services in decision making about how to allocate increasingly scarce resources.
This year Elder Services in collaboration with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) sent a four-page questionnaire to 418 randomly selected people aged 60 and older throughout Berkshire County. This was a systematic random sample, representing 32,090 unduplicated individuals age 60+ in 32 Berkshire County cities and towns and there was a high response rate of 51%.
The demographic characteristics show 40.9% of the respondents were over 75, 63% female. Some 77% of the respondents live in their own house with 83% living either alone or with another family member. Roughly 23% are employed, 7% of them full-time. About 16% have a monthly income below $1000, another one quarter between $1000 and $2000, and the remaining 50% above $2000. Countywide, over 9% are below the federal poverty level.
About 72% think they are in good or excellent health, and 27.2% rate their status as fair or poor. Slightly over 65% are enrolled in two or more health insurance policies while 1.5% have no coverage at all. About 80% are Medicare enrollees. Among them 15.1% rely solely upon Medicare, 8.9% are supplemented with Medigap, 34.5% with private insurance and 5.2% also have Medicaid. Public health security, even including the Veteran Benefits program, covers no more than 87.7% of the elderly population. Over 76% hold one or more private insurance policies, including 35% who are covered under employment or retirement benefits.
Survey findings show that 78% of those surveyed continue to drive - with 59.3% driving every day, and 21%not driving at all. When they are not driving 81% of elders get rides from family or friends; 1.5% take public transportation; 3% take a taxi and 1.5% use a senior ride service.
About 75% of the elders do not think they need any help. For the rest, their needs vary greatly and include: performing household chores, getting home repairs, estate planning/wills, and preparing tax forms.
Although most needs are being addressed, six areas are identified where at least 2.8% elders in Berkshire County have unmet needs: performing household chores, getting home repairs, estate planning/wills, finding volunteer opportunities, applying/appealing for financial assistance, and dealing with loneliness or boredom. There are seven areas in which 1%-2.8% of elders have unmet needs, six areas in which less than 1% have unmet needs and seven areas in which there are no unmet needs. Those areas where there are no unmet needs include finding transportation for basic errands, taking medications, finding legal assistance for tenant rights and immigration/naturalization, providing care to family, dealing with alcohol/smoking/drugs and abuse or neglect.
When asked about their knowledge and experience with various Elder Services programs at least 84% are aware that Elder Services offers the program or service. Nearly 30% have used one of Elder Services programs and nearly 10% would recommend one or more of the programs to a friend.
Elders’ needs are as diversified as their background is heterogeneous. Without a wide range of services in place, without a comprehensive perspective and flexible planning, certain needs will easily be left unaddressed. It is essential that Elder Services and local Councils on Aging continue to work together so all elders in Berkshire County have their needs met and can live in dignity and independence.