Public service needs as perceived by both the elderly consumer and provider personnel

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if agency personnel with responsibility for developing programs for the older population differ in their perception of needs of older people from the elderly themselves. Providers involved with the nutrition program in Texas were compared with the elderly recipients of the program. The groups were compared in terms of how they ranked items on a list of need areas identified by the 1971 White House Conference on Aging and on selected demographic characteristics. This was accomplished by a mail survey of the total population of providers and a random selection of the elderly who participated in the program. Analysis of the data revealed significant differences among provider and consumer groups in terms of their ranking of the following need areas: nutrition, employment, spiritual well being, income, transportation, education, retirement activities, and housing. Health was the only need area for which the provider and consumer did not differ significantly. Based on the data analysis and within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions are drawn: (1) Consumer perceptions of need are influenced by ethnic origin and place of residence. (2) Age and gender of the consumer are not important factors in ranking need areas. (3) Demographic characteristics had little influence on provider perceptions of need. (4) Providers and consumers differ in their perception of need areas facing older adults. (5) Health is the one need area in which provider and consumer perceptions do not differ significantly. Based on the findings and conclusions of this study, the following recommendations are presented: (1) A similar study should be repeated periodically to provide an accurate data base for program planning. (2) Because of the special needs of the elderly consumer, another technique, such as nominal group or personal interview, should be considered for future research. (3) More specific data would be available if each Area Agency on Aging conducted its own in-depth investigation. (4) In order to generalize the results of this study, a replication should include other populations of elderly consumers. (5) Data in this study indicate a need for further investigation based on differences among ethnic groups as well as place of residence and perceived needs.