Survey Says? Results from the Area Plan on Aging Survey

Karen Winston, ADS Planner

Aging and Disability Services (ADS) launched a survey to gather input for the development of our next four year Area Plan on Aging. We asked Seniors Digest readers to tell us about the challenges and issues that are of most concern to you. Your responses provided useful insights into the needs and barriers faced by older adults, and adults with disabilities in King County. 

Top Concerns

Survey respondents identified the following as their top concerns for both seniors and adults with disabilities:

• Affordable housing
• Transportation
• In-home assistance
• Information about services

When focusing just on the needs of older adults, additional concerns included income assistance, and assistance with food and nutrition.

Survey respondents also commented on transportation issues.  Rush hour traffic, high gas prices, poor bus route linkages, and fewer buses in rural areas topped this list of concerns. Special needs transportation also made the list, especially for older adults who are non-English speaking, blind, deaf or hard of hearing.

Survey respondents who identified as caregivers expressed frustration with several challenges they are facing, such as caregiving from a distance, the need for respite services, balancing work and family life, and finding appropriate services.

Who Responded?

• Of the 78 survey respondents, 83% identified as female, while 17% identified as male.
• 65% had zip codes within the city of Seattle, while 29% represented King County.
• Another 6% responded from outside of King County, representing Grant, Kitsap, and Pierce counties, and one all the way from Honolulu, Hawaii!
• In addition, 28% of the respondents indicated that they are currently providing care for a family member, friend, or loved one.

What’s Next?

ADS is deeply grateful to the individuals who took the time to complete the survey. The information will help us shape the goals and objectives for our next Area Plan on Aging.  In the July issue of Seniors Digest, we will invite you to review and comment on the draft version of the 2008-2011 Area Plan on Aging.

We would also like to thank everyone who attended our Focus on the Future Forum series.  Both the informative presentations and the questions and comments made by those attending will help guide the development our Area Plan. Presentations from each of the forums are available on the ADS website.