HomeMy WebLinkAboutDoc2B. Prioritization of Issues and Needs
In order to identify issues and areas of need for the population 60 years and over of
Hawaii County and their caregivers, HCOA conducted community focus groups and
surveys of key informants and caregivers. The utilization of various data collection
methods yielded a good cross-section of community viewpoints and identification of
needs. Aging Network Partners and the Hawaii County Committee on Aging were
surveyed via an on-line survey and community focus groups were held at the West
Hawaii Civic Center on November 30, 2018 and at the ADRC in East Hawai'i on
December 7, 2018.
The on-line survey participants included a variety of key stakeholders in the community
ranging from government, public, and private service agencies, and representatives
involved in community development and policy-making. The following issues and areas
of concern for older adults and their caregivers were identified based on Barriers to
Accessing Services, the Top 10 Ranked Unmet Needs, and the Top 5 Services Ranked
by Overall Importance to their Community. (Figures 13, 14, and 15) Details of the
Needs Assessment methodology can be found in Appendix J.
Results of on-line surveys:
� >L
°� oda ���
�A K�� �° ��° RPh \�� �a °c ata wee
Q�a� eta o"P e ¢��
\ ;� �\,ca �o
L°
Figure 15. Top 5 Services Ranked by Overall Importance to
Community by Surveys
6.00%
5.00%
o,o
m
a, 4.00%
a
v
3.00%
2.00%
v
1.00%
Elderly Lack of Caregiver
Housing Qualified Services
Workers
Overall Top 5 Issues identified by the Aging Network Stakeholder on-line survey:
1. Transportation
2. In -Home Services
3. Elderly Housing
4. Lack of Qualified Workers
5. Caregiver Services
Analysis of the West Hawaii focus group qualitative data identified the following
common themes ranked by frequency of occurrence:
1. Tie for top issue:
a. Low -Income Elderly Housing
b. Long Term Care & Skilled Nursing Facility Capacity
2. Home & Community -Based Services (In -Home Services and Adult Day
Care)
3. Transportation (including across island for medical appointments &
procedures)
4. Activity Centers, Recreation, Socialization, Isolation
5. Shortage of Caregivers (workers)
6. Medical Specialty Care Shortage
7. Resources and Services (including Memory Care Resources)
8. Benefits and Legal Supports
9. Lack of Funding
10. Access to Healthier Foods
Analysis of the East Hawaii focus group qualitative data identified the following common
themes ranked by frequency of occurrence:
1. Tie for most important:
a. Access to Resources
b. Transportation
2. Caregiver Shortage/ Workforce Development
3. Low -Income Elderly Housing, Assisted Living Facilities
4. Policy Change (including elderly issues in County District Plans)
5. Medical Access Care Shortage (including Specialty Care)
6. Home & Community -Based Services (In -Home Services and Adult Day Care)
7. Activity Centers, Recreation, Socialization
8. LTC Planning
9. Legal Supports
10. Chronic Disease Management
11. Home Maintenance
12. Nutrition /Healthier Foods
Evaluation of Community Needs Assessment
Discussions held in both focus groups raised similar concerns and issues, although the
ranking of importance varied between the groups. Housing and LTC capacity issues
ranked highest in West Hawaii, whereas access to resources and transportation ranked
highest in East Hawaii. The East Hawaii group felt that the majority of the issues,
areas of concern, and unmet needs stemmed from systemic issues that need to be
addressed at the policy making level in order to have any impact on the issues our
network is currently facing. The West Hawaii group identified gaps in services and how
they impact the populations we serve. Both groups, as well as the on-line survey
results, identified access to resources, housing, in-home service shortages,
transportation, and lack of medical care as common issues and greatest areas of
need. NOTE: this data will be used in prioritization table in 2023 Area Plan still under
development.