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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Barriers To Aging And Thriving In Place In A Rural New England County, David Wihry, Lenard W. Kaye, Jennifer Crittenden Jan 2016

Barriers To Aging And Thriving In Place In A Rural New England County, David Wihry, Lenard W. Kaye, Jennifer Crittenden

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This project was developed in order to understand challenges to aging in place faced by a rural New England county as well as the systemic issues preventing coordination of services to support thriving in place. It utilized a needs assessment to inform the direction of health and human service providers in implementing services. The median age of respondents was 73. They all lived in their own home, and 55 percent lived along. Challenges identified through a needs assessment by hospital systems included a high poverty rate, low median income, fair to poor health, high mortality rate, high incidence of chronic …


Cohort Differences In Aging In Place Needs Among A Rural-Serving Area Agency On Aging Client Population, David C. Wihry, Lenard W. Kaye, Dyan Walsh, Jennifer Crittenden Jan 2016

Cohort Differences In Aging In Place Needs Among A Rural-Serving Area Agency On Aging Client Population, David C. Wihry, Lenard W. Kaye, Dyan Walsh, Jennifer Crittenden

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This study was conducted as part of a foundation-funded initiative to better coordinate the system of care in a rural New England area for older adults and individuals with chronic conditions and disabilities. It utilized a needs assessment in order to identify challenges and needs of area community members. Respondents included 347 individuals from the community, ranging from 55 to 105 years old, with a mean of 73.4 years old. Among the respondents, 57.7 percent lived along, 55.7 percent identified as having a chronic condition or disability, 70.3 percent lived in their own home, and 87.9 percent were not receiving …


A Subgroup Analysis Of Legal Needs Among Older Adults In Rural Communities, David C. Wihry, Jennifer A. Crittenden, Lenard W. Kaye, Jaye L. Martin Jan 2012

A Subgroup Analysis Of Legal Needs Among Older Adults In Rural Communities, David C. Wihry, Jennifer A. Crittenden, Lenard W. Kaye, Jaye L. Martin

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

A legal needs assessment of older adults in Maine was conducted by surveying key populations of older adults who are often hard to reach through traditional outreach and service provision methods. The focus of this assessment was on basic demographics, use of LSE services, legal issues, preferred methods for receiving legal information, and the utility of various legal service options. Surveys were distributed via area agencies on aging, and concluded that the ley legal issues included financial scams, home repair problems, obtaining or retaining government benefits, debt collection, and accessing medical services. Sixty-seven percent of individuals aged 70 or older …


An Analysis Of Current And Projected Rural Older Adult Legal Services Needs, Lenard W. Kaye, Jennifer A. Crittenden, Melissa Adle, David C. Wihry, Jaye L. Martin Jan 2011

An Analysis Of Current And Projected Rural Older Adult Legal Services Needs, Lenard W. Kaye, Jennifer A. Crittenden, Melissa Adle, David C. Wihry, Jaye L. Martin

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Maine is now the oldest state in the nation, and is one of the most rural states. A legal needs assessment of older adults in Maine was conducted by analyzing the findings from recent research conducted in six other states and service data from Maine Legal Services for the Elderly over a one-year time period. The six states analyzed were Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, and Utah. There were a total of over 7,300 older adults that responded to the legal needs surveys. The assessment concluded that the high-level service needs included the following: health insurance, government benefits, estate …


Health Promotion For Maine’S Aging Population: A Legislative Roadmap, Lenard W. Kaye, Rachel Hutchins, Dyan Walsh Jan 2009

Health Promotion For Maine’S Aging Population: A Legislative Roadmap, Lenard W. Kaye, Rachel Hutchins, Dyan Walsh

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Maine has the distinction of being the oldest state in the nation. This policy brief considers strategies for promoting the health of aging Mainers. As of 2005, 7.5 million individuals living in rural America were over the age of 65. Challenges of living in a rural area can make it difficult for older individuals to access services that are vital to their daily living. Older adults in rural regions are found to be less educated, have worse health outcomes, and have incomes that fall below the poverty level. Recommended strategies include utilizing the Federally Qualified Health Centers, encourage greater collaboration, …


Elder Abuse Screening Protocol For Physicians: Lessons Learned From The Maine Partners For Elder Protection Pilot Project, University Of Maine Center On Aging May 2007

Elder Abuse Screening Protocol For Physicians: Lessons Learned From The Maine Partners For Elder Protection Pilot Project, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This manual was designed to assist physicians, nurses, and medical office managers become aware on means to incorporate screening processes in regard to elder abuse. The United States Senate Special Committee on Aging has reported that as many as five million elderly persons are abuses each year in the United States. By implementing proper screening procedures, disclosure will be made easier, thus protecting patients from harm. The screening procedure involves evaluating for mistreatment among patients 60 years or older, at least once per year. The protocol has been tested in 16 healthcare facilities with a total of 2,082 patients being …


Health And Aging: A Roadmap For Maine’S Older Adults And Their Families, Lenard W. Kaye, Dyan M. Villeneuve Jan 2007

Health And Aging: A Roadmap For Maine’S Older Adults And Their Families, Lenard W. Kaye, Dyan M. Villeneuve

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

The rapid aging of Maine’s population has created a range of challenges associated with maximizing the health and well-being of our older citizens. This issue brief considers a series of policy and programmatic approaches to promoting healthy aging lifestyles in the state while ensuring the continued involvement of relatives and other informal supports in all such efforts. Much of the current legislation that governs policy decisions regarding social service delivery and allocation of funds for Maine’s elders is funneled through the Older Americans Act, but this has not kept pace over the past 20 years. One key factor that is …


Healthy Aging, Mary Walsh, Peggy Haynes, Chris Sady, Matt L'Italien Sep 2006

Healthy Aging, Mary Walsh, Peggy Haynes, Chris Sady, Matt L'Italien

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

It has been scientifically proven that preventative measures such as regular physical activity and healthy eating are crucial in maintaining good health, reducing the impact of disease, delaying disability, and reducing the need for expensive long term care for older adults. Among individuals in Maine aged 65 or older, 43 percent are overweight, 18 percent are obese, and 36 percent do not do any leisure time physical activities. Most of these individuals suffer from one or more chronic health problems. This can be avoided by incorporating moderate physical activity, good nutrition, and no smoking, thus delaying disability by as much …


Maine’S Aging Economy And The Economy Of Aging, Charles S. Colgan, Muskie School Of Public Service Sep 2006

Maine’S Aging Economy And The Economy Of Aging, Charles S. Colgan, Muskie School Of Public Service

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

This paper explores the demographics of aging in Maine and some of the important relationships between these trends and the economy. Growth in the Maine’s population of those 65 and older will substantially exceed growth in total population in Maine from 2000 to 2030. Furthermore, Maine’s elderly population will not occur evenly. These changes will alter perceptions about aging in American society, and there will no longer be a bright line between work and retirement, as the nature of work has changed, retirement savings may be inadequate, and family structure has changed. With increasing populations of older individuals in concentrated …


Meeting Maine’S Need For Frontline Workers In Long-Term Care And Service Options, Lisa Pohlmann, Maine Center For Economic Policy Sep 2006

Meeting Maine’S Need For Frontline Workers In Long-Term Care And Service Options, Lisa Pohlmann, Maine Center For Economic Policy

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Thousands of workers across Maine and the nation provide assistance and health care for elders as well as adults and children with disabilities. The Maine Department of Labor estimates that there were about 17,600 direct care workers employed in 2005, which does not include self-employed workers in private pay arrangements. As baby boomers retire over the next 20 years, the demand for direct care and personal assistance services will continue to grow, making direct care occupations some of the highest demand jobs in the state. There is already a labor shortage in this area of work, and thus long-term consumers …


Transportation, Jason C. Charland, University Of Maine Center On Aging Sep 2006

Transportation, Jason C. Charland, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Due to the size of the state of Maine and the fact that goods, services, and communities are separated by many miles of roads, transportation is often a particular challenge for Maine’s older citizens. Older adults drive themselves, rely on family or volunteers to drive them, use public transportation, and utilize transportation services offered by social service agencies, all of which present their own distinct challenges. In rural communities in Maine, transportation is a significant barrier. At the national level, 41 percent of rural residents have no available public transportation, and another 25 percent have inadequate public transportation. Many older …


Hancock County And Statewide Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, University Of Maine Center On Aging, Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities, Coastal Hancock Healthy Communities, Healthy Peninsula Project, Healthy Acadia Coalition Aug 2006

Hancock County And Statewide Needs, Resources, And Readiness Assessment On Older Adult Alcohol Abuse, University Of Maine Center On Aging, Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities, Coastal Hancock Healthy Communities, Healthy Peninsula Project, Healthy Acadia Coalition

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Alcohol and drug abuse remains to be a serious health issue among 17 percent of adults aged 60 or older. This assessment was conducted in order to determine and fully understand the needs, resources, and readiness necessary to address the issue of substance abuse throughout the state of Maine. It involved a four-part study focused in the Hancock County region. Twelve focus groups were held with the target groups being professionals, caregivers, and older adults. Surveys and interviews were distributed statewide to evaluate substance abuse. Secondary data analysis was included as well in order to analyze arrests, hospital admissions, treatment, …


Supporting Maine’S Families: Recommendations From Maine's Relatives As Parents Project, Sandra S. Butler, Barbara Kates, Bonny Dodson, Deb Chapman, Lendard W. Kaye, The Maine Rapp Task Force Jan 2005

Supporting Maine’S Families: Recommendations From Maine's Relatives As Parents Project, Sandra S. Butler, Barbara Kates, Bonny Dodson, Deb Chapman, Lendard W. Kaye, The Maine Rapp Task Force

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

Maine is experiencing an increasing rate of children being raised by their grandparents or other relatives. The common reasons these individuals have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting, when the biological parents are unwilling or unable to do so include drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse and neglect, mental health problems, illness and death, incarceration and family violence. Under the vast majority of circumstances, relatives take responsibility for these children instead of the State Child Protective Services; this saves the State money but can be very burdensome to the family. Though relatives welcome the children, they often face unexpected …


Maine Primary Partners In Caregiving, Eastern Agency On Aging, University Of Maine Center On Aging Jul 2002

Maine Primary Partners In Caregiving, Eastern Agency On Aging, University Of Maine Center On Aging

Maine Center on Aging Research and Evaluation

The Maine Primary Partners in Caregiving project placed an emphasis on identification of caregivers and providing support to this group of individuals. Eighty percent of all elder caregiving occurs within the home setting, and this is often stressful due to constant challenges. The goals of this project involve demonstrating that rural primary health care practices are an effective point of early intervention, to show that caregivers will accept and utilize information, support and training, to demonstrate that the multiple risks of rural caregiving will be ameliorated by a combination of information, support, and training, by MPPC Caregiver Specialists, and to …