Key Comparable Findings to Previous Assessments Historically, A Report to the Community: Aging in Pima County has published the top concerns of older adults in Pima County. During the 2022-2023 Community Needs Assessment, we drastically changed our survey tool from one that allows participants to rank their top concerns to one that allows us to infer more in-depth information using the data provided. The following are key findings that are comparable to previous Community Needs Assessments conducted by PCOA. Falls and Fear of Falling
In 2016, 44% of survey respondents reported falling at least once in the previous year. In response to falling and fear of falling being the top concern listed for older adults in Pima County, our leadership made the strategic decision to join the Southern Chapter of the Arizona Falls Prevention Coalition. Through this coalition, our staff have gained tools and resources that we regularly share with the community, including balance exercises and prevention practices that evidence shows helps to reduce falls. In the 2022-2023 Community Needs Assessment survey, when asked if falls or near falls were an issue, 63% of respondents indicated that they were.
What’s more, 59% of respondents indicated that their activities were limited due to a fear of falling. Notably, fear of falling increases with age, with only 42% of those ages 50-59 reporting that they limit their activity due to a fear of falling. Transportation More people are driving their own car today than in 2016. In 2016, when asked, 62% of survey respondents drove their own vehicle, 18% counted on friends and family for transportation, and 13% counted on public transportation. Volunteer and paid services were limited in their reliance with only 2% and 3% relying on them respectively. To address concerns around transportation, PCOA continued to build the Neighbors Care Alliance which is a network of neighborhood volunteer programs where an older adult can get the transportation they need to go to the grocery store, medical appointment, or other important outings through various community groups. In our 2022-2023 survey, when asked about their primary source of transportation, 70% responded that they drive their own vehicle, 11% count on family, friends, or a neighbor, and only 4% count on public transit. Volunteer transportation services remained similar to the 2016 survey responses, with 2%, but the use of paid services dropped. As adults age, their reliance on alternative forms of transportation increases. Caregiving In our 2016 survey, 17% of respondents identified as a caregiver for a family member, neighbor, or friend. After investigating leading research and policy work in this area, we embraced caregiving–both formal and informal–as a central concern for PCOA. It is through this understanding that we increased
A Report to the Community
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Pima Council on Aging
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