Assessing Statewide Need for Older Adult Health Promotion Services: The Oklahoma Experience |
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Authors: | Janis E Campbell Amanda E Janitz Thomas A Teasdale Claire Dowers-Nichols Keith Kleszynski Andrew N Dentino |
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Institution: | 1. College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USAjanis-campbell@ouhsc.edu;3. College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA;4. Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACTThe growing senior population and persistent poor health status of seniors in Oklahoma compels a fresh look at what health promotion services would be well received. Surveys were distributed to a list of registered voters aged 65 and older in Oklahoma with a total of 1,248 surveys returned (19.8%). Survey items asked about interests in services, classes, and activities, plus current barriers to accessing and/or engaging in such programs. To account for survey weighting, Rao-Scott Chi-Square Tests were performed to determine differences by demographic characteristics. We identified services, classes, and activities that were (and were not) of interest to seniors in Oklahoma with legal assistance (52.1%), exercise classes (46.6%), internet classes (40.7%), and indoor exercise activities (45.5%) receiving the highest level of interest. Barriers to interest in participating in programs included not wanting to go and not knowing availability of such services. The results of this survey provide useful data on health promotion gaps for seniors, interests and barriers to engaging in such activities, and guidance for statewide program development. Future program development needs to be focused on areas of interest for older adults, including legal assistance, exercise classes, and internet classes. |
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Keywords: | Education and training exercise/physical activity home and community based care and services quantitative research methods successful aging survey design |
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