Assessing Statewide Need for Older Adult Health Promotion Services: The Oklahoma Experience

Abstract

The 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 age 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.

Results from the 2013 Senior's Health Services Survey: Rural and Urban Differences

“…A total of 1,248 surveys were returned and analyzed, representing a 19.8% response rate [ 46 ]. Survey response rates varied by OHAI region the lowest response rate being for the Southwest region [ 46 ].…”

“…A total of 1,248 surveys were returned and analyzed, representing a 19.8% response rate [ 46 ]. Survey response rates varied by OHAI region the lowest response rate being for the Southwest region [ 46 ]. Additionally, survey responses varied by RUCA areas ( Table 1 ) with the most important factor being the very low response rates among the sub-urban areas (5.9%) and the somewhat high percentage of unknown ZIP codes, thus unknown RUCA codes (7.9%) ( Table 1 ).…”

“…Data were collected by a mailed survey to a stratified random sample of all 475,518 registered voters age 65 and older in Oklahoma. Details of the survey design and weighting scheme are published elsewhere and will be reported here only briefly [ 46 ]. We obtained the Oklahoma voter’s registration file, current as of January, 2013.…”

“…Overall methodology for this survey was described in Campbell et al [ 46 ]. The survey’s six sections included questions concerning current daily activities and transportation issues, current attendance at and interest in health information events, interest in services, classes, or activities for health improvement, current sources of information and assistance concerning health promotion programs, caregiving and basic demographic information.…”

Training Community Health Workers to Address Disparities in Dementia Care

“…Oklahoma is largely rural and medically underserved with every county identified as Health Professional Shortage Area (OSDH, 2022a; Wheeler & Hackler, 2017). Only 35% of seniors live within Oklahoma's 2 urban areas, leaving 65% geographically distant from specialized geriatric or neurologic care (Campbell et al, 2018). In 2017, Oklahoma was identified as being 1 of 5 US states, with the greatest gap between available neurologists and the number of persons with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) (AA, 2017).…”