An Analysis of Aging-Related Needs and Programming across the Extension North Central Region

Extension Journal, Inc. e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.joe.org

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11

Aging (Individuals); Geographic Regions; Needs Assessment; Extension Agents; Extension Education; Health Services; Diseases; Prevention; Health Promotion; Chronic Illness; Housing; Transportation; Older Adults; Community; Brain; Dementia; Family Needs; Caregivers

Michigan; Indiana; Kansas; Wisconsin; Illinois; Iowa; Minnesota; Missouri; Ohio; North Dakota; South Dakota; Nebraska

1077-5315

As the U.S. population ages, Extension's need for associated organizational readiness increases. We conducted a needs assessment with a sample of 1,028 Extension professionals in the Extension North Central Region (NCR) to identify the current scope of aging-related community needs. Health care, chronic disease prevention and management, housing, and transportation emerged from qualitative analysis as top aging-related needs. A rankorder analysis identified finances, healthy aging, and aging-friendly communities as chief community concerns. Additionally, the NCR Extension professionals indicated the importance of resources and programs and need for community capacity building related to aging issues, regardless of their programming area and/or responsibilities.

As Provided

2019

EJ1238502