ASSESSMENT OF SENIOR POPULATION IN JOHNSON CITY

Karen Carver

Hannah Gaebler

Lane Britt

Laura Martin

Kani Smith

POPULATION

Adults age 55 or older living in Johnson City, Tennessee who utilize the senior citizen center for a variety of activities and services.

WHY DID WE CHOOSE THE SENIOR CENTER

Accessible Growing population Holistic approach to better the life of senior

citizens. Opportunity for us to learn more about the

senior population in Johnson City.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the needs of Johnson City Senior Center

Evaluate available resources for this population

Create a plan of action based on greatest needs identified by survey

WINDSHIELD SURVEY

Located in the residential community next to I-26

Accessible to downtown Johnson City and Bus Depot

Limited foot traffic Close to senior public housing and Asbury

Place nursing home. Near downtown clinic Near library

COMMUNITIES STATISTICS

Johnson City has a large population of older adults: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47/4738320.html

Living on less than 20,000 a year: http://health.state.tn.us/statistics/PdfFiles/BRFSS%202008%20Regional/BRFSS_DemographicsIncome_08.pdf

Prevalence of Diabetes: http://health.state.tn.us/statistics/PdfFiles/BRFSS%202009%20Regional/BRFSS_Diabetes_09.pdf

Prevalence of Hypertension: http://health.state.tn.us/statistics/PdfFiles/BRFSS%202009%20Regional/BRFSS_BPHigh_09.pdf

STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF SENIOR CENTER POPULATION

Educated Active Mobile Independent Volunteer Socialized

Falls and Balance Issues

Incontinence problems Undiagnosed DM More women than

men attend Technological Deficits Lack of diversity in

race and socioeconomic status

Strengths Weaknesses

SENIOR CENTER PROGRAMS OFFERED Strengths

Free for local residence Exercise Classes Billiards Room Knitting Social dances and

lessons Music lessons Health education

seminars Luncheon Day Trips Seminars

War Brides Health Education

Weaknesses Computer classes

are fewest attended Provide limited

transport Hard for outsiders to

feel included Funding can be

limited Annual $100 fee for

residents in surrounding counties

DATA COLLECTION AND METHODS USED

Written Survey Verbal Survey Center Activity observations Administration Meetings/interview Windshield survey Online research data collection

PRIORITY ISSUES Top 3 current health problems

Diabetes Hypertension Arthritis

Top 3 desired health topics Nutrition Hypertension Diabetes

Top 3 areas of concern Maintaining independence Companionship Diabetes

Top 3 reasons for using senior center Socialization Exercise Activities

PLAN OF ACTION

Healthy herb recipes for hypertension and diabetes.

Blood pressure checks Herb planting stations Healthy snacks Blood pressure logs that they can take with them This will address the priority issues found from

our survey: Hypertension DM Socialization Activities Nutrition and recipes