Initiative affirms seniors matter

This article is the sixth of a six-part series written about the United Way of West Central Connecticut, serving the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth, demonstrating its impact on “what matters.”

Seniors Matter
By: Donna Osuch

When the United Way of West Central Connecticut transformed to its new model, it maintained what it had done previously, and created another way to help more people as well as the community. United Way volunteers identified three groups on which to focus: youth, seniors and basic needs. The sixth article in this series will focus on seniors and the work United Way is doing to develop a senior initiative.

Working to improve community conditions requires understanding the community. The United Way undertook a senior community needs assessment to understand just that – its resources, assets and needs related to seniors. Professionals and volunteers who work with senior citizens from our four towns – Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth – have been working together for the last eight months to gather data about seniors. This volunteer group, the Senior Advisory Council, is made up of representatives from organizations such as Bristol Hospital, area senior centers, a local housing authority, town social service departments, a local Visiting Nurse Association and others.

The Senior Advisory Council worked with a team of researchers from the United Way of Connecticut’s Community Results Center to gather and analyze four types of data. First, we asked community organizations who work with seniors to share their data with us. From that we gathered a variety of information, from lists of priorities to survey results and annual reports.

Second, we interviewed professionals who work closely with senior citizens in our four towns. We asked them to talk about the work they do and, from their perspective, the needs seniors face in our communities.

Third, we conducted focus groups in each community with senior citizens. We asked them to talk about the needs and gaps for seniors in their communities. We also conducted a focus group with providers of senior services.

Finally, the United Way conducted a survey that was mailed to 5,000 randomly selected seniors in our four communities. In addition, the Visiting Nurse Association delivered some surveys to its homebound seniors.

Addressing the needs of the fastest growing segment of our population is a priority for United Way. The issues that surfaced often were around a variety of health care issues, basic needs such as housing, food and transportation, and social issues such as outreach to homebound seniors. Residents emphasized the importance for a dedicated community director of senior services who could provide support, outreach and recreation for and to seniors. Providers indicated that they would benefit from regular meetings to discuss the needs of seniors and service gaps that exist.

The Senior Advisory Council is working to determine how best the United Way of West Central Connecticut can use its resources to impact the lives of seniors in our communities. Launching the United Way senior initiative will not only improve the lives of seniors, it will also improve the lives of everyone in our communities – because that’s what matters.

Donna Osuch is the Community Impact Coordinator at the United Way of West Central Connecticut.