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Abstract #153129

Lisa S. Kretz, PhD¹, Susan W. Hayashi, PhD¹, Erika O. Tait, MA¹, Julie Nicholson, MPA¹, Amy Hubbard, PhD¹, Wendy W. Friar, RN, MS², and Joanne Balkovich³. (1) JBS International, Inc., 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 1200, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-495-1080, lkretz@jbsinternational.com, (2) Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910, (3) Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source, 8580 Second Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

This presentation will describe a theory-driven examination of factors affecting access and use of an urban community health education and wellness center by nearby senior residents. This urban senior center, developed through an innovative partnership between a community hospital and County government, offers seniors access to health and wellness classes and other education. The center location was selected to provide accessibility for vulnerable populations in the community; however, participation rates among low-income elderly community residents remain lower than anticipated despite the center's close proximity. This project was conducted to identify barriers to access for residents in a low-income senior housing facility located adjacent to the center, implement an outreach program, and examine the impact on participation. Thus, the project entails three components: (1) a formative evaluation, designed to assess resident perceptions of the center and identify barriers to access/engagement; (2) an outreach program, designed to reduce barriers identified in the formative evaluation; and, (3) an outcome evaluation to assess the impact of the outreach on program participation by seniors in the target audience. Rogers' (2003) diffusion of innovations theory guided identification of key outcomes of interest, including target audience awareness of the center, attitudes towards the center, and use of the center. The target audience of interest for this project consists of the culturally diverse residents of a high-rise apartment facility for low-income seniors that is located adjacent to the senior center in downtown Silver Spring, MD. Presentation will describe study methodology, key findings, and implications for outreach efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how to apply diffusion theory to define and assess relevant outreach outcomes.
• Articulate barriers to access identified by the target audience seniors in this study.
• List strategies for addressing those access barriers identified by seniors in this study.
• Identify how the results of this study can be applied to other senior outreach efforts.

Keywords: Elderly, Urban Health Services Barriers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Organization	Clinical/Research Area	Type of Relationship
JBS International, Inc.	behavioral health	Employment (includes retainer)

Any company-sponsored training?	No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?	Yes
Have you received salary support, retainer, or other monies to support your position as part of the research/clinical trials?	Yes
Have you served as the Principal Investigator) for the research/clinical trials?	Yes
Have the results of your research/clinical trials been published?	No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.