The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67523

Elaine Jurkowski, PhD, School of Social Work, Southern Illinois University, Quigley 4, M/C 4329, Carbondale, IL 62901, (618) 453-2243, etjurkow@siu.edu

The changing demographics in our communities will see a shift of our population to increased numbers of older adults. In addition, rural communities will realize a migration of older adults and retirees. Consequently, this demographic shift will have effect on the public health and health professional. The purpose of this study was to examine what the roles and training needs were for health providers working with older adults in rural communities. This study used a series of focus groups and a survey to identify needs and training competencies for the health professional among 25 rural counties in a Midwest state. Focus groups were conducted with service providers and senior adults from congregate meal sites or senior centers to determine what each group perceived as priorities and skills that would be essential when working with older adults. Responses were recorded, transcribed and a thematic analysis conducted to identify major trends, prior to a quantitative analysis of the responses. Results suggest that responses between providers and older adults resulted in different priorities and training needs. The issues older adults in rural communities face are discussed, strategies to ameliorate the gap between older adults and health professionals identified, and specific continuing education strategies presented as a consequence of the findings.

Learning Objectives:

Learning objectives:
• To understand some of the issues older adults in rural communities perceive to be strengths and barriers when working with public health and health professionals. 2. To identify strategies to ameliorate the gap between older adult’s perceptions and the reality of the helping professions. 3. To identify some strategies which can be undertaken in continuing education to bridge the differences in perceptions.Learning objectives:
• To understand some of the issues older adults in rural communities perceive to be strengths and barriers when working with public health and health professionals. 2. To identify strategies to ameliorate the gap between older adult’s perceptions and the reality of the helping professions. 3. To identify some strategies which can be undertaken in continuing education to bridge the differences in perceptions.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.