Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113065

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

Key partners in the detection of mental health concerns experienced by older adults have been primary care physicians and social service providers and families. Limited information is currently available from the professional literature on the awareness that social service providers have related to mental health concerns and older adults, especially within rural communities. This study forwarded a survey to social service providers who serve older adults to agencies within the most southern 27 counties of Illinois. A 25% sample (n=250) was randomly selected from Southern Illinois, and administered a questionnaire that addressed providers' perceptions related to systems integration, screening and consultation and education/training. Nutrition sites were randomly selected within three Area Agency catchment areas. Seniors from nutrition sites were surveyed to ascertain their perspectives using both survey and focus group format. Preliminary analysis suggests differences between the three groups in a variety of areas, but most notably related to system integration and collaboration between these three groups. This exploratory study begins to identify training needs and perspectives that seniors perceive are critical for collaboration between consumers, social service providers and primary care within rural communities. This evidence base can support the development of meaningful programs, training interventions, and partnerships between th consumer, primary care, public health and human services.

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