Changing Interagency Service Delivery Systems to Help Older Public Housing Residents Access Services to Assist Them to Age in Place (Service Access for Elders in Public Housing - SAEPH)

Abstract

The (ASPE Track 2) planning project, referred to as Service Access for Elders in Public Housing or SAEPH, addressed issues that affect the quality of life of elderly residents of an urban public housing complex. A SAEPH Steering Committee conducted a survey of elderly residents, collected data from area providers, and designed a preliminary model to better coordinate information and services provided by public and private agencies that serve the residents to assist them to better age in place in their apartments. Surveyed elderly residents are primarily single, low-income, African-American women with chronic health problems, possible depression, some difficulty accessing and paying for adequate medical and dental care, and concern about the safety of their housing environment. Public and private providers in the community identified several significant barriers to implementation of a model. Final design and implementation of a feasible model with the potential for expansion to other housing sites is dependent on addressing barriers and resolving issues by involving individuals in positions of authority in key organizations, carefully crafting new approaches to coordination and delivery of information and services, and developing funding resources.