Staff of local governments, Area Agencies on Aging, home owners’ associations, facilities and programs for older adults are increasingly aware that the growing number of older residents will change drastically the demands for service. Planning for the increased number of older adults requires the wisdom to ask older adults themselves about their circumstances and needs. NRC offers a unique scientific survey of older adults’ perceptions of their communities and future needs. Our customizable services include consultation, administration, analysis and reporting on a variety of older adult needs. The NRC older adult needs assessment service package serves as a strategic planning and evaluation tool that communities may use to develop their older adult service plans, determine how future resources will be allocated, evaluate their current service provision, influence key stakeholders, empower community members and monitor success .
Objectives |
Identify community strengths and weaknesses |
Methods |
Multi-contact mailed survey |
Goals |
Provide useful, information for planning, resource allotment, development and leverage, advocacy efforts and stakeholder engagement |
The CASOA package consists of a:
- Scientific survey of a systematic and representative sample of older adults in your jurisdiction
- 5-page questionnaire, based on our tested templatized tool, mailed to 1,200 randomly selected older adult households
- Report of results, identifying the prevalence of more than 40 common older adult need areas, as well as a set of recommendations to address larger areas of community need
Use of the CASOA will provide insight into your older adult population’s needs, perspectives and potential to age productively in your community and will offer a baseline understanding of your older adult population that can be used to compare future findings. Planners will use results for creating new facilities and programs, training, and updating policies.
Additional features that can be added to the basic CASOA package:
- Demographic profiles on the current older adult populations in your jurisdiction
- Demographic projection of future older adult populations and needs in your jurisdiction
- The calculation of economic contribution of older adults in your community
- Spanish and other language translation and administration
CASOA has just finished being implemented in 5 cities: Dallas, TX, Walnut Creek, CA, Novi, MI, Delhi Township, MI and Arvada, CO.
Topics Assessed Through CASOA
CASOA focuses on a series of resident needs and community supports that foster successful aging. More than 40 common issues affecting older adults drawn from older adult programming practices and the literature on aging are assessed in categories of health and wellness; community land use and design; participation in various productive activities and community resources for information and planning. Opinions about current community amenities and opportunities also are measured in the assessment.
The National Citizen Survey™ Focus Areas
Health and WellnessPhysical health
Mental health
Health Care
Safety
Independent Living
|
Community Design and Land UseLand use
Mobility
Housing
|
Productive ActivitiesCivic Engagement
Civic Engagement
Employment & Education
Recreation, Arts & Culture
Caregiving contribution Economic contribution |
Information and PlanningInformation
|
Results to Expect from CASOA
As a result of implementing CASOA in your community, you will be provided with information to answer these questions: answers illustrate fictionalized data.
How do older residents rate our community today?

What characteristics of our community foster or hinder our older adult population's ability to "age in place"?
Area of need |
Percent with need |
Number affected in 2008 (n=40,119) |
Number affected in 2013 (n=46,137) |
Number affected in 2018 (n=50,751) |
Civic engagement needs |
69% |
27,682 |
31,835 |
35,018 |
Information and planning needs |
63% |
25,275 |
29,066 |
31,973 |
Housing needs |
54% |
21,664 |
24,914 |
27,406 |
Physical health needs |
46% |
18,455 |
21,223 |
23,345 |
Social Engagement needs |
49% |
19,658 |
22,607 |
24,868 |
Social support needs |
77% |
30,892 |
35,526 |
39,078 |
Mental health needs |
36% |
14,443 |
16,609 |
18,270 |
Home maintenance needs |
42% |
16,850 |
19,378 |
21,315 |
Financial needs |
46% |
18,455 |
21,223 |
23,345 |
Health care needs |
31% |
12,437 |
14,303 |
15,733 |
Employment and education needs |
74% |
29,688 |
34,142 |
37,556 |
Recreation, arts and culture needs |
63% |
25,275 |
29,066 |
31,973 |
Institutionalization risk needs |
47% |
18,856 |
21,684 |
23,853 |
Caregiver burden needs |
72% |
28,886 |
33,219 |
36,541 |
Mobility needs |
41% |
16,449 |
18,916 |
20,808 |
Safety needs |
54% |
21,664 |
24,914 |
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