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County needs assessment finds housing, affordability and awareness gaps for vulnerable older adults
Summary
A state-led vulnerable adult needs assessment reported Davis County respondents identified housing affordability, transportation and mental health as top unmet needs; the county sample was small and results may not be fully representative, presenters said.
Giles Daltun, an intern working with the county’s senior services team, presented Davis County results from a statewide vulnerable adult needs assessment and cautioned the board that the local sample was small.
"Among the Davis County sample, we had 89 vulnerable adult respondents, 78% of which were age 60 or older," Daltun said, and noted 24 local service providers also participated. He warned the findings may not fully represent the county because of the sample size.
The county-specific results showed alignment between vulnerable adults and providers on availability of services (senior centers and health care) but divergence on unmet needs. Housing and affordability emerged as the top unmet service need: Daltun said 17% of vulnerable adults reported needing but not receiving housing services, and 17% of providers reported being unable to provide housing assistance. Other needs identified included transportation, caregiving, financial management assistance and mental health services.
Daltun summarized barriers: both groups cited funding and income-related barriers and a lack of guidance and coordination about available services. "Many vulnerable adults are not aware of what services exist or how to access them," he said. He also highlighted social isolation and that 44% of vulnerable adults in the sample said they knew what Adult Protective Services (APS) is; Daltun said fear of family repercussions was a primary reported barrier to reporting abuse.
On aging-in-place, respondents said costs and mobility limitations were common concerns and identified needs such as outdoor care, home modifications and help with household tasks. Transportation barriers cited included cost, limited access and lack of family or friends to provide rides.
Board members asked whether the assessment could be cross-referenced with the division’s four-year plan; presenters said some findings align with internal SWOT analysis but that funding constraints limit ability to expand services.
Ending: Presenters urged improved public awareness and better coordination among providers to close gaps in housing support, transportation and mental-health services for vulnerable older adults, while noting the survey’s limited sample size.
