The Community Response Network in Kelowna was formed from the policydriven elder abuse committee and as a response to the Adult Guardianship Act of British Columbia enacted in 2000. After the inception of the act that addresses abuse, neglect and self-neglect of adults, the Community Response Network - a community development initiative that was implemented from social policy - was unsure of its role in the community. The purpose of this qualitative research is to assist the network in defining its role in supporting adults who may be vulnerable to harm. What is the role of the Community Response Network? What did the network do in the past? How effective was it? Who should be involved? It was thought that the network would continue to offer education and awareness to community members. Through a purposeful convenience sample of participants in both a focus group and individual interviews, various themes such as structure, values, context and tasks were evident through verbatim analysis. As well, through a feminist analysis, several dichotomies and inconsistencies were interpreted. Recommendations for the network include continuing education and awareness workshops, strengthening linkages in the community, and inviting a diverse group of people to become involved in the committee. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that harness the reinforcing nature of collaborative efforts with aging services can better prepare for the future of older adult populations. The purpose of this research was to identify collaborative efforts between FQHCs and aging services and distinguish perceptions and knowledge regarding older adult populations. Executive directors, medical directors and social service directors (N=44) at 31 FQHCs across the state of Texas completed surveys measuring structural, procedural and environmental components of the health center setting. The 2007 Uniform Data System and 2000 US Census provided additional data on health centers use and services. Descriptive statistics analyzed independent variables of health center characteristics. Bivariate analysis determined significance of association between independent variables and levels of collaboration with aging services. Results found that all health centers collaborated with at least one aging service, with more informal than formal partnerships. Respondents indicated major barriers to providing services to older adults, including inadequate transportation, inadequate insurance, and limited funding. Respondents also indicated overloaded staff as a major barrier to collaborating with aging services. Aging topics for staff development and perceptions about older adults were also identified. Health center tenure (p=0.005, lambda=1.000), professional tenure (p=0.011, lambda=1.000), leadership in aging services (p=0.002, lambda=1.000), recent gerontological training (p=0.002, lambda=0.500), formal gerontological training p=0.002, lambda=1.000), strategic planning (p=0.002, lambda=1.000), and having older adults on governing boards (p=0.002, lambda= 1.000) were significantly associated with informal collaboration with aging services. Health center tenure (p=0.006, lambda=0.500), leadership in aging services (p=0.004, lambda=0.500), recent training (p=0.010, lambda=0.500), formal training (p=0.005, lambda=0.500), the designation of health center staff older adult services (p=0.025, lambda=0.250), strategic planning (p=0.011, Iambda=0.500), and older adults on governing board (p=0.009, lambda=0.500) were significantly associated with formal collaboration with aging services. In conclusion, FQHCs' efforts at partnering with aging services should include an investment in key staff and board development, the designation of staff to older adult programs, and strategic planning.

A growing body of research emphasizes the development of an understanding of the relationship between older adults and their physical and social environments (Wahl & Weisman, 2003). Researchers, planners, policymakers, and community residents have been increasingly interested in shaping urban environments as places that foster active aging and independence among older adults. Senior centers have served a critical role in their communities as focal points for older adults, as individuals or in groups, to participate in services and activities that support their independence and encourage their involvement in and with the community (NCOA, 1979). The aging of the population and influx of baby boomers into the older demographic, along with declines in participation rates and funding, are challenging senior center staff to be innovative and adaptive in order to demonstrate senior centers’ relevance to future older adults while maintaining the programming and services for their current participants. This research is a multiple-case study of five unique senior centers located throughout the Portland metropolitan area in Oregon. Different types and models of senior centers are represented by the selected cases, as they operate under different governance structures and vary in aspects such as administration, funding, participant characteristics, community partnerships, transportation options, physical environments, and range of services and programs offered. This study aims to better understand challenges, strengths, and future directions for different types of senior centers serving a metropolitan area. Data collection at each site included interviews with staff as well as focus groups with senior center participants. Interviews with key informants enriched the findings and provided outside perspectives of senior center experiences. Data analysis revealed challenges and strengths that were common across and unique to the different senior centers in this study. This research contributes to the literature in urban studies, community development, and gerontology by exploring potential opportunities for urban senior centers to adapt and continue to serve older adults. Recommendations were developed for how senior centers might capitalize on these opportunities and for how their communities might provide mechanisms of support to facilitate the continuation and contributions of senior centers in metropolitan areas.

The purpose of this dissertation is to describe the transfer of a specific technology to a program intended to benefit a segment of the older population. The study interprets the implications of this transfer process for human service programs responsive to the public interest. This provides a lucrative realm for examining the process as an outgrowth of public-private partnerships. Analysis of a partnership in five case studies illustrates the dynamics between nonprofit and for-profit organizations and potential tensions related to differing goals, means, and values. Theoretical grounding draws on relevant organization theory that guides the consideration of prominent concepts, such as responsiveness to the public and the potential for cooptation of public goals in public-private organizational partnerships. With this as a base, the dissertation provides implications for the development of theory on technology transfer in the delivery of human services. / Ph. D.

The therapeutic opportunity for the elderly due to building control automation use in a retirement home was investigated. Previous research suggests that a basic understanding of elderly functional needs and building control automation capabilities is required Ifn order to secure the opportunity for maintaining existing elderly functional abilities. This study explores the extent to which building control automation can be applied in retirement homes. The research questions generated for this study were: To what extent is the success of building control automation dependent on the level of demand by residents, staff, and administration? How can elderly of varying disabilities interact with and around what building control automation features? How can building control automation support elderly independence and minimize the need for relocation to a higher level of care? What type(s) of building control automation will either promote independence or threaten it? A nurse aide questionnaire was used to identify the nurse aide's perception of the retirement home environment, residents' activities, and issues of elderly well-being. A resident questionnaire addressed residents needs and desires to maintain independent living with assistance of building control automation. And lastly, participant observation was used to reveal unique aspects of the physical environment and activities in questionnaire responses. / Master of Science

This research employed a model of interorganizational relations (Van de Ven, 1976) based on social action theory to examine the interagency relationships between Title III/Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) agencies across the country. The specific purpose of this study was to investigate five AAA/SSBG agency relationships using case study methodology to determine the adequacy of Van de Ven’s model in portraying the relationships. I also examined possible changes in the framework that might enhance its ability to characterize the relationships. In general, qualitative data analysis supported the model’s ability to depict the interagency relationships. The following factors were influential in the formation and continued functioning of at least three of the five interagency relationships: (a) resource needs, dependence, and exchange; (b) a commitment to serving older adults; (c) a commitment to the interagency relationship; (d) interagency communication, awareness, and information exchange; (e) interagency consensus (i.e., agreement between agency representatives on the goals and expectations of each agency in the relationship); (f) domain similarity (e.g., overlap in client populations and geographic service areas); (g) informal means of interaction and communication; and (h) perceived effectiveness of the interagency effort by agency representatives. Based upon the results of this investigation, I have proposed a revised framework that incorporates the major components of the original model but also simplifies and conceptually clarifies important relationship factors. It places more emphasis on the individuals involved in interagency relationships and is tailored to fit the special circumstances of social service agencies. An important implication of these findings for further research is the need for examining other social service agencies with the original and revised framework to further enhance their usefulness in characterizing interagency interaction. Implications for practice include the use of this information about AAA/SSBG agency relationships to improve interagency collaboration, service delivery and planning, and public policy decisions. / Ph. D.

Illich, a critic of the medical profession in industrial societies, researched the "damage done" by the medical establishment on three levels. This study presents an application of Illich's three-level theory of iatrogenesis to a sample of elderly people in old-age homes in and around Pretoria. Fifty in-depth interviews were conducted with old-age home residents. In the focus on clinical iatrogenesis, the aspect of defenceless patients was investigated. With regard to social iatrogenesis, focus was on the interpretation of attitudes revealing an increased medical dependency. Cultural iatrogenesis, which involves the influence of values and norms on thinking patterns, is investigated in terms of the impact of institutionalisation on the autonomy, independence and personal responsibility of residents. Illich's solution to the problem of medicalisation is to be found in the de-bureaucratisation and de-industrialisation of society. Based on the assumptions of critical theory, the emancipation of the individual is suggested as a basis of Illich's proposed structural societal changes / M.A. (Sociology)

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Work

The problem of this study was a test of a specific videotape designed to influence the actions of tour guides for older adult groups. The purposes of the study were to observe guide performances and older adult responses before and after training in techniques for sharing information with older adults in public spaces. The hypotheses were tested. 1) Guides after training would exhibit significant differences in behaviors of pointing, repeating, pausing, questioning, conversing, facing art when talking, talking inaudibly, pacing rapidly. 2) Older adult drop-outs would decrease on tours with especially trained guides.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration