Fiscal Year 2027-2029 Multi-Year Plan CONSUMER SURVEY

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. We value your input on the needs of the community to help you live safely, confidently, and age well in the environment of your choice.

Every three years, Region IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA) develops a Multi-Year Plan to outline the services and activities it will fund, develop, and/or advocate for when accessing federal, state, and local funding. This Community Needs Assessment Survey will assist AAA to focus its resources and energies on the most important needs of the community. In addition, it will help shape the agency’s program development and advocacy efforts.

At the end of the survey there are demographic questions. We’re asking more about you to understand who is taking this survey. Inclusion and representation are crucial to our work. Every person brings unique strengths to our community. Learning more about your identity helps us better understand who we are serving and helps us take actions that meet the unique needs of our neighbors. You may skip any question at any time.

This survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete. All individual responses are confidential. All questions are optional. However, input is encouraged to help inform AAA efforts.

If you have any questions or would like additional information on available services, please contact:

Region IV Area Agency on Aging

800-654-2810

Question Title

* 1. When you have a problem that requires services where do you go to find out about services. Please check all that apply.

211

Area Agency on Aging/Campus for Creative Aging

Community Newsletter

Doctor

Faith Community

Friend/Neighbor

Internet

Library

Local Health Department

Local Senior Center

Newspaper

Relative

Social Media

Television/Radio

I haven’t needed information or services

Other

Question Title

* 2. What do you believe are the five biggest unmet needs faced by older adults and persons with disabilities in your community? Please check no more than five.

Adult Day Programming

Affordable Housing

Caregiver Education, Support & Training

Chronic Condition Care

Dementia Education & Support

Elder Abuse Prevention

Emergency Needs (help to pay for goods or services in a personal emergency)

Food or Nutritious Food Options

Help in Applying for Public Benefits

Health and Wellness Classes

Health Insurance Options Counseling

Home Maintenance/Chore Services

Home Repair/Modifications

Information about Senior Services

Legal Assistance

Long-Term Care Options Counseling

Long-Term Care Ombudsman (advocacy and education for nursing home residents of their rights; investigate, resolve and report complaints on behalf of nursing home residents)

Personal Care Assistance (help with daily care and light household tasks)

Respite Services (a break from caregiving)

Senior Centers

Social Engagement/Activities for Older Adults

Support for Adults with Disabilities

Support for Older Adults Raising Children 18 or Younger

Tax Assistance

Transportation

Other

Question Title

* 3. What are your biggest health concerns. Please check all that apply.

Coping with pain

Fear of falling

Losing independence

Managing a chronic condition

Not being able to do the things you enjoy

Paying for health care (including co-pays)

Paying for medications

No health concerns

Other health concerns

Question Title

* 4. Do you typically eat at least two meals a day?

Yes

Question Title

* 5. If no, why do you have less than 2 meals per day?

You don’t always have enough money for food.

You are not always physically able to shop, cook, and/or feed yourself.

You need help with shopping, preparing meals, and/or eating but do not always have someone that can assist you.

You have an illness or condition that made you change the kind and/or amount of food you eat.

You have tooth or mouth problems that make it hard for you to eat.

You are not hungry enough to eat more/more often.

Question Title

* 6. In general, would you say your mental or emotional health is:

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Fair

Poor

Question Title

* 7. Do you have family members or friends living nearby who you can ask for help or support if you need it?

Yes

Question Title

* 8. Do you speak to or interact with friends or family outside your home as often as you would like?

Yes

Question Title

* 9. Do any of the following prevent you from participating in social activities? Please check all that apply.

You cannot afford it

You are too sick or your disability is a barrier

You don’t know of such programs in your community

You don’t have a way to get there

You don’t want to be with the people in the programs

You would prefer to be with younger people

You don’t want to go alone

Does not apply

Other

Question Title

* 10. Do you live alone?

Yes

Question Title

* 11. Do you have any of the following concerns about the condition of your home environment? Please check all that apply.

Home in need of major repairs (roof, furnace, sagging floors, bad wiring)

Home in need of minor repairs (leaking pipes, windows and doors not sealed)

Not enough handrails or grab bars

Stairways are unsafe

Need a ramp

Presence of mold

Too cluttered, need to remove items

Unsafe neighborhood

Poor water quality

In need of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

In need of adaptive or durable medical equipment for daily tasks

No home safety concerns (if checked, skip next question)

Does not apply, I am homeless (if checked, skip next question)

Question Title

* 12. What is the main reason the problem conditions have not been addressed? Please check one.

Cannot afford to do it

Haven’t gotten around to it

Can’t get help with it

You rent and it’s the landlord’s responsibility

Other

Question Title

* 13. Do you have trouble traveling to the places you need to go?

Yes

Question Title

* 14. Have you missed a medical appointment in the past 12 months due to lack of transportation?

Yes

Question Title

* 15. Do you have access to the Internet in your home?

Yes

Question Title

* 16. How often do you use email?

Every day

Three or four times a week

About once a week

Once a month

I rarely use email

I don’t have an email address

Question Title

* 17. How do you prefer to receive information about services and resources? Please select one response.

Phone

U.S. Mail

Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

Question Title

* 18. Which county do you live in?

Berrien

Cass

Van Buren

Question Title

* 19. What is your zip code?

Question Title

* 20. What is your age?

Question Title

* 21. What is your gender? Please check all that apply.

Female

Male

Non-binary

Prefer not to answer

Prefer to self-describe

Question Title

* 22. How do you describe your sexual orientation or sexual identity? Please check all that apply.

Asexual

Bisexual

Heterosexual/Straight

Homosexual/Gay/Lesbian

Queer

Questioning or Unsure

Prefer not to answer

Prefer to self-describe

Question Title

* 23. Are you Spanish, Hispanic, or Latinx?

Yes

Question Title

* 24. Which of the following best describes you? Please check all that apply.

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian or Asian American

Black or African American

Middle Eastern or North African

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

White or Caucasian

Prefer not to answer

Prefer to self-describe

Question Title

* 25. What is your annual household income? Please check one.

Less than $15,000

$15,000 - $24,999

$25,000 - $34,999

$35,000 - $49,999

$50,000 - $74,999

$75,000 - $99,999

$100,000 - $149,999

$150,000 - $199,999

$200,000+

Prefer not to answer

Prefer to self-describe

Question Title

* 26. Please provide any additional comments here:

Thank you for completing the survey! We truly appreciate your input!