title: Needs assessment and the use of services by east Texas rural elderly.
abstract: This study is concerned with the methodology of needs assessment and an understanding of why the East Texas rural elderly don't take advantage of existing programs and services. Data were obtained through 25 in-depth interviews and brief interviews of clients and service personnel in senior centers, meal sites, and agencies. It was found that direct assessment of needs (via direct question, suggestion lists, contingency planning, and projection) may not be possible. The elderly are reluctant to admit need in this particular setting or accept help and may even deny using services. They seem to have devised their own model of services with those perceived to have been earned or which require a donation most acceptable and those having a minimum income eligibility least acceptable. Findings are explained in terms of relative deprivation and through an analysis of the social and economic history of age cohorts representing the older, younger, and future elderly. It is concluded that, since successful cohorts have experienced better times and a more liberal social atmosphere, they will feel increasingly needier and be increasingly aggressive about getting assistance.
authors.affiliation: School of Urban and Public Affairs, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA.
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Sijuwade
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population; D013781:Texas