SLCNA Report February 2020 - Report - Page 20
Consumer Focus Group Data
In addition to the open dialogue and discussion group, additional data was collected to obtain more
detail about the participants to help us understand and appreciate the individual circumstances of all
attendees. Group A (Mechanicsburg) had 14 participants and yielded 13 completed questionnaires.
Group B (Harrisburg) had 17 participates with 16 completed questionnaires.
The total number of participants was 31, total number of completed questionnaires was 29.
1. Which of the following best describes your race?
White/Caucasian
Black/African American
Asian or Pacific Islander
Hispanic or Latino
Other
Groups A & B Combined
93.0%
6.9%
0%
0%
0%
One of the main criteria for invited participants was a mass mailing to 2,665 households. Participant
criteria included a household income of $0 to $49,999. In comparison, the U.S. Census Bureau (2018
QuickFacts Pennsylvania) states the median household income in Pennsylvania is $59,445. Furthermore,
for easier access, zip codes less than 10 miles of where each focus group was held, were used as a
second set of criteria. 2019 census data also shows the number of whites living in Cumberland County
was 88.5% versus 71.9% in Dauphin County. Cumberland County zip codes accounted for 1,034 of the
invited households and 1,631 in Dauphin County respectively. Subsequently, we invited more households
to participate in Dauphin County in hopes of pooling a more diverse focus group. However, groups A and
B yielded much less diversity than what we had hoped for, therefore each group functioned more as a
convenience sampling.
2. What is your age range?
59 or younger
60 to 69
70 to 79
80 to 89
90+
Group A
0%
23%
61.5%
15.3%
0%
Group B
0%
25%
43.7%
25%
6.3%
Groups A & B Combined
0%
24%
52.6%
20.1%
3.1%
In addition to the average household income and select zip codes, age was another factor. The mailing
targeted all households with at least one occupant between the age 66 to 100+. Though the assessment
focused heavily on the needs of those 65+, we were open to having younger participants to gain
perspective of those who have not actually retired or began to collect Medicare and/or Social Security.
In future studies, we will consider asking more detailed age ranges and those on Medicare and those
collecting Social Security.
3. Which best describes your living situation?
Live with spouse or domestic partner
Live alone
Live with a family member
Live with unrelated individual(s)
Groups A & B Combined
36.5%
49.5%
10%
3.8%
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