SLCNA Report February 2020 - Report - Page 22
7. In your opinion, do you live close enough to
necessary resources such as a grocery store, pharmacy,
bank, senior center, restaurants, etc.?
Yes
No
Groups A & B Combined
96.1%
3.8%
The convenience sampling drew primarily from suburban areas in each county, where the growth of
retail and other local amenities is on the upswing. Further reaches of each county or the inclusion of
Perry County (a more rural county) could be considered for the future.
8. Do you believe you have been a victim of fraud or
abuse in recent years?
Yes
No
Groups A & B Combined
20.9%
79%
According to the U.S. Justice Department, the term “elder abuse” includes 6 subtypes of abuse: physical
abuse, financial fraud, scams and exploitation, caregiver neglect and abandonment, psychological abuse,
and sexual abuse. Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens,
affecting at least 10% of older Americans every year. The fact that over 20% (double the national average)
of respondents from our two groups answered affirmatively to this question is alarming. Though not
specifically cited, online and phone scams may also further explain some participants aversion or distrust
of technology, particularly not choosing to have internet access.
9. There are appropriate, affordable housing
Groups A & B
options available in the area to meet my needs.
Group A
Group B
Combined
Strongly agree
30.7%
25%
27.8%
Agree
15.7%
31.2%
23.3%
Neither agree or disagree
30.7%
37.5%
34.1%
Disagree
7.6%
6.2%
6.9%
Strongly disagree
15.3%
0%
7.6%
Over half of the group agreed or strongly agreed there is a need for more affordable housing in this
region, heavily outweighing those who disagreed and disagreed strongly. It’s uncertain if the affirmative
reactions are based on perception or personal experience. As an organization, Messiah Lifeways,
particularly Messiah Lifeways Coaching, regularly fields inquiries looking for low income and affordable
housing, plus market rate moderately priced rental options for seniors. The individual group breakdown
was shown to provide some contrast in which group A from Mechanicsburg felt more strongly about not
having enough options in Cumberland County. In the future, we may want to make the question more
general and not specific to “my needs.” As it’s stated, affordable housing may not be a need of these
particular participants.
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