“The Real Impacts That AAAs are Making:” Developing Measures of Area Agency on Aging Success
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: The more than 600 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) throughout the U.S. are as diverse as the communities they serve, making it challenging to establish indicators of success that are not simply compliance-focused. This study builds agreement among AAAs to identify impactful, feasible, and measurable indicators of success. A mixed methods study was conducted with two surveys of AAA experts to identify indicators of success; assessments of those indicators' impact, feasibility, and measurability; and virtual focus groups to interpret findings. Most indicators that had the potential for high impact received low feasibility and measurability scores. AAAs want more technical assistance, funding, and staffing resources from their states and the Administration on Aging to make data collection and analysis less burdensome and more outcome-oriented. State Units on Aging and the Administration on Aging can use the study findings to improve assessments of AAAs without placing undue burdens on staff attempting to demonstrate their impact. This study can help to identify future priorities regarding AAA assessments and innovations.
Source: Journal of Aging & Social Policy
Author: Haley B Gallo
Institution: University of Southern California
Language: English
Subfield: Public Administration
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Institute on Aging
OpenAlex ID: W4362455461