Client Satisfaction Report I. Meals on Wheels of Metropolitan Toronto, Consumer Satisfaction Survey, 1978

摘要

A consumer satisfaction study was performed on 20 out of 24 meals on wheels units in metropolitan Toronto, Canada. A self - administered questionnaire was designed as the survey instrument and was distributed in the fall and winter of 1977 to 1,222 participants in the program. A total of 644 individuals completed the questionnaire, with double the number of women than men responding. Thus, the responses mainly reflect the viewpoint of women receiving meals. The data were coded and keypunched for subsequent computer analysis. Study findings indicate that 87 percent of the respondents were over 65 years of age, with 41 percent over 80 years. Most of the people lived alone. Health problems suffered by respondents were sight problems and restricted mobility resulting from strokes, arthritis, and heart problems. A total of 95 percent of respondents reported satisfaction with meals received from the program. Respondents indicated a desire for other services besides meals, including small appliance repair, hairdressing, and dry cleaning. More than half stated that they could not shop for themselves and that they needed transportation, assistance with carrying parcels, and other help with shopping. Study findings tend to support these trends: (1) referrals from medical and paramedical sources is increasing, demonstrating a growing reliance on supportive care services such as meals on wheels; (2) meals on wheels are received favorably by clients and seen as responding to the needs of the elderly population; and (3) the program provides the opportunity for concerned individuals to volunteer their services to the elderly. Appended material includes the survey instrument, questionnaire distribution and returns, a supplementary fact sheet, and additional services requested. Lists of advisory committee members and the board of directors of Community Care Services, Inc., are provided.