Integrating Housing and Social Service Activities for the Elderly Household: Comments. (RE-ANNOUNCEMENT of PB85-126860-see notes field for explanation)

摘要

The approach taken in Gutowski's paper implicitly recognizes the interdependence of all social welfare functions, i.e., those related to health, living arrangement, transportation, income maintenance, and housing. Gutowski's assessment of the weaknesses and the strengths of older persons in sustaining independent living closely parallels those presented in other papers. Age - related changes in income and health frequently place older persons at multiple risks for a dependent type of living situation. Survey results suggest that an effective service delivery network is already in place for a large proportion of the elderly and that policy consideration be given to optimize family delivery models, particularly in supporting the family's capacity to meet periodic crises. Gutowski appropriately argues that services to support independent living must be diverse, corresponding to a broad range of needs within the older population. The core of the problem highlighted by this conference is twofold: (1) determining the scope of housing - related services required by the elderly to maintain their own households as well as the kinds of services preferred or needed by the elderly and (2) determining whether the elderly are a specialized target population that requires a unique package of service supports. The data presented in Gutowski's paper are not adequate for determining the elderly's perceptions of their service needs, because the data appear to focus on more general community service needs. There is a need for HUD and other agencies to coordinate a rigorous survey effort aimed at assessing the needs and circumstances of the elderly. Various data on neighborhood quality and type of housing for the elderly used in Gutowski's paper are appended.