Network Approach to the Assessment and Development of Comprehensive Coordinationin the Delivery of Community-Based Services to the Elderly

摘要

The project studies the coordination in the delivery of community-based servicesto the elderly. The report sheds light on the concept of coordination through an analysis of aging services in six Alabama counties. In addition to a comprehensive description of services, the study addresses the political and interorganizational context within which services are provided. The Summary of Findings includes an evaluation of the following services: nutrition, transportation, employment, education, recreation, in-home services, home maintenance assistance, and housing for the elderly. The findings reveal the importance of community in the development of health and human service systems; although the findings, also, reveal the difficulty of overcoming community conflicts and cleavages in the planning and agenda setting process. The findings suggest, though, the importance of promoting community building activities.