Skip to main content
Log in

A community needs assessment among Asian American elders

  • Published:
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite a significant increase in the size of the Asian American elderly population, little is known about their social service needs and the level of service being provided them. This study used a survey methodology to examine all Asian American senior programs (N = 20) in a major American metropolitan region. The response rate was 90% with respondent agencies serving as the unit of analysis. Findings suggest that Asian elderly clients were primarily women and 'old-old', and that many of them were on SSI. Services provided were primarily tangible and facilitative, rather than clinical. Services needed but not provided were emergency psychiatric care, home attendants, home-delivered meals, legal services, medical services, and protective services. Findings of this study provide useful information for further research and program planning for Asian American elders in urban settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aponte, J. (1983). Need assessment: The state of the art. In R. Bell, M. Sundel, J. Aponte, S. Murrell & E. Lin (eds.), Assessing health and human services needs: Concepts, methods and applications. New York: Human Services Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balgopal, P. (1995). Asian Americans overview. In R. Edwards (Editor-in-Chief), Encyclopedia of social work, 19th edition. Washington, DC: NASW Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Browne, C. & Broderick, A. (1994). Asian and Pacific Island elders: Issues for social work practice and education, Social Work39(3): 252–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burr, J. & Mutchler, J. (1993). Nativity, acculturation, and economic status: Explanations of Asian American living arrangements in later life, Journal of Gerontology48(2): S55–S63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapelski, E. (1989). Determinants of knowledge of services to the elderly: Are strong ties enabling or inhibiting? The Gerontologist29(4): 539–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department for the Aging (1990). Borough and community district profiles of older New Yorkers. City of New York, Department for the Aging.

  • Dhooper, S. (1991). Toward an effective response to the needs of Asian-Americans, Journal of Multicultural Social Work1(2): 65–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fong, R. & Mokuau, N. (1994). Not simply 'Asian Americans': Periodical literature review on Asians and Pacific Islanders, Social Work39(3): 298–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, R. C. (1989). Minority aging research: Opportunity and challenge, Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences44: S2–S3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, J. S. (1989). Race, ethnicity, and psychological theory and research, Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences44: P1–P2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, A. (1979). Social policy and social services, 2nd edition. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kettner, P., Moroney, R. & Martin L. (1990). Designing and managing programs: An effectiveness-based approach. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, A. & Kavanaugh, D. (1996). Help seeking by immigrant Indochinese psychiatric patients in Syndey, Australia, Psychiatric Services47(9): 993–995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauffer, A. (1982). Getting the resources you need. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. (1991). Development, delivery, and utilization of services under the older Americans act: A perspective of Asian American elderly. New York: Garland Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKillip, J. (1987). Need analysis: Tools for the human services and education. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mui, A. (1996). Depression among elderly Chinese immigrants: An exploratory study, Social Work41(6): 633–646.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, T., Attkisson, C. & Bottino, M. (1983). The definition and identification of human service needs in a community. In R. Bell, M. Sundel, J. Aponte, S. Murrell & E. Lin (eds.), Assessing health and human services needs: Concepts, methods and applications. New York: Human Services Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royse, D. & Drude, K. (1982). Mental health needs assessment: Beware of false promises, Community Mental Health Journal18(2): 97–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sallis, J. & Henggeler, S. (1980). Needs assessment: A critical review, Administration in Mental Health7(3): 200–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Way of America (1982). Needs assessment: The state of the art. Alexandria, VA: United Way of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Bureau of the Census (1991). Census Bureau Press Release CB91-215, September 1991.

  • Wallace, S. (1990). The no-care zone: Availability, accessibility, and acceptability in community-based long term care, The Gerontologist30(2): 254–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeatts, D., Crow, T. & Folts, E. (1992). Service use among low-income minority elderly: Strategies for overcoming barriers, The Gerontologist32(1): 24–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, L. & Wu, S. (1985). Unemployment and family dynamics in meeting the needs of Chinese elderly in the United States, The Gerontologist25(5): 472–476.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mui, A.C., Domanski, M.D. A community needs assessment among Asian American elders. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 14, 77–90 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006652809763

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006652809763

Navigation