The Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Conducting a Needs Assessment of Seniors

Background and Purpose: The Southwest Florida region boasts high socioeconomic indicators, including one of the highest concentrations of millionaires’ per capita in the United States. However, this stands in contrast to a significant number of individuals, particularly seniors, for whom social services remain limited. A coalition of local social service professionals, the Leadership Coalition on Aging of Collier County (LCA-CC), approached the researcher to conduct a study to determine senior needs in the region. The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of creating one or more senior access centers in Collier County as no single point of service access for seniors was currently available.  An accurate and complete needs assessment of this population was though to enable the LCA-CC to plan for better service access for older adults, to set priorities, and to identify service gaps as well as service duplication in the area.

Methods: A mixed methods approach was undertaken in the study including the use of geographic information systems (GIS). For the quantitative component, data was gathered from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates at the census tract level. ArcMap, a commercial GIS software, was used to create thematic digital renderings of the target spatial area according to the collected variables. Key informant interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of thirteen (13) staff from local human service agencies to ascertain what services were available, what gaps existed, and what changes needed to occur in order to meet the service needs of seniors. Two focus groups were also conducted that included twenty (20) local seniors to hear directly about their needs and the barriers that prevented them from receiving services.

Results: The produced maps provided a visual illustration of the demographics and needs faced by seniors. Though the coalition consisted primarily of human service professionals, many individuals were not aware of the spatial distribution of seniors in the target area, particularly according to certain socioeconomic variables. The thematic maps and basic spatial analyses provided a basis to examine themes developed though the key informant interviews and focus groups. The results of the study were used to successfully leverage funding to establish the first senior access center in Collier County. Subsequent updates to the original study have been to secure additional funding to expand the original senior access center as well as provide for the establishment of a second senior access center in the region.

Conclusions & Implications: The study highlights the use of GIS technologies as a planning tool that may be utilized for conducting needs assessments. Lessons learned in both the application and presentation of GIS mapping in a diverse will be discussed.