The project centered on the experiences and perspectives of community members by interviewing 23 people with aphasia and 13 experienced facilitators. The interviews focused on a range of topics including: (a) accessibility; (b) activity and topic; (c) environment; (d) goals and evaluations; (e) interaction; (f) group makeup; (g) materials and tools; (h) preparation and administration; (i) rules, guidelines, and culture; and (j) training and skill development.

A poster was presented at the 2024 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention. Proposals were prepared to present at the Aphasia Access Leadership Conferences in April 2025. Three manuscripts were drafted that focus on the environment for aphasia groups, communication in aphasia groups and the perspectives of members with severe aphasia.

The project’s goal was to understand the community needs of the older adults in Wood County and the gaps in the services provided by the senior center. The survey findings enable understanding between participants and nonparticipants of senior centers across Wood County and underlying factors of differences among older adults, such as physical and mental well-being, along with sociodemographic characteristics. The findings from this research would spread across at least dimensions of wellness (physical, emotional, intellectual, and social) of older adults and aim at reducing barriers to accessing the programs and services provided by the senior centers across Wood County, thereby contributing to a potential increase in wellness of older adults.

Funding from the Optimal Aging Institute, Wood County Safe Communities will reach mature drivers by conducting Senior Safety Events in Wood County during the grant period.  These Senior Safety Events will provide education and awareness to mature drivers in Wood County.

Car Fit 1:1 inspection for the mature driver were provided to offer tips and adjustments on 13 points in the vehicle for the driver.  Car Canes were provided to those who qualified based on the 1:1 evaluation. This tool fits securely into the door latch and acts as a second handle for mature drivers to enter and exit the car safely. 

Twenty-five quantitative surveys were completed by community-dwelling older adults who receive home delivered meals (HDM). Demographic information provided by the initial 25 participants indicated: an age range of 64-100 years; 92% identified as female; 96% identified as White with the remaining identifying as Pennsylvania Dutch; 44% reported being widowed; 64% reported living alone; and 76% reported receiving HDM every day.

Moving forward, 14 of the initial 25 participants agreed to participate in the second part of the research study: an additional in-depth, semi-structured interview, which was conducted by the grant recipient. Interviews were recorded on the grant recipient’s laptop through Canvas studio, after which the transcripts were edited for accuracy, and six themes were found using gerunding and Braun and Clarke’s 2008 qualitative thematic analysis method. The six themes found were (1) Chronic Conditions, (2) Technology Concerns, (3) Religion and Spirituality, (4) Family Involvement, (5) Impact of COVID-19, and (6) HDM Concerns.

Research has demonstrated that relationships are important in the lives of older women. Fifteen women between the ages of 64-86 participated in interviews about their lives and relationships across the life course. In the interviews, women talked about their family of origin, friendships, romantic relationships, and their children and grandchildren. They explained how their relationships developed across the life course and how they have maintained their relationships, including how COVID-19 affected their maintenance behaviors. In the interviews, women constructed narratives that explained who they are as individuals and who they are in relationships. Through a poetic analysis of the interviews, resilience stood out as an overarching theme across the stories from women of different ages, marital statuses, economic backgrounds and current and former occupations. Many women spoke of growing up in poor, rural areas and finding the strength to build a better life for themselves. There were stories of abuse, both in their family of origin and in chosen partners. Narratives included many instances of loss and hardships through caregiving, deaths of friends and relatives, and dissolution of relationships. Throughout it all, these women claimed resilience brought about through their own strength and determination and through relationships with people who supported them, mentored them and built them up.