Executive Summary

In preparation for the development of the Orange County Master Plan for Aging (OCMPA), the County of Orange conducted a needs assessment to better understand the opinions, perspectives and circumstances of older adults who reside in Orange County and their caregivers. The information presented within this Executive Summary represents the collective feedback gathered through a series of surveys and highlights areas that Orange County residents believe are important or can be improved.
 

Community Survey Participants

The community assessment was voluntary and intended for those 55 years and older who resided in Orange County when they completed the survey. The survey period was September 2023 through January 2024.

The average age of participants was 70 years old. For those who opted to share demographic information, the highest represented categories were:

Community Survey Key Findings

The following are key findings that emerged within the Community Survey:

• Participants rated their city of residence on different community features and care options. The lowest favorability ratings were accessible housing; daytime care options; and long-term care options.

• The top five aging concerns were all health-related:

      1. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
      2. Arthritis
      3. Cancer
      4. Heart Disease and Stroke
      5. Emotional Well-being

• While nearly all participants were covered by health insurance (97.6%), disparities in uninsurance rates by race/ethnicity were identified with Hispanic/Latinos disproportionately more likely to be uninsured (8% versus 2.4% overall). Hispanic/Latinos also reported higher concerns for certain medical-related items relative to other racial/ethnic populations.*
• Transportation services and in-home care were the two services rated as “most important for older adults.”

• The top barriers to accessing medical and/or mental/behavioral health services were:

      ⚬ Appointments not available at convenient times
      ⚬ Don’t know where to get help
      ⚬ High cost of copays
      ⚬ Lack of transportation

• Participants also rated their city of residence low on quality and variety of employment.
• Approximately 1 in 3 participants reported experiencing age-based discrimination, with higher rates reported by those aged 70 years and older.
• Isolation and loneliness were a highly rated contributor to participants’ health and mental/behavioral health issues.
• Approximately 1 in 4 participants reported politics as the highest contributor to their mental/behavioral health issues.
• Approximately 1 in 4 participants were not comfortable with technology or using the internet.
• Approximately 1 in 3 participants reported caring for someone 55 years and older within the past year. The percent of those saying that they cared for someone increased as household income increased.
• Financial insecurity and becoming homeless, although a relatively low concern for the overall sample, was endorsed at a higher rate by those aged 55 – 64 years old and those who were non-homeowners.
• Approximately 3 in 20 participants reported that cost of living and economic instability contributes to their medical issues and/or behavioral health issues.
   

Caregiver Survey Participants

For this survey, caregivers were defined as individuals (e.g., family, friends, volunteers) who were 18 years or older and not paid for the assistance they provided to another person in activities of daily living at home (e.g., shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc.).

Caregiver Survey Key Findings

• Caregiving affects the social lives and emotional well-being of caregivers, with 2 out of 3 participants reporting caregiving had impacted their social lives and approximately 4 out of 10 feeling isolated and/ or depressed. Caregivers 50 years and older tended to report higher rates, as well as White caregivers.*
• About 1 in 3 have their own health concerns, with Asian and White caregivers tending to report higher rates than caregivers who were Hispanic/Latino.*
• A majority said caregiving was “somewhat” or “very” difficult, with the emotional and physical tolls tending to be somewhat higher among Asian and White caregivers and the financial toll somewhat higher among Asian and Hispanic/Latino caregivers.*
• Approximately 6 out of 10 participants reported that they also held a full-or part-time job. For these working caregivers, the most commonly reported impact was having to rearrange their work schedule to accommodate their caregiving responsibilities.
• Despite challenges reported by caregivers, participants shared that they find a great deal of value and meaning in their role as a caregiver.
• Their areas of biggest concern were related to not having enough time for their responsibilities or themselves, or knowing what resources are available.
• There was considerable interest in free respite care, with 9 out of 10 participants interested. Caregivers also preferred online support over in-person support.