When we know more about the needs of older adults, we can better serve those in our community.
Most older adults desire to age in place. Age-friendly communities assist older adults in remaining or becoming active community participants by providing opportunities for recreation, transportation, culture, education, communication, social connection, spiritual enrichment and health care.
To better understand the strengths and challenges of seniors aging in place, CICOA uses findings and statistics from the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA)™ to plan services for Central Indiana.
CASOA Survey
The CASOA survey is an opportunity for older adults to report on the strengths and needs of their community. The report summarizes how older residents view their community and its success in creating a thriving environment for older adults.
Community-based organizations like CICOA, local governments, the private sector and other community members can use this report to understand more thoroughly and predict more accurately the services and resources required to serve an aging population. With this data, community stakeholders can shape public policy, educate the public and assist communities and organizations in their efforts to sustain a high quality of life for older adults.
In 2024, surveys were sent to 11,000 households in Central Indiana with one or more resident age 60 or older. An online open participation survey also was conducted.
CASOA participants rated the overall quality of life in their community. They also evaluated their communities as livable communities for older adults within six domains:
- Community Design
- Employment and Finances
- Equity and Inclusivity
- Health and Wellness
- Information and Assistance
- Productive Activities.
Survey Highlights
78%
of older residents rate their quality of life as excellent or good
1/2
of older adults feel informed about services and activities
48%
reported challenges in meeting daily expenses
Greatest Community Need
The top ten areas of greatest need for older adults in Central Indiana are:
- Housing–43%
- Physical health–43%
- Information on older adult services–40%
- Health care–37%
- Finances–33%
- Social Engagement–29%
- Community Inclusivity–28%
- Civic Engagement–27%
- Mental health–25%
- Mobility (includes transportation)–21%
*percent who reported feeling that this has been a problem for them in the past 12 months
Productive Activities
- About 5 in 10 survey respondents participated in volunteer activities.
- The caregiving contribution of older adults was substantial in the region. About 34% of older residents reported providing care to individuals 55 and older, 17% to individuals 18-54, and 21% to individuals under 18.
Economic Contribution of Older Adults
Older residents in Central Indiana contribute $7.3 billion annually to the community through paid and unpaid work.
Comparison to National Benchmarks
The region did not score lower than national benchmarks in any area. The region scored better than national benchmarks in two areas.
- Availability of accessible housing
- Availability of long-term care options
Community Trends
Showing Improvement:
- Opportunities to build work skills
Showing Decline:
- Cost of living in your community
- Opportunities to enroll in skill-building or personal enrichment classes
Increased challenges for older adults:
- Not knowing what services are available to older adults
- Being a victim of fraud or a scam