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The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA)

Empowering communities to support aging populations

The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults® (CASOA®) by Polco provides community leaders with essential insights into the needs, preferences, and quality of life of their older adult population. With the growing demographic of seniors across the nation, it’s more critical than ever to develop informed strategies that address the unique challenges this group faces. CASOA delivers comprehensive, data-driven reports on the health, well-being, social engagement, and services utilized by older adults, enabling governments, non-profits, and service providers to take meaningful action.

What is the CASOA?

The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) is a comprehensive survey designed to capture the perspectives of older adults. The survey measures key aspects of life, such as health, housing, social engagement, and access to services, providing local governments with a clear picture of the unique needs of this population.

CASOA results are statistically valid and provide actionable data that help leaders identify gaps in services, improve aging-related initiatives, and benchmark results against national trends. CASOA empowers municipalities to create age-friendly communities where older adults can thrive.

Polco Platform - Benchmark Surveys - CASOA

Key features of the CASOA

Data-driven insights for age-friendly communities

Comprehensive feedback on aging experiences

Inclusive Survey Design: CASOA captures a wide range of experiences from older adults, focusing on health, social participation, safety, and access to services. This holistic approach ensures that leaders gain a full understanding of the quality of life for seniors.

Representative Data: By using scientifically valid sampling methods, CASOA ensures that the feedback represents the broader population of older adults, offering reliable data for decision-making.

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Benchmarking for senior services

National Comparisons: CASOA includes benchmarking against other communities across the country, giving local governments insight into how their senior services compare to national standards. This helps municipalities understand their strengths and areas for improvement.

Track Progress Over Time: Conducting CASOA regularly allows local governments to monitor changes in the well-being of older adults, assess the impact of programs, and respond to evolving needs.

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Customizable to address local priorities

Tailored to Community Needs: In addition to core questions, CASOA allows local governments to add custom questions that address specific concerns or opportunities for older adults in their communities.

Deep Dive into Key Areas: Whether it’s housing accessibility, healthcare services, or social isolation, CASOA can focus on areas most important to your aging population, offering detailed insights where they’re needed most.

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Clear, actionable reporting

Easy-to-Understand Results: CASOA delivers results in visual reports, making it simple for decision-makers to identify key trends and priorities. Charts and dashboards highlight important data points, enabling leaders to act on the most pressing issues.

Expert Analysis and Recommendations: CASOA reports include analysis and recommendations from the National Research Center, helping local governments translate data into policies and programs that improve the quality of life for older adults.

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Multi-channel survey distribution

Reach More Older Adults: CASOA can be distributed via mail, online, and phone surveys, ensuring that older adults across the community can participate, regardless of their access to technology.

Mobile-Friendly: The survey is mobile-optimized, making it easier for tech-savvy seniors to participate and increasing overall engagement.

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Support healthy aging in your community

Leverage insights from CASOA to create policies and programs that enhance the well-being of older adults and support healthy aging.

Benefits of using the CASOA for communities and older adults

Build communities where older adults can thrive

Enhance services for older adults

Use data from CASOA to design and implement services that meet the unique needs of your aging population, from healthcare to housing to social programs.

Foster social connections and engagement

CASOA helps identify barriers to social participation, allowing local governments to support programs that reduce isolation and foster social engagement among seniors.

Ensure accessible and inclusive communities

By understanding the needs and challenges of older adults, you can create age-friendly policies that ensure accessibility in housing, transportation, and community services.

Support healthy aging initiatives

Gain insights into the health and wellness of older adults in your community, helping you create initiatives that promote healthy aging and improve quality of life.

Make data-driven decisions for aging populations

CASOA provides reliable data that empowers leaders to make informed decisions, prioritize resources, and develop targeted programs for older adults.

Why you need the CASOA

Aging populations are growing across communities, making it more important than ever to understand and address the needs of older adults. The Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) offers local governments the opportunity to gather scientifically valid data on the quality of life for seniors, providing valuable insights into their health, housing, social engagement, and access to services. CASOA equips leaders with the information needed to create inclusive, age-friendly communities where older adults can lead fulfilling lives.

By benchmarking against national trends, municipalities can assess how their senior services measure up and identify areas for improvement. With the ability to customize survey questions and track progress over time, CASOA helps local governments respond to the evolving needs of their aging populations and ensure that their communities remain accessible, supportive, and inclusive for all residents.

Polco Platform - Benchmark Surveys - CASOA

Looking for other ways to support aging populations?

Data for Older Adults is a specialized tool within Polco’s suite that collects, organizes, and analyzes data specifically related to the needs of seniors.

Explore Data for Older Adults
Community Analytics - Data for Older Adults - screenshot

Insights and Trends from the CASOA

Explore our collection of expert analyses and community stories highlighting the impactful results and ongoing advancements from the CASOA. Discover how communities across the nation are utilizing data to drive meaningful change.

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Polco Blog - Older adults are seeking new purpose though work
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July 11, 2025 2 min read
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National Survey Reveals Shocking Gaps in Housing for Older Adults

June 11, 2025 2 min read
Unlock the Power of Community Insight with Polco’s Assess Module
Polco's Benchmark Surveys
Benchmark Surveys

Unlock the Power of Community Insight with Polco’s Assess Module

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Build age-friendly communities

Use data from CASOA to ensure your community is inclusive, accessible, and supportive of older adults, fostering a thriving environment for all.