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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.