Aging Texas Well, opportunities for Texans across the lifespan
Research studies, policy studies & reports
This topic area on research and policy studies and reports includes recent Department of Aging and Disability Services and other state and federal publications relevant to work with older Texans.
Aging Texas Well
- Aging Texas Well Indicators Survey Results 2009 evaluates and measures successful aging activities in Texans age 60 and older living in the community. Based on telephone interviews with more than 1,000 Texans aged 60 and older, the survey provides information on how these individuals think about themselves and the communities where they live. Report in PDF | Report in HTML
- Aging Texas Well Indicators Survey Results 2005 (PDF) includes the results of a survey that examined older Texans' perceptions of how well they are aging.
Caregiving
- Informal Care in Texas: Aging Family Caregivers and their Need for Services and Support discusses the significant role played by informal or family caregivers within the broader system of long-term services and supports in Texas and throughout the nation. It provides information on the specific needs of this caregiver population, particularly as they are themselves aging. Report in PDF | Report in HTML
Legislative reports
- Legislative Committee on Aging: Interim Report to the 82nd Legislature, November 1, 2010 (PDF) includes summaries, findings and recommendations for consideration by the 82nd Legislature (2011). This committee, established by the 81st Legislature (2009), regular session, is required to meet at least twice a year, conduct studies on issues affecting the older population, and report to the standing committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives by Nov. 15 of each even-numbered years.
Nursing Facility Quality Review
- The Nursing Facility Quality Review (NFQR) includes a valid random sample of individuals across the state living in nursing facilities who were assessed and interviewed. Analysis of the NFQR data allows DADS to assess individuals' quality of care, quality of life and formulate strategies throughout DADS programs to continuously improve outcomes for individuals who reside in nursing facilities.
Home and Community-based Services Workforce Advisory Council
- Home and Community-based Services Workforce Advisory Council: Final Workforce recommendations (PDF). This report, completed in November 2010, makes policy and funding recommendations regarding the home and community-based services workforce in Texas.
- Preliminary Workforce Recommendations (PDF) — This initial report of the Home and Community-based Services Workforce Advisory Council makes preliminary policy and funding recommendations regarding the home and community-based services workforce in Texas.
Direct Service Workforce
- Stakeholder Recommendations to Improve Recruitment, Retention, and the Perceived Status of Paraprofessional Direct Service Workers in Texas (PDF) is the product of the DADS Texas Direct Service Workforce (DSW) Initiative. The report includes background information about the DSW, methods used to collect and analyze stakeholder input and 14 overarching recommendations stakeholders made to improve workforce turnover and the perceived status of the paraprofessional DSW in Texas.
- Texas Direct Service Workforce Stability Study (2010) reports on the status of the direct support workforce employed by home and community-based long-term services and supports and intermediate care facility (ICF) providers in Texas. The report includes information about turnover, vacancy, longevity and stability statistics of the DSW; differences in workforce statistics by setting; the frequency of employer-offered benefits or incentives; and the influence of benefits or incentives on workforce statistics.
White House Conference on Aging
- White House Conference on Aging: A Report to Texas provides a summary of input received during solutions forums that were hosted around the state to hear ideas about how to implement the resolutions adopted during the White House Conference on Aging. Text version in PDF | Printed version in PDF
- The Executive Summary of the 2005 White House Conference on Aging Final Report (PDF) summarizes the actions taken during the 2005 national conference.
Reports that use Aging Texas Well Indicator Survey Data
Publications
Ahn, S., Moudouni, D., Hochhalter, A. K., Smith, M. L., & Ory, M. G. (2011). Self-reported physical and mental health of older adults: The roles of caregiving and resources. Maturitas, 71(1), 68-69.
This study examined factors associated with self-reported physical and mental health, focusing on caregiving status and the availability of social supports and financial resources.
-
Ahn, S., Philips, K., Smith, M. L., & Ory, M. G. (2011). Correlates of volunteering among aging Texans: The roles of health indicators, spirituality, and social engagement. Maturitas, 69, 257-262.
This study aimed to identify participant characteristics associated with volunteering among older adults.
Presentations
Ahn, S., Smith, M. L., & Ory, M. G. (2011). Does mental health mediate spiritual and physical health among older adults? Poster presented at the Aging In America Annual Conference (American Society on Aging), April 26-30, 2011, San Francisco, CA.
Ahn, S., Hochhalter, A. K., Stevens, A. B., Covin, J., Smith, M. L., & Ory, M. G. (2010). Resources preparedness and caregiving self-rating among older informal caregivers. Presented at the Gerontological Society of Ame rica Annual Conference, November 19-23, 2010, New Orleans, LA.
Updated: April 12, 2012