The previous analysis revealed a scope of services available to the older community members. As can be seen from it, this population group’s essential needs are covered through various facilities (see Appendix A). Moreover, living in the neighborhood is optimal for them due to low crime rates, with 0.12 cases of murder and 2.97 rates of robbery per a thousand residents (“Dallas, TX crime rates,” n.d.). However, to demonstrate the efficiency of the facilities’ overall work, it is vital to consider the components of a high-quality life for this category of citizens. Hence, this paper aims to evaluate the neighborhood regarding their efforts to meet older adults’ needs in healthcare, transportation, food resources, spiritual needs, pet care, leisure, and home services.
Healthcare Services
The first aspect under consideration is healthcare, and its importance for the neighborhood’s inhabitants is defined by the interrelation of their general wellbeing and health status. As follows from the research on the aging of citizens in Texas, a favorable environment with accessible facilities increases the longevity of their time spent in a home of their own (Wang & Shepley, 2018). According to the table, this need is addressed through the presence of two pharmacies providing consultation, hospitals under the Medicare program, and dental clinics nearby (see Appendix A). Hence, this need is sufficiently covered in the neighborhood.
Transportation and Infrastructure
The second consideration is the means of transportation available to older adults in the area. As can be seen from the previous analysis, there are three options: public transit, taxi, and Uber (see Appendix A). Nevertheless, some of them might present a difficulty for this population group. Thus, for example, the working hours of public transport are limited, and the only way to go to the hospital, if needed, is a taxi or Uber. These means, however, sometimes require the help of relatives who might be absent. Moreover, if the citizens need to use an ATM, they might not be able to walk to it in the case of a physical disability.
Food Resources
The third aspect is the accessibility of groceries in the area for this category of people, and it is sufficiently covered by the existing food facilities. From the analysis, it is clear that there are two stores in the neighborhood, and they both provide delivery (see Appendix A). As for the adults who cannot use them due to illness, advanced age, or disability, another option is VNA Texas meals On Wheels which works five days a week (see Appendix A). The presence of these services fully correlates with the intention to ensure a healthy diet and establish weight control, which, in turn, prevents them from moving to senior centers (Swan et al., 2016). In this way, the need for food among older adults is adequately addressed.
Spiritual Needs
The fourth area of human activity which is essential for their wellbeing is spirituality, and it is especially critical for aged people in the neighborhood. This circumstance is explained by the fact that the majority of them were reported to be deeply involved in religion, and most of them were Protestant (Balboni & Balboni, 2019). The analysis demonstrated the presence of two facilities of this nature: Grace Church of Richardson and the Restoration Church (see Appendix A). Therefore, it can be concluded that the elderly population’s spiritual needs in the neighborhood are efficiently met.
Leisure Activities and Animals
The fifth aspect of older adults’ social life is their leisure time, and it includes various activities and walks with their pets. The former is provided by the Richardson Senior Center and represented by recreation programs and classes for this population group (see Appendix A). The latter, in turn, is connected to the work of various facilities, which are also present in the neighborhood. They are safe sidewalks and dog parks accessible to wheelchair users as well (see Appendix A). As for the care for animals, this need is covered by Arapaho Road Animal Clinic and Odyssey Pets store (see Appendix A). From this perspective, the environment can be assessed as supportive of older adults’ physical activity.
Home Services
The sixth need of the target population group is the provision of specific services at home, and it is covered by different facilities. Thus, the 911 call system, fire, and medical emergency are maintained by the City of Dallas Fire-Rescue Services (see Appendix A). As for less urgent tasks, such as lawn mowing and house cleaning, they are performed by nearby companies. The former is provided by Timberline Lawn and Landscape and can be ordered by phone, which is preferable for older adults (see Appendix A). The same applies to the Xtreme cleaning service, which works weekly, biweekly, or monthly.
Conclusion
To summarize, the neighborhood adequately meets the needs of the elderly population, but some areas should be improved. The fully addressed aspects are healthcare services, food resources, spirituality, leisure and physical activity, pet care, and home services. Nevertheless, the people of the target group might find it difficult to use transport in emergencies. During the night, the principal option is Uber or taxi, whereas some of them might have problems with technology as such. Thus, the only suggested improvement is the creation of available transportation services for older adults.
References
Balboni, M., & Balboni, T. (2019). Do spirituality and medicine go together? Harvard Medical School Bioethics Journal. Web.
Dallas, TX crime rates. (n.d.). NeighborhoodScout. 2020, Web.
Swan, J. H., Severance, J. J., & Turner, K. (2016). Senior centers and nutritional outcomes: A Texas example. Social Work in Public Health, 31(5), 439-452.
Wang, Z., & Shepley, M. M. (2018). Can aging-in-place be promoted by the built environment near home for physical activity: A case study of non-Hispanic White elderly in Texas. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 33(4), 749-766. Web.