Abstract:

Key dimensions for developing & delivering effective services, as mandated by the Older Americans Act, for the Asian-American elderly are explored, based on the questionnaire responses of 30 directors of social agencies providing services to Asian clientele in a midwestern city, interviews with 15 Asian board members & staff, & 18 Asian-American elderly. The findings show that the following factors affect these clients' service utilization: (1) location of the agency; (2) presence of Asian-American staff & board members; (3) outreach efforts to the Asian-American communities; (4) bicultural staff who are sensitive to the needs of this clientele; (5) bilingual staff; & (6) targeting of specific services for these ethnic groups.