Abstract:

Although many health, social, physical, housing, financial, legal, recreational, and transportational services are available for low-income elders, a survey of agencies revealed that the number of clients over the age of 60 who access these services is relatively low. As part of Project C.A.R.E. (Community Action to Reach the Elderly), funded by the Administration on Aging, volunteers were recruited to assist their older neighbors in accessing these services. These volunteers, trained as "information specialists," have provided qualitative information on a variety of barriers that low-income elders encounter. Some of these identified barriers have not been described adequately in the professional literature. This paper describes the process of training volunteer information specialists and outlines the specific barriers that have been uncovered in a mid-sized, Midwest community. Implications and recommendations for service provider agencies are discussed.