Public-Private Partnerships Extend Community-based Organization’s Longevity

Public/private partnerships are essential to the survival of mission-driven non-profits, especially those in aging services. Aging service nonprofits receive less than two percent of all institutional philanthropic dollars, with a largest segment of their funding provided by government entities. Carter Burden Network (CBN) is an aging services nonprofit organization serving community-dwelling seniors in Manhattan, with a concentration of services in East Harlem, Roosevelt Island, and the Upper East Side. The NYC Department for the Aging and other government sources provide 50 percent of CBN’s budget. The adage that ‘government cannot do it alone’ is exemplified through CBN’s history of developing new programs through private partnerships, and use of skills-based volunteerism to enhance services. Public/private partnerships have helped CBN strengthen its capacity to expand its service provision and areas. Equally important is CBN’s commitment to increase return on investment for public/private partnerships by reducing food insecurity and malnutrition, hospitalization, and social isolation - all with a financial benefit to the broader society

Retirement Ready or Not: Psychosocial Factors that Influence the Decision to Delay Retirement Among Workers 60 and Older in Westchester County

The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to examine psychosocial factors such as meaning of work, work-role attachment, activities in retirement, and retirement planning, education programs, and retirement attitudes that influence the decision to delay retirement among workers 60 and older in Westchester County. A 36 item web-based Delayed Retirement Questionnaire (DRQ) collected quantitative data from a sample of (N=53) respondents and qualitative data was collected through two focus groups with (N=15) participants. The findings helped to determine whether non-health and financial factors influence the decision to delay retirement. The findings indicated that finances were a key consideration in the decision to delay the retirement. Other contributing factors that influenced the retirement decision included personal, social, financial and generative factors associated with the meaning of work. The results revealed that work-attachment dimensions of job satisfaction, career and organizational commitment did not singularly show a relationship with the decision to delay retirement. However, the combination of meaning of work and work-role attachment showed a relationship between these two variables as factors that contributed to the decision to delay retirement. Psychosocial factors such as employment tenure, number of years of collecting Social Security benefits, and retirement attitudes had statistical significant in showing a relationship with the delayed retirement decision. This study may offer practical vi knowledge for individuals, organizations, human resource professionals, retirement educators, and policy- makers to address the growing delayed retirement phenomenon

Retirement Ready or Not: Psychosocial Factors that Influence the Decision to Delay Retirement Among Workers 60 and Older in Westchester County

The purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to examine psychosocial factors such as meaning of work, work-role attachment, activities in retirement, and retirement planning, education programs, and retirement attitudes that influence the decision to delay retirement among workers 60 and older in Westchester County. A 36 item web-based Delayed Retirement Questionnaire (DRQ) collected quantitative data from a sample of (N=53) respondents and qualitative data was collected through two focus groups with (N=15) participants. The findings helped to determine whether non-health and financial factors influence the decision to delay retirement. The findings indicated that finances were a key consideration in the decision to delay the retirement. Other contributing factors that influenced the retirement decision included personal, social, financial and generative factors associated with the meaning of work. The results revealed that work-attachment dimensions of job satisfaction, career and organizational commitment did not singularly show a relationship with the decision to delay retirement. However, the combination of meaning of work and work-role attachment showed a relationship between these two variables as factors that contributed to the decision to delay retirement. Psychosocial factors such as employment tenure, number of years of collecting Social Security benefits, and retirement attitudes had statistical significant in showing a relationship with the delayed retirement decision. This study may offer practical vi knowledge for individuals, organizations, human resource professionals, retirement educators, and policy- makers to address the growing delayed retirement phenomenon

Implementing DASH-Aligned Meals and Self-Measured Blood Pressure to Reduce Hypertension at Senior Centers: A RE-AIM Analysis

Low-income, minority seniors face high rates of hypertension that increase cardiovascular risk. Senior centers offer services, including congregate meals, that can be a valuable platform to reach older adults in underserved communities. We implemented two evidence-based interventions not previously tested in this setting: DASH-aligned congregate meals and Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP), to lower blood pressure (BP) at two senior centers serving low-income, racially diverse communities. The study enrolled congregate meal program participants, provided training and support for SMPB, and nutrition and BP education. DASH-aligned meals delivered 40% (lunch) or 70% (breakfast and lunch) of DASH requirements/day. Primary outcomes were change in BP, and BP control, at Month 1. Implementation data collected included client characteristics, menu fidelity, meal attendance, SMBP adherence, meal satisfaction, input from partner organizations and stakeholders, effort, and food costs. We used the RE-AIM framework to analyze implementation. Study Reach included 94 older, racially diverse participants reflecting neighborhood characteristics. Effectiveness: change in systolic BP at Month 1 trended towards significance (−4 mmHg, p = 0.07); change in SMBP reached significance at Month 6 (−6.9 mmHg, p = 0.004). We leveraged existing community-academic partnerships, leading to Adoption at both target sites. The COVID pandemic interrupted Implementation and Maintenance and may have attenuated BP effectiveness. DASH meals served were largely aligned with planned menus. Meal attendance remained consistent; meal satisfaction was high. Food costs increased by 10%. This RE-AIM analysis highlights the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of this DASH/SMBP health intervention to lower BP at senior centers. It encourages future research and offers important lessons for organizations delivering services to older adults and addressing cardiovascular risk among vulnerable populations