Mat-Su Individual Level Survey

Introduction

The Mat-Su Council on Aging wants to better understand the needs of adults (aged 55 and over) in the Mat-Su Borough so that they can understand 1) what services are needed to allow older adults/Elders to age successfully in the region and 2) whether older adults/Elders are aware of and can access services already offered that help older adults/Elders maintain their quality of life/independence as they age.

The deadline to complete the survey is October 31st, 2024.

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* 1. We want to make sure that all older adults are represented in this survey, including those who may have trouble responding for themselves. Are you answering this survey:

For yourself

As a caregiver for an older adult ages 55 or older

First, we would like to start off by asking you some questions about you and about living in Alaska and the Mat-Su.

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* 2. How many years have you lived in the Mat-Su?

Under 5 years

Over 5 years

Since birth

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* 3. What community do you live in? (circle one)

In and around Wasilla/Palmer

In and around Glacier View

In and around Talkeetna /Trapper Creek

In and around Big Lake/Houston /Meadow Lakes

In and around Willow

In and around Sutton/Chickaloon

In and around Knik-Goose Bay/ Point Mackenzie

In and around Lazy Mountain/Butte/Knik River

Another area of the Mat-Su (please specify)

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* 4. Do you live on the road system?

 Yes

 No

 Depends on the season

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* 5. Do you have phone or internet access in your home? (check all that apply)

 Landline phone

 Cell Phone

 Internet

 I don’t have any of these.

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* 6. What do you love most about living in Alaska?

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* 7. What is your one greatest challenge to aging well in Alaska? (select only one)

 Personal and family challenges

 Transportation and mobility

 Isolation and distance from family

 Winter and weather conditions

 Government and politics

 Community and social issues

 Cost of living

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Does your family have adequate access to traditional subsistence foods?

Yes

Does not apply.

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* 9. If no, is there something that would improve your access to traditional subsistence foods?

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* 10. Overall, how would you rate your quality of life in the Mat-Su Borough?

Very poor

Very good

Very poor

Very good

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* 11. What are the top three things you need to enhance your independence as you age in Mat Su? (select your top three)

 Food and nutrition

 Other needs or services:

 Safe and comfortable living environment (utilities, snow removal, home maintenance, etc.)

 Financial security

 Housing

 Social and community engagement

 Community and neighborhood safety

 Transportation and mobility

 Healthcare and wellness

 Mental and emotional wellbeing

Next, we'd like to ask you a couple of questions about your community.

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* 12. What does it mean to you to be connected to your community?

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* 13. Overall, how connected do you feel to your community in the Mat-Su?

Not connected at all

Very connected

Not connected at all

Very connected

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* 14. About how many people can you count on to help you with a practical problem such as needing a ride to a medical appointment, changing a filter, fixing a faucet, walking your dog, etc.?

 No one

 1-2

 3-5

 6 or more

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* 15. In the last month, how often have you participated in social activities? (e.g., social activities, such as lunches, coffee chats, intergenerational activities, religious activities, or volunteer activities)

Never

One or few times a year

Monthly

Weekly

Daily

Never

One or few times a year

Monthly

Weekly

Daily

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* 16. How much do you agree with the following statement: I have enough chances to connect/participate with my community?

Strongly Disagree

Neutral

Strongly agree

Strongly Disagree

Neutral

Strongly agree

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* 17. Is there anything that prevents you from participating in social activities? (e.g., transportation, fear, cost, etc.) (select all that apply)

 Cost

 Health or mental health issues

 Lack of awareness/knowledge of activities

 Lack of interest

 Other responsibilities, lack of time (e.g., childcare, work)

 Transportation challenges

Other (please specify)

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* 18. How often do you see or talk to people that you care about and feel close to? (For example: talking to friends on the phone, visiting friends or family, going to church or club meetings)

Never

One or a few times a year

Monthly

Weekly

Daily

Never

One or a few times a year

Monthly

Weekly

Daily

Next, we are interested in knowing about some of the needs you have had over the last year and whether you were able to get the help you needed.

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* 19. In the past 12 months, did you need help with any of the following? (Select all that apply)

 Safe drinking water

 Having enough food

 Having a place to live

 Reliable transportation

 Electricity, firewood, gas, heating oil

 Home maintenance/repair (cleaning, roof repair, furnace repair, changing filters, etc.)

 Snow removal

 Physical health

 Medical care

 Dental care

 Home health care

 Hospice care

 Dementia/cognitive care

Other (please specify)

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* 20. If you need help, who is the first person or the first place that you would go to for help? (select all that apply)

 Family member

 Neighbor

 Friend

 Church/Clergy

 Organization

Other (please specify)

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* 21. If you seek help from an organization, please tell us which organization(s).

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* 22. Before today, were you aware of the following organizations that focus on older adults? (select all that apply)

 Alzheimer’s resource of Alaska

 Connect Mat-Su

 Mat-Su Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

 Mat-Su Council on Aging

 Mat-Su Senior Services (Palmer Senior Center)

 Upper Su Community and Senior Center

 Wasilla Area Seniors (WASI)

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* 23. What health insurance(s) do you have? (Please circle all that apply))

I do not have health insurance

Alaska Native Health Care (IHS)

Medicare

Medicaid

VA/TRICARE

Private health insurance

Supplemental insurance

Long-term care insurance

Dental insurance

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* 24. My health insurance does not cover the following: (circle all that apply)

My health insurance does not cover the following: (circle all that apply)

 Dental

 Medication

 Medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)

 Vision

 Home health

 Hospice

 My health plan covers everything I need.

Other (please specify)

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* 25. Do you have a primary care physician or regular medical provider/clinic? (Does not include urgent care or emergency room visits.)

Yes

No (if you're willing, please tell us why):

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* 26. Have you seen your primary care or medical provider/clinic in the last year? (Does not include urgent care or emergency room visits.)

Yes

No (if you're willing, please tell us why):

That was a lot of information! Thank you for that. Our final set of questions are about you and will help us ensure that we have a good representation of older adults in Alaska in our sample.

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* 27. What is your age range?

 Under 55

 55 – 59

 60-64

 65 – 74

 75 – 84

 85 and over

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* 28. What is your household size?

 Living Alone

 Living with one other person

 Living with more than one other person

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* 29. Are you a caregiver for? (Circle all that apply)

 I am not a caregiver for anyone.

 Spouse/Partner

 Child/Adult child

 Grandchild

 Other

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* 30. What is your gender?

 Male

 Female

 Prefer not to answer

Self-identify:

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* 31. What is your race/heritage? (check all that apply)

Alaska Native

American Indian

African American or Black

Asian American

Pacific Islander

Caucasian or White

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

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* 32. If you are an Alaska Native, what is your tribal membership?

Thank you & Optional Comment

Thank you for providing us all that information! We appreciate your valuable insight and perspective. Results of this survey should be available by early 2025. Please visit the Mat-Su Council on Aging website for more information. (mcoaging.com)

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* 33. If you are comfortable sharing, please tell us your name

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* 34. The Mat-Su Council on Aging will have a drawing for ten $250 gift cards for individuals who complete this survey. If you would like to be in the pool for the $250, please share your email address here:

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* 35. If you do not have an email address, please provide a phone number where we can contact you.

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* 36. We will not share or sell your contact information. The Council may contact some people for follow up on their answers. If you are okay with being contacted, please check below:

Yes, I am okay with being contacted

Mat-Su Individual Level Survey

Introduction

Question Title

* 1. We want to make sure that all older adults are represented in this survey, including those who may have trouble responding for themselves. Are you answering this survey:

Question Title

* 2. How many years have you lived in the Mat-Su?

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* 3. What community do you live in? (circle one)

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* 4. Do you live on the road system?

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* 5. Do you have phone or internet access in your home? (check all that apply)

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* 6. What do you love most about living in Alaska?

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* 7. What is your one greatest challenge to aging well in Alaska? (select only one)

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* 8. Does your family have adequate access to traditional subsistence foods?

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* 9. If no, is there something that would improve your access to traditional subsistence foods?

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* 10. Overall, how would you rate your quality of life in the Mat-Su Borough?

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* 11. What are the top three things you need to enhance your independence as you age in Mat Su? (select your top three)

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* 12. What does it mean to you to be connected to your community?

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* 13. Overall, how connected do you feel to your community in the Mat-Su?

Question Title

* 14. About how many people can you count on to help you with a practical problem such as needing a ride to a medical appointment, changing a filter, fixing a faucet, walking your dog, etc.?

Question Title

* 15. In the last month, how often have you participated in social activities? (e.g., social activities, such as lunches, coffee chats, intergenerational activities, religious activities, or volunteer activities)

Question Title

* 16. How much do you agree with the following statement: I have enough chances to connect/participate with my community?

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* 17. Is there anything that prevents you from participating in social activities? (e.g., transportation, fear, cost, etc.) (select all that apply)

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* 18. How often do you see or talk to people that you care about and feel close to? (For example: talking to friends on the phone, visiting friends or family, going to church or club meetings)

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* 19. In the past 12 months, did you need help with any of the following? (Select all that apply)

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* 20. If you need help, who is the first person or the first place that you would go to for help? (select all that apply)

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* 21. If you seek help from an organization, please tell us which organization(s).

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* 22. Before today, were you aware of the following organizations that focus on older adults? (select all that apply)

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* 23. What health insurance(s) do you have? (Please circle all that apply))

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* 24. My health insurance does not cover the following: (circle all that apply)

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* 25. Do you have a primary care physician or regular medical provider/clinic? (Does not include urgent care or emergency room visits.)

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* 26. Have you seen your primary care or medical provider/clinic in the last year? (Does not include urgent care or emergency room visits.)

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* 27. What is your age range?

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* 28. What is your household size?

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* 29. Are you a caregiver for? (Circle all that apply)

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* 30. What is your gender?

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* 31. What is your race/heritage? (check all that apply)

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* 32. If you are an Alaska Native, what is your tribal membership?

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* 33. If you are comfortable sharing, please tell us your name

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* 34. The Mat-Su Council on Aging will have a drawing for ten $250 gift cards for individuals who complete this survey. If you would like to be in the pool for the $250, please share your email address here:

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* 35. If you do not have an email address, please provide a phone number where we can contact you.

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* 36. We will not share or sell your contact information. The Council may contact some people for follow up on their answers. If you are okay with being contacted, please check below:

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* 37. If there is anything else you would like to share with us, please comment below.