Sustaining Area Agency on Aging Services During a Pandemic: Innovation Through Community-Based Partnerships

Abstract

Background and objectives: Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have funded, coordinated, and provided services since the 1960s, evolving in response to changes in policy, funding, and the political arena. Many of their usual service delivery programs and processes were severely disrupted with the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Increasing evidence suggests the importance of partnerships in AAA's capacity to adapt services; however, specific examples of adaptations have been limited. We sought to understand how partnerships may have supported adaptation during the pandemic, from the perspectives of both AAAs and their partners.

Research design and methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of qualitative data from an explanatory sequential mixed-methods parent study. Data were collected from 12 AAAs diverse in terms of geographic region, governance structure and size, as well as a range of partner organizations. We completed 105 in-depth interviews from July 2020 to April 2021. A 5-member multidisciplinary team coded the data using a constant comparative method of analysis, supported by ATLAS.ti Scientific Software.

Results: AAAs and their partners described strategies and provided examples of ways to rapidly transform service delivery including reducing isolation, alleviating food insecurity, adapting program design and delivery, and leveraging partnerships and repurposing resources.

Discussion and implications: AAAs and partner organizations are uniquely positioned to innovate during times of disruption. Findings may enhance AAA and partner portfolios of evidence-based and evidence-supported programs.

Keywords: Area Agency on Aging; COVID-19; Community resiliency; Qualitative research.