Description
You are to deliver a 15-minute live presentation (10-12 min for presentation; 3-5 min for Q&A) of your proposed research during your scheduled class time. You must accompany your presentation with PowerPoint slides. Your presentation should address the following points:
Background: Tell us about your research topic and why you chose it
Tell us your research question(s)
IF QUANTITATIVE: What is your hypothesis?
Methods
Research design
Exploratory, Descriptive, or Explanatory?
Cross-sectional or Longitudinal?
Research sample
Description of sample
Sampling method
Projected sample size
Data collection methods
Measurement instrument description
If quantitative: Explanation of variables (independent variable(s), dependent variable(s), explanation of conceptualization and operationalization of variables)
If qualitative: Describe the key concepts of your study; be sure to define the key theory(ies) that inform your understanding of these concepts
A concern/question you’d like your peers to give you feedback on
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Introduction
Historical Background
The evolution of cultures perspectives on aging populations provides a rich narrative
context for the supply of healthy food and social involvement programs for seniors. Health,
financial stability, and inclusion in society are just a few issues that have affected seniors
throughout history. In the past, elderly care was primarily provided by families and communities.
However, the family structures and social conditions available to seniors have changed
considerably due to industrialization and urbanization. Governments and non-profits only started
implementing formal support and social programs for seniors in the mid-twentieth century (Luo,
2020). As a result of the Great Depression and later economic crises, programs like Social
Security and community centers were established to aid seniors. Nutritional support and social
interaction have emerged as critical factors for researching how to age effectively.
Understanding this historical background is now more essential than ever as the world’s
population ages and its members face new obstacles in obtaining enough nutrition and fulfilling
social lives.
Problem Statement
The lack of access to social activities and nutritious food for seniors is central to this study’s
investigation into this issue. With the aging of our population comes the increasingly obvious fact
that many seniors struggle greatly to meet basic needs like eating well and having friends to spend
time with. These hinderances lead to unhealthy disparities in health, social solitude and financial
depression. Approximately 7% of homes with an older adult aged 65 years or older experienced
food insecurity, whereas 7.2% of households with a solitary older senior experienced food
insecurity (Mavegam,2005). On the other hand, isolation may lead to loneliness, depression, and
poor mental and emotional health as a result of lack of interaction and support. According to
prevalence data, it has been observed that around one out of every three older persons in the United
States reports experiencing feelings of loneliness. While loneliness is not only experienced by the
elderly population, those who are classified as the oldest old (aged 80 years and beyond) tend to
exhibit comparatively elevated levels of loneliness. According to some estimations, around 40%
to 50% of this demographic often express feelings of loneliness (Gerst-Emerson,2015).In
conclusion, two leading causes of concern are a lack of social opportunities and poor nutrition.
These problems are intertwined and pose severe obstacles to the well-being of seniors and the
community. Promoting healthy aging, decreasing healthcare inequities, and improving the quality
of life for seniors all depend on finding a solution to this issue.
Description of Problem
In this case, we are dealing with a complex problem that has severe consequences for the
well-being of seniors. First, a significant section of the senior population needs reliable access to
adequate and nourishing food due to the insufficient supply. Negative physical as well as mental
health effects, such as being more prone to chronic diseases and malnutrition, get worse with age.
The lack of appropriate possibilities for seniors to interact socially worsens the issue. Due to
inadequate of opportunities for engagement and education, many seniors experience feelings of
isolation, making people’s mental and emotional health struggle, becoming more susceptible to
negative emotions like loneliness and sadness (Sabo, 2021). This is a widespread problem since it
affects many seniors, particularly those economically vulnerable, isolated from society, and having
trouble getting around. It has far-reaching effects, including inequality in health outcomes, a lower
standard of life for seniors, higher healthcare expenditures, and financial hardships for individuals
and society. Recognizing and resolving these obstacles is critical to creating more robust, more
welcoming communities that promote healthy aging and the health of older persons.
Evidence the Problem Exists
The problem of inadequate supply of nutritional meals and social interaction for older
individuals is, according to a rising database of research that has been peer-reviewed, a pressing
issue. One research published in the “American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry ” highlights the
widespread malnutrition among seniors, particularly those with restricted access to healthful food
and informational resources (Van Orden, 2021). The research highlights the association between
malnutrition and adverse health outcomes, adding weight to the call for change. In addition, the
medical publication ” SAGE Open Medicine ” published an article examined by experts and
discussed the negative consequences of isolation on seniors (Scott, 2020). It sheds light on how a
greater likelihood of malnutrition is associated with social isolation, frequently worsened by a lack
of access to educational and entertainment activities. The issue of older individuals’ low diets was
shown to be aggravated by their social isolation and their lack of awareness about community
resources. These two research papers add to the growing body of evidence showing that this issue
is factual and harms the health and well-being of seniors, stressing the need for more study in this
area so that adequate support and intervention systems are created.
Problem in the Context of the Agency Setting
As a community-based organization striving to improve the quality of life for seniors, our
focus on aging populations makes the identified problem of inadequate supply of nutritional meals
and insufficient social involvement significant to our agency environment. Here at our
organization, we see firsthand the difficulties senior citizens have in obtaining balanced diets and
engaging in interesting conversation. Our senior clients need help with financial constraints,
inaccessibility due to location, and knowledge of available services. Our organization has been
working for a long time to combat these issues by coordinating social engagement programs and
providing nutritional support. But at the same time, we should have higher understanding of the
hardships that our clients face and the value of what we do. Through the exploration of this matter,
we expect to gather information on the environment within our agency in order to be able to
channel our efforts and resources more effectively. Our organization will benefit from this research
in the future. However, the most important benefit will be improving the living standards for the
seniors that we support, by providing them with healthier meals and socialization opportunities.
Purpose of the Study
This research aims to answer essential questions about ensuring that older individuals have
access to healthy food and opportunities for significant social interaction. Our main objective is to
learn everything we can about seniors difficulties in getting healthy food and participating in
community activities. By eradicating these challenges, we hope to create methods supported by
empirical data that can improve the quality of life for the seniors in our community. The goals of
this research go beyond awareness of the issue and instead focus on developing actionable
initiatives to better the lives of seniors at risk for malnutrition and loneliness. Our objective is to
call attention to the fact that these issues have become a common trend in corporations and come
up with specific solutions that we practice within our organization. This study intends to establish
a situation where older adults will have adequate resources for the maintenance of their health
while still participating in social activities.
Research Question
This study is motivated by the question, “What are the main obstacles that discourage older
adults from joining the ‘Lunch with Us’ program, and how can these obstacles be addressed
effectively?” Our study centers on this topic, which guides our investigation into the complex
barriers that prevent seniors from participating in social activities and having access to healthy
food. To overcome these challenges, we need first to be able to recognize and understand them. In
addition, this study’s fundamental aim is to better the lives of seniors by ensuring that all seniors,
regardless of their income or status in society, have access to healthy food and worthwhile
activities. This additionally shows our dedication to improving these underprivileged individuals
lives by fostering more significant participation in society, individual agency, and material wellbeing. We plan to make significant strides toward bettering the lives of older folks in our
neighborhood by thoroughly examining these obstacles and their potential solutions.
Significance of Study
The importance of this study cannot be overstated, as there is an urgent need to find
solutions to the problems of insufficient provision of nutritional meals and social engagement for
older persons. First, caring for seniors is essential, both an ethical and a practical one. This
population’s health significantly affects medical care, social services, and society. This study can
improve health outcomes among older persons by recognizing and correcting shortages in access
to nutritional meals and social engagement programs, thus lowering healthcare expenditures and
improving the quality of life for a marginalized group. The data can help guide efforts to tailor
programs, allocate more resources, and better coordinate care for seniors (Enssle, 2020). This study
can improve neighborhood policies by increasing awareness of seniors’ social, economic, and
practical challenges. The more considerable importance of this research dwells in its ability to
improve the health and happiness of seniors, spread awareness about positive aging procedures,
and fortify communities by promoting social cohesion and mutual aid.
Benefits to the Social Work Field
The results of this study have significant consequences for social workers, lawmakers, and
organizations concerned with the welfare of seniors. First, professionals in the field of social work
can learn great information about the unique difficulties faced by seniors in the areas of food
consumption and social interaction, making them provide their clients with better advice and
services, as well as guarantee that their interventions will go to the root of their problems.
Policymakers can use evidence-based data from this study to better care to the needs of the aging
population. It can direct funding, influence policy, and motivate activities that improve older
people’s access to and experience with nutrition and social support services. Social service and
community organizations can potentially improve outreach efforts, service coordination, and the
overall quality of life for seniors. In the long run, the outcomes will help shape social work policies
and procedures designed to improve health and participation in community life of senior citizens.
Research Methodology
Introduction
The goal of this research is to identify and understand the main obstacle that hinders
older adults from participating in the “Lunch with Us” program and to propose feasible solutions
to overcome these challenges. A cross-sectional, descriptive research design will be used for this
study to collect data in a single location. Purposive sampling will be used in the research to select
participants who meet the study’s specific requirements. This comprehensive methodology will
cover sampling, data collection, analysis, and ethical considerations to ensure research integrity.
Research Design
The majority of this study’s research design is descriptive and cross-sectional. This design
was made to understand the main obstacle stopping older adults from engaging in the “Lunch
with Us” program and propose solutions. Research utilizing a cross-sectional research design
collect data from participants at a certain period to reveal their thoughts and experiences. This
descriptive research design allows a full assessment of difficulties and potential solutions without
altering variables or interfering with participant’s experiences (Kish, 2017). When examining
social phenomena like program participation in the community, this is essential for capturing the
genuine state of events. The research design permits non-random sampling, especially purposive
sampling. Identifying qualified program participants, who in this case are elders, is the main
focus. This method helps understand a group or population. This research used a descriptive,
cross-sectional design to explore the factors influencing older adults’ participation in the “Lunch
with Us” program and to provide effective solutions to any issues. This method is good for
deepening qualitative data using open-ended questions and quantitatively analyzing demographic
and barrier data from closed-ended questions. As the research question suggests, the study’s
research design is suitable for investigating the complicated issue of older adults’ community
involvement.
Sampling and Sample Size
Sampling
Since it determines the composition of the study’s participants and, by extension, the
reliability of the results, sampling is a crucial component of research methodology. The major
population of interest in this research is participants and visitors to the ‘Lunch with Us’ program
for the elderly (ages 60 and up). The research subject, which examines older adults’ community
program involvement, motivated this population selection. The selection of those 60 and older is
intentional since this age group often has issues that may affect their participation in such
activities. The “Lunch with Us” program’s participants need age-specific information from the
research. A purposive, non-random sampling method will ensure sample representativeness. The
purposive sampling approach is ideal for research that aims to explore a certain population in
depth because it allows for the purposeful selection of participants who meet defined criteria.
Participants’ age and program involvement are considered. The purposive sampling method is
more likely to select participants who can provide extensive and situationally relevant
information about their difficulties and solutions (Siedlecki, 2020). Actively selecting program
veterans can help the research get more relevant data.
In keeping with the study’s methodology and research topic, this sampling procedure
emphasizes older people’s perspectives and experiences in understanding program participation
hurdles. The research may contain insights from those directly affected by these issues, leading
to improved solutions.
Sampling Technique
Recruitment is pivotal to research progress and ethical integrity. Recruitment for this
project will respect participants and meet research objectives. At the program’s site, recruitment
will occur immediately, making it a convenient and effective way to reach potential participants.
This recruitment site ensures that the recipients are active with or interested in the ‘Lunch with
Us’ program. The research project will be properly described to participants. This transparency
builds participant’s trust in research and encourages collaboration. To ensure that participants
understand the study’s goals, which are to identify barriers to program participation and propose
effective solutions, clear information about the research’s objective will be supplied. An
informed consent form will be required from all willing participants to guarantee ethical
research. Informed consent ensures that study participants give their full and informed
permission, which is essential to research ethics. Throughout the informed consent process,
participants will learn about the research objectives, their rights, and the confidentiality of their
data. Throughout the recruitment process, it is critical to have open and honest contact with
potential participants. This method ensures rapid and effective resolution of concerns, questions,
and clarifications. The recruiting process affects participants’ willingness to participate and offer
meaningful feedback.
A transparent, voluntary, and ethical hiring process is stressed for this project. The study
aims to establish ethical and productive participant participation by visiting with participants at
the program’s site, informing them about the research, obtaining informed consent, and
communicating openly.
Sample Size
Choosing the correct sample size during the research process includes balancing
practicality, resources, and research objectives. The “Lunch with Us” program’s senior
population was selected for the study since 25 participants seemed to fit the study’s research
question and program demographics. Qualitative research with a sample size of 25 participants
should be enough to understand the barriers to and potential solutions for older adults
participation in the program. It allows for deep, tailored insights while keeping the data
collection process within time and budget limits. The Lunch with Us program’s breadth and
depth determine the sample size. Larger sample numbers can be difficult, especially in
qualitative research when participant’s experiences and perspectives must be deeply examined. A
smaller, properly selected sample may enable more specialized research and more successful
data collection. A sample size of 25 participants might attain data saturation when no more
interviews or surveys reveal new insights or themes. The sample size is large enough to address
the research question. The sample size may appear tiny, but it is designed to maintain the
integrity of the research findings and account for the program’s practical limits.
Data Collection
Data Collection Procedures
The major data-collecting method is survey administration. With current literature
research, the survey will be tailored to the ‘Lunch with Us program. The survey will include
open-ended questions to understand the issues and solutions. The open-ended questions will
probe participant’s perspectives on why they are not engaging in the program.
Data Collection Timeline
Data will be collected in one survey. Data collection will be convenient for program
participants. This method cuts time off from daily routines and enhances participation. Timing
and data collection methods affect data quality and participant’s willingness to participate,
making them crucial aspects of research methodology. The single survey session is a wellconsidered method that considers the practical limitations of older participants. Data collection
should fit the program’s timeline. The data collection process fits with participant’s schedules
and creates minimal disruption. This is vital when working with seniors since it enhances
engagement and reduces frustration.
Data Collection Methods
To accommodate participants, surveys will be performed in several methods. These
methods include in-person interviews, telephone surveys, and printed survey forms. By offering
a range of options, participants may select the finishing method that suits them best. Recognizing
participant preferences and requests, researchers may obtain more accurate data utilizing in-
person surveys, telephone surveys, and paper survey forms mailed to participants. The research
promotes participation by offering these options. Some elders prefer in-person interviews, while
others prefer phone surveys or printed questionnaires they may complete at leisure. This allencompassing flexibility allows participants to select the research method they feel most
comfortable with, boosting their comfort and cooperation throughout the research process. These
decisions concerning data collection time and method aim to optimize participation, eliminate
impediments, and accommodate participants’ habits and preferences. This technique supports the
research’s objective of gathering comprehensive and high-quality data on older adults’ “Lunch
with Us” program participation challenges and solutions. The research environment must
encourage open and honest participant engagement.
Ethical Considerations
Informed Consent: At the start of the study, all participants will be asked to sign an informed
consent form to affirm their voluntary participation. The consent form will outline research
participants’ rights and responses confidentially.
Confidentiality and Anonymity: To preserve each respondent’s privacy, they will each receive a
unique ID (Asenahabi, 2019). To preserve respondent privacy, these IDs will substitute personal
data in the dataset. Only the research team will view your personal details.
Data Analysis
The data collected through surveys will be evaluated to identify common barriers, trends,
and potential solutions. Open-ended responses will be thematically coded to derive crucial
insights.
The research method for this study is to identify barriers to the ‘Lunch with Us’ program
and provide solutions. Through the use of non-random purposive sampling, informed permission,
a well-structured survey instrument, and ethical considerations, this study will provide helpful
information to answer the research question and increase the participation of older adults in this
program.
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