Are Older Adults Satisfied With the Implementation of Federal Programs to Serve Aging Populations? A Case Study Policy Implementation

Abstract

This study analyzes the findings of a fieldwork study conducted between two distinct cultural traditions: Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory with a predominantly Hispanic population, and Indiana, a predominantly Anglo Midwestern state. Specifically, the study compares the satisfaction of older adults with the implementation of the home health care policy sponsored by Medicare in both settings. The study focuses on older adults’ attitudes toward the qualities and performance of home health aides. Due to cultural differences in both settings, the thesis statement was that older adults in Indiana and Puerto Rico are likely to be satisfied with different qualities of home health aides. The results of the data, however, do not support this hypothesis, as older adults in both settings demonstrate satisfaction with similar qualities in their home health aides, although the Puerto Rican sample shows higher levels of satisfaction.