The intersection of sociopolitical trends and Aging Network training: an analysis of national conference proceedings

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Aging Network provides services to over 11 million older adults and their caregivers annually. Three national conferences (AIRS, n4a, and NASUAD) support the diffusion of critical information to members of the Aging Network. This study employed a content analysis of these national conferences held between 2009 and 2018. An a priori coding scheme including major codes and subcodes utilized in an earlier study was modified for use in the current study. Reflexivity, triangulation, and audits were utilized to maximize the trustworthiness of results. Across the 2,395 sessions, the most frequent major codes included planning and program development, housing, Medicaid, information and referral (I&R), and service-specific sessions. The most frequent subcodes included planning and program development, Medicaid waiver, general policy, long-term services and supports reform and systems change, and data and database use. The greatest changes between studies concerned planning and program development, I&R, population-specific sessions, consumer-directed support, service-specific sessions, and government-related sessions. Results provide insight into practice and service innovation designed to meet the needs of millions of older adults and caregivers.