R3: Relation of Sociodemographics and Local Characteristics to IL Difficulty Team: Andrew J. Houtenville, Ph.D., and Vidya Sundar, Ph.D. (UNH) Research Question: What personal and local factors are associated with the reporting of “independent living difficulty” -- difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping? Data Source: Pooled American Community Survey (ACS) Key Findings (Top 5): 1.Overall: IL difficulty is greatest among population with cognitive difficulty, followed by ambulatory, vision, then hearing. 2.Age: IL difficulty increased with age within cognitive difficulty pop., but decreased with age within the ambulatory difficulty pop. 3.Education: Decreases IL difficulty for all difficulty types. 4.Age of Structure: IL difficulty peaks for structures in the 1950s and 60s, except for cognitive difficulty (90s). 5.Location: People living in distressed areas were more likely to report IL difficulty, especially ambulatory diff.

Key Implications for Policymakers and Research Gaps Soap Box: Although not addressed directly in this analysis, the movement from institutions to SSI-supported community living, runs the risk of creating “in-home institutionalization.” Poverty: IL difficulty is largely a poverty issue. Structure: Housing structure matters. Homes build in the 1950s and 60s are particularly problematic. Research 1: interventions for people with cognitive difficulty and young adults with ambulatory difficulty. Research 2: Look for clusters of individuals with independent living difficulties not explained by personal characteristics.

Key Implications for Service Providers and Clinicians Service providers/clinicians should attend to the factors associated with poverty. Service providers/clinicians and family/friends need to attend to the independent living skills of: – individuals with cognitive difficulty and – young adults with ambulatory difficulty.

Key Implications for Consumers, Advocates, and Families Statistics are a powerful form of rhetoric (argumentation). They are used for benchmarking and monitoring broad outcomes and relationships. – Examples: Chicago Community Trust call to action. – Maps are very illustrative, and we are looking to produce them in an accessible manner.

“Back Pocket” Slide Hearing Difficulty: Is this person deaf or does he/she have serious difficulty hearing? [yes|no] Vision Difficulty: Is this person blind or does he/she have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses? [yes|no] Cognitive Difficulty:[For persons ages 5 and older] Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions? [yes|no] Ambulatory Difficulty:[For persons ages 5 and older] Does this person have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs? Self-Care Difficulty:[For persons ages 5 and older] Does this person have difficulty dressing or bathing? [yes|no] Independent Living Difficulty: [For persons ages 15 and older] Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, does this person have difficulty doing errands alone such as visiting a doctor’s office or shopping? [yes|no] Functional Difficulties