In the spring of 2010, the AWC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a study of the status of senior women in our state (those women approximately age 65+). The Commission sought to better understand the issues facing this age population and best practices for serving the needs of these women. 

In response to this RFP, Dr. Mitchell Brown and Dr. Kathleen Hale, Auburn University, proposed a study to identify services available for Alabama women aged 65 and older; identify participant perceptions of these services; and identify best practices for serving the needs of these women. The corresponding research design included a survey of all potential organizations (non-profits, for-profit and government agencies) serving women 65 and older across the state, and individual interviews with a sample of Alabama women 65 and older to hear about needs through the voice of these women.

This report details their efforts, including: a discussion of needs of the population more generally; useful demographic information about women in this age group in the state of Alabama; a description of available services; a discussion of typical needs women in this group face across Alabama; an analysis of organizational capacity based upon the state-wide survey; a discussion of best practices; and identification of future trends and challenges.