This Phase II SBIR project is designed to test the hypothesis that echo housing is a viable alternative to institutional care for elders in rural communities. The proposed study, founded on a solid Phase I feasibility study, includes six major areas of research: 1) to develop and administer specific questionnaires tailored to assess the interests, attitudes, and needs of elders living in rural vermont regarding echo housing and home health care, in response to attending educational seminars, the echo demonstration project, focus groups, reading educational materials, and watching video on echo housing and home health care. To compile and analyze data from completed questionnaires. 2) to develop and create a video tape on echo housing and the rural elder, for educational distribution to elders in rural vermont. 3) to conduct educational seminars on echo housing utilizing vermont interactive television to reach rural communities. 4) to conduct educational workshops and focus groups on echo housing and the rural elder throughout the state of vermont at rural senior centers. 5) to distribute educational materials on echo housing to elders in rural vermont through cooperative extension services. 6) to purchase, and set-up an echo unit in rural vermont for utilization as a demonstration model.Applications:If this Phase II research is as successful as has been projected from the Phase I feasibility findings, a strong foundation for echo housing as an alternative to institutionalization for rural elders will be established. Some significant benefits to rural communities would include: providing employment, quality housing and care to elders in these communities. The offering of echo housing and home health care is unique and a needed resource in the rural communities.
