Analysis of Coatsville Pennsylvania - Case Study Example

Alzheimer’s among Elderly in Coatsville, Pennsylvania Coatesville, PA, Community Backdrop Boundaries The of Coatesville was incorporated in 1914and is located in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The city grew around Lukens Steel Company, which after a series of acquisitions is now a part of the ArcelorMittal. The city has an area of 1.9 sq mi, with a population density of 5,848.8/sq mi (Coatesville.org, 2009). The city center latitude is 39.98 N and longitude is 75.82 W. The city has an elevation of 320 feet and is surrounded by South Coatesville borough, PA, Modena borough, PA, Parkesburg borough, PA, Downingtown borough, PA, Atglen borough PA, Honey Brook borough, PA and Christina borough, PA. The nearest city with a population of over 50,000 is Brandywine, DE and over 200,000 is Philadelphia, PA (City-Data.com, 2003). Figure 1. Coatesville (City-Data.com, 2003) Climate The average daily high temperature ranges from 39F to 85F, average daily temperature ranges from 30F to 72F, and the average daily low temperature ranges from 20F to 61F. The average precipitation ranges from 3.4 in to 4.5 in. The average humidity ranges from 71% to 85%. The wind speed ranges from 7.5 mph to 11 mph. Snowfall ranges from 0 in to 7 in. Sunshine ranges from 49% to 61% slightly lower than the national averages. Cloudy days range from 40% to 52%. The historical tornado activity is 72% greater than the national average. The earthquake activity is 67% smaller than the overall US average (City-Data.com, 2003). Figure 2. Temperature (City-Data.com, 2003) Figure 3. Humidity (City-Data.com, 2003) Figure 4. Precipitation (City-Data.com, 2003) Figure 5. Snowfall (City-Data.com, 2003) Figure 6. Windspeed (City-Data.com, 2003) Figure 7. Sunshine (City-Data.com, 2003) Surface Features Coatesville lies in piedmont upland province. The region is characterized by broad, rounded flat-topped hills and shallow valleys. The local relief is low to moderate. The underlying rock type is mainly schist, gneiss, quartzite and some saprolite. The geologic structure is extremely folded and faulted. The drainage pattern is denditic. Boundaries are base of low to vague fall line escarpment to the east, and base of slope change to adjacent lowlands to the north. Origin is fluvial erosion and some peri-glacial mass wasting (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2000). The terrain was not suitable for large scale agriculture. The underlying surface had minerals allowing for manufacture of some metals. Figure 8. Coatesville Surface Features (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2000) Business and Commerce The City of Coatesville is no longer only an industrial based community. The government is pro-business eager to expand the diverse mix of business and industry. The Highland Corporate Center is a complete business park. There are 12 establishments in manufacturing employing 1,364 employees. These include primary metal manufacturing, iron and steel mills, and ferroalloys manufacturing. There are 8 establishments in wholesale trade employing 67 people. These include 4 durable goods merchant wholesalers, and nondurable goods merchant wholesalers. There 26 establishments in retail trade employing 197 people. These are 2 furniture and home furnishing stores, building material and garden equipment supplies and dealers, 6 food and beverage stores, 1 health and personal care store, 10 gasoline stations, 2 clothing and clothing accessories stores, 1 sporting goods, hobby, book and music store, 1 news dealer and newsstand, 2 miscellaneous store retailers, and 1 nonstore retailer. There are 2 information establishments employing 20-99 people. There are 7 establishments under real estate and rental and leasing. There are 12 professional, scientific and technical services establishments employing 40 people. There are 8 establishments in administrative, support, waste management and remediation service employing 253 people. There are 27 establishments in health care and social assistance employing 204 people. These included 13 ambulatory health care services 6 dentists, and 12 offices for social assistance. There are 2 child day care services employing 20-99 people. There are 4 establishments under arts, entertainment and recreation employing 20-99 people. There are 13 establishments in accommodation and food services employing 68 people. These included 2 rooming and boarding houses, and 11 food services and drinking places. There are 27 establishments for other services employing 8 people. These are 11 automotive repair and maintenance, 9 personal and laundry services. A taxidermy studio is located in the city (City-Data.com, 2007). Most common industries for males were metal and metal products (12%), construction (8%), accommodation and food services (7%), health care (7%), educational services (5%), administrative and support and waste management services (5%), and public administration (4%). Most common industries for females were health care (22%), educational services (9%), accommodation and food services (6%), finance and insurance (6%), department and other general merchandise stores (5%), public administration (4%), and administration and support and waste management services (4%). Most common occupations for males were other production occupations including supervisors (8%), building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (8%), metal workers and plastic workers (7%), labourers and material movers (6%), drivers/sales workers and truck drivers (6%) , cooks and food preparation workers (4%), and material recording, scheduling, dispatching and distribution workers (3%). Most common occupation among females was nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (8%), building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (6%), other office and administrative support workers and supervisors (6%), cashiers (6%), information and record clerks except customer service representatives (5%), retail sales workers excluding cashiers (5%), and other production occupations including supervisors (5%). 24 building permits were issued in 2008 and the average cost was $220,200. (City-Data.com, 2003). References City-Data.com. (2003). Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/city/Coatesville-Pennsylvania.html City-Data.com. (2007). Economy and Business Data. Available: http://www.city-data.com/business/econ-Coatesville-Pennsylvania.html. Last accessed 6 December 2009. Coatesville.org. (2009). City of Coatesville. Retrieved from http://www.coatesville.org/default.asp Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. (2000). Physiographic Provinces of Pennsylvania. Available: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/maps/map13.pdf. Last accessed 6 December 2009. Analysis of the Communitys Social System Political Structure Harry Walker is the City Manager. The City Council was made of Martin Eggleston, Kareem Johnson, Karen Jorgenson, Pasty Ray, Kurt Schenk, Edward Simpson, and Robin Scott. The City Council created the Planning Commission on 2/8/1993. Authorities, Boards, Commission and Committees were formed to serve in advisory capacity to the City Council on a range of matters including redevelopment, zoning, land use, recreation, pensions and historical review (Coatesville.org, 2009). The preparation for combating Alzheimer’s is inadequate as there is no advisory capacity in the healthcare arena. Social Structure According to the 2000 census, the city had a population of 10,838. There were 5,061 males (46.7%) and 5,777 females (53.3%). The median age was 31.4 years. 928 residents were under 5 years, 7,399 residents were 18 years and over, and 1,317 residents were 65 years and over. The household population was 10,657, while 181 were group quarters population. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.33. There were 4,360 housing units, out of which 3,940 were occupied housing units and 420 were vacant housing units. 1,801 units were owner occupied, while 2,139 units were occupied by renters. 6,439 residents were 25 years and over. 4,551 residents were high school graduates or higher and 653 had bachelor’s degree or higher. 905 residents were civilian veterans. 2,561 residents had disability status. 556 residents were foreign born. 1,502 residents were male now married except separate. 1,427 residents were female now married except separated. 1,175 residents spoke a language other than English at home. 4,536 residents were in the labor force. The mean travel time to work in minutes was 26.7 minutes. The median household income was $29,912. The median family income was $36,375. The per capita income was $14,079. 2,400 individuals and 489 families were below poverty level. 1,785 were single-family owner-occupied homes. The median value was $77,500. 40.4% residents were never married, 36.8% residents were currently married, 5.2% residents were separated, 8.2% widowed, and 9.5% divorced. The median value of real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000 was $1,337 (1.7%) (US Census Bureau, 2010). 1,317 residents over 65 years of age are at the highest risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The per capita income was $14,079 or approximately $11,073 per month. Lesser disposable income does now allow spending on healthcare increasing the level of risk. Awareness and education are important and related to proactive approaches in early diagnosis of disease. Inability to afford healthcare or counselling could cause delays in diagnosis of disease. The number of college students was significantly below state average and the percentage of people with bachelor’s degree or higher was significantly below the state average. Only 653 residents (5.2%) had educational levels of bachelor’s or higher. Levels of education play an important role in awareness and pursuit of proactive approaches towards diagnosis and treatment of diseases. With over 94% of the resident population with lower levels of formal education, the level of risk is increased. The community had access to a hospital with state-of-the-art facilities. However, the community as a whole does not have much healthcare promotional activities. Race and Religion 41.9 % residents were White, 49.2 % residents were Black or African American, and the rest were Hispanic, Asian, or Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native, or some other race. 58% were affiliated to the Catholic Church, 7% to Presbyterian Church, 7% to United Methodist Church, and 28% to other religions (City-Data.com, 2003). The percentage of Black race population was above the state average, and the Hispanic race population percentage was significantly above the state average. Race or religion did not increase the risk to incidence of Alzheimer’s. Educational Institutions Center for Arts and Technology and Brandywine School of Nursing were educational institutions in Coatesville. There were two public high schools, and one private school in Coatesville. There were ten elementary/middle schools in Coatesville. There is no program for increasing awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in educational institutions. Healthcare Programs Brandywine hospital is the only hospital in the region. Other hospitals near Coatesville were Southern Chester County Medical Center, Chester County hospital, and Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation hospital. 56 people were in homes for the mentally retarded, 54 people were in other institutional group quarters, 32 people were in homes for drug and alcohol abuse, 25 people were in homes for the mentally ill, 10 people were in religious group quarters, and 4 people were in homes for abused, dependent, and neglected children (City-Data.com, 2003). Health and well being of Coatesville community is served by Brandywine Hospital. Brandywine Hospital is the only regional level two trauma center in the county, which has been designed to respond immediately and comprehensively to needs of victims of severe injury. Brandywine Hospital Trauma Center is staffed 24 hours with neurosurgeons, orthopaedists, plastic surgeons, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, and other staff. The Hospital was affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center’s Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, and supported by Sky FlightCare, a 24 hour hospital evacuation and transportation service. A wide variety of services has been developed for senior citizens for enhancing their quality of life. Brandywine Health and Housing Center is a four-story building with affordable senior housing units including offices for doctors, dentists and other social services organizations. The Coatesville Area Adult Senior Center had programs and services including hot meals, exercise, dance classes, entertainment, trips, art, crafts, games, educational and informational assistance, and health checks. With the majority of residents (52%) being Black, Hispanic or other races, their knowledge or approaches towards healthcare is unknown (Google videos, 2007). Social Assistance System There is no special social assistance system for Alzheimer’s. Medicare and Medicaid facilities are available. However, facilities that could be availed under these schemes are limited and require prior planning and knowledge of the limitations of these facilities. Often these schemes are inadequate to combat the onslaught of Alzheimer’s. Recommendations It is recommended that a community wide Alzheimer’s awareness program be conducted at least on an annual basis. This could be held along with other programs, and made culturally rich to attract as many residents as possible. Several healthcare programs have been conducted with other cultural events such as music concerts or other cultural events attracting large numbers of people. Experts could be invited to speak about the disease, risk factors, and how residents could prepare themselves to combat the disease. Other promotion methods could include development and distribution of brochures and flyers about the disease. Education and income levels are barriers for the pursuit of creative approaches to combat the disease. It is recommended that a community health center be established with the objective of allowing individuals with lower education and or income levels pursue activities at this center. The center could be funded by the state, private institutions or industries, or trusts and allow membership at subsidised costs. Group sessions could be organized for the members covering a wide variety of diseases including Alzheimer’s. Healthy lifestyle is the best approach to combat aging and risk of Alzheimer’s. Widespread awareness of risk factors and measures to deal with the disease is desirable. Schools should include programs of awareness that include participation of family members. The population at risk should be provided counselling at the center for minimal cost, and counselling made available along with a comprehensive health awareness program for residents as early as possible. Community leaders should be encouraged to take up health issues including Alzheimer’s for discussion along with other agendas during council meetings. This would allow selection of best approaches to address deficiencies or gaps in the health outcomes witnessed within the community. References City-Data.com. (2003). Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/city/Coatesville-Pennsylvania.html Coatesville.org. (2009). City of Coatesville. Retrieved from http://www.coatesville.org/default.asp Google videos. (2007). Healthcare & senior services – Coatesville Pennsylvania. Retrieved from http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1636849852800677744# US Census Bureau. (2010). Coatesville city, Pennsylvania. Retrieved from http://factfinder.census.gov/ Read More