The EMBOLDEN Co-design study: Partnering with older adults and communities to develop a community program to enhance...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Community Health
• Health Equity

Background:

• Physical mobility and social participation are crucial for older adults' independence and quality of life.
• Barriers to mobility can lead to social isolation, poor health, and frailty.
• Existing interventions often lack real-world applicability due to limited citizen input and controlled settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engage older adults and service providers to understand mobility and participation needs.
• To co-design a feasible and acceptable group intervention for older adults facing health inequities.
• To promote health and well-being through community-based mobility support.

Main Methods:

• Adapted experience-based co-design methodology.
• Collaboration with a Strategic Guiding Council of older adults and service providers.
• Integration of qualitative findings, systematic reviews, and environmental scan.

Main Results:

• Persona scenario interviews with 18 older adults and 16 service providers.
• Identified priority design features: duration, intensity, delivery mode, interventionist characteristics, and implementation strategies.
• Highlighted strategies for participant motivation, recruitment, engagement, and equity considerations.

Conclusions:

• Stakeholder partnership is essential for designing effective community-based mobility interventions.
• The co-designed intervention aims to be sustainable, scalable, and address health inequities.
• The ultimate goal is to improve the lives of older adults through evidence-informed health promotion.