Connections for Ageing Well: A community healthy ageing program to promote social connection

Social connection is important for healthy ageing, yet the ability of older people to participate in community and social activities can be limited. Connections for Ageing Well was a program for older people delivered within the community that enabled participants to select information topics and activities to meet their individual needs and preferences. It aimed to promote social connection with a focus on learning and being active. The evaluation of the program measured its success in meeting its objectives.

Program attendees were invited to complete a questionnaire at the conclusion of the program (postprogram evaluation survey) and to participate in a focus group. Data collected by the questionnaire were analysed descriptively, and data from the focus group were analysed through a phenomenological lens and coded thematically.

Although participants reported high levels of social connectedness before the program, almost all met someone new (96%) and some of these friendships continued after the program. Nearly half (46%) of survey respondents reported a greater knowledge of how to access community programs and services. Participants described learning something new and sharing this knowledge with others. Others reported enjoying the active fresh air sessions and having a renewed interest in physical activity. All evaluation participants agreed they would recommend the program to others and focus group attendees expressed overwhelming positivity about the program.

The program was successful in achieving its objectives and provided new evidence of the effectiveness of an intervention designed to foster social connectedness that enabled participants to select program components to suit their individual needs and preferences.