Meeting the evolving needs of a local Aging in Place initiative through a collaborative evaluation process

Background: Many communities are reassessing their programming and services to address the growing needs of the aging population. By re-evaluating these areas, Aging in Place initiatives throughout the nation, are affording older adults the opportunities to remain in their neighborhoods.  And as a result of these efforts, encouraging healthy communities for healthy aging.

Methods: Over the course of six months, the evaluation team convened a series of meetings with the Aging in Place program director and funder to start the journey toward assessing the healthy aging community initiative.  The collaborative meetings involved discussions about evidence-based practices; partnership support and buy-in; and, local programs, infrastructure and services that address the evolving needs of the local initiative. 

Results: Ongoing communication and collaboration bolstered the relationship between the program and evaluation staff as well as helped to align the evaluation to meet the needs of the program. The collaboration informed the processes and outcomes outlined in the newly created logic model, identified key evaluation questions, indicators, methods and data sources.  The program activities guided the development of the data collection and evaluation tools. 

Discussion: Involving the project staff throughout the evaluation process established rapport with the program director and enhanced the relationship with the funder.  By integrating the evaluation process to the aging in place initiative, the initiative has the foundation to assess how policy and environmental changes make for a happier and healthier community.