Aging, Community and Health Research Group (ACHRU)

Getting out socially and moving about physically can help maintain independence and quality of life for adults 55 years of age and older. Community programs designed to support these activities may be highly effective, but many older adults face barriers accessing them. Co-design is an approach that engages target populations and other stakeholders with researchers. The aim is to co-design new programs that align with and leverage existing community programs, address service gaps, and meet community needs that will be evaluated through research. Experiences of older adults and community service providers are critical partners in this work.

The overall goal of the EMBOLDEN research program is to promote physical and community mobility of older adults who experience difficulties participating in community programs and reside in communities of high health inequity. Building on existing best practices and local evidence, researchers together with local older adults and community service providers will co-design an innovative community-based program to promote mobility amongst community-dwelling older adults.

Following the co-design of the intervention, the study (a pragmatic mixed methods randomized controlled trial) will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the EMBOLDEN program. Evidence of feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the program will provide a foundation to assess the potential to sustain the program and test it in other communities. The EMBOLDEN research program is an interdisciplinary research initiative of the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging and draws on the expertise of several Faculties and academic units.

Funders:

McMaster Institute for Research on Aging, Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Patient Oriented Research Catalyst Grant

In-kind support from the Aging, Community and Health Research Unit at McMaster University

Study Partners:

Hamilton Public Health, Hamilton Public Library, Age Friendly Hamilton, CityHousing Hamilton, United Way Halton & Hamilton, City of Hamilton, Hamilton Council on Aging, YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, YWCA Hamilton, Compass Community Health, Good Shepherd, St Matthew’s House, Hamilton Transit

Study Infographics:

The infographics below provide an overview of some of key characteristics of the City of Hamilton and specific neighbourhoods within Hamilton. They were developed as a tool for sharing with our study partners (e.g., health and social service providers, citizens) as we move forward with co-designing the EMBOLDEN research program.

Hamilton

Burkholme

Macassa

Strathcona_Dundurn

Kentley

Corman

Riverdale West

Stinson_Corktown

Durand

Research Summary

News: EMBOLDEN Team Launches it's First Co-Design Event in Hamilton