Aging Together

College of Community Engagement & Professions, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Keane, Connor, Kearney, Zoe, Mentor, Poster Presentation, Prather, Kelly, School and College, Social Work, Steward, Andrew, Student

Zoe Kearney, Connor Keane, and Kelly Prather, “Aging Together”
Mentor: Andrew Steward, Social Work
Poster #7

Aging Together is a pilot program designed to provide peer support and education to older adults regarding ageism and health. Participants reflect and share their experiences with aging and age-related bias. Ageism, encompassing bias, prejudice, and discrimination based on one’s age is addressed at the sessions held at East Castle Place Retirement and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. During Fall 2023, three groups of eight participants (N = 24) convened for ten consecutive weeks with a peer facilitator who led discussions. The primary goal of the research was to assess the project’s feasibility and acceptability. Feasibility was evaluated through attendance rates, survey completion rates, and recruitment and implementation logs. Acceptability was gauged through brief feedback surveys after each session and a 30-minute post-program interview. The secondary goal was to identify initial outcomes related to internalized and relational ageism, self-efficacy, social connectedness, and cognitive function. These outcomes were measured by a pre and post, 30-minute phone survey. Preliminary results from Fall 2023 data indicate the program was feasible and acceptable overall, with an 87% attendance and survey completion rate, and 71% of participants indicating they would recommend the program to a friend. We found a reduction in relational ageism and increased affinity for other older adults (one type of internalized ageism). A slight improvement in self-efficacy and social connectedness was observed, along with a slight decrease in cognitive function. Challenges in recruiting a diverse group of participants were noted, and efforts are underway to diversify the remainder of the pilot in Spring 2024. In summary, preliminary findings indicate the program is feasible and acceptable overall and may help reduce relational ageism and improve psychosocial well-being. Considering Fall 2023 findings and Spring 2024 pilot completion, we aim to progress to the quasi-experimental phase starting in Fall of 2024.