Targeting Socially Isolated Older Adults: A Process Evaluation of the Senior Centre Without Walls Social and Educational Program
Abstract
The Seniors Centre Without Walls (SCWOW) program provides free social and educational programming for older adults via telephone. The target population for SCWOW is socially isolated older adults, a hard to reach population. The aim of this process evaluation was to examine whether SCWOW was reaching its target population and to gather participant feedback about program implementation and the perceived satisfaction and impact of the program. Telephone interviews were conducted with 26 participants (92% females; aged 57-85 years). Forty-two percent of the sample was socially isolated and more than half reported being lonely. Participants reported having no difficulty using the telephone system. On average, participants were very satisfied with the program and reported that SCWOW had several positive effects (e.g., connecting to the larger community, affecting mental well-being). Importantly, no barriers to participation were identified. The study suggests that telephone-based programs can successfully reach socially isolated older adults.
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Perceived program benefits in our research correspond to themes such as impact on mental well-being and alleviates loneliness and anxiety.
“perceived program benefits in our research correspond to themes such as impact on mental well-being (47) and alleviates loneliness and anxiety (46).”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
The theme of connectedness in our study aligns with sense of belonging and feeling more connected.
“the theme of connectedness in our study aligns with sense of belonging (46) and feeling more connected (47).”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
Our findings are consistent with previous qualitative research on the accessibility and feasibility of telephone programs for socially isolated older adults.
“Our findings are consistent with previous qualitative research on the accessibility and feasibility of telephone programs for socially isolated older adults.”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
Frequent participation in telephone-based community programming for older adults is effective in reducing social isolation.
“research by our group suggests that frequent participation in telephone-based community programming for older adults is effective in reducing social isolation (47).”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
The theme of new information reflects increases in knowledge, and accessibility is consistent with access/barriers.
“The theme of new information reflects increases knowledge (47), and accessibility is consistent with access/barriers (47).”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [47]
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- Authors
- Newall, N. E. G., & Menec, V. H.
- Affiliations
- University of Manitoba (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Newall, Nancy E. G.
- Venue
- Journal of Applied Gerontology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2013-11-19
- Volume
- 34
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 958-976
- ISSN
- 0733-4648 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-4523
- OpenAlex
- W2082524532
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2
- FWCI
- 4.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Applied Gerontology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Keywords
- social isolation, older adults, loneliness, program reach, participant satisfaction, psychological well-being, community connection, hard-to-reach populations
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Health Status, Humans, Income, Loneliness, Male, Manitoba, Middle Aged, Organizations, Nonprofit, Social Isolation, Social Support, Telephone, Program Evaluation, Senior Centers
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