Co-creating a toolkit for senior-led community programs

Social isolation and loneliness are major challenges for older adults, affecting their mental, physical, and cognitive health. This project aims to promote older adults’ social participation in their neighbourhoods and reduce risk of social isolation by collaboratively creating a practical, evidence-based toolkit that older adults can use to develop and lead neighbourhood-based social programs. The project will actively involve older adults as co-creators and leaders, and will help older adults build leadership skills, stay socially connected, and contribute their ideas to local initiatives. For the City of London, the project will increase their ability to offer innovative and cost-effective programs that meet older adults’ needs and interests in a sustainable way. The resulting toolkit will provide clear, adaptable, and long-term guidance for older adults and community partners, helping create age-friendly communities where older adults can remain active, engaged, and supported.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carri Hand

Student:

Partner:

City of London

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public administration

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: