ageWELL in the Community Together (aCT) Study
George Mason University
Summary
The aCT Study will develop, implement and evaluate a community health worker (CHW) integrated model of care delivery for older adults that is senior center based. CHW services will be available for older adult participants at three centers, 4 hours per week for 4 months. Three centers will continue usual services. Researchers will compare blood pressure, physical activity levels, fruit/vegetable consumption and psychosocial outcomes across groups before and after the intervention.
Description
The six senior centers are located in southeastern Kentucky. The CHWs are community-based, certified in the state of Kentucky and employed by a local organization. The CHW intervention will be guided by a training module developed by the researchers in collaboration with our collaborating partner, the University of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Rural Health that reflects evidence-based geriatric practices and formative assessment conducted in 2024/2025 with seniors and senior service administrators from the area
Eligibility
- Age range
- 60+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: Eligible participants will be age 60 years and older, registered as a meal program participant at a participating senior center and speak English. Exclusion Criteria: Non-English speakers and older adults who access meal program services in senior centers not participating in the study are not eligible for study participation.
Interventions
- BehavioralaCT CHW intervention
The aCT CHW intervention arm will be delivered by state-certified CHWs employed and supervised by Kentucky Homeplace, a local organization that provides training and CHW services to local communities. Trained CHWs will deliver the intervention at three senior centers 4 hours per week for 4 months, which will include health promotion and disease prevention services and programs, advocacy, and health screenings.
Location
- University of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Rural HealthHazard, Kentucky