Our Impact

AgeWell believes that the peer-to-peer model has the potential to create significant value for older adults by:

  • improving functionality and fostering well-being and independence among  older adults, and
  • creating economic value by reducing healthcare costs

Improved Well-Being

The pilot program launched in 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa will study the effects of AgeWell’s model on the reported well-being amongst clients and peer-companions.

The objectives of the pilot study are:

1
To refine the peer health model for an older adult population
2
To assess if participants have an overall increase in well-being scores
3
To assess if AgeWell companions have an overall increase in well-being scores

Reduced Health Costs

AgeWell believes that an improvement in wellness and well-being will ultimately reduce an older person’s healthcare costs.

There is strong evidence to suggest that older adults who are socially connected have better health outcomes than those that are lonely.

  • Hawkley, L.C. et al. (2010) ‘Loneliness predicts increased blood pressure: 5-year cross-lagged analyses in middle-aged and older adults’, Psychology and Aging, vol 25, no 1
  • Masi, C.M. et al. (2011) ‘A meta-analysis of interventions to reduce loneliness’, Personality and Social Psychology Review, vol 15, no 3
  • Windle, K. et al. (2011) ‘Preventing loneliness and social isolation: interventions and outcomes’, Social Care Institute for Excellence, Research briefing