Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T23:44:34.488Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An Effective Evaluation of a Small Scale Seniors Health Promotion Centre: A Case Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Eleanor D. Glor
Eleanor D. Glor
Affiliation:
Community Health Services Branch, Saskatchewan Health
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Small scale evaluations are discussed and a case is presented where the impact of a neighbourhood senior citizens' health promotion centre on its clients and community cannot be assessed through large scale, rigorous, evaluation approaches. In addition to the inherent difficulties of finding measurable substitutes for health, the small scale of the program was unlikely to produce a measurable impact on them and the high cost entailed relative to the resources invested in the program was unwarranted. Emphasizing the quantity and quality of services provided, the evaluation found that the centre, which was planned, organized and controlled by a community association, provided a wide range of quality, accessible disease prevention and health promotion services to seniors in a neighbourhood setting. Two high risk groups were emphasized, the frail elderly and Native Indian elderly.

Résumé

L'évaluation rigoureuse et de grande envergure est souvent impossible. Les micro-programmes requièrent cependant des évaluations à leur mesure. A l'aide de l'exemple d'un centre communautaire pour personnes âgées, les difficultés de l'évaluation d'un petit programme sont discutées; soit celles relatives à mesure de la santé, la mesure de l'impact, qui ne sera pas significative en terme statistique, et le coût de l'évaluation en rapport avec les sommes investies dans le programme. L'évaluation de ce centre, qui a mis l'emphase sur la qualité et la quantité des services, a conclu que ce centre, associé à une association communautaire, offrait un ensemble de services de prévention et de promotion de la santé accessibles aux personnes âgées du quartier. Deux groupes avaient été ciblés par le centre: les personnes âgées vulnérables et les autochtones âgées.

Keywords

Évaluationaînéspromotionpréventioncentre de santéautochtone.EvaluationSeniorsPromotionPreventionHealth CentreNative
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 10 , Issue 1 , Spring/printemps 1991 , pp. 64 - 73
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Morell, JA.Program evaluation in social research. New York: Pergamon Press, 1979.Google Scholar
2.Barnsley, J, Ellis, D, Jacobson, H. An evaluation guide for women's groups. Vancouver: Women's Research Centre, 1986, rewritten in a generic version as Keeping on track, 1990.Google Scholar
3.Dimock, HH. A simplified guide to program evaluation. Guelph: The Centre for Human Resource Development, Office for Educational Practice, University of Guelph, 1989.Google Scholar
4.Stecher, BB, Davis, WW.How to focus an evaluation. Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 1987.Google Scholar
5.Fitz-Gibbon, CT, Morris, LL.How to design a program evaluation. Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 1987.Google Scholar
6.Morris, LL., Fitz-Gibbon, CT, Freeman, MM.How to communicate evaluation findings. Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 1987.Google Scholar
7.Thorner, RR. Health program evaluation in relation to health programming. In Schulberg, HC, Baker, F eds. Program evaluation in the health fields, vol. II. New York: Human Sciences Press, 1979.Google Scholar
8.Beigel, A, Levenson, At. Program evaluation on a shoestring budget. In Attkisson, CC et al. Evaluation of human service programs. New York: Academic Press, 1978.Google Scholar
9.Capitman, JJ.Community-based long-term care models, target groups and impacts on service use. Gerontologist. Aug 1986; 26(4): 389–97.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Rubenstein, LL., Josephson, KK., Nichol-Seamons, M, Robbins, AS.Comprehensive health screening of well elderly adults: An analysis of a community program. Journal of Gerontology. May 1986; 41(3): 342–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Sparer, G, Johnson, JA. Evaluation of OEO neighborhood health centers. In Schulberg, HC, Baker, F, eds., Program evaluation in the health fields, vol. II. New York: Human Sciences Press, 1979; 305.Google Scholar
12.Senior and Native Surveys, 1988. Copy provided to the author in private correspondence dated March 28, 1989, from Delores Pelletier, Executive Director, North Central Health Centre, 1264 Athol St., Regina, Sask., S4T 7V3.Google Scholar
13.Lowther, CC, MacLeod, RDM, Williamson, J.Evaluation of early diagnostic services for the elderly. British Medical Journal. August 1, 1970; 3: 275–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Duignan, P, Casswell, S.Evaluating community development programs for health promotion: Problems illustrated by a New Zealand example. Community Health Studies. 1989; XIII(1): 74–81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar