An evaluation of a community-based psychoeducation program for successful ageing

Background: The increasing numbers and proportion of the ageing population make it essential to develop and evaluate programs to meet the needs of older adults to empower them to age actively, healthily and successfully. Consequently, positive ageing programs have been developed and the need to evaluate their outcomes is essential. This study used mixed methods to evaluate cognitive and behavioural changes and to monitor psychological health and active ageing in participants of a longstanding positive ageing psychoeducation program, Successful Ageing for Growth & Enjoyment (SAGE) conducted in Australia, and to evaluate participant satisfaction with the program. Methods: Two approaches were utilised. The first involved a survey of demographic variables, measures of psychological health (depression, anxiety and stress, self-esteem and resilience) active ageing, including measures of subjective learning and behavioural change after the seminar series, sent to program participants prior to the annual program commencement, and again at the end of the ten-seminar program. The second approach was for participants to complete a Likert-rated and short answer survey assessing session satisfaction of participants after each of the ten seminars in the program. Results: The analyses revealed that of those who attended SAGE, almost half reported specific positive changes to their cognitions or behaviours, with most of these identified changes being maintained at the end of the year-long program. Participant feedback from those attending SAGE seminars was overwhelmingly positive. No clinically significant differences were seen between those who did and did not attend SAGE in psychological health or active ageing before or after attending. Conclusions: Participants who engaged with SAGE often reported positive behavioural and cognitive changes. Qualitative feedback suggested that SAGE is certainly appreciated and valued by those attending.