IMPACTAgewell: an integrated community development approach to improving the health and well-being of older people: sharing our learning: year 4 evaluation update

Author(s)

MID AND EAST ANTRIM AGEWELL PARTNERSHIP

Publisher(s):

Mid and East Antrim Agewell Partnership

Publication year:

2021

This report shares the learning from Year 4 of IMPACTAgewell, providing an evidence base for the benefits of supporting a community led integrated care approach. The aims of IMPACTAgewell are to improve the quality of life of older people by providing them with person centred services that will put their wellbeing and social needs on a par with their medical needs. Types of support include befriending, home security checks, handyperson services, energy efficient checks, benefits advice, community transport, health condition support groups, luncheon clubs and arts and history clubs. Assessing the impact of the programme, the evaluation focuses in particular on fiscal return on investment; estimating a return on investment; social determinants of health; the Effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the project; the changing community landscape; and Covid-19 and mental health. The evaluation estimates a fiscal return ratio of £2.38 : £1 – this means that for every £1 invested there has been at least £2.38 of savings generated in terms of unscheduled health and social care; a social return ratio of £2.22 : £1 – this means that for every £1 invested, there has been at least £2.22 of a social return on investment when considering all service users, health care practitioners and carers; and a community pharmacy ratio of £5.81: £1 – this means that for every £1 spent on community pharmacists within the project they delivered an invest to save return of £5.81. (Edited publisher abstract)