Evaluation Questions for Rural Healthy Aging Programs

Developing evaluation questions is an important first step in evaluating a rural healthy aging program. Examples of evaluation questions for rural healthy aging programs are provided below. For more information about process, outcome, and impact evaluations, please see Evaluation Design in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

Questions for a Process Evaluation

How is the rural healthy aging program being implemented?
What types of healthy aging program services are offered and who receives them?
How many older adults participated in the healthy aging program?
How many home visits were conducted for older adults with mobility challenges?
What types of training did staff need to effectively deliver the program to older adults?
What partners were involved in implementing the program and what were their contributions?
What were the barriers and challenges that affected healthy aging program implementation?
How did community members or clients perceive the program?
How did staff members perceive the program?
What are the key lessons learned?
How can the healthy aging program be sustained, replicated, or scaled across other sites or settings?

Questions for an Outcome Evaluation

Has the program helped to improve older adults' health outcomes?
To what extent did participants report changes in their knowledge, awareness, attitudes, or beliefs because of the program?
How satisfied are program participants with the program (for example, content, services, delivery)?
To what extent has the program improved older adults' access to healthcare, food, physical activity, social activities, or other essential services for older adults?
Has the program led to improvements in older adults' ability to manage a chronic disease?
Are there differences in outcomes for different populations (for example, by age or socioeconomic status)?
What percentage of older adults were screened for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in primary care settings?
To what extent did participants adopt and maintain healthy behaviors, such as daily exercise, after participating in the program?
To what extent did participants adhere to their medication plan following participating in the program?
To what extent did participants' report changes in their sense of well-being after attending the social engagement program?

Questions for an Impact Evaluation

To what extent did the rural healthy aging program improve overall community health and well-being?
To what extent did the rural healthy aging program promote healthy behaviors among older adults?
To what extent did the rural healthy aging program improve screening processes and practices among healthcare providers who care for older adults?

Rural program implementers can use different types of evaluation strategies to assess the effectiveness of rural healthy aging programs. When planning an evaluation, it is essential to consider the program's goals, the purpose of the evaluation, and the resources available. This approach ensures that evaluations are tailored to measure progress and successes accurately and efficiently.

Resources to Learn More

CDC Program Evaluation Framework, 2024
Document
Offers a framework for developing and conducting evaluations related to health interventions. Identifies standards essential to effective program evaluation and provides a step-by-step guide.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Citation: MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 73(6), 1-37
Date: 9/2024

Key Components of Evidence-Based Programs: Evaluation
Website
Discusses different types of evaluation outcomes, and shares resources to help with developing a program evaluation.
Organization(s): National Council on Aging