AgeWell

Description

AgeWell – Supporting Older People to Age in Place

Overview
AgeWell is a person-centred, community-based ageing-in-place programme designed to support older adults to live independently, safely, and with dignity in their own homes. It targets those who are living alone or at risk of social isolation, frailty, or early health decline—providing weekly peer visits, early identification of concerns, and coordinated follow-up to prevent escalation of issues.

How It Works
The AgeWell model combines three core components:

1.Trained Peer Companions
Volunteers aged 50+ are recruited, trained, Garda vetted, and matched with older people in their locality. These AgeWell Companions visit clients weekly in their homes, offering social connection, emotional support, and a light-touch wellbeing check.

2. Technology-Enabled Monitoring
Using a secure, user-friendly app, Companions log observations from each visit, responding to a structured set of questions around the client’s health, mood, cognition, safety, and environment. The app allows consistent data collection and flags potential concerns in real time.

3. Professional Oversight and Coordination
An AgeWell Care Coordinator—a trained professional in health or social care—reviews all visit data, triages concerns, and facilitates appropriate referrals to health services, family supports, social care teams, or community resources.

Impact & Outcomes
The AgeWell model has been independently evaluated and consistently demonstrates:

70% reduction in reported loneliness after three months of participation
Significant improvements in self-reported wellbeing, mood, and perceived safety
High participant satisfaction – 98% report looking forward to weekly visits
Improved system efficiency – issues are often addressed before they become crises, reducing the need for GP visits, hospitalisations, or formal interventions

Participants describe a sense of connection, reassurance, and safety as core benefits of the programme. For families, AgeWell offers peace of mind that their loved ones are regularly seen by a trusted person who can act as a bridge to supports if needed.

AgeWell aligns with the HSE’s strategic objectives and national ageing policy priorities, including:

Sláintecare – delivering integrated, community-based, person-centred care
National Positive Ageing Strategy – promoting autonomy, wellbeing, and social connection

The programme complements existing primary care, public health nursing, social work, and befriending services by offering a structured, consistent approach to light-touch monitoring and companionship.

Delivery and Expansion
AgeWell is currently operating in Meath and is designed to be scalable and replicable across Ireland. A franchise model allows community organisations to implement the programme in their own area using the proven Meath structure, with support from AgeWell Ireland for training, setup, and ongoing quality assurance.

The service is low-cost, preventative, and rooted in community empowerment. Companions are motivated by purpose and solidarity, often older themselves and looking to contribute meaningfully. The programme also strengthens local community ties by connecting older people to services, groups, and neighbours.

Conclusion
AgeWell offers a practical, tested, and compassionate response to the needs of Ireland’s ageing population. It supports people to age well at home, with dignity and connection, and relieves pressure on formal services by catching issues early and addressing them with humanity and care.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of the AgeWell initiative is to support older people to remain well, independent, and connected within their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

The programme addresses the growing need for low-cost, preventative solutions to social isolation, early frailty, and health decline among older adults. By combining weekly peer visits with light-touch wellbeing monitoring and professional follow-up, AgeWell identifies emerging issues before they escalate—helping to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, delayed discharges, or crisis interventions.

At its core, AgeWell is about creating meaningful human connection. Trained volunteers aged 50+ (Companions) visit older people once a week, offering a friendly face, a listening ear, and a structured check-in using a secure app. These interactions not only reduce loneliness but also serve as an early-warning system for potential physical, emotional, or cognitive decline.

Each Companion is supported by a Care Coordinator who reviews visit data, triages concerns, and links clients with appropriate health or social care supports when necessary.

The initiative also empowers older volunteers to contribute actively to their communities, promoting purpose and peer solidarity.

Overall, AgeWell aims to enhance quality of life, strengthen early intervention in the community, and complement existing health and social care services through a sustainable, scalable model.

Who is it aimed at

The AgeWell initiative is aimed at two key groups:

1. Older People (Primarily aged 60+)
The core focus is on older adults living in the community who may be at risk of social isolation, loneliness, early frailty, or undetected health or cognitive decline. Many participants live alone, have limited informal supports, or may not yet be linked into formal health or social care services. AgeWell provides them with weekly contact, reassurance, and an early-warning system to detect and address issues before they escalate.

2. Peer Volunteers (Aged 50+)
AgeWell also targets adults aged 50 and over who are interested in meaningful, flexible volunteer work. These individuals—called Companions—are trained and supported to visit older people, providing connection and a light-touch wellbeing check. Many are recently retired or semi-retired and looking for purpose and community involvement.

Together, these two groups form a mutually beneficial relationship. Older people receive reliable, person-centred support, while Companions gain a sense of purpose and contribution, often improving their own wellbeing in the process.

The initiative also indirectly supports family members, carers, and the wider health system by reducing crisis presentations and supporting older people to age well at home.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Recruitment and Training of Peer Companions
   Careful selection, training, and ongoing support of volunteers aged 50+ is central to AgeWell’s success. These Companions must be reliable, empathetic, and committed to weekly visits. Comprehensive training ensures they are confident in providing social support, using the wellbeing app, and recognising signs of concern.
2. Timely Monitoring and Professional Follow-Up
   The use of structured wellbeing check-ins and a secure reporting app allows for consistent data collection. The AgeWell Care Coordinator reviews all visit reports, triages flagged concerns, and connects participants with health or social care services as needed—ensuring that early signs of decline are not missed.
3. Strong Community and System Partnerships
   Collaboration with local health services, community groups, and statutory bodies is essential. These partnerships help identify suitable clients, facilitate referrals, and integrate AgeWell into wider ageing and public health strategies. Community buy-in also strengthens sustainability and programme reach.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Sustainable Funding
   While AgeWell is low-cost and delivers strong outcomes, securing consistent and long-term funding remains a challenge. The programme relies on a mix of grants, public support, and local contributions. Without dedicated, multi-year funding streams, it can be difficult to plan for growth or maintain staffing levels.
2. Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
   AgeWell depends on committed volunteers aged 50+. Recruiting suitable Companions—who are empathetic, tech-comfortable, and able to make weekly visits—requires ongoing outreach and support. Retaining them long-term, especially as personal circumstances change, is an ongoing operational focus.
3. Integration with Health and Social Care Pathways
   To be most effective, AgeWell needs strong referral, feedback, and collaboration links with primary care teams, public health nurses, social workers, and community supports. In some areas, establishing these partnerships can be slow, especially where systems are overstretched or siloed.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Reduced Social Isolation and Loneliness

   70% of participants report a reduction in loneliness after three months.

   98% say they look forward to their weekly visit.

   Improved Health and Wellbeing

   Participants show improvements in mood, sense of safety, and general wellbeing.

   Early identification of concerns leads to timely referrals and preventative support.

2. Reduced Pressure on Health and Social Care Services

   Regular check-ins help avoid unnecessary GP visits, A&E attendances, and hospital admissions.

   Issues are addressed before they escalate into crises, supporting ageing in place.

   Increased Community Connection and Purpose

   Older volunteers (Companions) gain a renewed sense of purpose, improving their own mental health and social engagement.

   The programme strengthens local social networks and intergenerational solidarity.

3. Positive Feedback from Families and Referrers

   Family members report peace of mind knowing someone is regularly checking in.

   GPs and community services recognise AgeWell as a valuable preventative partner.