Connecting Communities to Care

Holistic care aims to enable continuity of care, with early medical and psychosocial intervention, should an issue develop. Unfortunately, existing care is siloed, with a predominant focus on medical aspects to the detriment of consideration of underlying social matters. Yet the evidence is clear that social wellbeing is vital, for example, prolonged periods of isolation and loneliness can negatively impact a person’s mental, physical and social wellbeing leading to risks of developing clinical depression and anxiety. There is wide acknowledgement in the literature that meaningful social networks and ability to sustain positive social relationships are protective factors against loneliness and depression. Aims: To codesign and implement ‘Connecting Communities to Care;’ finding out what matters to older community members with chronic health conditions living in Glen Eira region in metropolitan Melbourne, and support them to access local community support services that improve their social connection, reduce their feelings of loneliness and depressive symptoms and improve their physical and mental wellbeing, while reducing avoidable use of health services. We aim to develop an approach that can be replicated nationally. Methods: Mixed methods, quasi-experimental, prospective pragmatic trial. Phase 1: Set up, collect control data and codesign program. Phase 2: Pragmatic quasi experimental controlled trial to test the program. Phase 3: Consolidate program and expand community engagement. Phase 4: Maintain community engagement and empower participants. This project is funded by The Ian Potter Foundation and Felton Bequest