Peer support for Older WomEn to pRomote wellbeing and independence (POWER)

Researchers: Rajna Ogrin, Judy Lowthian, Georgina Johnstone, Amber Mills, Jennie Holdom
Research partners: Uniting VicTas
Study population: Home and Community Support clients and community members
Funding support: The Felton Bequest

POWER will build on the work of OWLA, piloting the three prioritised co-created strategies. The aim is to assist women ≥55 years who live by themselves to remain living independently in the community, with access to services that are likely to meet their needs, such as volunteer drivers, exercise buddies and handy help.

To do this, we are collaborating with women aged ≥55 years living by themselves on the Mornington Peninsula, people interested in volunteering their time to provide the peer support strategies and service providers in the local area.

Using population data, we have identified Hastings, Rosebud and Dromana as suitable areas for the project due to the proportion of older women living by themselves and existing services in the area. Together, we will co-design the development of the services and then commence a trial to evaluate whether the service meets the needs of the local communities.