The aCT Study will develop, implement and evaluate a community health worker (CHW) integrated model of care delivery for older adults that is senior center based. CHW services will be available for older adult participants at three centers, 4 hours per week for 4 months. Three centers will continue usual services. Researchers will compare blood pressure, physical activity levels, fruit/vegetable consumption and psychosocial outcomes across groups before and after the intervention.
The six senior centers are located in southeastern Kentucky. The CHWs are community-based, certified in the state of Kentucky and employed by a local organization. The CHW intervention will be guided by a training module developed by the researchers in collaboration with our collaborating partner, the University of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Rural Health that reflects evidence-based geriatric practices and formative assessment conducted in 2024/2025 with seniors and senior service administrators from the area
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
250
The aCT CHW intervention arm will be delivered by state-certified CHWs employed and supervised by Kentucky Homeplace, a local organization that provides training and CHW services to local communities. Trained CHWs will deliver the intervention at three senior centers 4 hours per week for 4 months, which will include health promotion and disease prevention services and programs, advocacy, and health screenings.
University of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Rural Health
Hazard, Kentucky, United States
blood pressure
Blood pressure will be measured in duplicate, with appropriate size cuff and participant seated, arm supported so elbow at heart level and following a 5 minute rest.
Time frame: Baseline following enrollment and 4-5 months later following completion of the intervention
physical activity levels
We will use a self-report measure, the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA), a 9-item questionnaire validated for use in older adults
Time frame: Baseline following enrollment and 4-5 months later following intervention completion
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.