Using the Adult Well-Being Assessment to Measure Quality of Life Indicators

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

In 2018, the Baltimore County Department of Aging embarked on a three-year partnership with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) to provide data for the Aging Hub of the 100 Million Healthier Lives Project using the Adult Well-Being Assessment (AWA). The purpose is to develop a shared measurement tool to measure and understand population health outcomes that can then influence policy and fiscal decision-making. The AWA asked members to indicate on a series of scales how they felt about their quality of life, now and in the future, as well as their opinions on their financial situation, physical health, mental health (including mood and ability to think), social and emotional support, and whether they led a purposeful and meaningful life. The results found that levels of “Thriving'' were strong (87%) in the present, however, their future estimates of thriving decreased to 73.5% for two years in the future and 61.2% for five years in the future (demonstrating their Life Optimism). When the data was segmented by senior center in the physical health area, inequities emerged in access to programming and fitness facilities resulting in higher numbers of individuals struggling at some centers. Fiscal decisions were then made based on this research to add a fitness center, longer operating hours, a lower age requirement, and additional programming. Through BCDA’s experience testing this simple, validated tool, other municipalities are encouraged to replicate the program to promote shared learning through standardized metrics.