Project Update - Prescriptions for Connection: A social prescribing approach for healthy aging
- Obed Rosenzweig
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
A groundbreaking study evaluating the feasibility of a social prescribing program in improving quality of life, wellbeing and loneliness in older people in primary care and Council settings is now in the implementation stage, with key stakeholders updated by Study Investigator and Postdoctoral Researcher Dr Heather Block, at a recent Research Impact Update hosted by the Northern Community Health & Research Foundation.
Study Investigators for this project also include Professor Stacey George (Chief Investigator), Professor Gregory Crawford, Dr Adelaide Boylan, Dr Candice Oster, Dr Suzanne Dawson and Dr Heather Block.
Social prescribing is defined as “a means for healthcare workers to connect people to a range of non-clinical services in the community to improve health and wellbeing.” The project commenced in 2024 and is focused on identification of barriers to, and facilitators of, social prescribing for older patients from identified vulnerable communities, with the aim of facilitating a scalable, sustainable approach to health and ageing ‘in place’.
General practice nurses, council professionals and older people were involved in the co-design of the study, which is believed to be the only study of its kind involving volunteers. General Practitioners and volunteers received training prior to implementation of the trial program, called “Prescriptions for Connection”, across three council areas.
Benefits of social prescribing include improving patient health and wellbeing, improving function, reducing isolation and loneliness, and reducing demand on health professionals. It is widely recognised that older adults in Australia can experience many causes of ill-health, with social isolation and loneliness contributing to around 20% of GP consultations.
This project is supported by the Councils of Port Adelaide Enfield, Walkerville, and Prospect, the Adelaide Primary Health Network, Flinders University, and the Northern Community Health & Research Foundation, with funding from The Northern Community Health & Research Foundation, The Hospital Research Foundation and significant in-kind support from The Adelaide Primary Health Network.
NCHRF spearheaded the development of this project following earlier research supported by the Foundation and existing work by the Adelaide Primary Health Network. NCHRF Chairman Mr Nino Di Sisto and Board members Dr Adelaide Boylan and Professor Gregory Crawford AM are members of the project steering committee.
Previous research has clearly identified the need for easily accessed non-medical support options. A scalable program that can assist in the reduction of reliance on health services is likely to have far-reaching positive impacts on the wider health system and recognise the importance of holistic understanding of care, as well as improving individual health and wellbeing outcomes.
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