Why Measuring Impact Matters? 

Unlike standard service evaluations, impact measurement can reveal the real-life changes experienced by care recipients, their carers and their families. Impacts such as: 

• Functional and Psychological outcomes including the individual’s ability to manage everyday activities and maintain a sense of autonomy e.g., daily living skills, mobility, emotional resilience, and independence. 

• Societal well-being to highlight the importance of belonging and engagement beyond the immediate care setting e.g., social connection, community participation, and care relationship.  

• Carer and family stress and confidence are critical for sustaining long-term care arrangements e.g., emotional burden, burnout, and stress. 

• Perceptions of safety, dignity, and overall satisfaction ensure that services align with expectations and uphold human dignity e.g., experience of care.  

These insights go beyond usage statistics; they tell us whether the program is improving lives in meaningful ways. Not only health improvements, but also social inclusion and family well-being. Thus, it is essential to focus on what matters to recipients, family members and care partners to better understand and act on what is important to them.  By tracking those measures, we can turn impact measurement into action, including 

• Demonstrate a program’s value to stakeholders, including service providers, policymakers, and the public, by providing clear evidence of outcomes and benefits. 

• Empower and motivate elderly people and carers with evidence-informed support to use the program.  

• Improve service design and responsiveness of the support pathways to better respond to needs of care recipients and their families. 

• Develop long-term service strategies for future-ready services, ensuring the sustainability and adaptability of programs over time. 

 Measuring Impact at Every Stage 

To capture the full scope of a program’s impact, measurement must be continuous and staged, rather than relying on a single snapshot. This includes collecting data, followed by a service journey for tracking the change as an impact for highlighting areas for improvement, and supports evidence-informed decision-making for future program development: 

• Before Entry: focus on the health and social situation of elderly recipients and their carers prior to joining the program. Also assessing experience with administrative processes, such as booking and preparing for care, to ensure that access to the program is smooth and user-friendly. 

• During Participation: assess participants experience of the care itself, including interactions with staff, quality of services, and ongoing physical and emotional wellbeing in the program. This stage provides insights into the effectiveness of care delivery and identifies areas for improvement. 

• After Exit: evaluate the effect after exiting the program, including reduced illness, mental refreshment, or enhanced social confidence. This ensures continuity of support and identifies opportunities for strengthening benefits.