Intermediates' satisfaction with a loneliness intervention program aimed at older adults: linkage of program plans and users' needs

Intermediates' satisfaction with linkage of program plans and users' needs in the Dutch loneliness intervention program in good company (IGC) was stud ied. IGC was aimed at prevention and diminishment of loneliness in older ad ults, aged 55 years and above. Moreover, the objective was to improve helpi ng and cooperation skills of intermediates, i.e. professional workers and v olunteers. Different linkage approaches were used successively in three nei ghbourhoods, Varying from top down instrumental to bottom up democratic lin kage strategies. The intermediates' satisfaction with these strategies was measured using postal questionnaires, sent about 20 months after the introd uction of the program to the three neighbourhoods. Satisfaction was signifi cantly related to the intermediates' subjective evaluation of the linkage a pproach. Satisfaction was highest in the neighbourhood where the intermedia tes were consulted most explicitly and where they had a clear voice in the design and organisation of the intervention, using democratic linkage strat egies. Satisfaction was clearly associated with the program's success in me eting targets aimed at intermediates. A relationship with effective prevent ion of loneliness in older adults was not found. It is concluded that the u se of democratic linkage strategies, like needs assessments, local action p lans and two-way communication between program designers and users, is esse ntial for successful dissemination of health promotion activities. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.