Case Study: Community Groups

Knowledge
is Freedom

Project Background

A local community group in Quebec, Canada, dedicated to supporting the rights and well-being of the elderly, identified a critical gap in end-of-life planning among its members. Many elderly individuals in the community lacked sufficient knowledge and resources to address essential aspects of end-of-life planning, such as financial planning, legal affairs, and advance care planning. This left them vulnerable to uncertain or inappropriate decisions as they aged. In response, the community group sought to empower its members by organizing a series of educational conferences focused on these critical aspects of end-of-life planning. By providing knowledge and practical guidance, the goal was to help participants make informed decisions regarding their health, finances, and legal matters as they approached the later stages of life.

Mandate

We were commissioned by the community group to design, implement, and evaluate a series of conferences aimed at empowering elderly members with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate end-of-life planning. The mandate was to collaborate with a group of subject matter experts, including financial planners, legal advisors, and healthcare professionals, to deliver the content of the conferences. Additionally, we were tasked with evaluating the impact of these conferences on participants’ understanding of the topics covered and their perceived sense of empowerment in making end-of-life decisions. The evaluation results would inform whether the program could be expanded and replicated in other communities.

Methodology

A. Data Collection and Analysis

To assess the impact of the conferences, we employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Before the conferences began, participants were asked to complete a per-conference survey to gauge their baseline knowledge of end-of-life planning and their confidence in making decisions in the areas of financial, legal, and healthcare planning. Following the series of conferences, participants were asked to complete a post-conference survey, which assessed changes in their knowledge, confidence, and preparedness regarding end-of-life planning. In addition to the surveys, in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of participants to gather more detailed feedback on the content and structure of the conferences, as well as to understand any changes in their attitudes toward end-of-life planning. The data from the surveys and interviews were analyzed to identify trends, shifts in knowledge, and overall satisfaction with the conferences.

B. Results Dissemination

Once the evaluation was complete, we compiled a detailed report summarizing the findings from the data analysis. This report was shared with the community group to inform their future strategies and planning for ongoing education programs. Additionally, the results were presented to local community leaders, senior organizations, and healthcare providers to demonstrate the effectiveness of the conferences and their potential for broader implementation. We also assisted in developing a toolkit that could be used by other communities in Quebec to replicate the conference series, ensuring that the program could be offered to other groups upon request. This toolkit included conference materials, evaluation methods, and guidelines for engaging experts and organizing events.

Impact

The impact of the series of conferences was highly positive. Participants reported a significant increase in their understanding of key areas of end-of-life planning, including the importance of advance care directives, the role of legal documents like wills and powers of attorney, and the necessity of financial planning for later life. The post-conference evaluation revealed that participants felt more confident and empowered to make informed decisions about their health and legal affairs. Many expressed a renewed sense of control over their future, and several indicated they had already begun taking actionable steps, such as creating or updating their wills, discussing healthcare preferences with family members, and consulting financial advisors. The success of the conference series also demonstrated that there is strong demand for such educational initiatives in other communities.

Extend the benefits of the program to a wider audience of elderly individuals: Contact us!

Note: This service is offered only in the province of Quebec.