The Count Me In Program in Support of Social Participation for Older People With Loss of Autonomy

The goal of this observational study is to determine whether the Count Me In Program (Participe-Présent in French), which focuses on the strengths and power to act of older adults, can improve social participation and psychosocial factors among older adults with loss of autonomy, as assessed by the following outcome measures: (1) loneliness; (2) depressive symptoms; (3) cognition; (4) frequency of participation in leisure activities; and (5) type of social participation. Participants will attend seven weekly workshops in the Count Me In Program.

The first workshop, "Participate, what is it?", invites participants to explore the diversity, benefits, obstacles, and facilitators of social participation. The second workshop, "Building on Strengths", leads participating older adults to identify their own strengths, such as creativity or a sense of humor, and to choose a personal goal, such as meeting new people. At the third workshop, "The Community, a Source of Opportunities", discussions focus on participation opportunities offered within the community. The discussions notably address the possibility of finding affordable activities, organizing outings, or inviting organizations to visit institutions. The fourth workshop, "Aging and the Power to Act", proposes a dialogue on natural aging, ageism, and self-ageism. Participants explore the myths and realities of aging and identify strategies to strengthen their power to act. The fifth workshop, "Spending to Participate", has been withdrawn, given the complex context of personal financial management for the majority of these individuals. At the sixth workshop, "Communicate to Participate", several social skills are addressed, such as active listening, making requests, and resolving disputes. The seventh workshop, "Social Networking: Staying Connected", leads participants to define what a social network is, discuss it, and explore different strategies to meet their needs. Finally, the eighth workshop, "Citizen Participation", focuses on the recognition of rights, such as the equality of fundamental rights (justice, dignity, access to services), as well as on ways to be actively involved in society (e.g., signing petitions, participating in a users' committee).