NARCHA, short for the Northern Alberta Regional Centre for Healthy Aging, is a project led by Sage Seniors Association (Sage), the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing, and Athabasca University.
As one of four regional centers in Canada, NARCHA strives to develop and spread effective assessment practices, mobilize and build on the strengths of seniors, and implement interventions to promote living well as they age.
As we get older our needs and quality of life can change. It can be difficult to know where to start or what to do to address these changes. Accessing the appropriate information and resources can help us maintain a higher level of wellbeing as we age.
NARCHA has created an assessment tool called the Healthy Aging Asset Index (HAAI), which allows seniors to identify areas to strengthen their independence and receive resources and interventions tailored to their specific healthy aging goals.
The tool was developed by a team of experts led by Nurse Practitioner Anne Summach, Director of Nurse Practitioner Programs at the University of Alberta, and Dr. Tammy O’Rourke, Assistant Professor at Athabasca University. It was then improved and refined by a team of Nurse Practitioners, Nursing students, Social Workers, Health Navigators and older adults.
Not only is the HAAI validated, but its holistic design measures an older adult’s wellbeing, strengths and vulnerabilities within seven key areas of life, uncovering opportunities to enhance wellbeing and promote healthier aging.
A senior is assessed with the HAAI typically by a Link or Social Worker 2-3 times over 2-12 months
Based on the senior’s goals and the results of the initial assessment, the assessor and senior collaborate to identify goals & actions to improve wellbeing and resilience
Actions are implemented and a final HAAI assessment is completed to measure change and celebrate progress
Summach, A. H., Chan, T. A., & O'Rourke, T. (2023). Healthy Aging Asset Index: A Novel Approach to Assessment and Intervention. The Journal of Aging and Social Change, 13(2), 87-102.
Mansell, B., Summach, A., Molen, S., & O'Rourke, T. (2024). Utilizing the Determinants of Healthy Aging to Guide the Choice of Social Prescriptions for Older Adults. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada, 44(9), 385-391.
If you or someone you know would like to experience what the HAAI has to offer and are based out of Edmonton, you can contact Sage at 780.423.5510 to request one of our staff to support you with it.
A number of Alberta-based senior serving agencies are starting to use the HAAI in some of their programs. Stay tuned to find out how you can participate in one of the following areas:
Calgary, Edson, Innisfail, Jasper, Red Deer County, Strathmore, Sylvan Lake, Vulcan
Or if you prefer to complete the process online, you may also do so by following the instructions below:
A permission of use process for the HAAI is currently being developed. To express your interest in using the HAAI in your programs, please send your request to narcha@mysage.ca along with a brief description of how you envision using the tool.
To learn more about NARCHA or the Healthy Aging Portal, please email narcha@mysage.ca or phone 780.423.5510 ext 370
