Better at Home Program Evaluation Summary and Findings
This paper presents a structured program evaluation of the Better at Home initiative, a British Columbia government-funded program launched in 2012 and coordinated by United Way of the Lower Mainland. The evaluation, conducted by Chomik Consulting & Research Ltd., examines the program's goals of helping seniors remain in their homes and stay socially connected, the logic model evaluation design used, and a mixed-methods data collection approach. Key findings indicate that the program was implemented largely as intended, that seniors reported high satisfaction with services, and that funding sustainability and volunteer retention remain central concerns for long-term viability.
- Program Overview: Background and launch of Better at Home
- Goals and Objectives: Helping seniors live independently and stay connected
- Evaluation Design: Logic model approach and formative evaluation focus
- Data Collection Plan: Mixed-methods interviews and surveys across stakeholder groups
- Data Analysis and Interpretation: Results from seniors, coordinators, directors, and stakeholders
- Evaluation Findings: Program implementation, satisfaction, and service gaps
- Summary and Conclusions: Overall effectiveness and funding sustainability concerns
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What makes this paper effective
- Follows a clear, sequential structure that mirrors standard program evaluation methodology — from goal clarification through data collection to findings — making it easy to follow and assess.
- Integrates both qualitative and quantitative data sources, demonstrating awareness of mixed-methods approaches appropriate for community program evaluation.
- Maintains a professional, objective tone throughout, presenting both strengths and limitations of the program without overstating conclusions.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of the logic model framework to organize and justify the evaluation design. By distinguishing between formative and summative evaluation approaches and explaining how each applies to the program, the paper shows how theoretical frameworks can be practically applied to real-world policy evaluation — a key skill in public health and social service research.
Structure breakdown
The paper is organized into seven sections: a brief program overview; a statement of goals and objectives; an explanation of the logic model evaluation design; a description of the data collection methods; analysis of results drawn from multiple stakeholder groups; a detailed reporting of findings; and a concluding summary that assesses program effectiveness and sustainability. This structure closely mirrors a standard program evaluation report format used in public policy and social service contexts.
Program Overview
The Better at Home Program, prompted by the United Way of the Lower Mainland, was launched in 2012. It offers basic non-medical support services to seniors in British Columbia and is financed by the BC Government. Services are rendered by organizations within local communities through volunteers, workforce personnel, and service providers, and the types of services available are tailored to the needs of each community. Better at Home has been implemented in phases. At the time of this report, sixty establishments had been funded, fifty of which were actively providing Better at Home services. The program evaluation was conducted by Chomik Consulting & Research Ltd. during the initial phases of the program's implementation and focuses on the first sixteen Better at Home programs.
Goals and Objectives
The key goals and objectives of the program are to assist seniors in living longer in their own homes while remaining socially connected to others in their communities. The program evaluation is intended to provide information that supports operational planning and promotes the growth of Better at Home at both the regional and local program levels.
Evaluation Design
The evaluation design employed the logic model approach. This method offers a systematic way to examine the relationships among the resources dedicated to a program, the activities carried out, and the changes or outcomes that are achieved. The advantage of this approach is that it ensures effective collection and use of information, ongoing learning about the program, and sound documentation of results.
The logic model approach also incorporates two types of evaluation. Formative evaluation examines the procedures and core activities of a program and the way it progresses over time. Summative evaluation, by contrast, focuses on the program's objectives and the outcomes it achieves. In this case, emphasis was placed on the formative approach in order to generate baseline data and insights to support program improvements.
References
United Way of the Lower Mainland. (2014). Better at Home program evaluation: Summary of evaluation findings and recommendations. Retrieved from
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