P&P October 2016

AUTHENTIC VOICE continued from page 10

To ensure a trusting relationship is established between the researchers and community partners, the Alliance has served as “cultural brokers” to facilitate transparent communications and learning between the academic and community partners. For example, the Alliance facilitated an informa- tional meeting between long-term health care providers in the West Palm Beach, Florida area and AJFCS to learn about the research. Community Support to Promote Aging in Place includes influence. “Ideally, we will find a significant impact in peer- to-peer support over the usual care in the community in terms of the way the older adults feel about their ability to age in their homes. That evidence can then be used to advocate for funding to disseminate and implement in the most helpful places. Plus, we have a mecha- nism to ensure it is being disseminated Impact and Action For Jacobs, the potential impact of Effectiveness of Peer-to-Peer

effectively and that the services are working well—due to the data we have collected authentically. Ultimately, we believe that this will also be of financial benefit to older adults and the commu- nities where they live,” she says. This project could offer many older adults the option of aging in their home with dignity because throughout the project, at all levels, authentic voice was inherently embedded, as it is in human-serving organizations. “Authentic voice is part of who we are; it’s in everything we do in a conscious way,” says Frumer of AJFCS. “This project is another example of our mission to strengthen communities, which means we are really focused on hearing these nuances that people present to us.” Pinsoneault agrees, “Authentic engagement isn’t just about hearing opinions and getting feedback from the people we seek to serve. It is about working alongside people rather than on their behalf, to truly understand their lived experience, and to build on the assets that already exist to create a better future.”

Transparency and Trust

To meet the goals of this project, all parties must trust not only in the process, but their partners and col- leagues. That begins with the funder. According to Jacobs, “PCORI asks that patients and family members and the people who are being studied actually have a say in the research. They want to know what questions are being asked and if we are doing it in a way that they can use that information to make it applicable to the lives of other older adults. That is innovative and pushing the envelope.” Most important to the project is estab- lishing trust. At Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, the peer training focuses on cultural sensitivity and formation of a partnership between the peer and the older adult. Says Castro, “Peers are encouraged to view the people they are visiting in a comprehensive way, as people with strengths, a rich past, and a lot to offer. Peer support is a partnership and the peer benefits greatly from the relationship as well.”

October 2016   Policy&Practice 35