From Research to Validation: Stakeholders Convene to Strengthen Elder Care and Advocacy Programmes in Kenya and India
Nairobi, Kenya | June 2026
Ethel Foundation for the Aged (EFA), in collaboration with the Redemptorist Solidarity Office (RSO), is taking a significant step towards strengthening elder care and advocacy through the validation of findings from a learning process examining Redemptorist Elder Care and Advocacy Programmes in Kenya and Kerala, India.
The learning initiative was designed to capture experiences, document good practices, and identify lessons emerging from programmes that support older persons to age with dignity, remain active within their communities, and access holistic care and support services. The study brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including older persons, caregivers, programme staff, community leaders, partners, and experts working in the ageing sector.
Through interviews, consultations, case studies, and stakeholder engagements, the research explored how the programmes have responded to the evolving needs of older persons while promoting their rights, well-being, and social inclusion. The process also examined opportunities for strengthening programme effectiveness and expanding the impact of elder care interventions in different cultural and socio-economic contexts.
As part of the final stage of the learning process, EFA and RSO will convene a Virtual Validation Workshop on 22 June 2026. The workshop will bring together key stakeholders to review the draft Learning Paper and validate the findings, thematic analysis, recommendations, and the proposed Redemptorist Elder Care and Advocacy Model.
The validation workshop serves as an important quality assurance and learning exercise. Participants will have the opportunity to assess whether the findings accurately reflect the realities and experiences of programme beneficiaries and implementers, identify any gaps or areas requiring further clarification, and contribute to refining the recommendations that will guide future programming.
A key outcome of the research is the development of a proposed Redemptorist Elder Care and Advocacy Model, informed by evidence and grounded in the values of holistic, dignified, and person-centred care. The model seeks to provide a practical framework for strengthening elder care initiatives while promoting the participation, rights, and well-being of older persons.
The final Learning Paper is expected to contribute to ongoing discussions on ageing, social protection, community-based care, and advocacy for older persons. It will also provide valuable insights for faith-based organisations, development practitioners, policymakers, and other stakeholders working to address the opportunities and challenges associated with population ageing.
As populations continue to age across the world, evidence-informed approaches to elder care are increasingly important. The learning process undertaken by EFA and RSO demonstrates the value of listening to older persons, documenting lived experiences, and using evidence to strengthen programmes that ensure older persons are seen, heard, valued, and supported to age with dignity.
Ethel Foundation for the Aged extends its gratitude to all stakeholders, partners, caregivers, programme teams, and older persons who contributed their time, experiences, and expertise throughout the research process. Their insights have been instrumental in shaping a learning journey that seeks to advance more responsive, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to elder care and advocacy.
For more information about the Learning Paper and the validation process, please contact:
Ethel Foundation for the Aged (EFA)
P.O. Box 21414-00505, Nairobi, Kenya
Email: info@ethelfoundation.or.ke
Website: www.ethelfoundation.or.ke
