Wellness Initiative for 

Senior Education (WISE)

1 

Program Description

The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education (WISE) is a curriculum-based health promotion program that aims to 

help older adults increase their knowledge and awareness of issues related to health and the aging process. 

Based on the health belief model of behavioral change, WISE provides older adults with the information and 

resources they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle and become empowered in regard to both their health and 

the health care they receive. Program objectives include helping participants to (1) understand how lifestyle 

choices and behaviors impact health; (2) learn to use tools and feel empowered to manage health care, 

particularly regarding the use of medications; (3) understand the aging process and how it affects the 

metabolism of alcohol and medications; (4) develop an appreciation for cultural and generational diversity, 

including their own increasing age; and (5) recognize the early signs and symptoms of depression.

The six-lesson WISE curriculum is delivered by trained substance abuse prevention specialists at small-group 

sessions held weekly over a 6-week period. Each lesson lasts 2–3 hours and normally includes breakfast or lunch. 

The lessons are presented through a mix of lecture, discussion, small-group activities, and individual exercises. 

Participants also are given tools and resources for use at home, helping to increase the likelihood that they will 

put into practice and share what they have learned.

Descriptive Information

Areas of Interest Health and wellness

Outcomes

Review Date: April 2011

 Knowledge and attitudes about alcohol and medications, aging, and depression

 Health and health care behaviors

 Medication management

Ages

 50–60 (Older adult)

 61–74 (Older adult)

 75–84 (Older adult)

 85+ (Older adult)

Genders  Female 

 Male 

Races/Ethnicities

 American Indian or Alaska Native 

 Asian

 Black or African American

 White

 Race/ethnicity unspecified

Settings Other community settings
2 

Geographic Locations

 Urban

 Suburban

 Rural and/or frontier

Adverse Effects No adverse effects, concerns, or unintended consequences were identified by the 

developer.

Implementation History

The New Jersey Prevention Network (NJPN) launched WISE in 1996, and the program 

has been locally implemented in over 1,300 senior centers, houses of worship, 

community centers, and senior living complexes throughout New Jersey, reaching

more than 40,000 older adults. In 2009 and in 2013, expansion outside of New Jersey 

was initiated through trainings conducted by NJPN to prevention agencies in Alaska 

and Kentucky. 

Adaptations No population- or culture-specific adaptations were identified by the developer. 

Quality of Research

Review Date: April 2011 

Documents Reviewed 

The documents below were reviewed for Quality of Research. The research point of contact can provide 

information regarding the studies reviewed and the availability of additional materials, including those from 

more recent studies that may have been conducted. 

Study 1

Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families. (2011, March). WISE program evaluation 

pretest/posttest/follow-up (Report originally prepared for the New Jersey Prevention Network in November 

2007) (Rev. ed.). Unpublished manuscript.

Study 2

Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families. (2011, February). The WISE program evaluation findings

(Report originally prepared for the New Jersey Prevention Network in August 2008) (Rev. ed.). Unpublished 

manuscript.

Study 3

Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families. (2011, February). Project WISE evaluation report (Report 

originally prepared for the New Jersey Prevention Network in December 2009) (Rev. ed.). Unpublished 

manuscript.

Supplementary Materials

Ma, L., Green, K. E., & Cox, E. O. (2008, March). Stability of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: A 

multidimensional item response theory analysis. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American 

Educational Research Association, New York, NY.
3 

Outcomes 

Outcome 1: Knowledge and Attitudes About Alcohol and Medications, 

Aging, and Depression 

Description of Measures

In one study, knowledge about the ability of the body to metabolize alcohol and 

medications was assessed using a self-report survey with 15 items created from the 

WISE curriculum. Participants were asked to choose the response that best described 

the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with each item, using a 4-point Likerttype scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Examples of items 

include “The effects of alcohol on the body and mind are the same regardless of age” 

and “I would feel comfortable talking to others if I were concerned about my ability 

to use over-the-counter medication safely.” 

In another study, knowledge and attitudes about alcohol and medications, aging, and 

depression were assessed using two measures:

 A self-report survey with 12 items created from the WISE curriculum. The items 

focused on knowledge of the early signs and symptoms of depression (e.g., 

“People who are depressed may have trouble making a decision or thinking 

clearly”) and the interaction between medications and alcohol (e.g., “Mixing 

alcohol with over-the-counter medications is generally safe”). 

 The 5-item Attitude Toward Own Aging Subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric 

Center Morale Scale. The items assessed the psychological well-being of older 

people (e.g., “As I get older, I feel less useful”).

For both measures, participants were asked to choose the response that best 

described the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with each item, using a 7-

point Likert-type scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” 

Key Findings

In one study, participants from four counties in New Jersey were randomly assigned 

to the 6-week WISE program or the no-treatment control group. Participants 

completed the survey at pretest, posttest, and 30-day follow-up. Compared with 

participants in the control group, those who completed WISE had increases over time 

in knowledge about the ability of the body to metabolize alcohol (p = .001) and 

medications (p = .006). These group differences were associated with medium effect 

sizes (eta-squared = .11 and .07, respectively).

In another study conducted the following year, participants from six counties in New 

Jersey were recruited from senior centers and senior housing complexes. Sites were 

randomly assigned to the 6-week WISE program or the no-treatment control group; 

participants in the control group were given the opportunity to receive WISE at the 

completion of the study. Participants completed the measures at pretest, posttest, 

and 30-day follow-up. Compared with participants assigned to the control group, 

those who completed WISE had improvements over time in psychological well-being, 

knowledge and attitudes about aging, knowledge of the interaction between 

medications and alcohol, and knowledge of the early signs and symptoms of 

depression (p = .007). 

Studies Measuring 

Outcome Studies 1 and 2
4 

Study Designs Experimental

Quality of Research Rating

(0.0–4.0 scale) 3.4

Description of Measures

Health and health care behaviors were assessed using a self-report survey with 9 

items that were adapted from the Communication Scale of the Interpersonal 

Processes of Care Survey. Using a 5-point Likert-type scale ranging from “never” to 

“always,” participants chose the response that best described how frequently they 

engaged in the health and health care behavior reflected in each item. Examples of 

items include “I tell my doctor my opinion about my care and treatment” and “I ask 

my doctor enough questions to get the information I need to make my own decisions 

about which treatment to choose.” The assessment, which was administered after 

the last session of the 6-week program, asked respondents to report on the 

frequency of their behaviors both before and after participating in WISE.

Key Findings

After receiving WISE, participants had an increase in the frequency in which they 

engaged in positive health and health care behaviors (p < .0005). This finding was 

associated with a large effect size (eta-squared = .14). 

Studies Measuring 

Outcome Study 3

Study Designs Preexperimental

Quality of Research Rating

(0.0–4.0 scale) 3.0

Outcome 3: Medication Management 

Description of Measures

Medication management was assessed using a self-report survey with 9 items that 

were adapted from the Communication About Medications Scales. Using a 5-point 

Likert-type scale ranging from “never” to “always,” participants chose the response 

that best described how frequently they engaged in medication management as 

reflected in each item. Examples of items include “I take over-the-counter medicine as 

directed” and “I read the instructions about prescription medicines before using 

them.” The assessment, which was administered after the last session of the 6-week 

program, asked respondents to report on the frequency of their behaviors both 

before and after participating in WISE. 

Key Findings

After receiving WISE, participants had an increase in the frequency in which they 

engaged in positive medication management (p < .0005). This finding was associated 

with a large effect size (eta-squared = .14). 

Studies Measuring 

Outcome Study 3

Study Designs Preexperimental

Outcome 2: Health and Health Care Behaviors 

Outcome 3: Medication Management 
5 

Quality of Research Rating

(0.0–4.0 scale) 3.0

Study Populations 

The following populations were identified in the studies reviewed for Quality of Research.

Study Age Gender Race/Ethnicity 

Study 1

 50–60 (Older adult)

 61–74 (Older adult)

 75–84 (Older adult)

 85+ (Older adult)

 80.3% Female 

 15% Male

 83.3% White 

 5.1% Black or African 

American

 2.1% Race/ethnicity 

unspecified

 1.7% Asian

 o.9% American Indian or 

Alaska Native

Study 2

 50–60 (Older adult)

 61–74 (Older adult)

 75–84 (Older adult)

 85+ (Older adult)

 73.1% Female 

 26.5% Male

 84.6% White

 10.7% Black or African 

American

 2.1% Race/ethnicity 

unspecified

 0.4% American Indian or 

Alaska Native

 1.3% Asian

Study 3

 50–60 (Older adult)

 61–74 (Older adult)

 75–84 (Older adult)

 85+ (Older adult)

Data not reported/available Data not reported/available

Quality of Research Ratings by Criteria (0.0–4.0 scale) 

Criterion 

Ratings 

Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 

Reliability of 

Measures 3.8 2.8 2.8

Validity of Measures 3.8 2.8 2.8

Intervention Fidelity 2.5 2.5 2.5

Missing Data and 

Attrition 3.8 3.5 3.5

Ratings Ratings 
 

6 

Criterion 

Ratings 

Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 

Potential 

Confounding

Variables

2.5 2.8 2.8

Appropriateness of 

Analysis 3.9 3.5 3.5

Overall Rating 3.4 3.0 3.0

Study Strengths

Some assessment tools used to determine WISE’s effectiveness in various outcomes are well documented in the 

research literature and supported in these studies as being appropriate for the target population. Other assessment 

tools were developed by the evaluator but had good evidence of reliability, as supported by Cronbach’s alpha 

coefficients. Intervention fidelity was well documented and addressed through multiple methods (e.g., instructor 

training, content analysis of participants’ program evaluations, instructor observations forms). Attrition was not an 

issue with the use of a retrospective design in one study, where a single assessment was used to collect past 

perceptions and current behavior. Missing data in all three studies were managed appropriately through statistical 

methods. In two studies, participants were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. One study reduced 

the potential for confounding variables by recruiting participants from two different sites. Although one study did not 

include a control group, its use of a retrospective pre- and posttest design was effective for the target population; the 

method avoided response-shift bias, which occurs when participants overestimate their knowledge, skills, and behaviors 

at baseline. In all three studies, statistical procedures were appropriate, and sample size and power were adequate.

Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were the only evidence presented for the reliability of assessment tools. Although 

survey questions were based on established measures for which validity had been determined, validity for the 

measures’ use with the specific target population was not well delineated. Objective observations of program 

implementation were not conducted, and a tested fidelity instrument shown to have reliability and validity was not 

used. In two studies, contamination between the intervention group and the control group was a potential 

confounding variable. In another study, a control group was not included, which raises concerns regarding potential 

confounding variables. The reports for the three studies do not mention how many different trainers there were and 

what efforts were made to reduce trainer effects.

Study Strengths

Study Weaknesses 

Ratings Ratings 
7 

Readiness for Dissemination

Review Date: April 2011 

Materials Reviewed 

The materials below were reviewed for Readiness for Dissemination. The implementation point of contact can 

provide information regarding implementation of the program and the availability of additional, updated, or 

new materials.

New Jersey Prevention Network. (2008). Wellness Initiative for Senior Education curriculum and training manual.

Lakewood, NJ: Author.

Program Web site, http://www.njpn.org/programs/wise/

Readiness for Dissemination Ratings by Criteria (0.0–4.0 scale) 

Criterion Rating 

Implementation Materials 2.8

Training and Support 2.5

Quality Assurance 2.5

Overall Rating 2.6

Dissemination Strengths 

The manual provides step-by-step guidance for implementation, including facilitator tips and evaluation tools. 

Materials are well organized and easy to use. The required facilitator training includes discussion of participant 

recruitment. The importance of both process and outcome evaluations is emphasized throughout program materials, 

and training includes discussion of the collection of quality assurance data. Implementation checklists, participant 

evaluation forms, process data collection tools, and participant surveys are provided to support quality assurance.

Dissemination Weaknesses 

No information is provided on facilitator qualifications. Little guidance is provided to facilitators on addressing the 

heterogeneity of the older adult population, given that older adult cohorts have varied needs and expectations. It is 

unclear how new implementers identify and register for training opportunities. The content and extent of ongoing 

support are not described in the materials. Little guidance is provided on the use of quality assurance data to improve 

program delivery.
8 

Costs

The cost information below was provided by the developer. Although this cost information may have been 

updated by the developer since the time of review, it may not reflect the current costs or availability of items 

(including newly developed or discontinued items). The implementation point of contact can provide current 

information and discuss implementation requirements.

Implementation Materials 

Item Description Cost 

Required by 

Developer 

Facilitator’s guide, implementation binder, and other 

materials $100 per set Yes

2-day, on-site facilitator training

$5,500 for up to 

20 participants, 

plus travel

expenses for two 

instructors

Yes (one training option is 

required)

2-day, off-site facilitator training

$425 per person 

(minimum of 10 

participants) 

Yes (one training option is 

required)

Translational Work

NJPN partnered with the Institute for Families at the School of Social Work, Rutgers University, to conduct three 

evaluations of WISE. 

The first evaluation was conducted with NJPN-affiliated agencies serving the New Jersey counties of Passaic, 

Ocean, Somerset, and Hudson in fall 2006 and spring 2007. The program evaluation used an experimental design 

with 137 older adults aged 60 or over receiving WISE and 97 older adults aged 60 or over being assigned to the 

control group. The development of the WISE Program Questionnaire, a self-administered survey to measure 

participant outcomes, was a collaborative effort between NJPN and the evaluation team. The WISE Program

Questionnaire is made up of items developed from the WISE curriculum as well as items from existing validated 

instruments measuring psychosocial outcomes with older adult populations. Participants were assessed at three 

points: pretest, posttest, and 30 days after the posttest. Efforts to maintain intervention fidelity included 

providing required instructor trainings and gathering qualitative data from both instructors and participants on 

intervention adherence. Findings from this evaluation included significant outcomes favoring WISE participants 

over control group participants in increases of knowledge about alcohol use and medication management.

Rutgers University conducted a second evaluation in fall 2007 with NJPN-affiliated senior centers and senior 

housing complexes in the New Jersey counties of Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, and 

Passaic. Study participants received WISE in fall 2007, and control group participants were scheduled to receive 

the program the following year. Outcome measures were collected through a modified version of the WISE 
9 

Program Questionnaire. The modified questionnaire assessed changes in knowledge about aging, alcohol and 

medication use, and symptoms of depression; changes in health behaviors; and changes in social integration. At 

posttest and at a 30-day follow-up, WISE participants had an increase in knowledge compared with control 

group participants; however, there were no statistically significant differences between WISE participants and 

control group participants in changes in health behaviors or social integration. 

The third evaluation—a retrospective pre-posttest evaluation—was conducted in December 2009 with 270 

seniors from NJPN-affiliated agencies from 12 counties in New Jersey. Findings indicated significant increases 

from pre- to posttest in health care empowerment and medication management. In addition, more than 84% of 

WISE participants reported changes in their behavior that promoted a healthier lifestyle.

Translational work was also initiated by a prevention agency in the Anchorage area of Alaska in 2009, but 

program implementation data are unavailable because the agency lost funding support soon after program 

training. In 2013, NJPN provided WISE training to prevention specialists in Kentucky, and data will be available 

when program implementation begins. 

Site With 

Translational 

Work 

Articles Describing Site’s Translational Work, by Category 

Planning/ 

Partners Adoption 

Reach/ 

Recruitment Implementation Effectiveness Maintenance 

Passaic, Ocean, 

Somerset, and 

Hudson 

Counties, NJ

Article 1 — Article 1 Article 1 Article 1 — 

Senior centers 

and senior 

housing 

complexes in 

Bergen, 

Burlington, 

Gloucester, 

Cumberland, 

Salem, and 

Passaic 

Counties, NJ

Article 2 — Article 2 Article 2 Article 2 — 

Twelve 

counties 

throughout NJ

Article 3 — Article 3 — Article 3 — 
10

Article 

Number Article Reference 

1 

Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families. (2011, March). WISE program evaluation 

pretest/posttest/follow-up (Report originally prepared for the New Jersey Prevention Network in 

November 2007) (Rev. ed.). Unpublished manuscript.

2 

Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families. (2011, February). The WISE program evaluation 

findings (Report originally prepared for the New Jersey Prevention Network in August 2008) (Rev. 

ed.). Unpublished manuscript.

3 

Rutgers School of Social Work, Institute for Families. (2011, February). Project WISE evaluation 

report (Report originally prepared for the New Jersey Prevention Network in December 2009) 

(Rev. ed.). Unpublished manuscript.

Contacts

To learn more about implementation or research, contact:

Diane Litterer, M.P.A., CPS

New Jersey Prevention Network

(732) 367-0611

dianelitterer@njpn.org 

Additional program information can be obtained through the following Web site: 

http://www.njpn.org/programs/wise/

This intervention summary was developed through funding from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), 

Administration on Aging (AoA). The summary contains information from the Quality of Research and Readiness 

for Dissemination reviews that were completed in April 2011 for the intervention summary developed by the 

National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP), which is funded by the Substance Abuse 

and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).