Exploring the life-affirming impact of wish-granting for older adults

Catherine Tong and Meaghan Davey, Centre for Health Care Research & Innovation

Conestoga’s Centre for Health Care Research & Innovation partnered with Chartwell Wish of a Lifetime to lead a research study on the impact of a wish-granting program for older adults. Through in-depth interviews with wish recipients and program staff across four provinces, the research explored how meaningful experiences influence well-being, connection, and purpose in later life. 

The findings reveal that these wishes are far more than one-time moments; they act as powerful catalysts for joy, reflection, and renewed engagement. Recipients described their experiences not as a final wish, but as a new beginning. The project outputs include a summary report, a knowledge translation video, and a presentation at the Canadian Association on Gerontology. These deliverables are already helping the partner organization demonstrate the value of their work to donors and decision-makers. 

This collaborative research challenges ageist narratives by centring vitality, meaning, and possibility in later life. With plans to publish the findings in a peer-reviewed journal, the study offers a novel contribution to gerontological research and lays the groundwork for continued partnership and advocacy that supports older adults across Canada.