raising the profile overvie · sessions, and activities targeted at seniors, with 2500 attending...

Raising the Profile Project

Raising the Profile Project

• ProjectHistoryandGoals

• ProjectStructureandScope

• KeyIssuesIdentified

• KeyProjectActivities

• ExpectedProjectOutcomes

Project History

• SeniorsCentresworkshopatconferencewithSeniorsAdvocate(Springof2015).

• PositivecontributionmadebySeniorsCentresinsupportingseniorstobuildnewsocialconnections,remainphysicallyandmentallyactive,andmaintaintheirhealthandindependence.

• Concernsaboutrecentfundingcutsandthelackofrecognitionofthevitalroleplayedbytheseservicesinthebroadercommunityandbygovernment.

• PressingneedforSeniorsCentrestohaveamuchhigherprofileandmoresupporttomeetthechallengesofitsagingpopulation.

Project History: Funding

• FundingforJuly2016– June2017tocoverresearchandconsultations,including:theUnitedWayBetteratHome,theSeniorsAdvocate,VanCity andtheCentreforNon-ProfitManagementandSustainability.

• LargestfunderistheBCMinistryofHealth(howcommunity-basedseniorservicesfitwithintheiroverallstrategicplanforseniorshealthcare).

Project Goals

• Raiseawarenessinthebroadercommunityandwithgovernment

• Documenttheunevenprovisionofandsupportfortheseservicesacrosstheprovince

• Outlineabusinesscaseforgreaterinvestmentinthissector.

• Identifyspecificcapacitybuildingstrategies/socialinnovations.

Project Scope

• TheDefinitionofCommunity-BasedSeniorsServices(CBSS):Abroaddefinitionthatincludesallnon-profitandmunicipalservicesthatprovideprogrammingforolderadultsincludingcommunitycentres,multi-serviceagencies,seniorscentres,communitycoalitions,neighbourhoodhouses.

• Identifyhowtobegin:Begantodevelopaprovincialnetworkofdirectserviceprovidersandorganizationsthatsupporttheseprovidersandtobeginaconversationabouthowtobuildthecapacityofthesectortoaddressthegrowingneedsofanagingpopulation.

Project Structure

RaisingtheProfileAdvisoryCommitteeincludesrepresentativesfromaroundtheProvince:

• non-profitorganizations• municipalitiesandrelatedassociations• funders

RaisingtheProfileSeniorsReferenceGroupincludesrepresentativesfromaroundtheProvinceto:

• Ensurethatseniors’concernsandexperiencesareaddressedinalltheprojectactivities

• Seniorswhoareorhavebeenleadershippositionsincommunity-basedseniorsservices

AdvisoryCommittee,SeniorsReferenceGroup,&otherprojectstructuresexpresslyseekdiversityandrepresentationintheirmembership

Issues

• Fundingreductionhasexacerbatedcompetitionandfragmentationofthesector.

• Needtofindnewwaystoworkmorecollaboratively.

• Needtoaddressthediversityoftheseniorspopulationandtheimportanceofreachingoutto isolatedandvulnerablepopulationsofseniors

• Largeproportionofseniorspopulationwithverylowincomeswhorelyonthesecommunity-basedservices.

Issues

• Rightbalanceofvolunteersandpaidstaff.

• UnevenprovisionofandsupportfortheseservicesacrossBCandmanyadditionalchallengesinruralcommunities.

• Noprovincial/regionalinfrastructuretosupportprogramco-ordination,effectiveevaluation,andinnovation.

• Roleofthesectorinsupportingpeoplewithsignificantmentalandphysicalhealthchallenges.

Key Project Activities

• LiteratureReview:

• BCPolicyContext

• ResearchonCommunityBasedSeniorsServices(CBBS)

• Evidenceofincreasedhealthcareutilizationandcostsrelatedtopoornutrition,socialisolationandbeingphysicallyinactive

• SurveyofBetteratHomeCoordinators

• ProgramProfiles

• InterviewswithProvincial,Regional,MunicipalOrganizations

• CommunityConsultations

• ProvincialSummit

Key Learnings

BestresearchonSeniorsCentresisfromtheU.S.:

Themaingoaloftheseniorcentermovementhasbeentooffersocializationopportunities fortheirelderlymembersandprovideservicesthatallowthemtoliveindependentlywithintheircommunities.Themandateforseniorcentershasbeenexpandedtoincludeafocusonpreventingordelayinglong-terminstitutionalizedcare(Pardasani,2004a).

SimilarlyinBC:• SeniorsCentresserveolder,lowincomeseniors,mostlywomen,

withincreasinglycomplexneeds.• Socialsupportiskeyandincreasinglythefocusisonprevention

andhealthpromotion.

Key Project Activities: Profiles

• FifteenProgramProfilesinsevencoreserviceareas:1. NutritionalSupports– ahotlunchprogram,communitykitchens,etc.2. WellnessProgram– wellnessclinics,peercounselling,outreachto

higherneedshomeboundseniorsrequiringmorestructuredprogram,chroniccaresupportgroups,etc.

3. PhysicalActivities– tailoredtopeople’sneedsandinterests4. Educational,Recreational,CreativeArtsprogramming5. Information,Referral,andAdvocacy– relatedtoincomesupport

programs,housing,healthservices,communityresources6. Transportation– accesstocommunityandhealthservices

7. AffordableHousing– essentialtosupportingpeopletoliveincommunity

1. Nutritional Supports

• Riskofmalnutritionveryhighforvulnerableseniors:

• 34%ofcommunitylivingseniorsinCanadaareatnutritionalrisk.

• Riskfactorsare:female,lowincome,complexconditions/disability,livingalone,lowsocialsupport,anddepression.

• Highernutritionalriskisassociatedwitha51%increaseinthelikelihoodthatanolderadultlivinginthecommunitywillbehospitalized.

• RecentCanadianstudyfound45%ofpatientsadmittedtohospitalmalnourishedwithprolongedstayscosting$2billiondollarsayear.


• NutritionalsupportsinSeniorsCentres:

• InUS,mealprogramsaremostfrequentlyutilizedserviceswith¾ofcentresofferingmealprogramsonsite.

• Usermostly:lowincome,female,fromracialandethnicminoritycommunities,livingalone

• ShiftawayfromMealsonWheelsmodelstowardmealsinsocialsettings(nutritionalbenefitsandsocializationopportunities).

• Eatingaloneassociatedwithpoornutritionalhealthinseniors.


• SilverHarbourSeniors’ActivityCentreFoodServices:

• For40years,everyweekday,servingnearly500mealsperweek.

• Subsidized:totalcostpermeal$11butparticipantsonlypay$8.

• Five-coursenutritiousmeal(enoughfor2meals).• 1.5FTEplusatleast4volunteersperday• Keybenefitsidentified:nutritionalbenefits,

quality/taste/varietyoffood,socializationopportunities,convenience,andgoodprice.

• Transportationavailableonsomedays.


“Irelyontheweekdaylunchprogramonadailybasis...IknewaboutSilverHarbourformanyyearsbutdidn’tstartgoingtillaftermysecondheartoperation….It’snotjustthefooditthepeopleyoucanchatwith…TheyhavewindowsontheworldthatIwouldneverhave.”

SilverHarbourSeniors’ActivityCentreFoodServicesParticipant


• Granisle HealthyLunchesProgram:

• Smallcommunity,almost2/3ofthepopulationareseniors,manyofwhomlivealone.

• Hugelypopularprogramwithdifferentgroupstakingturnshostingcommunitylunches(60-75peopleevery4-6weeks,providingopportunitiesforsocialization,ahotmeal,andinformationonnutritionandhealthyeating).

• Fundedfortwoyearsbygrantsthatthemunicipalityappliedfor,nowdiscontinuedastheywereunabletosecurefundingforathirdyear.

• Grantsonlyavailablefortrying“new”programs--- noon-goingsustainablefunding

• Newapproach:testingapartnershipwithalocalschoollunchprogram.

2. Wellness Programs

• SocialSupportasakeydeterminantofhealthforolderadults:• Socialsupport(keydeterminantofseniors’health)slowscognitive

decline,delaystheprogressionofphysicaldisability, hasapositiveimpactonmentalwell-being,andincreaseslongevity.

• Socialisolationassociatedwiththeincreasedriskofdepression,negativehealthbehaviors,falls,andchronicillnessplushigherutilizationofphysicianservices,increasedlikelihoodofhospitalization,re-hospitalization,andlongerstays.

• Wellnessprogramoutreachtoisolatedseniorsand/orthosewithmobilityandchronichealthissuesincludingwellnessclinics,peercounselling,supportgroups,etc.


• ShareandCareProgram:

• ApartnershipbetweentheFoodBank,SurreyParksandRecreation,andtheComeShareSociety.

• Alowbarrier,freeprogramforseniorsusingthefoodbankwheretheycansocialize,participateinwellnessprogramming,listentoguestspeakersandhaverefreshmentsandthenaccessthefoodbankataspecifictime-slotforseniors.

• Hasbeenverysuccessful– 30to40seniorsattendregularlyandthereareplanstoexpandtheprogramtoothercommunitiesintheSurreyarea.


• KeepingConnected:

• WestVancouverSeniors’ActivityCentre(municipaldepartment),morethan15weeklyKeepingConnectedprogramsfocusingonexercise,conversation,andsocialconnections,withsmalldrop-infee.

• Over500KeepingConnectedhigherneedsseniorparticipants:sufferedanisolatingloss(cognition,driver'slicence,physical,spouse).

• KeepingConnectedbreaksdownbarrierstoparticipationbyprovidingtransportation,instruction,one-on-onesupport,reminderphonecallsaboutprograms,andsupportforfamilies.

• Fundedbycommunitypartners,VancouverCoastalHealth,fundraising,grants,andfoundations.

3. Physical Activities

Theimportanceofregularexerciseforseniors’healthandwellness:

• PhysicallyinactiveCanadianseniorsusesignificantlymorehealthresourcesandincurover2.5timesthehealthcarecostsincomparisonwithphysicallyactiveseniors(additional$5.6billion/year)

• Only12%ofCanadiansaged60-79aremeetingtheCanadianPhysicalActivityGuidelines.

3. Physical Activities

• ChoosetoMove:

• Provincialevidence-basedprogramledbytheCentreforHipHealthandMobility,delivered inpartnershipwithBritishColumbiaRecreationandParksAssociation(BCRPA)andYMCAofGreaterVancouver.

• Participantsworkwithatrainedactivitycoachtodevelopapersonalizedphysicalactivityactionplancustomizedtotheirindividualneeds,interests,goals,resources,andabilities.

• 84%ofseniorsparticipatinghadoneormorechronicconditionwhentheyenrolled;afteronly3months’thereweresignificantimprovements:• increasedphysicalactivityratesby1.7daysperweek• increasedfeelingsofsocialconnectedness• decreasedfeelingsofloneliness

Building Resilience

• Underpins:

4. Educational,Recreational,CreativeArtsprogramming(meaning,connection)

5. Information,ReferralandAdvocacy(problemsolving)

6. Transportation(access)

• Abilitytobouncebackinfaceofadversity.

• Seniorswithsignificanthealthissuescancontinuetolivewellbecausetheyaresociallyconnected,abletofindmeaningandpurpose,andproblemsolve.

• Notjustapersonalcharacteristicbutimpactedbyfamilyandcommunityresourcesandlargersocialpolicies

4. Recreational Programming

• EmbraceAgingMonth:

• HeldbyVictoriaEldercareFoundationeveryMarchtoraiseawarenessofandconnectseniors(andtheirfamilies)withagingresources.

• Partnerwithotherorganizationstohostfreeevents,informationsessions,andactivitiestargetedatseniors,with2500attendingTradeExpoand1100attendingover30WellnessCentreworkshops.

• Provideseducation,createsawarenessofservices,connectsseniorswithserviceproviders,strengthensserviceproviderrelationships.

• Budgetof$10,000eachyear(donations)plusstaff/volunteersupport.

4. Recreational Programming

• Humjoli,ProgressiveInterculturalCommunityServicesSociety:

• ‘Peerfellowship’aimingtoreducesocialisolationthroughsocializing,participatingingroupactivities,receivingpeersupport,andconnectingwithcommunityresources.

• Minimalbudget:in-kinddonationofspaceandstaffsupport,committeeofnineexperiencedvolunteers.

• Empowerstheapproximately30participantsandencouragesthemtodevelopandsharetheirtalents,stayphysically,mentallyandsociallyactive,andconnectwithresources.

• Strengthsandchallenges:• ownershipoverandcontributionstothegroup• transportationcanbeamajorbarrierforseniorsattemptingto

accessprograms,particularlyiftheyarelow-income

5. Information, Referral & Advocacy

• Importantinsupportingseniors’resilience.

• Areascovered:incomesupports,housingservices,communityresources,accesstohealthservices.

• Manydifferentplayersinvolvedinaddressingthisissue,littleco-ordination.

• Strengthofthecommunity-basedservicessector:thein-personhands-onsupport,canbeintegratedwithotherprograms.

• Needforcapacitybuildinginthissector.

5. Information, Referral & Advocacy

• PrinceGeorgeCouncilofSeniors’SeniorsResourceCentreandInfoLine:

• Informationandreferralservicessince2002,in-persondrop-insorphonecalls(3000ofeach,annually),weekdaydaytime,forPrinceGeorgeandsurroundingareas.

• Informationandreferraltopicsarewideranging:federalandprovincialbenefits,municipalservices,communityevents,health,housing,incometaxes,transportation,plusassistancewithapplyingforgovernmentbenefitsandincometax.

• Overthecourseofaweek,normally6-10volunteersworkshiftswithstaffsupport(shadowing,mentoring,andtrainingsessionsforvolunteers).

• FundingthroughannualCommunityGamingGrant,NorthernHealthAuthority,CityofPrinceGeorge,donations,fundraisingandsmallprojectgrants(fundinginstabilityimpactsthecapacityoftheirinformationandreferralservices).

6. Transportation

• NorthandSouthDeltaSeniorsBuses:

• LimitedpresenceofTransitinthearea(a20mincardrivecanbeover2hoursbybus).

• KennedySeniorsRecreationCentrewasunabletogetTransittochangeabusroutesotheDeltaSeniorsPlanningTableandmunicipalityagreedtoworkonasolution.

• NorthDeltaSeniorsBuswaslaunchedin2013withabudgetofapproximately$90,000peryearandSouthDeltamorerecently(municipalfundingplusoneAge-FriendlyCommunitygranteach).

• Seniorsusethebusformedicalappointments,shopping,socialactivities,etc.onlywithininitsownregion.

• Serviceisfree(donationsaccepted),bookedinadvance,androutedbasedonrequests(NorthDelta5days/week,SouthDelta3days/week).

6. Transportation

• MountWaddingtonTransitSystem:

• AdvocacyworkbycommunitymembersandseniorsgroupswithinitialfundingfromVIHA.

• 2000peoplepermonth,withthreewheelchairaccessiblebuseswhichlinksmalltownsandFirstNationsplusindividualcarridesbyvolunteers.

• Fundedbyaregionaltax,BCTransitprovidesstaffandadministrativesupport,theTransitOperator(NorthIslandCommunityServicesSociety)runsthesystemandbillsBCTransit,whointurnbilltheRegionalDistrict.

7. Housing

• HousingisakeydeterminantofhealthbuttraditionallyCBSShavenotbeeninvolved(exceptinformationandreferralonhousing).

• 42%ofseniorrentersareincorehousingneedcomparedto29%ofnon-seniors(forsingle seniorrenters,54%ofsingleseniorwomenand45%ofsingleseniormenareincorehousingneed).Corehousingneed:spendingmorethan30%ormoreofbefore-taxhouseholdincomeonhousing(oftennothavingenoughdisposableincometocoverotherlivingcosts).

• ProvincialSAFERrentalsubsidyprogram(toliftlowincomeseniorsoutofcorehousingneed)hasnotbeenincreasedtoreflecttheriseinrentalcostsoverthelast10ormoreyearsplusnearly50%ofseniorsaren’tawareofSAFER.

• InMetroVancouver,38%increaseinseniorsapplyingforsubsidizedhousingfrom2012to2016andseniorshomelessnessincreasedfrom10%to18%from2005to2016.

7. Housing

• SeniorsServicesSociety:

• SupporthomelessseniorsandseniorsatriskofhomelessnessfromaroundMetroVancouver,with20temporaryhousingunits(couldeasilyfill5timesthis).

• Somefundingforrentsupplementsforthoseleavingmedicalcareintohomelessness,butonlyiftheclientmovesintomarkethousing(referralsfromhospitalsaroundMetroVancouver).

• UsedtohavefederalHomelessPreventionStrategyfundsfor2OutreachWorkersandothersupports-- nowseniorsmustbehomelessfor6monthsormorebeforetheycanbehelpedbyanon-senior-specifichomelessnessserviceagency.

7. Housing

• ChamplainHousingTrust,Vermont,USA:

• CommunityLandTrustinBurlington,startedin1984bythenMayorBernieSaunders,nowhashousingassetsworth$10million(mostlyrental,alsoco-opandprivate– allcostcontrolled).

• Partnershipwiththelocalandregionalgovernmentiskeytosuccess.

• Champlainrecentlystartedprovidinghomesforthechronicallyhomeless;thissavedtheregionalhealthcaresystemsignificantcosts.Asaresult,thelocalhospitaldonated$3milliontowardsmorehousingforthispopulation.

Expected Project Outcomes

• Bycompilingtheevidenceoftheimportantimpactofcommunity-basedseniorsservicesinBC,andengaginginsectorandprovince-widedialogue,thisprojectwillserveseniorsaroundtheprovinceby:

• Articulatingtheneedsoftheorganizationsthatserveseniors,andidentifyinghowtobuildcapacitytoensurethelong-termsustainabilityofsector.

• Creatingopportunitiesandmobilizingfunders,policymakers,andprovincialorganizationstoworkmorecollaborativelyandproactivelytosupporttheworkofthesector.

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