Population Health Fund

PHFN FUNDING PRIORITIES

Population Health Fund
National Management and Program Services Directorate
Public Health Agency of Canada

SENIORS' HEALTH

Remember to choose only one of the priorities listed below.

Proposals submitted under this priority should consider the needs of marginalized seniors - older senior women, seniors living alone, seniors with low literacy, seniors who are visible minorities and immigrants, seniors with disabilities, and seniors in remote or isolated environments.

Priorities for action in this area include the following:

Seniors' Mental Health

Seniors are at risk of mental health problems such as loneliness, anxiety and depression. Illness, decreased mobility, chronic pain and psycho-social losses such as the death of a spouse can lead to mental health problems and heighten the risk of suicide.

Proposals must address at least one of the following:

• Develop prevention or early detection intervention strategies that identify and mitigate risks, including early warning signs and other symptoms of mental health problems. This could include educating and raising the awareness of health care professionals and the public.

• Develop an inventory of proven mental health promotion interventions. This could include addressing the stigmas associated with mental illness.

• Identify best practices and evidence of success for program/strategies that foster supportive networks and connections among seniors, their families and caregivers, health care professionals, and others facing similar challenges.

Safe and Supportive Environments

Disability

A significant number (40%) of Canadians aged 65 and over have at least one disability. Even though they comprise almost half of Canada's disabled population, seniors often do not see themselves as being disabled. As the average age of Canada's population continues to rapidly increase, the country's disabled population will also grow.

Proposals must address at least one of the following:

• Enhance awareness and knowledge of the barriers and issues affecting seniors with disabilities, including seniors with lifelong disabilities.

• Develop and strengthen collaborations and partnerships among disability and seniors' organizations to acknowledge and address the needs of disabled seniors.

Assistive Devices/Technology

Assistive devices/technology can play a key role in maintaining a senior's independent lifestyle. However, seniors may have a negative view of assistive devices and technology and be reluctant to use them. This under-utilization of assistive devices/technology can have broad individual and social consequences, as it significantly decreases the quality of life of seniors and increases the use of the health system.

Proposals must address at least one of the following:

• Increase awareness of the potential health benefits of assistive devices/technology.

• Develop public awareness, home care/community care professional education and evaluation initiatives that address barriers to the use of assistive devices/technology by seniors.

Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults

The abuse - physical, sexual, financial and psychological - and neglect of older adults can lead to serious health problems. They are under-reported and often overlooked because of ageist attitudes. A key challenge for those seeking help is that the responsibility for addressing abuse and neglect does not lie with one agency, but is a social responsibility that involves many community partners. There is also a lack of awareness of promising initiatives and strategies across the country.

Proposals must address at least one of the following:

• Demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated community support networks and interventions and develop best practice models.

• Increase public and professional awareness of the health effects of abuse of older adults.

• Develop professional education and training initiatives for the health, community services and/or justice sectors that encourage positive views of aging.

Falls Prevention

Falls constitute the major cause of injury among Canadian seniors; one in three will suffer a fall this year. Falling and fear of falling can decrease engagement in daily activities and threaten continued independence.

Proposals must address at least one of the following:

• Develop a strategy integrating interventions to reduce falls by seniors living in the community and those living in institutions.

• Develop or enhance supports for seniors who have experienced a fall to enable a smoother recovery and easier re-integration into their communities.

Healthy Aging

Evidence indicates that physical activity and nutrition may reduce or prevent the burden of chronic diseases in later life.

Proposals must address at least one of the following:

• Build on evidence of proven interventions in the areas of nutrition and physical activity, with special attention to malnutrition, food security and healthy weights.

• Strengthen evidence pertaining to the effectiveness of health promotion and attainable health benefits in later life.

BEST PRACTICES

In response to the PHFN's program evaluation and stakeholder consultation, this solicitation supports the continuation of successfully completed PHFN-funded projects that fit a current priority through the theme of Best Practices.

The PHFN defines Best Practices as having four elements:

• innovative - they have developed new and creative solutions;
• make a difference - they have demonstrated a positive impact;
• sustainable - they continue even after the original funding has ended; and
• potential for replication - they can serve as models for generating policies and initiatives in various locations.

Proposals for best practices projects should focus on one of the following options:

1. strengthening the evaluation component of a completed project that has the potential to be identified as a best practice; or
2. supporting the replication of a completed project that has already undergone a rigorous evaluation and could be considered a best practice.

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