Appendix B: More Promising Practices

[Previous] [Table of Contents]

1.  The Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) was developed at the Stanford University Arthritis Centre. Participants reduced their pain and utilization of medical services, sometimes reduced disability, and improved their quality-of-life. Education about diet and medications, group support, problem solving and assistance in the development of a personal exercise regime are all important components of the program (Health Canada, 1997).

2.  St. Christopher's Health Action Theatre for Seniors (HATS) in Toronto includes Portuguese- and Vietnamese-speaking senior actors. The troupe created 27 different non-verbal short plays on health-related topics such as caregiving, heart health, nutrition, substance abuse, and communication with health providers. The HATS program was effective in reaching St. Christopher's senior immigrant communities (HATS 2005).

3.  Best Practice in Seniors' Mental Health Program and Policy Design , sponsored by the British Columbia Psychogeriatric Association, is designed to affect knowledge, practice and policy in mental health by developing the capacity of communities across Canada to promote and support seniors' mental health through adoption of the Seniors Mental Health Policy Lens (SMHPL) as a best practice and evaluating the outcome. The SMHPL is an analytical tool, made up of a set of questions intended to raise awareness about factors that impact seniors' mental health (Seniors Psychosocial Interest Group, 2005).

4. The  Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC) is an initiative of the Ontario Public Health Association, funded by the provincial Ontario Ministry of Healthy and Long Term care. In support of the NRC's goals to strengthen the capacity of practitioners across Ontario to deliver quality nutrition programming in a health promotion context, it has developed multilingual fact sheets on healthy eating for healthy aging (in Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese (NRC).

5.  Home Adaptations for Seniors Independence (HASI) is sponsored by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). It helps homeowners and landlords pay for minor home adaptations to extend the time seniors with low-income and disabilities can safely live in their homes independently. Evaluation of HASI indicates that 80 percent of HASI clients have found that their lives have been made more comfortable, safer, and increased their ability to live independently (CMHC, 2006).

6. The  British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) is a unique entity, a province-wide partnership between the Centre for Community Child Health Research, BC Ministry of Health and BC Children's Hospital. It is a successful example illustrating the importance of researchers and policy-makers working together, sharing information and coordinating efforts on research and prevention practices to reduce the risk of injuries. The four pillars on which the IRPU stands are surveillance, research, dissemination and education. One of the key thematic areas at the IRPU is falls prevention amongst older adults (BCIRPU, 2005).

7. The  National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization (NIICHRO) conducted a survey in Aboriginal communities across Canada about what works in programs for their frail elderly. To increase opportunities for physical activity, social engagement and healthy aging among Aboriginal elders who are frail, they concluded that the focus of such programs should include dealing with isolation, boosting self-esteem, retaining culture, encouraging interaction and supporting family caregivers (NIICHRO, 2004).

8. The Feeling Better Program in Guelph and Wellington, Ontario assists frail, homebound older adults by decreasing their isolation and increasing their physical activity through free, volunteer, in-home exercise visits. The volunteer may also reintroduce the participant to community services and programs, if this is in keeping with the individual's goals (Pyra, 2003).
Source:
Pyra K. (2003). Promoting Healthy Aging and Seniors' Wellness: An Environmental Scan. Prepared for the F/P/T Committee of Officials (Seniors).

9. The Evergreen Wilderness Tour is a wilderness canoe trip for adults 55 and over. With the help of two guides, participants paddle and portage a series of Ontario's beautiful lakes. Participants are both novices and experienced campers. An explicit effort is made to not exclude people based on age or assumptions about how age might preclude participation (Pyra, 2003).
Source:
Pyra K. (2003). Promoting Healthy Aging and Seniors' Wellness: An Environmental Scan. Prepared for the F/P/T Committee of Officials (Seniors).

10.  Aînées en Marche/Go Ahead Seniors Inc. is part of the Healthy Active Living Program for Older Adults. It is an innovative, bilingual program aimed at helping New Brunswick older adults make more informed choices about their health and well-being through health education, personal empowerment and prevention. Older adults gain information and discuss areas of concern through five central themes including: wise use of medication, stress reduction, physical activity, healthy eating and healthy choices. A sixth theme has been added this year on falls prevention. All sessions are free of charge (Pyra, 2003).

11. Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art, has been used to reduce the incidence of falls and increase the functioning and sense of well-being in older adults. In one randomized controlled study, a group of 200 seniors, 70 years and older, underwent Tai Chi training two times a week for 15 weeks. They reduced falls by 47.5 percent compared with a matched group that attended a discussion-only meeting. Study researchers noted that more than half of the participants chose to continue Tai Chi after the study's completion (Scott, Peck and Kendall, 2004).
Source:
Scott V, Peck S, Kendall P. (2004). Prevention of falls and injuries among the elderly: A special report from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer. Victoria: BC Ministry of Health Planning.

 

[Previous] [Table of Contents]