Strengthening the Capacity to Support Healthy Aging

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As Canadians live longer, it is important to enhance their capacity to age well. This can be achieved by enabling communities through supportive informal networks, and formal service systems that support their health and well-being.

The challenge for action is to foster personal support networks, caring communities, appropriate health, and other social systems that support healthy aging, by:

• Strengthening the capacity of organizations and networks, at both the national and community levels, to identify and effectively address issues relating to seniors and healthy aging, with a focus on enhancing knowledge and skills, developing innovative approaches, tools and resources, and establishing coalitions, networks and collaborative partnerships.

NB: Projects are listed in alphabetical order by project title (in language of origin).

Title:	Best practice models of self-managed care: their application for seniors
Project #:	6785-15-1998/0390055 (IYOP)
Organization:	Canadian Home Care Association 17 York Street - Suite 401 Ottawa, Ontario K1N 9J6 Web site: www.cdnhomecare.on.ca (External link)
Start Date:	January 6, 1999
End Date:	October 30, 2000
Budget :	1999/2000	$20,090
	2000/2001	$63,664
	2001/2002	$20,436
	Total:	$104,190

 

The Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) is a national association representing publicly-funded home care programs, provider agencies, consumers, researchers and others with an interest in home care and community support. CHCA is also dedicated to quality home care and community support services which enable people to stay in their homes and communities with safety and dignity.

Partners:
One Voice and Université Laval.

Project:
The project identified and compared models of self-managed care throughout Canada and other parts of the world. It identified the best-practice elements and issues in developing and implementing such models and described the clients who use the self-managed care models and the criteria that contribute to the models' success. It also provided recommendations for the implementation of "best-practice" self-managed care models.

Products/Results:

• Final report including an information booklet for the practitioners and participants and recommendations.

Title:	Bringing nutrition screening to seniors
Project #:	6785-15-2000/0390336
Organization:	Dietitians of Canada 480 University Avenue, Suite 604 Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V2 Tel.: 416-596-0857 Web site: www.dietitians.ca (External link)
Start Date:	August 8, 2000
End Date:	July 8, 2003
Budget :	2000/2001	$16,841
	2001/2002	$96,356
	2002/2003	$115,765
	2003/2004	$88,008
	Total:	$316,970

 

Dietitians of Canada is an association representing approximately 5,000 dietitians across Canada. The primary purpose of the association is to support members as advocates for the health of Canadians through food and nutrition.

Partners:
This is a collaborative national project developed by Dietitians of Canada (DC) and the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition (FRAN) at the University of Guelph. Other partners are VON Canada, One Voice, Canadian Association for Community Care, Canadian Association of Retired Persons, and Canadian Home Care Association.

Project:
To enhance the understanding of the importance of nutrition as a key factor in healthy aging, DC and FRAN are implementing and assessing an intersectoral model on the use of SCREEN^© , a validated nutritional risk screening tool for older adults. This project is strengthening the capacity of communities to identify nutritional risk in seniors and identify the capacity of current community resources to address this identified nutritional risk with the help of an Implementation Guide, an Educational Resource Directory, and executive summaries of project findings, including policy implications.

Products/Results:

Available upon completion of the project.

Title:	The Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) Symposium 1999: from research to policy and practice
Project #:	6785-15-1998/0390173
Organization:	University of Ottawa Epidemiology & Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine 451 Smyth Road Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5 Tel.: 613-562-5410 Web site: www.medicine.uottawa.ca/epid/ (External link)
Start Date:	February 28, 1999
End Date:	December 15,1999
Budget :	1998/1999	$25,499
	1999/2000	$124,495
	Total:	$149,994

 

The mission of the Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, is to contribute to health promotion and disease prevention by providing a scholarly environment for community health sciences that stimulates and enhances learning, to expand knowledge through research, and to offer expertise and advice to persons and agencies in other fields.

Partners:
Canadian Association on Gerontology, the Alzheimer Society of Canada and researchers in the field of seniors and aging from across Canada.

Project:
The project promoted and disseminated CSHA findings beyond the academic sector to broader audiences. It communicated these results to policy makers, service providers, health practitioners, care agencies, stakeholders and caregivers in a manner that was conducive to translating study results into practice. It was achieved through the organization of a workshop, held in April 1999, that considered CSHA results and explored the implication of CSHA findings for future program and policy development. Participants discussed key CSHA findings relating to dementia, caregiving and frailty, considered the practical implications arising from these findings, and developed policy options.

Products/Results:

• Proceedings: "The Canadian Study of Health and Aging: from research to policy and practice" (also available in French).

Title:	Closing the care gap
Project #:	6785-15-1998/0390219
Organization:	Canadian Association on Gerontology 100 - 824 Meath Street Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 6E8 Tel.: 613-728-9347 Web site: www.cagacg.ca (External link)
Start Date:	February 3, 1999
End Date:	March 9, 2000
Budget :	1998/1999	$30,000

 

The Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) is a national, not-for-profit, multidisciplinary, scientific and educational association that provides leadership in matters relating to the aging population.

Partners:
Seniors organizations of all levels and Medical Societies.

Project:
The project organized the invitational national forum on Closing the Care Gap in March 1999 in response to concerns raised by many stakeholders. The forum brought together 150 key stakeholders (researchers, health care consumers, care providers, etc) to discuss the development of effective and appropriate health care policies and health practices for all Canadians.

Products/Results:

• Proceedings: "National Forum on Closing the Care Gap" (also available in French).

Title:	Design for aging: process for product assessment project
Project #:	6785-15-2001/0390604
Organization:	Canadian Standards Association 5060 Spectrum Way Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5N6 Tel.: 416-747-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-463-6727 Web site: www.csa.ca (External link)
Start Date:	May 21, 2002
End Date:	March 31, 2004
Budget :	2002/2003	$64,800
	2003/2004	$41,200
	Total:	$106,000

 

CSA International (Canadian Standards Association) is an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving business, industry, government and consumers, and the global marketplace. CSA helps promote public health and safety by developing standards, certifying products, and registering management systems.

Partners:
CSA will have the opportunity to build on existing relationships with key stakeholders in the seniors and standards communities.

Project:
The project's aim is to identify the most effective process for assessing the usability of products by seniors, as well as incorporating the model approach (as identified by the Seniors Volunteers on Standards Work project), for the effective participation of seniors in the process. The project will also develop baseline information that can be used by CSA and other groups to determine the value and feasibility of a program in assessing the usability of products by seniors.

Products/Results:

Available upon completion of the project.

Title:	Diabetes and aging in Aboriginal communities
Project #:	5555-15-1997/0000007
Organization:	National Indian & Inuit Community Health Representative Organization P.O. Box 1019 #One Roy Montour Lane Kahnawake, Quebec J0L 1B0 Web site: www.niichro.com (External link)
Start Date:	November 17, 1997
End Date:	March 31, 1998
Budget :	1997/1998	$147,350

 

The National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization (NIICHRO) is a non-governmental organization incorporated in 1992 to assist Community Health Representatives (CHRs) in improving the health status of Indian and Inuit people to the level enjoyed by most of the Canadian population.

Partners:
Lifescan Educational Institute and Johnson and Johnson.

Project:
This project provided an updated review of programs and resources on the issue of diabetes and aging in the Aboriginal community. In order to raise awareness and to encourage lifestyle adaptation, NIICHRO developed a training package based directly on the emotional, social, material and spiritual realities of aging aboriginal seniors. They provided for the training of 250 community health representatives at the Fifth National Training Session of NIICHRO.

Products/Results:

• Training Kit: "Diabetes and Aging in Aboriginal Communities," including a video (also available in French).

Title:	Healthy aging in caring communities: a cross-cultural approach
Project #:	5555-15-1997/0000067
Organization:	Canadian Ethnocultural Council 176 Gloucester Street, Suite 400 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0A6 Tel.: 613-230-3867 Web site: www.ethnocultural.ca (External link)
Start Date:	December 3, 1997
End Date:	May 22, 1998
Budget :	1997/1998	$140,420

 

The Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC) was established in 1980 with the objectives of providing a forum for communication among different ethnocultural communities for Canada; and of disseminating to the Canadian public, government, elected officials, media and other agencies, information on ethnocultural communities and their concerns.

Partners:
National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization (NIICHRO), S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Saskatchewan Provincial Council (UCC-SPC).

Project:
To empower ethnocultural seniors to address their health and well-being, the CEC delivered a cross-cultural model on the use and misuse of medication by ethnocultural seniors, and developed intervention strategies which are culturally appropriate and relevant. The project was delivered in five selected sites, where it trained health workers and community leaders, and promoted the approach to other community organizations.

Products/Results:

• Final report including valuable directions for the future and the list of trainers and organizations that participated in each of the five centres.
• Products from a previous project (Training Tools, including a video, resource manual and resource kit) were used for the training sessions.

Title:	An initiative to bring the corporate volunteer program to communities across Canada
Project #:	5555-15-1997/0000035
Organization:	Don Mills Foundation for Senior Citizens 1 Overland Drive Toronto, Ontario M3C 2C3 Tel.: 416-447-7244 Web site: www.dmfseniors.org (External link)
Start Date:	December 3, 1997
End Date:	June 30, 1998
Budget :	1997/1998	$53,063

 

The Don Mills Foundation for Senior Citizens Inc. is a not-for-profit community organization of volunteers and professionals committed to serving the well-being and social needs of seniors through a broad range of services and a commitment to a continuum of care.

Partners:
Complete Geriatric Care (CGC), the Royal Bank of Canada and St. Elizabeth Health Care.

Project:
The project promoted the recruitment of volunteers from within companies through the development of a Corporate Volunteer Program (CVP). The CVP Model encourages the building of strong new bridges between the business world and community services providers. The project helped Canadians in later life remain in the community, with independence and dignity, for as long as safely possible and finally, it prepared Canada's communities for the coming restructuring of health care services in Canada, particularly in long-term care.

Products/Results:

• Brochure: "Bridges - Only You Can Do It"
• Information Kit
• Videos and manual, Phase I

Title:	Mature consumer
Project #:	6785-15-1999/0390233 (IYOP)
Organization:	Alberta Tourism Education Council 1600, 8215-112 Street NW Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2C8 Tel.: 780-423-9225 Toll-free: 1-800-265-1283 Web site: www.atec.ca (External link)
Start Date:	July 2, 1999
End Date:	July 2, 2002
Budget :	1999/2000	$80,452
	2000/2001	$38,600
	2001/2002	$51,830
	2002/2003	$3,750
	Total:	$174,632

 

The Alberta Tourism Education Council (ATEC) is a not-for-profit corporation created in 1986. Its mandate is to support businesses and organizations that have human resource development needs, and to offer business training solutions to improve the level of professionalism and the quality of customer experience.

Partners:
Alberta Council on Aging and tourism education councils in other provinces, Chambers of Commerce, Community Future groups and economic development councils.

Project:
ATEC is seeking to enhance the health and quality of life of seniors by helping the business sector to provide "senior-friendly" services to its clientele. The project is demonstrating to businesses the benefits of providing "senior-friendly" services, and is providing them with the knowledge and skills to identify the needs of the senior customer and to modify their service delivery and facilities to meet those needs.

Products/Results:
Available upon completion of the project.

Title:	2nd National Aboriginal Symposium
Project #:	6785-15-1998/0390164 (IYOP)
Organization:	Métis National Council 350 Sparks Street, Suite 201 Delta Office Tower Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8 Tel.: 613-232-3216 Toll-free: 1-800-928-6330 Web site: www.metisnation.ca (External link)
Start Date:	January 28, 1999
End Date:	March 31, 2000
Budget :	1998/1999	$17,050
	1999/2000	$45,050
	Total:	$62,100

 

The Métis National Council is the national representative and voice of the Métis Nation in Canada. It acts as an advocate and negotiator for the Métis people with the Government of Canada and at national conferences and fora, and represents the interests of the Métis people on the international stage.

Partners:
Assembly of First Nations, Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, Métis Nation of Alberta, Native Women's Association of Canada and Treaty 8 (Alberta)/Treaty 8 Health Authority.

Project:
The symposium brought together Elders and seniors from various Aboriginal peoples and communities - First Nations, Métis and Inuit - along with key organizations representing these Aboriginal peoples and service providers. It provided a unique opportunity to discuss the issues faced by Elders and seniors, and to collaboratively develop community-based programs and services to address these issues. The key themes for the symposium were health, support programs, aids to daily living, traditional medicine and wellness, elder abuse, and housing.

Products/Results:
Final report including a symposium summary.

Title:	Peer support programs: learning from the experience of others
Project #:	5555-15-1997/0000040
Organization:	Nova Scotia Centre on Aging Mount Saint Vincent University 166 Bedford Highway Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 2J6 Tel.: 902-457-6546 Web site: www.msvu.ca/campus-information/caging/ (External link)
Start Date:	October 28, 1997
End Date:	July 15, 1998
Budget :	1997/1998	$44,650

 

The Nova Scotia Centre on Aging (NSCA), one of fourteen university based centres on aging across Canada, is affiliated with the Mount Saint Vincent University's Department of Gerontology. The NSCA has a three fold mandate to establish standards of excellence in research, continuing education, and community outreach/consultation on age-related issues.

Partners:
Canadian Pensioners Concerned, the academic community, governments, private sector, senior and voluntary/professional organizations.

Project:
In recognition of the key role that peer support provides in the informal care sector within communities, this project enhanced the understanding of what factors contributed to the viability of Peer Support Programs. It identified a "best practice" program model and made recommendations to major funders, particularly Health Canada, about how to ensure that peer support survives and thrives in our communities.

Products/Results:

• Final report including recommendations.

Title:	Psychosocial approaches to mental health challenges of later life
Project #:	6785-15-2001/0390605
Organization:	British Columbia Psychogeriatric Association (BCPGA) 1665 Grant Avenue, 2nd floor Nanaimo, British Columbia V9S 5K7 Tel.: (250) 755-3301 Web site: www.bcpga.bc.ca (External link)
Start Date:	May 28, 2002
End Date:	March 31, 2004
Budget :	2002/2003	$70,416
	2003/2004	$128,964
	Total:	$199,380

 

The British Columbia Psychogeriatric Association (BCPGA) is a provincial nonprofit multi-disciplinary organization interested in developing and sharing knowledge and expertise, with the goal of benefiting seniors with mental health problems.

Partners:
Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Geriatric Nurses Association as well as representation in four regions of Canada, including a provincial seniors' organization, provincial psychogeriatric associations and provincial mental health programs serving seniors.

Project:
The project is identifying psycho-social strategies to promote, prevent or address seniors' mental health problems. The project is also developing a mental health impact model to assess the effect of policies and programs on seniors' mental health, as well as developing useful community resources based on the findings of this project.

Products/Results:
Available upon completion of the project.

Title:	Seeking solutions: Canadian community action for seniors and alcohol abuse
Project #:	6785-15-2000/0390343
Organization:	Seniors Well Aware Program 3rd Floor, 411 Dunsmuir Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1X4 Tel.: 604-687-7927 Web site: www.swapbc.ca (External link)
Start Date:	August 22, 2000
End Date:	August 22, 2003
Budget :	2000/2001	$53,258
	2001/2002	$72,481
	2002/2003	$104,894
	2003/2004	$46,527
	Total:	$277,160

 

The Seniors Well Aware Program (SWAP) is a non-profit organization which has been helping seniors who have alcohol or other substance abuse problems in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia since 1981. The agency's mission is to promote the well-being of seniors who are facing challenges such as social isolation, substance misuse/abuse, and elder abuse.

Partners:
Over 20 organizations representing specialists in addictions and aging, seniors and care providers from across Canada.

Project:
SWAP proposed this project to enhance the capacity of communities across Canada to understand and address problem alcohol use in seniors. Through a review of existing resources, focus groups and stakeholder workshops, the project aims to identify best practices in informing, reaching and assisting seniors with alcohol challenges, as well as to develop effective community development approaches that address the issue.

Products/Results:
Upon completion of the project, these best practices and successful strategies will be captured in a series of worksheets addressing close to 40 topics.

Title:	Senior Friendly Canada initiative
Project #:	6785-15-1998/0390020 (IYOP)
Organization:	Alberta Council on Aging #104, 10010 - 107A Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5H 4H8 Tel.: 780-423-7781 Toll-free: 1-800-423-9666 Web site: www.seniorfriendly.ca (External link)
Start Date:	September 30, 1998
End Date:	June 30, 2000
Budget :	1999/2000	$62,936
	2000/2001	$209,498
	Total:	$272,434

 

The Alberta Council on Aging (ACA) is a voluntary organization of groups, individuals and agencies in Alberta, concerned with the process of aging. It seeks to increase understanding of the impact of aging on both individuals and society.

Partners:
ACA received the assistance of a national network of partners and supporters from various sectors, including national, provincial and local seniors organizations, consumer and educational organizations, private sector groups, business and government representatives and agencies.

Project:
ACA created and supported senior friendly communities, programs and services across Canada. The project included the development of educational products and a national launch in Ottawa of the Senior Friendly initiative as part of celebrations for International Year of Older Persons.

Products/Results:

• Senior Friendly: Tool kit (also available in French)
• Friendly Seniority video (also available in French)
• Community guidebook (also available in French)
• Web page: www.seniorfriendly.ca/seniorfriendly.htm (External link)

Title:	Seniors - Volunteers in Standards Work
Project #:	6785-15-2000/0390328
Organization:	Canadian Standards Association 5060 Spectrum Way Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5N6 Tel.: 416-747-4000 Toll-free: 1-800-463-6727 Web site: www.csa.ca (External link)
Start Date:	October 1, 2000
End Date:	October 1, 2003
Budget :	2000/2001	$11,900
	2001/2002	$82,209
	Total:	$94,109

 

CSA International (Canadian Standards Association) is an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving business, industry, government and consumers, and the global marketplace. CSA helps promote public health and safety by developing standards, certifying products, and registering management systems.

Partners:
International Organization for Standardization, Canada Safety Council, and the Standards Council of Canada.

Project:
To ensure that the concerns of older persons are incorporated into the development and application of standards that affect seniors, the CSA developed a "model" of seniors' participation in standards development. The project involved a literature search and consultations with seniors groups, standards volunteers, and other relevant stakeholders to identify the barriers to participation by seniors and developed recommendations for solutions.

Products/Results:
Available upon completion of the project.

Title:	Urban Aboriginal health promotion
Project #:	5555-15-1997/0000057
Organization:	National Association of Friendship Centres 275 Maclaren Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0L9 Tel.: 613-563-4844 Web site: www.nafc-aboriginal.com (External link)
Start Date:	November 17, 1997
End Date:	October 9, 1998
Budget :	1997/1998	$95,000

 

The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) was incorporated in 1972. It represents 114 Friendship Centres and seven Provincial/Territorial Associations (PTAs) across Canada. Friendship Centres have taken different programs and services available to the general public and adapted them to respond to the specific needs of the urban Aboriginal population.

Partners:
Canadian Public Health Association and Friendship Centres

Project:
The project developed health information kits for the use of the Friendship Centre Movement. The kits served as a starting point for the development of programs and services for the urban Aboriginal population. They also provided information on the development of partnerships, increasing the participation within programs and assisted in seeking resources for needed programs and services.

Products/Results:

• "Aboriginal Health Intervention Tool Kit (AHIT)."

Title:	Use and misuse of drugs by ethnocultural seniors: a cross-cultural education model
Project #:	6785-15-1998/0390166 (IYOP)
Organization:	Canadian Ethnocultural Council 176 Gloucester Street, Suite 400 Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0A6 Web site: www.ethnocultural.ca (External link)
Start Date:	February 22, 1999
End Date:	August 22, 2000
Budget :	1998/1999	$5,550
	1999/2000	$136,536
	2000/2001	$39,267
	Total:	$181,253

 

The Canadian Ethnocultural Council (CEC) is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of 33 national ethnocultural umbrella organizations. Its objectives are to ensure the preservation, enhancement and sharing of the cultural heritage of Canadians, the removal of barriers that prevent some Canadians from participating fully and equally in society, the elimination of racism, and the preservation of a united Canada.

Partners:
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, VON Canada, Canadian Nurses Association, ACCESS Centres and key stakeholder groups in each of the communities where training was held.

Project:
The project determined the level of drug use and misuse among older adults in ethnocultural communities. It also explored common concerns that might lead to inappropriate medication use, identified culturally appropriate prevention methods, and through a train-the-trainer approach increased the capacity of health professionals to provide culturally appropriate drug prevention services.

Products/Results:

• Training Kit: "Use and Misuse of Drugs by Seniors: A Cross-Cultural Education Model."

Title:	Volunteerism in the Canadian health sector
Project #:	5555-15-1997/0000046
Organization:	Volunteer Canada 330 Gilmour Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0P6 Tel.: 613-231-4371 Toll-free: 1-800-670-0401 Web site: www.volunteer.ca (External link)
Start Date:	December 3, 1997
End Date:	July 31, 1998
Budget :	1997/1998	$85,000

 

Volunteer Canada is a national, charitable organization mandated to facilitate and support the work of volunteer centres and to promote volunteerism in Canada.

Partners:
Canadian Administrators of Volunteer Resources, Canadian Association for Community Care, Canadian Healthcare Association, and Canadian Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries.

Project:
By way of a literature review and a survey, this project provided a thorough analysis of the issues and challenges faced by individuals and organizations responsible for managing volunteers in health settings, as well as an understanding of how volunteers are being used to support health care delivery in Canada.

Products/Results:

• Report: "Volunteerism in the Canadian Health Sector" (also available in French).

 

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