Initiatives to reduce isolation 2

Governments funding of programs for seniors is not enough, which means many of the programs are underutilized because of a lack of awareness. These services move frequently and change service providers who have to promote their services and when they do they change the name so seniors who are familiar with one program may be unfamiliar with other local services that provide the same help

We realize that part of developing an awareness of programs and services for seniors will require us identifying which populations are underutilizing needed services and targeting those seniors (and their networks) specifically when promoting and marketing programs.

Supporting informal caregivers

The preference by receivers of care for caregivers appears to be informal support (family, friends) over formal agency services. This works because of the many informal sources of care directly replace formal sources and possibly delay or avoid entry of seniors into long term care.

Increasing the capacity of small service organizations

Because of government policy and perhaps inaction, many programs for seniors are delivered by small non-profit service agencies indirectly funded through different levels of government. It is important that our government support the capacity of these agencies to deliver their community-specific programming.

Suggestions for increasing opportunities for social interaction included offering local and low-cost leisure and educational activities for seniors and congregate meals. Whatever the program intervention may be, it is important that government support the efforts of small and medium-size local organizations in serving local populations as often these organizations have a unique familiarity with the population and its needs.

Developing volunteer-based outreach programs

Peer counsellor or volunteer visitor outreach programs appear to have had a fair amount of success in improving the health outcomes of seniors through the reduction of isolation. The government should support these types of partnerships with the volunteer sector.

Programs that initiate and facilitate contact between seniors and health professionals (or other individuals who act as resource people) can serve to encourage the timely and appropriate usage of health services. Outreach programming can take a variety of formats. For example, the intervention could be a group activity, such as a drop-in blood pressure clinic or information session; an individual face-to-face effort such as a coffee cart or friendly visitor/helper; or a telephone or email check-in by a health professional. These types of outreach efforts to socially isolated seniors could be done within the context of small service agencies, as mentioned above, or could involve larger provincial or national efforts by government or other