1 Raising the Profile Project
2 Some History of RPP Idea came out of workshop on Seniors Centres at a very large conference with the Seniors Advocate in the February 2015. Participants were very enthusiastic about the positive contribution made by Seniors Centres in supporting older adults to remain physically and socially active, and to maintain their health and independence. Raised concerns about the lack of recognition of the vital role played by these services in the broader community and by government, uneven provision of services across BC , and need for a more sustainable funding model. Consensus emerged that there was a pressing need for Seniors Centres to have a much higher profile and more support if BC is to effectively meet the challenges of its aging population.
3 Step One: Funding Funding from a number of sources secured for July 2016 – April to cover research and consultations. Funders include the United Way, the Seniors Advocate, Van City and the Centre for Non-Profit Management and Sustainability. Largest funder is the gov’t of BC: the MOH is interested in working with the project to understand how community-based senior services fit within their overall strategic plan for seniors health care in the long term. The City of Surrey has agreed to host a Raising the Profile Provincial Summit in fall of 2017, but funding not yet confirmed.
4 Step Two: Define Project ScopeA. The Project Goal: To identify the impact and challenges of community-based seniors services and make recommendations about innovative ways to ensure long-term capacity of the sector to meet the rising and increasingly complex needs of seniors in British Columbia now and in the future. B. The Definition of Community-Based Seniors Services: A broad definition that includes all non-profit and municipal services that provide programming for older adults including community centres, multi-serve agencies, seniors centres, community coalitions, neighbourhood houses. C. Identify how to begin: Began to develop a provincial network of direct service providers and organizations that support these providers and to begin a conversation about how to build the capacity of the sector to address the growing needs of an aging population.
5 Step Two: Define Project ScopeRaise awareness in the broader community and with government of the vital role played by community-based seniors services to support seniors to maintain their health and independence for as long as possible. Document the uneven provision of and support for these services in different communities and regions of the province, and the limited access for isolated, immigrant, LGBTQ, rural and/or aboriginal seniors. Outline a business case for greater investment in this sector based on the evidence showing that health care utilization and costs can be significantly reduced when older adults are socially engaged, physically active and have access to nutritional education and supports. Identify specific capacity building strategies/social innovations that would improve collaboration and coordination within the sector and/or result in stronger relationships with and commitment from external partners and funders.
6 The Advisory CommitteeIncludes representatives from around the Province: Silver Harbour Seniors' Activity Centre West End Seniors’ Network Columbia Basin Trust Family Caregivers of BC Prince George Seniors Council and Seniors Resource Centre MOSAIC Nanaimo Family Life Association Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House City of Burnaby South Okanagan Seniors Wellness Society City of Kitimat Yellowhead Community Services City of Surrey, Parks Recreation and Culture Healthy Communities BC , Seniors Outreach and Resource Centre (Kelowna) Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Nelson CARES Society Better-At-Home Program, Centre for Sustainability United Way of the Lower Mainland Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres Seniors Services Society (New West) City of Kamloops, Recreation and Cultural Services
7 Key activities of the ProjectLiterature review demonstrating the health costs associated with poor nutrition, social isolation, and low levels of physical activity One example: Physically inactive Canadian seniors have significantly higher rates of health resource use and over 2.5 times the health care costs compared with physically active seniors, with an estimated additional cost to the health care system of $5.6 billion. Survey that completed by Better at Home Co-ordinators across BC that will help us to highlight the uneven and inadequate access to community based services in different region and communities across BC.
8 Key activities of the ProjectProgram profiles in six core service areas: Nutritional Supports – a hot lunch program, community kitchen and garden, etc. Wellness Program – wellness clinics, peer counselling, outreach to isolated and home bound seniors, support groups Physical activities – dance, yoga, tai chi etc. Educational, recreational, creative arts programming Information and referral related to income support programs, housing, health services, community resources Transportation
9 Key activities of the ProjectInterviews with provincial/regional bodies and the municipal sector who support the work of the sector by providing training, co-ordination and/or funding. One day meetings in seven communities in the spring of 2017 to share the findings and get local input on key capacity building strategies for their community. A provincial summit in the fall of 2017 hosted by the City of Surrey to share ideas and develop a plan for moving some key social innovations and/or capacity building strategies at the provincial level.
10 Example of results so far: The Importance of regular exercisePhysically inactive Canadian seniors use significantly more health resources and incur over 2.5 times the health care costs in comparison with physically active seniors. The estimated additional annual cost to the Canadian health care system is $5.6 billion. (Woolcott et al., 2010) Only 12% of Canadians aged are meeting the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. (Statistics Canada, 2015b).
11 Chose to Move, Provincial Case Study, Centre for Hip Health and MobilityDelivered in partnership with British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) and YMCA of Greater Vancouver Over six-months participants work with a trained activity coach to develop a personalized physical activity action plan customized to their individual needs, interests, goals, resources and abilities Early results show that eighty-four percent of seniors participating in the Choose to Move had one or more chronic condition when they enrolled; after only 3 months’ there were significant improvements in physical and social determinants of health: increased physical activity rates by 1.7 days per week increased feelings of social connectedness decreased feelings of loneliness
12 Program Profile: TAPS Program, CrestonTAPS is a wellness program which utilizes a model similar to an adult day program. It fills an important service gap in the health care continuum, serving seniors who are isolated and unable to independently access programs offered by seniors and community centres, but who don’t qualify for the health authority adult day program. Participants are provided with transportation to and from the program. Their typical day includes a nutritious lunch, a physical activity and an educational/creative activity. People usually go two or three days week. TAPS participant: Suddenly I have a life… I now know people…The exercises helped a great deal. I do activities I don’t do at home, and I get hugs which is very important when you’re alone
13 Issues identified by the Advisory Committee and Sector ResearchThe reduction in funding in recent years and the tendering process for funding has exacerbated the competition and fragmentation of the sector. There is a need to find new ways to work more collaboratively within the sector and with external partners and funders. The sector must be ready to address the diversity of the seniors population and the importance of reaching out to isolated and vulnerable populations of seniors e.g. Aboriginals, linguistically and culturally isolated, LGTB seniors, older men, etc. There is a large proportion of the seniors population with very low incomes who rely on these community-based services.
14 Issues identified by the Advisory Committee and Sector ResearchThere is a need to get the right balance of volunteers and paid staff – the sector is often expected to rely too heavily on volunteers! There is an uneven provision of and support for these services in different communities and regions of the province. There is no provincial/regional infrastructure to support program co-ordination, effective evaluation and innovation. There is a growing, yet unrecognized role, the sector plays in supporting people with significant mental and physical health challenges (a shift to acute services within the Health and Housing sectors).
15 Project Deliverables A report and other materials outlining the most recent research available on BC Seniors and the impact of community-based seniors services. A series of case studies reflecting the broad range of programming and approaches within the sector in BC in six core areas: Nutritional Supports, Wellness Programming, Physical fitness activities, Educational, cultural and recreational programming, Information, Referral and Advocacy, and Transportation. A report and other materials identifying the strengths and challenges of the community-based seniors services sector, including an outline of some strategies that have most potential to ensure the sector has both the capacity and stability to meet the growing needs of BC aging population.
16 Project Deliverables A report and other materials that identify successful social innovation models that can be implemented at provincial or local levels. An established network of community-based seniors service providers across the province. A series of community meetings around the province to engage in exploring the research outcomes and identify long term strategies for success in the sector. A Raising the Profile Provincial Summit hosted by the City of Surrey for affirming long-term strategies for success in the sector.
17 Who will be served? By compiling the evidence of the important impact of community-based seniors services in BC, and engaging in sector and province-wide dialogue, this project will serve seniors around the province – both current and future. It will do this by articulating the needs of the organizations that serve seniors, capacity needs that will ensure their long-term sustainability. Secondarily, funders and policy-makers will be better informed and equipped to make commitments to better serve the sector.
18 Important Conclusion from our Research“Social and community service providers need to be regarded and treated as health promotion services within the health system.” (Keller et al. 2007)
19 For more information www.seniorsraisingtheprofile.ca (by March 10th) Regional Meetings: search Eventbrite for ‘Raising the Profile’