Project Level Outcomes
- Communities become more aware of the needs of older adults and ways to address those needs
- Seniors are viewed as valuable, contributing members of society
- Accessible Services are Available
- Seniors meaningfully connect with others through personal contact and meaningful activities
Project Partners:
- Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, Canadian Red Cross, Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, Saskatchewan Seniors Mechanism
Structure
- RISC Impact Plan Team – 16 people, meet 4-5 times/year
- RISC Program Coordinators – meet in various configurations as needed to coordinate work
- RISC Project Leads – 4 meet periodically to plan and consult
Theory of Change
We believe the impact plan outcomes are all very closely interrelated. Addressing one outcome also affects the others. For example, activities that include seniors give them a sense that they are valued; seniors who feel valued are more likely to get involved in activities and build more connections.
Our group of projects recognizes this interconnectedness of the impact plan outcomes. Our theory is that when you begin to address one aspect of the social isolation of seniors there will be a wide ranging effect on the many aspects that contribute to isolation. Each project takes a particular approach to reducing social isolation, but each addresses all four impact plan outcomes. Partner organizations network on an ongoing basis to share their experiences and their learnings.
Our impact plan includes working with both communities and isolated individuals. We are empowering communities to be more aware of how to be inclusive and reach out to isolated seniors. Projects involve direct contact with individuals to help empower them through awareness of resources, friendly visits, and information. Empowering both communities and individuals leads to change.
Projects take place in various locations throughout the province. This allows us to cover a wider number of communities and learnings from working in these communities informs work in other communities and provides resources that can be used in a number of communities. We do ongoing assessment of ways in which the various projects might collaborate on activities or in particular locations.
Strategies/Activities/Results
Work with urban and rural communities to help them become Dementia Friendly Communities
- Dementia Friendly best practices document developed
- www.DementiaFriendlySaskatchewan.ca website created
- Municipal Tool kit developed to assist in Developing Dementia Friendly Communities
- Dementia Friendly Business Tool Kit being developed
- 19 Dementia Friendly Communities presentations have been completed
- To date over 100 requests for information about DFC has been received
- People with Dementia are participating in delivering DFC presentations
Establish a Dementia Helpline
- Dementia Helpline brand and promotional materials established
- Dementia Helpline established in 2 pilot regions; now being implemented province wide
- Total calls to the Dementia Helpline to date: 226
Work with individuals and community groups to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and establish Dementia Friends, supporting people in their communities.
- Developed Dementia Friends promotional materials including post cards and displays
- Dementia Friends plan and online sign up developed
- Circulated 27 Dementia Friends e-newsletters to cumulative total of 11,167 recipients
- Recruited 824 Dementia Friends; 13 have become clients and 49 have become donors
Raise awareness about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
- Warning Signs campaign developed including website, print materials, radio ads, social media
- 60 warning signs community presentations delivered to 1163 attendees.
Recruit volunteers to make face-to-face friendly visits with isolated seniors
- 23 communities reached; 19 active Friendly Visitor volunteers
- Posters, postcards, radio advertising, print advertising, presentations
- Supporting a ‘Friendly Phone Link’ (home safety check) phone program
Work with rural, small urban and francophone communities to help them become Age-Friendly
- Engaged with 26 communities – rural, urban, Francophone, First Nations
- Created Evaluation Resource and process for provincial recognition
- Created and distributed Age-Friendly Business resource
- AF info shared at 23 presentations to organizations and at 13 tradeshows and displays
- Creation of AF Saskatchewan video and update of AF Website
- Trained 14 Liaisons to maintain contact with communities; AF newsletter
- Working with Fédération des aînés fransaskois in French speaking communities
Reduce ageism through public education and by education of media
- Portrayal of seniors monitored in 354 items in local newspapers and broadcast media
- Creation and distribution of “Words are Powerful” Style Guide for Media
- Conference on Moving Beyond Ageism
- 8 Education sessions on ageism with media outlet staff; 15 Presentations on Ageism
Raise awareness of Older Adult Abuse and how to respond to it
- Trained 13 volunteer presenters; 24+ Presentations
Reduce isolation of seniors in Regina
- Work with Lifelong Learning Centre – 100+ Free Forums, health information sessions and events
- Programming for Aboriginal Seniors, New Canadian Seniors, Intergenerational activities
- Provide overview of international, national, and provincial programs/interventions that address social isolation of older adults: Literature search- 2,578 articles screened; 46 in scoping review
- Bring together selected policy makers and community members to discuss strategies and interventions to address social isolation in older adults: Summit in Regina in April 2019.
Evaluation
- Track the process of collective impact and understand the challenges and opportunities
- Community Perspective Survey of communities with projects
- Community Case Studies to provide an in depth understanding of the impact on communities
- Data Collection